Brad Messer Commentary
8:15 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003
Bush rally a fair test?
The local Republican party is hosting a Bush rally day after tomorrow. Do you think there’ll be anyone singing Give War a Chance?
It’s on impossibly-short notice. Saturday's forecast is morning rain, then cool and breezy.
With the anti-war people, peace is their clear, number one goal. What they want, what they’re marching for, is simple.
What the people at a Bush rally want is complex. They won’t necessarily be rallying for war. Most people who support a preemptive attack, do so only as a last resort. The Bush people’s goals are a mix. Will some folks go to a Bush rally to show they want more U.N. inspections then an attack? To show that they support President Bush in whatever he wants to do, whenever? The motivations for turnout are un-unified.
I think this won’t be a fair contest. Actually it is not a contest, but it’s going to be perceived as one. First thing people will do is count heads and see whether the Bush people outdraw the peace people.
You might consider getting down to Alamo Plaza at 1 o'clock Saturday, if you’re so inclined. One person who will be comparing the rally sizes is Saddam, because he’s looking for some more juicy propaganda.
Brad Messer— commentary, KTSA.
San Antonio express-News Feb. 20, 2003
GOP sets rally backing Bush on war