President Bush Speeks in Cleveland

What an exciting day it was on Tuesday July 10Th, 2007! This was the fourth time I had the opportunity to see President Bush speak and by far the most intimate setting with about 400 in attendance. It was held at the Intercontinental Hotel adjacent to the Cleveland Clinic. For all the problems Cleveland faces and being labeled the poorest large city in America its good to see the attention the city garnered during the Presidents visit. Cleveland is very important politically.
The hotel and surrounding area was buzzing with activity, from the secret service, FBI, police, the media and all the volunteers who help organize the event. It is amazing the amount of work that goes into preparation for a presidential visit. The media rooms were a spectacle to see. All the monitors, the maze of wires, computers, lights, cameras, its very impressive and hard to adequately describe, its really something that needs to be seen in person.
As for the Presidents speech he was warmly received and the tone was of a preelection rally. He was touting his objectives and goals on a wide array of topics, ranging from health care, immigration, oil and alternative fuels, faith based programs, space exploration, Iraq and a few other topics that he jumped around on from one to another.
There was three areas he spent some time on. Concerning Iraq President Bush reiterated his stance on why we should be there and that reason is establishing democracy is the key to peace in the middle east. He talked on reducing our dependence on oil, alternative fuels, our immediate goals and future solutions. He mentioned how ethanol production has increased and the benefits and problems associated with it. In the not to distant future hydrogen fuel cells, coal and finally wind technology could play a big role in reducing our dependence on oil. His immigration plan was explained. In short summary he is not for amensty, illegals should be sent back and made to go through the proper chanels to apply for citizenship.
Someone had mentioned that President Bush is not the best speaker and stuttered quite a bit. I differ completely on that opinion. There is more than eloquence in delivering a speech.
President Bush comes across as a very likable person, down to earth, someone you could go have coffee with. He admits his shortcomings like when he was talking about the importance of faith based programs which helped him, in reference to his past. Though he may stumble and ponder for the word he is looking for, the facts and answers come easy. He is very believable in his deliverance. He also makes you feel at ease with his sense of humor which is important in this hectic world we live.
As I mentioned this is the fourth opportunity I have had to see President Bush speak and each time I walked away uplifted. This time was no different as I left feeling that there is a future for America and not a bleak one. That's what a good speaker should do, uplift and motivate a person. And that's what a good leader should do, instill confidence and hope in tomorrow.

Carey K. Masci