Portland appearances by Kerry, Bush will be as different as their politics

With Oregon poised to become the epicenter of national politics Friday -- for a few hours, at least -- the two major presidential campaigns clashed over which candidate has the more people-friendly style.

President Bush and his chief rival, U.S. Sen. John Kerry, have scheduled simultaneous campaign events in Portland. Only invited supporters can attend Bush's two events, while Kerry is staging a come-one, come-all rally.

Democrats chided Bush, a Republican, for what they called his "secretive" and closed agenda, and touted Kerry's openness. Gov. Ted Kulongoski, a Democrat, questioned the wisdom of Bush's strategy.
<snip>

"Look, I've stood for four hours waiting to see (former President) Bill Clinton" when he campaigned in Oregon, Kulongoski said. "The more the public is involved, the better it is."

more: http://oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1092311870322690.xml

Kerry can deal with his hecklers because he can think on his feet, and is emotionally stable--Bush getting heckled while trapped at a podium is something I don't think we have ever experienced, and yet I think just one such experience would be enough.

... make him look like a coward if he doesn't start making appearances before REAL people.

Hell, not just this article, but there was a USA Today COVER story the other day about how Bush campaign events are all stacked with Bush supporters ("Stacking the Crowd", can't find a link now).

So it's already an issue. Kerry needs to HAMMER at it. Best case for Bush is he'll look like a coward. Worst case for him, he'll take the bait (Kerry's bait, for once) and have to appear in front of real crowds, and he'll come off looking more idiotic than he did taking a few questions at the Unity Conference.