Pubdate: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 Source: Asbury Park Press (NJ) Copyright: 2004 Asbury Park Press Contact: http://www.app.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/26 Author: Greg Volpe, Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Jim+Miller (Jim Miller) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) INSIDE, GOP CROWD CHEERS; OUTSIDE, PROTESTERS CHANT EVESHAM -- Hundreds of New Jersey Republicans burst into a thunderous ovation when a helicopter carrying President Bush could be heard over the recreation center where they were waiting to hear him speak. When he arrived at the podium, the crowd gave him a four-finger salute while chanting "four more years." While the president spoke about going after terrorists instead of waiting for them to strike again, random voices shouted, "Give 'em hell, George," "Go get 'em, George" and "We love you." Bush's appearance in this Burlington County suburb gives Republicans hope that he will win against Democrat John Kerry in New Jersey -- a traditionally Democrat-leaning state. "With your help, we'll carry the state of New Jersey," Bush told the crowd. Shore area residents who made the trek from Ocean County Republican headquarters in Toms River agreed. "Kerry started out 15 points ahead, and now it's a dead heat," said Frank Punucci, 25, of Brick. "He's definitely going to carry it." Punucci said he knew what the president would say. "It's reassuring to come in knowing what he's going to say because he's on a steady platform," he said. "It was the proudest day of my life. He's the greatest president," said Virginia Apelian, of Manchester. "Mr. Kerry doesn't have a chance. I think we will keep our commander-in-chief." But New Jersey's Democrats aren't buying that. While Republicans packed the gymnasium, dozens of protesters stood in a small, designated area in the grass fields across the street. One of the most visible protests came from a group from Monmouth County who rode a red, white and blue school bus with signs supporting Kerry. "We're people who are scared of four more years of George Bush," said Andy Coleman, 37, of Belmar, who owns the bus and addressed people on a microphone as they returned from the speech. There were some heated exchanges. Louis Schneider, 44, of Ocean Grove said he joined the protest out of fear that if the war continues there could be a draft. "We do support the troops, but we think John Kerry will do a better job getting us out," he said. "If there is a draft, they're going to take middle-class kids, working-class kids -- my kids." Peter Smith, 33, of Seaside Heights, a Bush supporter, said the president has done what was necessary to protect the country. "It's easy to be critical of a president's decisions when you're not really in the know," he said. Smith said the president's visit is evidence that Republicans think they can win New Jersey. Smith's theory is that the Democrats have been hurt by the scandal surrounding Gov. McGreevey, who announced he would resign in November because of a gay extramarital affair. One of the earlier and quieter protests came from Jim Miller, 52, of Toms River, who was carrying on his late wife's advocacy for legalized medicinal marijuana. Cheryl Lee Miller, who died last year, used the drug to relieve the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Jim Miller was protesting that Bush hasn't done anything to legalize medicinal marijuana. "I promised my wife I would carry on," he said. "When you make a promise to somebody on their deathbed, you have to do it." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake