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News :: Elections & Legislation |
Bush, Kerry may visit Quad-Cities |
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by Loose Lips Media Email: looselipsmedia (nospam) ziplip.com (unverified!) Address: Fox River Valley, Illinois |
01 Aug 2004
Modified: 09:21:14 PM |
DAVENPORT, Iowa - An increasing number of site-specific discussions are hinting that a same-day appearance by President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is likely to happen next week in Davenport. |
DAVENPORT, Iowa - An increasing number of site-specific discussions are hinting that a same-day appearance by President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is likely to happen next week in Davenport.
White House officials confirmed Friday night that the president will visit Davenport on Wednesday. There are plans for a 10:40 a.m. appearance, but a location was not immediately disclosed.
Officials from both camps have reserved the large halls at the Davenport RiverCenter for Wednesday. The Kerry camp has not confirmed a time for his visit, but Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack said earlier this week that the U.S. senator from Massachusetts was expected to arrive Tuesday night and be in the Quad-Cities Wednesday.
Tom Cornwall, the executive director of the RiverCenter, said that both the Great River Hall and the Mississippi River Hall have been booked by the two presidential candidates.
Cornwall said he could not disclose which campaign wants which hall. The two venues are located across 3rd Street from one another downtown and are joined by a skywalk. The Great River Hall, on the south side of the street, is almost three times larger than the one on the north side.
"We've been talking to them for the past week and neither has finalized any details," he said of the two campaigns. "They've told us nothing, but neither event is open to the public. They haven't confirmed who will be here."
Area police also are awaiting confirmation of the two candidates' schedules and have said that members of the Secret Service have been scouting possible sites in Davenport for public appearances by both Bush and Kerry. John O'Donnell Stadium and LeClaire Park are other Davenport sites that have been mentioned as possibilities.
Davenport Mayor Charlie Brooke was taking the news of a possible tandem appearance by the two biggest names in American politics as an exciting opportunity for the city, but he also was wondering how the logistics might shake out.
For instance, he questioned what protesters might do if the two parties converge on the same spot.
"I've heard they are both going to be at the RiverCenter, one in the north side and one in the south," he said. "It will be the 3rd Street Duel.
"It will be great for Davenport," he added. "I guess both campaigns think Davenport is a great place to be."
Speculation by political insiders about the twin appearances began early in the week at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. Throughout the week, area officials, including law enforcement, have become increasingly aware of plans by both parties, but they have stopped short of saying it is a sure thing.
Joe Taylor, the president of the Quad-Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau, said he has gotten excited about presidential visits in the past only to see them canceled at the last minute and added that he is waiting for official word before he starts making any plans to accommodate out-of-town guests.
"If it's really going to happen, I will be thrilled to welcome them," he said. "From everything I'm hearing, it's not quite confirmed.
"If and when it is, I certainly would welcome the nation's No. 1 and No. 2 guests."
(Times reporters Barb Ickes, Tom Saul, Deirdre Cox Baker and Todd Ruger contributed to this article.) |
See also:
http://www.muscatinejournal.com/articles/2004/07/30/news/news4.txt http://www.qctimes.com/ |
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