This Democrat stands firm in support for re-election of President George Bush

EDITOR:
I'm writing this letter from the perspective of an Ohio Democrat who supports the re-election of President Bush. As you know, I'm the mayor of the most Democratic city in Ohio. Our city traditionally provides Democratic presidential candidates with 60 percent to 75 percent of the city's total vote. Growing up with the legacies of Presidents FDR, Harry Truman and JFK formed my core Democratic values. They had the courage of their convictions and unwavering strength in the face of challenges to our national security. Their word was their bond. Americans knew it and more importantly, the world knew it. They made me proud to be a Democrat.
Fast forward to 2004, Sen. John Kerry stands on the stage of Radio City Music Hall, acknowledges a group of Hollywood leftists and elitists, and characterizes them as representing the heart and soul of America. Sen. Kerry, Ohio is still in America and in Ohio, the Hollywood leftists DO NOT represent our values, our heart or our soul. You can take that to the bank!
It gets worse. My fellow Democrats in Ohio recently selected our "Democrat of the Year." They say the best Democrat the entire state can offer is Jerry Springer. Stop laughing -- it is a fact. I'm told that as a good Democrat, I must honor a man who on his latest television program featured 400-pound, bearded sisters wrestling in a pool of gelatin. Ohio's Democratic leadership should know that Springer, a man known for all the wrong reasons, is not the best Democrat in Ohio ... not even close!
Kerry reminds me of the traditional politician whom when asked his position on the war in Iraq stands tall and with a strong and commanding voice says: "One-half of my friends support the war in Iraq, and one-half of my friends oppose the war in Iraq, and I'm not afraid to say that I support my friends." In my world, when you stand for everything, you stand for nothing!
Like former New York Mayor Ed Koch, my support for President Bush is primarily motivated by his stance in making the national security of the United States his No. 1 priority. President Bush understands that the terrorists, who shot Russian school children in the back as they ran for their lives, cannot be reasoned with at a U.N. debating society conference. Peace through strength brought down the Berlin Wall, and only peace through strength will defeat the terrorists. In contrast, the Hollywood leftists, who have hijacked the Kerry campaign, believe that Michael Moore would be a more effective secretary of state than General Colin Powell, a genuine American hero. I am confident that FDR, Truman and JFK would choose Powell and show Moore the door with their shoe leather on his backside. That's the Democratic Party I knew and loved.
My granddaughters hug me with all their strength when they are afraid. Their unconditional trust assures them that grandpa will protect them from all harm. My vote this year is for the man that I believe will provide a safer future for all of our children and grandchildren. That man is President George W. Bush.
GEORGE M. McKELVEY
Mayor of Youngstown
XThis letter was distributed by Ohio Bush-Cheney '04, which said it is similar to a piece McKelvey wrote for The Boston Globe.