Bush's SS Campaign Disses Young American

[Kevin Spidel]

For Immediate Release
Contact: Tony Cani, [phone] ext 36 Young Democrats of Arizona,
President



Bush's SS Campaign Disses Young American
Steven Gerner, a local student at UofA, is refused entry

Tucson, AZ - President Bush's taxpayer funded Social Security "Forum"
in Tucson today did not welcome young American Steven Gerner, who was
quietly standing in line waiting to hear the President deliver a
speech that he felt he needed to pay close attention to. Gerner, 19,
was one of 1400 Tucsonans who properly obtained a ticket to the
tightly screened forum, but he would not get the chance to actually
make it inside the event. The reason: Steven was wearing a University
of Arizona Young Democrats t-shirt.

Twenty minutes before the doors opened for the Tucson Civic Center
forum, an event staffer approached Steven, asked for a better view of
his t-shirt, then demanded his ticket.

"When the staffer took my ticket, he literally crumpled it up in his
hand and then walked away. I was too shocked and frankly too
disappointed to even do or say anything." said Steven Gerner, a
University of Arizona student.

The staffer returned twenty minutes later, told Gerner that his name
had been "reported" and warned that there was no way he could gain
entry into the event.

"I really wanted a chance to hear the Bush side of the Social Security
debate. Plus, I have never seen a President speak and even though I am
a dedicated Democrat – I was excited to see the leader of my
country."
Gerner said. "Regardless of which party wins the Presidency, the
person who sits in that office should take personal responsibility to
fairly represent all Americans and provide equal access for us to hear
him speak."

"The debate over whether to privatize Social Security is really
important to people my age," added Gerner. This Social Security
debate should be about open communication and ideas rather than overt
snubs of people who just want to hear both sides of the issue."

In the latest Newsweek poll the numbers show President Bush's approval
among 18-29 years olds has had the most significant decline to 43
percent from 56 percent last month.

Presidential visits are funded by taxpayer dollars and are not
supposed to discriminate on the basis of party affiliation.

The Young Democrats of Arizona is the official youth outreach arm of
the Arizona Democratic Party. Members range in age from 13 to 35 and
represent every county in the state. For more information visit
www.ydaz.org

###

Paid for by the Young Democrats of Arizona
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
www.ydaz.org

[Horse with no Name]

1. It is so difficult to keep up with the outrageous

acts of this administration.
I thought it was supposed to be all of our country, but clearly am beginning to see it is only the country of the neoconservative movement.
I guess I misunderstood when Bush spoke the words "You are either with us or against us"--he wasn't just talking to Al Quaeda, he was talking to us as well.

edited to add:
With Bush excluding Young Democrats from his Town Hall Meetings, this organization needs to file amnesty of some sort when the draft begins. If they aren't good enough to see him speak, then they aren't good enough cannon fodder.

[Horse with no Name]

2. Cross post this in General Discussion as well. eom

[Mister T in AZ]

3. Thanks for posting this here ...

The Young Dems were pretty outraged by this whole thing. We have gotten SOME press on it but hardly enough. The majority of the coverage has come from Dems posting it around the web.

[newyawker99]

4. Hi Mister T in AZ!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: