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41 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, January 27, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 14, 2004 Town hall audience shares candidate’s optimism By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Linda McGraw said she couldn’t believe she had just shaken the hand of Sen. John Edwards after a town hall meeting Wednesday morning. The Talent Democrat said she told the vice presidential candidate, " ‘Thank you. It means so much to have you here,’ and he said, ‘It means more to me to have you all here.’ " With less than two days to get tickets, an enthusiastic crowd of 2,500 people packed the Medford Armory Wednesday for Edwards’ campaign stop in Southern Oregon. McGraw, who volunteered to hold the microphone while audience members posed their questions, said, "I’ve been involved in Jackson County politics since 1968 and I’ve never seen this much energy from Democrats." Selma resident Mort Mondale, brother of former Vice President Walter Mondale, said Edwards responded well to the questions. Advertisement "The optimism he brings to the party is a joy to watch," Mondale said. Jane Maynard of Ashland was another of dozens of residents who got a chance to meet Edwards. "I told him, ‘My three grandchildren are counting on you,’" she said. Democrats were quick to take a jab at President Bush’s rally, planned for this afternoon, in which non-Bush supporters were told by the GOP they need not apply. Peter Buckley, who is running for House District 5, received a roar of laughter from the audience when he started the event by saying, "We forgot to have you sign a loyalty oath." Veterans, educators and nurses were among the supporters who posed questions to the senator primarily about health care. There didn’t appear to be any protesters during Edwards’ visit, either inside or outside the armory. Gold Hill resident Sean Breen, a 16-year-old student at Crater High School, had asked Edwards about malpractice reform to bring down health care costs. "I thought he answered my question pretty well," said Breen, who is worried about his future and whether he’ll be able to afford health coverage. "When I become older, health care costs could become even higher," he said. Ashland resident Jacob Herring, who asked Edwards about social programs and education, said, "The world can’t take another four years of George Bush." Herring criticized the president’s policies and took exception to many of the programs he has engineered. "Whatever they say, look in the other direction," he said. "Healthy forests are really good for the timber companies, and prescription drug cards are good for the drug companies." His wife, Debi Herring, said Bush has left education in shambles, despite the president’s claims that he supports schools. She said the Republican Party has been hijacked by the so-called neo-conservatives. Pointing to the audience, she said, "Everybody is praying that they don’t succeed." Medford resident Janet Schmitz criticized the Bush administration’s politics of fear. "The propaganda from the Republicans is scaring little kids, too," she said. The retired art teacher also criticized the No Child Left Behind Act. Medford resident Kris York said the health care problem in this country is the worst of any industrialized nation she has experienced. "I’ve lived in Canada and in Germany," said York. "Everyone’s covered, even students who can’t afford it." York, who is on disability, said her insurance will run out this month, but she hopes that her partner can get coverage through her work. "I shouldn’t be dependent on a partner for insurance," she said. "You shouldn’t be dependent on your job for insurance." A half-dozen Ashland Middle School students who wanted to see Edwards said they will receive extra credit from their social studies class for the visit. "We’re missing school for a good cause," said 13-year-old Tracy Marvin of Ashland. The students also got to greet Edwards. "We shook his hand," said Tracy. "He’s so hot." She said the president’s No Child Left Behind Act hurt education. "It doesn’t help," she said. "It just takes money away from schools." Another classmate, 14-year-old Tim Harper, also condemned Bush. "He’s the only president who lost jobs in 70 years," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers