Presidential welcome

“Steel tariffs” were the words on the lips of reporters, protesters and fundraiser guests as… “Steel tariffs” were the words on the lips of reporters, protesters and fundraiser guests as President George W. Bush spoke at the Westin Convention Center hotel in downtown Pittsburgh Tuesday morning.

However, Bush did not say a word about whether or not he planned to lift steel tariffs in response to pressure from the World Trade Organization, which has declared that the tariffs are illegal. This may further threaten America’s struggling steel industry, which is economically and historically important to Western Pennsylvania.

Bush’s remarks did cover a wide variety of topics, including his plans to continue America’s war on terror, improve America’s educational system through his “No Child Left Behind” campaign, and end “the soft bigotry of low expectations.” He discussed his administration’s initiatives to improve the economy, including “new laws to bring corporate criminals to account” and “historic tax relief.” He cited improvements in the economy, saying that the third quarter annualized growth numbers have increased to 8.2 percent, the fastest pace in nearly 20 years.

“When Americans have more take-home money to spend, the whole economy grows, and some people are more likely to be able to find a job,” Bush said. “We’re returning tax money to the American people to help them raise their families, reducing taxes on dividends and capital gains to encourage investment.”

Bush also described congressional legislation that would help to create more choices in Medicare and provide prescription drug benefits for senior citizens. He also explained the need for national medical liability reform, which would cut back on “frivolous lawsuits” that increase the cost of health care and put a strain on the federal budget.

“People who have been harmed by a bad doc deserve their day in court,” he said, “yet the system should not reward lawyers who are fishing for a big settlement.”

Bush also discussed “compassionate conservatism” and charity work, including the USA Freedom Corps’ work within the United States and America’s efforts to fight the spread of AIDS in Africa. He explained that the foundations for such a compassionate society are grounded in the independence that comes from ownership. He added that his administration would work toward increasing minority home ownership and promoting individual ownership of businesses, retirement accounts and health insurance plans. He added that his faith-based initiative would also strengthen this compassionate environment.

“Our government must not fear faith,” he said. “We must welcome faith into helping solve the intractable problems that face our country.”

As for Bush’s conspicuously absent comments on the steel tariffs, White House spokesman Kevin Madden said that he wasn’t aware of any specific reason Bush did not mention the tariffs in his speech. According to David Sanger of The New York Times, White House spokespeople said that Bush might not decide on the issue until the middle of December.

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., also spoke during Bush’s visit. Vice President Dick Cheney did not appear at the event.

Bush’s visit to Pittsburgh was part of his larger Bush-Cheney 2004 fundraising campaign. Inside the convention hall, the fundraiser guests munched on turkey sandwiches and pasta, which came at the cost of $2,000 a plate. Approximately 425 people attended the fundraiser, and according to White House spokesman Scott Stanzel, the event was expected to raise $850,000. As of Sept. 30, 2003, about 265,000 donors across the country had contributed a total of $83.9 million.

In contrast to the red, white and blue tablecloths, the massive American flag and the attendees’ dark suits inside the convention center, the approximately 400 protesters outside created a many-colored, mobile group. Among them was an individual dressed as a clown fish, as well as members of the Sierra Club, Campus Anti-War Network and the International Socialist Organization, who shouted “Give money to Pittsburgh, not to George W. Bush!” at attendees as they left the fundraiser. Several Bush supporters were also stationed outside.

Between 250 and 300 of the protesters were members of the United Steelworkers of America, coming from all across Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio and West Virginia.

“Our message to him is that we expect him to keep his word,” said Gerald Dickey, spokesperson for the United Steelworkers. “The tariffs were put up to protect our industry.”

Dickey explained that the 18 months the tariffs have been in effect have given the American steel industry time to consolidate and prepare to compete in a foreign market. If Bush keeps the tariffs in effect for the full three years, he said, the industry would be able to complete this preparation process.

“If he takes the tariffs away from us, he’ll pull the rug out from under us,” he added.

Chelsea Quattrone, a graduate student at CMU, said that, though she thought Bush would succumb to international pressure and lift the tariffs, this move would further hinder Western Pennsylvanian steel producers, who are already producing lower quality steel to offer competitive prices.

“We’re going to lose our manufacturing center, and if we lose our manufacturing, who will lift us up after another 9-11?” she said.

Others protested Bush’s tax cuts, the war in Iraq and what they described as the threat against civil liberties. Judy Focareta of Glanshaw, a member of Pittsburgh’s chapter of Code Pink for Peace, waved a rose-colored piece of women’s lingerie with the words, “Here’s your pink slip, George! You’re fired!” and explained that similar slips would be hung up outside the White House.

“What he has done has taken this country down so far,” she said, mentioning the war in Iraq, the environment and health care. “People don’t really matter to him. It’s a sad time for America and a sad time for this country.”

Tammy Ewin, Pittsburgh police public information officer, reported one arrest during the protests. Anthony Wade Foster, 20, was arrested for running through the protesters, throwing police barricades into the crowd and knocking over a police bicycle and breaking one of its lights. He was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.