The Absent Voters

The political hacks of Colville noted they were missing. With a  President
of the United States coming to Colville, nothing could have made Stevens
County officialdom happier. Such a rare event would be bound to bring out
the voting public mainline. In recent years, the general public, which for
years was a volatile and audible presence, has become increasingly elusive.

Five years ago, during the candidates meeting night held in the  Granges at
both ends of the County, over one hundred people came each night to view the
new candidates or merely to sneer at the outgoing. It was Stevens County
politics at its best--downhome and decent, even for a politician. 

This year, less than twenty-five people showed up in Springdale,  and most
of them were either friends or associates of the politicians. Gone were the
farmers, the store owners and the business men and women. Markedly absent
were the housewives and ladies from the church. 

George Bush's arrival proved not to be the godsend that the party  managers
had anticipated. Apathy, wearing many cloaks, arrived in place of the
familiar faces of residents of Stevens County. 

Here, then, are the reasons, in their own words, why folks did or  did not
attend the rally in Colville:

                          THOSE WHO STAYED AT HOME

"Who the hell wants to go see George Bush? After the mess he has  made o'
the economy, he needs to go to work at the mill when they start hirin'
again. A few weeks on the green chain oughtta' straighten his back, give him
a new perspective on work and maybe earn some respect for the timber
industry in Washington, D.C.
                                        (Mill worker at Vaagens)

"I figger it probably cost Vaagen's about $25,000 including labor  and
materials, to get ready for Bush's visit. The entire Vaagen family is
Republican to the bone, so they probably figger to get it back soon. It's
too bad it's Bush they are countin' on. At this rate I might end up gettin'
laid off. 
                                        (Vaagen's  office worker)
                                        
"Listen, I wouldn't give a damn if George Bush were here in  Springdale
right now swizzlin' a beer with the Mayor. I still wouldn't travel even the
distance to town to hear him ravin' on about his economic plans. Tell him to
go look for a job with the rest of us..." 
                                        Alcoa Employee (laid off)

"Bush? In Colville? What the hell is he doin' in Colville?  Somebody ought
to give him a spotted owl for a pet."


                                        Anonymous by request

                               THOSE WHO WENT 
                           

"George Bush wasn't here but maybe an hour total, but it cost the  City of
Colville about $35,000 for the extra security, and that doesn't even cover
the cost to Vaagen Brothers and Stevens County. While everyone appreciated
hearing George support the timber industry, some of us were watching the
dollars go by and wondering whether we would get another paycheck. Bush had
better start doing that pretty soon or this country will be broke."
                                        Perot Supporter 
                                        from Colville 
                                                    
"No, we're not from Stevens County. My wife is the Co-Chairwoman  of the
Republican Caucus in the Tri-Cities. We came up on a bus just this morning
from the Tri-Cities to see him. Isn't he 'something'???"

"No, I am not from Stevens County. I am a detective with the  Spokane County
Sheriff's Department working for the Secret Service. May I see your press
credentials please?" 

                                        [Send bail 8-)]
                                        
"No, I live in Spokane. I just got the tickets for me and my  girlfriend
free from our boss at work. He is really hot on re- electing George Bush and
gave everybody the day off who got tickets. As soon as this is finished
we're going on up to Metaline to see friends. Bush? Nah, I think he's a
stuffed shirt like most of the rest of the politicians."
                                        Latter Day Yuppie...

It is much later that afternoon. Things at Vaagen Brothers have  returned to
a semi-normal state of affairs. The Channel 2 news crew, the last to leave,
have just finished disassembling and storing the huge roof-mounted dish they
used to microwave live signals to Spokane. One of their members drives up
and distributes a good-sized platter of fresh donuts from the county fair.

As the evening twilight begins to drop shadows across the state  highway,
like a giant downy patchwork quilt, a deer delicately crosses the state
highway with all the nervousness of a debutante at her first prom. None of
the news crew stand there, breathless and immobile, until the doe is no
longer visible. 

"Do you believe that?" they whisper to one another. "...a damned  deer just
crapped right over there where the President spoke several hours ago." 

"No biggee" one answered back. "Didn't you see the Perot for  President
sticker on its ass???" 

[Actual audio segments taped on site during a Bush visit to Colville during
his re-election campaign. ]