Mainers for Bush head to New Hampshire

Busloads of Bush-backers will be leaving the Pine Tree State in the next few days to help rally the troops for President Bush in the Granite State. They will be joined by several big name Republican pols: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, New York Governor George Pataki, and former Bush opponent/now supporter Arizona Senator John McCain.

On Saturday and Sunday, buses left from Portland early in the morning to attend get out the vote efforts in Portsmouth and Manchester. Later in the day, volunteers heard from one of the featured speakers during rallies in two of the state's largest cities.

Giuliani spoke on Saturday afternoon at Nachos Taqueria in the Atrium. Pitaki takes his place at Nachos Taqueria's podium on Sunday. McCain, who challenged Bush during the 2000 Republican primary, rallied supporters for President Bush on Monday evening at the Nashua City Hall Auditorium.

The efforts to move activists from Maine to New Hampshire for several hours of campaigning is under the direction of veteran Republican campaigner Randy Bumps. Bumps, who serves as the Executive Director for Bush's reelection efforts in Maine, expects that two buses full of activists will be leaving Portland on Saturday and Sunday not including those who live in York County and are likely to drive over on their own rather than drive to Portland to ride the bus to Portsmouth.

Those interested in finding out more about these programs can contact Randy at rbumps@georgewbush.com or call him at 207-782-4485.