http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/borderland/20040731-149566.shtml

Borderland    Saturday, July 31, 2004  

Demos are asked to back Bush before Cheney speech

RIO RANCHO, N.M. -- Some Democrats who signed up to hear Vice President Dick Cheney speak Saturday were refused tickets unless they signed a pledge to endorse President Bush. 

The measure was a security step designed to avoid a disruption, which Bush campaign spokesman Dan Foley alleged Democrats were planning. Democratic Party officials denied it. 

Several Democrats encountered the screening measures Thursday after calling from a line that self-identified as ACT, America Coming Together, an activist group that supports Kerry, Foley said. Others tried to give false names and were denied tickets, he said. 

Courtney Hunter, communications director for ACT, said Friday: "To the best of our knowledge, no one called from our office misrepresenting themselves. 

"These types of evasive tactics are occurring all over the county as the Bush-Cheney campaign refuses to allow Americans into their events." 

Two men who had sought tickets reported they were required to give name, address, phone number, e-mail address and driver's license number, and then were presented the pledge of endorsement when they arrived to pick up the tickets Thursday. 

One of them, John Wade of Albuquerque, said he signed the pledge because he wanted the tickets but then changed his mind. 

"I got to thinking this is not right," Wade said. "They're excluding people -- that's what has me so upset." 

He returned the tickets, and campaign workers returned his pledge. 

Vietnam veteran Michael Ortiz y Pino said he refused to sign the pledge and was refused tickets. 

Ortiz y Pino said he was asked whether he associated with veterans, pro-life, gun rights or teacher groups. 

Neither man wanted to give driver's license numbers but did so. 

"I said, 'Why do you need that?' " Ortiz y Pino said. 

A campaign worker, he said, replied: "Secret Service stuff." 

Kerry campaign spokesman Ruben Pulido Jr. said there had been no plan by the campaign to disrupt Cheney's event.