President George W. Bush's speech at Mesa Community College Wednesday afternoon may have been an invitation-only event, but that did not discourage a crowd of about 200 people from standing outside the college hoping to catch a glimpse of the president in his motorcade.
No matter what their political views, many people were simply excited to know the President of the United States had decided to speak in Mesa.
"It's surprising to see him come to Arizona and MCC of all places," said Jeff Hudenko, an MCC freshman.
While the president did not make an appearance outside, dozens of protesters and a few supporters did not hesitate to wave signs and shout slogans declaring their opinions of the administration.
ASU justice studies senior Blue Swadener went to the speech specifically to protest many of Bush's recent actions. She said she felt it was important to present "another view" at the event.
"I feel that by not being here, I [would be] giving approval to his policies," Swadener said.
MCC College Republicans President J.T. Ready said he attended to show his displeasure with many of the administration's actions. He probably will not be voting for Bush in the next election, he said.
"I'm not going to tow the party line when it's sinking our country," said Ready, a nursing sophomore.
Ready said he was specifically against Bush's border policies and the introduction of the Patriot Act.
"We beat the Nazis and we didn't have to give up our civil rights," he added. "We beat the communists and we didn't have to give up our civil rights. We can beat terrorism without giving up our civil rights."
ASU criminology sophomore Ryan Severyn was one person in the crowd who said he would vote for Bush in the November election.
"He allows us to keep our guns ... he's doing great killing all those terrorists," Severyn said.
Severyn added that he was annoyed by the protesters, many of who were demonstrating far from the path taken by Bush's motorcade.
"They think they're going to change our minds out here, but they just look like idiots," he said.
MCC nursing sophomore Trina Lambson acknowledged that the protesters had a right to speak their minds, but said she attended to show Bush he had supporters in Arizona.
"There are so many people being negative and mean," Lambson said, holding a sign that read "I Love Bush."
But whether those in attendance love or hate the President, most said his visit to Arizona made them look forward to voting in the upcoming presidential election.
"It's my country. I live in it. I have to have some say in it," Hudenko said.
Reach the reporter at amanda.keim@asu.edu.
