Thousands of people turned out on the eve of Election Day to see President George W. Bush rally in support of Jerry Kilgore for the commonwealth’s gubernatorial election.
Guests crowded into the Dominion Hangar at Richmond International Airport to get a glimpse of the 43rd president of the United States and first lady Laura Bush as they were en route to Washington. The president and the first lady returned Monday from a trip to South America, where they spent their 28th wedding anniversary in Argentina.
After Air Force One landed and taxied on the runway, guests listened as Jerry Kilgore introduced George Bush. The president spoke for close to 20 minutes in support of Kilgore and the other Republican candidates, including Bill Bolling and Bob McDonnell.
George Bush opened by saying,
“I remember what it’s like to be right there on election eve,” Bush said to a crowd of supporters. “This man has worked his heart out.”
This rally was the Republican Party’s last chance to slip ahead in the deadlocked campaign.
“We aren’t taking anything for granted. Laura and I are here tonight to ask you to turn out to vote for Jerry Kilgore tomorrow,” Bush said.
After briefly touching on key campaign issues including lower taxes, transportation funding, criminal justice and education, the president encouraged the audience to make last-minute phone calls to friends and family members in support of Kilgore.
But his eleventh-hour appearance and last minute phone calls weren’t enough for Kilgore to win the election.
After the president and Laura Bush shook the hands of their supporters, they headed out the back of the hangar along with Kilgore. Guests then crowded under the night sky to watch Air Force One take off and disappear into the horizon as the first family headed back to Washington.