HUNTINGTON, West Virginia, Sept 10 (AFP) - Dozens of protesters gathered near the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, West Virginia, where President George W. Bush was to deliver a campaign speech on Friday, hoisting signs reading "Kerry/Edwards" and "Were you AWOL 1972-1973 Bush?"
One man flashed a thumbs-down sign at the three press buses arriving ahead of Bush, as demonstrators lined up along Veterans Memorial Boulevard, across from the arena.
Closer to the downtown area, an elderly man strolling down the street frowned and gave an emphatic double thumbs-down to the buses as they rolled toward the arena.
But inside the arena, throngs of cheering supporters waited eagerly for Bush to arrive, wildly waving pom-poms and holding up handmade signs reading "We Love Bush" and "God Bless Bush."
The crowd erupted in deafening cheers as a pair of television monitors showed the president's motorcade pulling up to the arena, and gave an equally warm reception to Georgia Democratic Senator Zell Miller as he took to the stage to introduce Bush.