First lady declares support for Sodrel

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- With only 13 days until midterm elections, presidential power was in full force in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday night with first lady Laura Bush on hand to bolster support for Republican Congressman Mike Sodrel.\nSodrel is seeking re-election for a second term against Baron Hill, who previously held the position. The 9th District race has been a close match, intensely watched by national politicians. As Republicans face the possibility of losing their majority in the House, attention has turned to southern Indiana. Columbus, just 35 miles from IU, is in the heart of the contested district.\n"This is a local race with national implications," Sodrel said.\nThat importance rang clear as the applause of more than 500 people filled a pavilion at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, where Bush made her appearance.\nBush played to the values of the southern Indiana community in her speech, noting the need for more jobs, guidance for youth and the importance of the Farm Bill, which comes up for reauthorization next year.\n"This legislation is helping end America's dependence on foreign oil," Bush said, explaining the ability of corn production to develop alternatives to oil and gas.\nThe speech then turned to the topic of war, as Bush stressed the successes of American forces thus far and the importance of seeing their missions through.\n"People of Iraq are free from Saddam Hussein, and now little girls are in school in Afghanistan," Bush said. \nShe related how the families of wounded and killed soldiers consistently tell her and her husband to "honor their sacrifice by seeing the mission through."\nReferencing Sodrel's experience in the National Guard, Bush said: "Sodrel appreciates our troops' sacrifice." \nIssues like these brought George Dutro, an IU grad now residing in Columbus, to the rally in support of Sodrel. \n"I'm one of the Republicans who vote on principles, not on issues, because issues come and go," Dutro said. \nDutro said he hopes the visit from Bush will help Sodrel gain support from Bartholomew County residents, votes he said are vital to counter the predominantly Democratic Monroe County community. \nLike many in attendance Wednesday, Dutro was willing to open his checkbook for the Republican, paying $1,000 for him and his family to get a picture taken with Bush. \n"My wife is from Texas. Her parents have a place near Crawford Ranch," Dutro said. "I thought it would be a nice gift for her and my in-laws."\nMany also took advantage of a photo opportunity with Charles Eieckmann of Batesville, Ind., who came dressed as the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln. Sodrel's committee asked Eieckmann, who has been playing the role for more than 22 years, to attend the event. \n"I was planning on shaving my beard, but I asked Frank (with Sodrel's committee) if he needed anything, and he told me about this," Eieckmann said.\nCarrying through the theme of history, one of Sodrel's grandchildren recited an excerpt of a Lincoln speech as part of the rally. \nOther family members spoke on behalf of Sodrel, including his son, Noah, who was almost brought to tears as he spoke of the personal attacks taking place in political advertisements. \nThe goal of Wednesday's event was to encourage Sodrel's supporters to "get the word out," a phrase heard often throughout the rally. Local Republican candidates from throughout the 9th District used the stage to raise awareness of their own candidacies as well as to endorse Sodrel. \nAs Election Day looms closer, Sodrel is not about to lose steam, gaining another important visit from the White House on Saturday, as President Bush make a stop in Clark County.\n"A lot of races are lost in the last few steps," Sodrel said. "I'm going to run through the tape"