Aug. 21, 2005, 8:29PM

President rides with Armstrong as protest moves

U.S. troops must finish the job, says Bush in his weekly radio address

By JULIE MASON
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

 

CRAWFORD - President Bush took a 17-mile bike ride around his ranch Saturday with Lance Armstrong and afterward gave the seven-time Tour de France winner a jersey commemorating their "Tour de Crawford."

The two rode with about eight others for two hours on the 1,600-acre ranch, a retreat that Bush told Armstrong is "a little slice of heaven."

Not far away, dozens of anti-war protesters were relocating their encampment from a patch of roadside leading into Bush's ranch to a donated plot nearby.

Cindy Sheehan, the protest's central figure, remained in Los Angeles caring for her mother, who suffered a stroke last week. Sheehan has said she hopes to return soon to the vigil.

Safety of the nation

In his weekly radio address, Bush responded indirectly to the demands of the protesters gathered outside his ranch, saying the safety of the nation depends on finishing the job in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Our troops know that they're fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere to protect their fellow Americans from a savage enemy," Bush said. "They know that if we do not confront these evil men abroad, we will have to face them one day in our own cities and streets."

Bush's calendar

Bush will speak to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention in Utah this week and meet with members of the Idaho National Guard and the Mountain Home Air Force Base, which played a central role in the air-bombing campaign in Afghanistan.

Sheehan and her supporters are calling for an immediate troop withdrawal. Sheehan's son, Casey Sheehan, was killed in combat in Iraq, and she is demanding a meeting with Bush to explain his recent statement that the war is a noble cause.

Bush, who has expressed sympathy for Sheehan, has declined to meet with her a second time. The two met shortly after Casey Sheehan was killed, in 2004.

The weekend drew a smattering of counterdemonstrators to Crawford, several of whom set up tents near and signs in support of Bush and the troops.

Minivans driven by volunteers shuttled Sheehan supporters from the roadside protest site to the new site, where a white tent has been erected and a Dallas caterer serves food paid for by donations.

Max Barclay, an Austin pipefitter, drove into town for the day and was relaxing at one of the communal tables under the big tent.

Barclay said he hopes Sheehan's absence from the vigil won't put a damper on the movement, saying, "I hope it gets stronger."

Listening to Sheryl Crow

In honor of Armstrong's visit to Bush's ranch, the demonstrators were listening to music by singer Sheryl Crow, Armstrong's girlfriend.

Armstrong, a cancer survivor, has spoken against the war, saying the money being used to liberate Iraq would go a long way toward finding a cure for cancer.

The White House gave no indication that the subject came up during Armstrong's visit to the ranch, which was closed to the media.

The White House said the two went swimming after their ride, and Armstrong stayed for lunch.

The visit was documented exclusively by the Discovery Channel, which will air a special on Armstrong later this month.

[email protected]