Local GOP delegates 'fired up'

GAINESVILLE - Two Hall countians will be in the Georgia delegation at the Republican National Convention which starts in New York Monday.

Wesley Clark of Gainesville is going as a delegate and Bettye Chambers of Buford as an alternate. Both are enthusiastic in their belief that President Bush has earned the right to lead the country for another four year.

"He has proven himself worthy of re-election and he is keeping America secure since the 9-11 attacks," Clark said.

"We are afraid of the alternative," added Chambers.

Both said the election is Bush's to lose and said that to win he must keep reminding the electorate of what he has accomplished, especially in the area of the economy.

"The tax cuts that he has gotten implemented...show...that they are working and the economy is getting stronger because of them," Clark said. "In other words, the electorate just has to be reminded of what all he has done."

Clark and Chambers don't expect the election to be a cakewalk for the president. They expect it to be close, which is also the findings of most polls.

The two support the choice of maverick Georgia Democratic Senator Zell Miller as the convention's keynote speaker.

Chambers said she has some reservations about being in New York City so near the 9/11 anniversary.

"But...I thought 'we cannot let the terrorists win'," she said. "We cannot stay in our homes and hide. We have to go on with our lives."