State GOP delegates unfazed by protests

NEW YORK – The way Mark Ellis figures it, he didn’t wait half the year to become a delegate to the Republican National Convention only to be run off by a bunch of left-wing demonstrators.

While tensions heightened Tuesday between protesters and delegates, the Augusta resident remained philosophical about the possibilities of ugly confrontations.

“If I die doing this, it’ll be fine – my insurance is all paid up,” Ellis said half-joking. “But yes, I knew there was a risk in coming down here and my wife, Rachel, was concerned about it. But this was something I had to do and if I restrict my movements, they win.”

Ellis was one of a group of Maine delegates attending the Broadway show “Bombay Dreams” who was confronted by demonstrators as they left the theater Sunday evening.

The protesters showed up en masse to deliver a one-fingered, obscenity-laced greeting to the delegates.

Jane Amero, a South Portland delegate, said Maine Republicans showed their resolve and support for President Bush by letting the demonstrators know they weren’t going to be intimidated by “foul language and fingers.”

A fellow delegate, Doris Russell, of Castine joined in. “We were there to enjoy a Broadway show, not to do politics,” she said. “But we started yelling ‘four more years’ and that broke them up. We gave them back what they were giving us.”

Protests persisted throughout the city Tuesday, and what had largely been a peaceful demonstration of an estimated half-million people Sunday showed signs of becoming more dangerous.

A New York police officer was in serious condition Tuesday after he was attacked by protesters and kicked in the face. A protester also reportedly punched a delegate as he was standing in line to attend a show downtown. The assailant immediately ran away.

On Web sites, some dissenting organizations were advising participants to crank up the level of enmity by instituting a “direct action” strategy in which demonstrators would confront delegates personally as they shop, dine or party.

More than 10,000 police officers on the streets and restricted access policies around Madison Square Garden have pretty much eliminated the chance of protesters having much contact with delegates at or near the convention center.

Still, there are plenty of opportunities for interaction in restaurants and shops.

“I got a call from the New York Sun reporter who said a protester had gotten my name and address off a Web site, so all my information is out there,” said Karen Raye, a Perry delegate. “I guess I’m not that worried about it.”

Michael Moore, the independent filmmaker, marched with and spoke with protesters Sunday.

Much to the surprise of convention officials, Moore showed up in his signature trench coat and baseball cap at the convention center Monday evening on the strength of press credentials obtained from USA Today, which features his column.

Moore’s documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11” has been blasted by Republicans who claim the movie distorts President Bush’s justifications for the war in Iraq.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, was speaking just after Moore arrived and took a direct shot at the director and author whom he referred to as a “disingenuous filmmaker.”

McCain said Moore “would have us believe that Saddam’s Iraq was an oasis of peace when in fact it was a place of indescribable cruelty, torture chambers, mass graves and prisons that destroyed the lives of the small children held inside their walls.”

Republicans responded with a thundering “four more years.” Moore countered with “two more months.”

Jim Donnelly, a delegate from Brewer, said delegates were told to treat Moore with respect, knowing that getting tossed out on his ear by GOP leaders was exactly the kind of publicity he was seeking.

“I don’t think he belonged there,” Donnelly said. “Michael Moore is not a constructive political activist, and he doesn’t have a positive message. He’s brought the dialogue to new lows.”