INSIDE, GOP CROWD CHEERS; OUTSIDE, PROTESTERS CHANT

EVESHAM -- Hundreds of New Jersey Republicans burst into a thunderous
ovation when a helicopter carrying President Bush could be heard over
the recreation center where they were waiting to hear him speak.

When he arrived at the podium, the crowd gave him a four-finger salute
while chanting "four more years."

While the president spoke about going after terrorists instead of
waiting for them to strike again, random voices shouted, "Give 'em
hell, George," "Go get 'em, George" and "We love you."

Bush's appearance in this Burlington County suburb gives Republicans
hope that he will win against Democrat John Kerry in New Jersey -- a
traditionally Democrat-leaning state. "With your help, we'll carry the
state of New Jersey," Bush told the crowd.

Shore area residents who made the trek from Ocean County Republican
headquarters in Toms River agreed.

"Kerry started out 15 points ahead, and now it's a dead heat," said
Frank Punucci, 25, of Brick. "He's definitely going to carry it."

Punucci said he knew what the president would say. "It's reassuring to
come in knowing what he's going to say because he's on a steady
platform," he said.

"It was the proudest day of my life. He's the greatest president,"
said Virginia Apelian, of Manchester. "Mr. Kerry doesn't have a
chance. I think we will keep our commander-in-chief."

But New Jersey's Democrats aren't buying that. While Republicans
packed the gymnasium, dozens of protesters stood in a small,
designated area in the grass fields across the street.

One of the most visible protests came from a group from Monmouth
County who rode a red, white and blue school bus with signs supporting
Kerry.

"We're people who are scared of four more years of George Bush," said
Andy Coleman, 37, of Belmar, who owns the bus and addressed people on
a microphone as they returned from the speech. There were some heated
exchanges.

Louis Schneider, 44, of Ocean Grove said he joined the protest out of
fear that if the war continues there could be a draft.

"We do support the troops, but we think John Kerry will do a better
job getting us out," he said. "If there is a draft, they're going to
take middle-class kids, working-class kids -- my kids."

Peter Smith, 33, of Seaside Heights, a Bush supporter, said the
president has done what was necessary to protect the country.

"It's easy to be critical of a president's decisions when you're not
really in the know," he said.

Smith said the president's visit is evidence that Republicans think
they can win New Jersey. Smith's theory is that the Democrats have
been hurt by the scandal surrounding Gov. McGreevey, who announced he
would resign in November because of a gay extramarital affair.

One of the earlier and quieter protests came from Jim Miller, 52, of
Toms River, who was carrying on his late wife's advocacy for legalized
medicinal marijuana.

Cheryl Lee Miller, who died last year, used the drug to relieve the
symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Jim Miller was protesting that Bush
hasn't done anything to legalize medicinal marijuana.

"I promised my wife I would carry on," he said. "When you make a
promise to somebody on their deathbed, you have to do it."