Some drivers along George Washington Way honked in support Thursday afternoon as they passed the long line of women and children waving flags and political signs in support of John Kerry, while others yelled out their support for George Bush.

And an hour later, Tri-City members of the Hispanic National Republican Assembly gathered to cheer and jeer while watching Bush and Kerry debate, then hit the phones to urge other Hispanics to vote.

National polls show the votes of women and Hispanics could be the deciding factors in the contentious election.

"I feel very strongly that women should take the responsibility to vote," said Muriel Templeton of Richland, who took part in the Kerry-Edwards Walk-About rally co-sponsored by the Tri-City Moms For Kerry, the Tri-City Women4Kerry and the Tri-City Patriots for Kerry.

The rally was held simultaneously from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at locations in Pasco, Kennewick and Richland.

About 40 Kerry supporters waved signs and urged people to register to vote throughout the Tri-Cities.

Signs declared "Dissent is Patriotic" and "Every child insured" in support of the Democratic challenger.

"(The women's vote) is very powerful and women don't always use that power," said Templeton, who immigrated to the U.S. from the United Kingdom nearly 40 years ago and became a citizen to earn the right to vote.

Templeton and retiree Phyllis Bowersock, also of Richland, are upset about the war in Iraq, but also about the rising cost of their prescriptions, and Bush's environmental and educational policies.

"I'm very fearful of the next four years with Bush," said Bowersock, who grew up in a Republican family but became a Democrat shortly after she married her husband, Bob, who also is a Democrat.

The first Democrat she voted for was Adlai Stevenson when he lost to Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, and she has been a faithful and active Democrat since.

In Kennewick, Republican Tony Benegas of West Richland brought his own television to Doc Hastings' campaign headquarters, where more than 20 members of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly gathered to watch the debate, eat pizza and talk politics.

The evening began with Raul Diaz of the state chapter reading a letter from the national chapter soliciting campaign funds.

"It's going to get uglier and dirtier within in the next few weeks," Diaz predicted.

"We need to pound the states we are in control of."

Mel and Gracie Campos and their 14-year-old son, Mel Jr., helped make phone calls after the debate concluded, urging other Hispanics to register and vote.

The couple, who describe themselves as conservative Republicans, say they believe Bush's character and moral values are what the country needs.

"He sticks to what he says and isn't afraid to go it alone," said Mel Campos.

Gracie Campos agrees with Bush's views on abortion, the death penalty and same-sex marriage.

"We want to make sure we are raising our son with Biblical values, and we want to make sure whoever we vote for has those values," she said.

They also noted that Bush's cabinet is more diverse than those of past presidents and say they are trying to help other Hispanics realize the Republican platform is parallel with the conservative, Christian values of most Hispanic and Latino groups.

Benegas said Bush's stance on homeland security directly relates to immigration, which directly affects many Hispanic residents.

"He doesn't advocate open borders, but people have to realize there are large numbers of undocumented workers here," Benegas said.

Benegas said Bush's proposed guest worker program will help track those undocumented workers.

In addition, Benegas said, the "No Child Left Behind" Act helps those children who don't speak English learn to read, write, speak and go on to successful careers.

© 2004 Tri-City Herald, Associated Press and other wire services.