DEL MAR -- One sign among dozens read, "I would die to protect our nation. Would Mike?"

Holding the homemade placard was Danielle Dahl, 18, a Fallbrook resident and Cal State San Marcos freshman who was one of nearly 200 demonstrators hoisting signs and hollering praise for President Bush on Tuesday at the intersection of Jimmy Durante Boulevard and Villa de la Valle.

With equal enthusiasm, they berated controversial filmmaker Michael Moore as thousands waited in traffic to attended Moore's sold-out rally at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Many people waiting for the event quarreled with demonstrators who crowded the sidewalks along the intersection.

For the most part, Dahl let her sign do the talking at what she said was her first protest rally.

"I like it," she said of demonstrating. "I want to do it more."

Republicans of all ages leant their support to the protest organized by the San Marcos College Republicans.

Cora Frolander traveled from Oceanside to support Bush, who she said she trusted to keep her 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren safe.

"I have no confidence in (Sen. John) Kerry," Frolander said of Bush's rival in the Nov. 2 election.

Demonstrators rallied for more than two hours and many of their voices grew hoarse as the night wore on. From the crowded sidewalks, some protestors exchanged heated words with the passengers of cars that idled in traffic.

Some motorists blew their horns and extended rigid middle fingers.

"France is that way!" a demonstrator responded, referring to that country's opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Ashley Stuart, 20, said she loved all the energy. Stuart, chair of the San Marcos College Republicans, attended the event in an elephant suit to show her support of the Grand Old Party.

She removed her fuzzy elephant head to speak to a reporter.

"We never expected to get this big of a crowd," she said. "Everyone's out here to support the troops, support the president and have a good time."

Not quite everyone.

One Solana Beach resident, on a walk with his dog and two children, said he was a Kerry supporter. The neighbors took in the scene from the bay of a nearby gas station.

"We're an equal opportunity neighborhood," said the resident, who gave only the name John.

John said he worried he would be fired from his job if he denounced Bush in the newspaper.

"The shame is, these people are protesting so more people will die" in Iraq, he said.

Dahl showed her support for the war with a second sign of her creation. Appearing on the placard was the peace sign symbol that rose to prominence during the Vietnam war. Dahl's sign identified the symbol as the "Footprint of the American chicken."

"We gave peace a chance," she said.

Contact staff writer Adam Kaye at (760) 943-2312 or akaye@nctimes.com.