tekkierich
09-27-2007, 11:15 PM
Folks we are doing AWESOME! Sorry if I ramble some but I am going to do a brain dump from all I saw tonight.
I got the the debate site at about 6:00pm as I live only about 20 miles south. Parking I noted many Paul bumper stickers in the lot. Also several Paul signs were hung in the lot.
I made my way to the entrance, walking by a few TV trucks, all PBS it looked like, not local or other stations that I could tell. Cresting the hill there were already about 25 Paul supporters sign waving and making their presence known. We signed waved for about an hour until 7 - 7:30 or so. Unfortunately the road was not very busy. Many honks of support, guessing that those were other supporters coming in for the debate. Our ranks grew to about 60 - 70 before we headed in. We saw only two reporters (who interviewed us) during this time, one from WBAL radio and one from a grassroots news outlet of whom I saw mentioned on this board.
During this time and the whole debate actually I did not note a single:
Sign
Banner
Sticker
Button
T-Shirt
or Supporter
for ANY OTHER CANDIDATE present or not.
I did see folks from the AARP and one other cause that I could not make out because they waved their signs for all of 10 minutes and then disappeared.
The crowd at the debate seemed to me to be of about 4 categories:
- Morgan Students
- other local "young republican" types that were there to help figure out who they should vote for
- Political establishment types, Michael Steele, State delegates, County Politicians
- Ron Paul supporters
We were about 25% of the crowd I would say.
Most of the Paul folks were in the Upper Deck. I was lucky and crafty enough to make it down to the lower deck when someone figured out that the chairs should looks like they were all full. Let me tell you there were HUNDREDS of empty seats in this place. I ended up sitting next to a news paper reporter for the "Examiner". She was mostly taking notes on the debate itself and crowd reactions. Before hand she interviewed the three "young republicans" sitting in front of us. They seemed to be for Thompson. They expressed disappointment in him not being there. They specifically mentioned that they liked his stances on the 2nd amendment. I interjected and asked them to check out Paul on the 2nd amendment. I then told the reporter that I was with the Paul contingent she saw outside and offered my self to interview if she needed a source. She said that our support was impressive, but then the debate got moving, and time did not allow a real interview.
General vibe I got broke down as:
- Young republican types did not like our War stance but really liked everything else. They had their thinking caps on and did LISTEN to him. They are just not with us yet on IRAQ and this was a stumbling block
- Morgan students were totally with us on Iraq, but a little confused about the domestic proposals. They might be intrigued enough to look him up and read further
- Ron Paul supporters were loud and proud with polite response to everything Paul said.
- Political establishment folks noticed the strong Paul support.
Afterwards all of the candidates made a B-line for the door and Paul went directly to the crowd. He came off stage to engage with people and quickly a large crowd formed around him. I was able to nudge my way up, on the way I walked directly past Duncan Hunter (why is he in the race again?). I got to shake Dr. Paul's hand and got him to sign my debate ticket. I mentioned to him about the Ron Paul truck that our Carrol County group built. He said that he had heard about it and wanted to see it, don't know if he got a chance to. I left him telling him that he has a ton of support here in Maryland, and he said "I know we won the Straw Poll".
Afterwards I was able to speak to Mrs. Paul for a few minutes. She is a sweet lady that anyone would enjoy to have as their adopted grandmother (I chose to adopt her as our first lady, but I digress). I told her to make sure that the Dr. is flying first class and getting nice rooms, as we need him comfortable and rested. She assured me he is a frequent enough flier to had first class when ever he wants it. She also tried to recruit me for the New Hampshire family walk this weekend. She really seemed to be looked forward to it. Mrs Paul said that this phenomenal fund raising this week has pumped up EVERYONE. From the family to the campaign staff. She says that the staffers have been working well in to the wee hours because they want to.
This is important for everyone to note. These donations this week is encouraging EVERYONE not just us forum dorks (present company included). Kept it up you internet spammers!
Unfortunately any after events were hampered by the rain that was very heavy afterwards. I headed home after it did not seem like anything else was going on.
It was an awesome night.
I got the the debate site at about 6:00pm as I live only about 20 miles south. Parking I noted many Paul bumper stickers in the lot. Also several Paul signs were hung in the lot.
I made my way to the entrance, walking by a few TV trucks, all PBS it looked like, not local or other stations that I could tell. Cresting the hill there were already about 25 Paul supporters sign waving and making their presence known. We signed waved for about an hour until 7 - 7:30 or so. Unfortunately the road was not very busy. Many honks of support, guessing that those were other supporters coming in for the debate. Our ranks grew to about 60 - 70 before we headed in. We saw only two reporters (who interviewed us) during this time, one from WBAL radio and one from a grassroots news outlet of whom I saw mentioned on this board.
During this time and the whole debate actually I did not note a single:
Sign
Banner
Sticker
Button
T-Shirt
or Supporter
for ANY OTHER CANDIDATE present or not.
I did see folks from the AARP and one other cause that I could not make out because they waved their signs for all of 10 minutes and then disappeared.
The crowd at the debate seemed to me to be of about 4 categories:
- Morgan Students
- other local "young republican" types that were there to help figure out who they should vote for
- Political establishment types, Michael Steele, State delegates, County Politicians
- Ron Paul supporters
We were about 25% of the crowd I would say.
Most of the Paul folks were in the Upper Deck. I was lucky and crafty enough to make it down to the lower deck when someone figured out that the chairs should looks like they were all full. Let me tell you there were HUNDREDS of empty seats in this place. I ended up sitting next to a news paper reporter for the "Examiner". She was mostly taking notes on the debate itself and crowd reactions. Before hand she interviewed the three "young republicans" sitting in front of us. They seemed to be for Thompson. They expressed disappointment in him not being there. They specifically mentioned that they liked his stances on the 2nd amendment. I interjected and asked them to check out Paul on the 2nd amendment. I then told the reporter that I was with the Paul contingent she saw outside and offered my self to interview if she needed a source. She said that our support was impressive, but then the debate got moving, and time did not allow a real interview.
General vibe I got broke down as:
- Young republican types did not like our War stance but really liked everything else. They had their thinking caps on and did LISTEN to him. They are just not with us yet on IRAQ and this was a stumbling block
- Morgan students were totally with us on Iraq, but a little confused about the domestic proposals. They might be intrigued enough to look him up and read further
- Ron Paul supporters were loud and proud with polite response to everything Paul said.
- Political establishment folks noticed the strong Paul support.
Afterwards all of the candidates made a B-line for the door and Paul went directly to the crowd. He came off stage to engage with people and quickly a large crowd formed around him. I was able to nudge my way up, on the way I walked directly past Duncan Hunter (why is he in the race again?). I got to shake Dr. Paul's hand and got him to sign my debate ticket. I mentioned to him about the Ron Paul truck that our Carrol County group built. He said that he had heard about it and wanted to see it, don't know if he got a chance to. I left him telling him that he has a ton of support here in Maryland, and he said "I know we won the Straw Poll".
Afterwards I was able to speak to Mrs. Paul for a few minutes. She is a sweet lady that anyone would enjoy to have as their adopted grandmother (I chose to adopt her as our first lady, but I digress). I told her to make sure that the Dr. is flying first class and getting nice rooms, as we need him comfortable and rested. She assured me he is a frequent enough flier to had first class when ever he wants it. She also tried to recruit me for the New Hampshire family walk this weekend. She really seemed to be looked forward to it. Mrs Paul said that this phenomenal fund raising this week has pumped up EVERYONE. From the family to the campaign staff. She says that the staffers have been working well in to the wee hours because they want to.
This is important for everyone to note. These donations this week is encouraging EVERYONE not just us forum dorks (present company included). Kept it up you internet spammers!
Unfortunately any after events were hampered by the rain that was very heavy afterwards. I headed home after it did not seem like anything else was going on.
It was an awesome night.