Brooklyn Red Leg
12-14-2011, 03:12 PM
By Lee Logan (http://www.tampabay.com/writers/lee-logan), Times Staff Writer
Posted: Dec 14, 2011 11:13 AM
DADE CITY — They came from all corners of Florida: Volusia County, Charlotte County, the University of Florida, even Miami. And the Ron Paul supporters emerged victorious.
Such was the first Pasco Republican straw poll, part candidate meet and greet, part fundraiser. Oh, yes, and there was a vote held Tuesday night as well.
Amazed at the distances traveled by many of the Paul devotees, Pasco Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said: "I love voting and democracy, but I'd be home watching a football game."
The event drew candidates for nearly every local office, though Paul supporters swamped Pasco activists. It didn't matter where they came from, voters only needed to make a $10 contribution to cast a ballot.
Tim Rodocker, 27, of St. Petersburg said he had about a week's notice of the event. "If we would've had another week, we would have doubled (the turnout), easily."
Lea Rashka, 47, is a registered nurse from Davis Islands who came with a dozen others from Hillsborough. "We spread the word," she said.
Corley's announcement that Paul won with 171 votes sparked a large cheer from his well-staffed table. Said Republican state committeeman Bill Bunting: "You can call me tomorrow when we're putting the money in the bank, and you'll hear my scream of thank-you."
Newt Gingrich took second with 51 votes. Local organizer Roger Whidden of Wesley Chapel, a former Herman Cain supporter, acknowledged he's running an "on the fly" local campaign. Mitt Romney, whose campaign had no visible presence at the event, was third with 30 votes.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/ron-paul-supporters-flood-pascos-first-gop-straw-poll/1206195
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/384171_291095567599664_258744870834734_841382_1395 632330_n.jpg
And there is me, at the far left hand wearing my DragonCon t-shirt and my current scruffy-looking Grizzly Adams beard-goatee. We let out a helluva cheer when Dr Paul's numbers were announced.
Posted: Dec 14, 2011 11:13 AM
DADE CITY — They came from all corners of Florida: Volusia County, Charlotte County, the University of Florida, even Miami. And the Ron Paul supporters emerged victorious.
Such was the first Pasco Republican straw poll, part candidate meet and greet, part fundraiser. Oh, yes, and there was a vote held Tuesday night as well.
Amazed at the distances traveled by many of the Paul devotees, Pasco Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said: "I love voting and democracy, but I'd be home watching a football game."
The event drew candidates for nearly every local office, though Paul supporters swamped Pasco activists. It didn't matter where they came from, voters only needed to make a $10 contribution to cast a ballot.
Tim Rodocker, 27, of St. Petersburg said he had about a week's notice of the event. "If we would've had another week, we would have doubled (the turnout), easily."
Lea Rashka, 47, is a registered nurse from Davis Islands who came with a dozen others from Hillsborough. "We spread the word," she said.
Corley's announcement that Paul won with 171 votes sparked a large cheer from his well-staffed table. Said Republican state committeeman Bill Bunting: "You can call me tomorrow when we're putting the money in the bank, and you'll hear my scream of thank-you."
Newt Gingrich took second with 51 votes. Local organizer Roger Whidden of Wesley Chapel, a former Herman Cain supporter, acknowledged he's running an "on the fly" local campaign. Mitt Romney, whose campaign had no visible presence at the event, was third with 30 votes.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/ron-paul-supporters-flood-pascos-first-gop-straw-poll/1206195
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/384171_291095567599664_258744870834734_841382_1395 632330_n.jpg
And there is me, at the far left hand wearing my DragonCon t-shirt and my current scruffy-looking Grizzly Adams beard-goatee. We let out a helluva cheer when Dr Paul's numbers were announced.