Drama in San Francisco: Straw Poll Cancelled

jj111 · 12-05-2007, 04:10 AM

Drama in San Francisco: Straw Poll Cancelled

After Ron Paul Supporters Showed Up in Overwhelming Numbers to San Francisco GOP Straw Poll, the Straw Poll was cancelled.

The San Francisco Republican Alliance’s Common Sense Supper Club announced that local Republicans were invited to attend a holiday buffet party and Presidential straw poll vote on the evening of Tues. Dec. 4. On the morning of the event, a Ron Paul supporter spoke by phone with the chairperson and hostess. The supporter was told that if he and any other Ron Paul supporters wanted to attend, they could either participate in both the buffet starting at 6:45pm and the later straw poll for $33, or come later at 8:15pm solely to vote in the straw poll for a discounted entrance fee of $5, provided they did not eat any food. The Ron Paul supporter then posted the event on Meetup, and we ended up with a huge crowd of Ron Paul supporters arriving at the event. At least 15 or more of the 80 guests seated at the buffet were Ron Paul supporters, while those who came at 8:15pm solely to vote for Ron Paul numbered an additional 40. These 40 people were forced to wait outside of the event standing in the lobby for at least an hour until 9:30pm or later. Finally, the 40 people were allowed into the event room after paying the previously-quoted entrance fee of $5. The total of approximately 55 or more Ron Paul supporters, who wore Ron Paul buttons and carried Ron Paul signs, made it clear to all in the room that the Ron Paul supporters outnumbered supporters of all other candidates. As a side note, the Fred Thompson supporters had during the entire event posted a huge Fred Thompson sign on the wall inside the event, and had distributed Fred Thompson campaign literature at every place-setting at every table.

When the Fred Thompson supporters saw that the room was dominated by the huge number of Ron Paul supporters, the Fred Thompson supporters complained to the hostess that the Ron Paul supporters who did not pay the $33 should not be allowed to vote. They said the Fred Thompson supporters had not been given the same instructions the Ron Paul supporters had about the opportunity to come later and vote at a discounted price. Many Ron Paul supporters offered to pay the $28 difference to vote, but this offer was not accepted. The hostess in the heat of the moment decided to cancel the poll given the disagreement in opinion as to how best to handle the situation.

A representative of the Ron Paul supporters was given the microphone for about four minutes, during which time he mentioned that there was a Revolution going on, that the Revolution has been censored at previous straw polls and in the corporate media and their debates, and at which time he also mentioned that if the Republicans continue to refuse to learn about Ron Paul and ignore the Ron Paul Revolution, they are destined to likely lose the 2008 general election to the Democrats, given the fact that 70% or more of Americans want a quick withdrawal from Iraq.

Many Ron Paul supporters expressed their anger about the sudden cancellation of the straw poll, and demanded a return of their money, and I have been told that some of the Ron Paul supporters who paid $5 to vote got their $5 refunded to them although I have not gotten confirmation of this fact. I know I personally paid $33 to get into the event, only ate a tiny piece of cheescake (almost all the food was gone) and I never got a chance to vote, yet I was never offered a refund of any part or all of my $33.

In the end, the attendance of the large number of Ron Paul supporters succeeded in demonstrating our numbers, addressing the audience for four minutes about the Revolution, and preventing what might have otherwise been a Straw Poll win for Fred Thompson, with the end result being the cancellation of the poll.

Some Ron Paul supporters expressed empathy with the hostess, as it was understood that there was no way she was going to be able to make a decision that could have pleased both the Fred Thompson supporters and the Ron Paul supporters.

tronPaul · 12-05-2007, 04:20 AM

That may be the best version of what happened yet.

One thing I want to point out is that I paid $5 to get in and I did get it refunded.

I'm still stunned about the whole ordeal! What did the organizer think would happen?

Here are some cell phone photos of the event.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...ogID=335084599

Wyle · 12-05-2007, 04:27 AM

Yup, everything said here is true.... I was one of the 15 people who showed up and paid the full $33 for the dinner. I was told via meetup that we could show up around 6:30 and pay $33 for the dinner and straw poll or you could show up after dinner and pay $5 for just the straw poll.... anyways

We showed up around 6:15pm pst. we were told by the coordinator that she needed more time for prep so we went and had drinks... we got in (after the delay) around 7:30pm to have dinner. The host stated how she was contacted by the media already and they asked for the straw poll results.. she said that after the vote she would tally the votes and release the results in a email and to the media.

My initial view of the event was a good one... it was a friendly environment, but every table had a thompson fact sheet on it with his views, but no other candidates info was around

there was a huge thompson banner on the wall....

After the dinner we Sat through a senator talking about fred thompson for about an hour, someone asked a ron paul question and he said he liked ron paul but did not think he had a chance. during this time Ron Paul supporters from around the SF Bay area started showing up to pay the $5 to participate in the straw poll. They waited in the lobby area while we listened to the senator speak. After the senator finished he left immediately.

They started to do a raffle and let the rest of the ron paul supporters in the room... approx 30 more supporters

eventually the coordinator got up and started saying how she was so proud to see all the activist in the room and how she talked to a few of us and we were very well mannered and educated

lol... started saying how she hopes all of us keep up our political activities in the future and get involved in the party.... however she lead into saying that she was going to cancel the straw poll do it not being fair to the people who paid $33. Things kinda got loud pretty quick.... couple people said that if money was an issue with the vote that they would pay the $33 for each and every person there who only paid $5... some people had waited in the lobby for 1-2 hours to vote... place got really loud... It was total BS the way it went down. Everyone was looking forward to voting then bam... no vote sorry!

I heard They gave a re-fund to all the people who paid the $5 to vote.. I'm not sure of this thought... but they did cancel the straw poll. After the event when most people left the coordinator spoke with a few people and stated that she was going to hold another straw poll where anyone and everyone could come.... i guess she did not expect people to bring all there supporters to the polls.... so she wants to do a new one and tell everyone to bring there supporters out. I kinda felt sorry for her at first but she dug her own grave on this one.... i mean... if it would have been 30 thompson supporters she would of done the vote I bet...... That plus she planned on releasing the results to the media... if we would have not showed up they would of done the vote and released the results to the media.... Whole thing turned out horrible, one Thompson guy started complaining saying how we should be ashamed of ourselves for our behavior... but hey..... were not the ones throwing astraw poll and promoting only one candidate with unequal speech time.... then canceling it when it looks like a landslide for a different candidate.

don't mind my spelling and grammar... im tired

... ooh and someone has this on video... just need to find him and get it posted

SwooshOU · 12-05-2007, 04:55 AM

You guys are awesome.

american.swan · 12-05-2007, 05:02 AM

Very clear rather unbias post. very nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj111

Drama in San Francisco: Straw Poll Cancelled

After Ron Paul Supporters Showed Up in Overwhelming Numbers to San Francisco GOP Straw Poll, the Straw Poll was cancelled.

The San Francisco Republican Alliance’s Common Sense Supper Club announced that local Republicans were invited to attend a holiday buffet party and Presidential straw poll vote on the evening of Tues. Dec. 4. On the morning of the event, a Ron Paul supporter spoke by phone with the chairperson and hostess. The supporter was told that if he and any other Ron Paul supporters wanted to attend, they could either participate in both the buffet starting at 6:45pm and the later straw poll for $33, or come later at 8:15pm solely to vote in the straw poll for a discounted entrance fee of $5, provided they did not eat any food. The Ron Paul supporter then posted the event on Meetup, and we ended up with a huge crowd of Ron Paul supporters arriving at the event. At least 15 or more of the 80 guests seated at the buffet were Ron Paul supporters, while those who came at 8:15pm solely to vote for Ron Paul numbered an additional 40. These 40 people were forced to wait outside of the event standing in the lobby for at least an hour until 9:30pm or later. Finally, the 40 people were allowed into the event room after paying the previously-quoted entrance fee of $5. The total of approximately 55 or more Ron Paul supporters, who wore Ron Paul buttons and carried Ron Paul signs, made it clear to all in the room that the Ron Paul supporters outnumbered supporters of all other candidates. As a side note, the Fred Thompson supporters had during the entire event posted a huge Fred Thompson sign on the wall inside the event, and had distributed Fred Thompson campaign literature at every place-setting at every table.

When the Fred Thompson supporters saw that the room was dominated by the huge number of Ron Paul supporters, the Fred Thompson supporters complained to the hostess that the Ron Paul supporters who did not pay the $33 should not be allowed to vote. They said the Fred Thompson supporters had not been given the same instructions the Ron Paul supporters had about the opportunity to come later and vote at a discounted price. Many Ron Paul supporters offered to pay the $28 difference to vote, but this offer was not accepted. The hostess in the heat of the moment decided to cancel the poll given the disagreement in opinion as to how best to handle the situation.

A representative of the Ron Paul supporters was given the microphone for about four minutes, during which time he mentioned that there was a Revolution going on, that the Revolution has been censored at previous straw polls and in the corporate media and their debates, and at which time he also mentioned that if the Republicans continue to refuse to learn about Ron Paul and ignore the Ron Paul Revolution, they are destined to likely lose the 2008 general election to the Democrats, given the fact that 70% or more of Americans want a quick withdrawal from Iraq.

Many Ron Paul supporters expressed their anger about the sudden cancellation of the straw poll, and demanded a return of their money, which was not refunded to them.

In the end, the attendance of the large number of Ron Paul supporters succeeded in demonstrating our numbers, addressing the audience for four minutes about the Revolution, and preventing what might have otherwise been a Straw Poll win for Fred Thompson, with the end result being the cancellation of the poll.

Some Ron Paul supporters expressed empathy with the hostess, as it was understood that there was no way she was going to be able to make a decision that could have pleased both the Fred Thompson supporters and the Ron Paul supporters.

Myerz · 12-05-2007, 05:20 AM

Right On!

leonster · 12-05-2007, 05:36 AM

That sucks.

May I suggest that people not bring Ron Paul signs and pins to Republican events? It labels you as an "activist" immediately, and doesn't really sit well with traditional Republicans... just go in some nice clothes, chat with other people in a nice way, and maybe you'll even convert some of them around to our side... stealth approach.

mosquitobite · 12-05-2007, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonster

That sucks.

May I suggest that people not bring Ron Paul signs and pins to Republican events? It labels you as an "activist" immediately, and doesn't really sit well with traditional Republicans... just go in some nice clothes, chat with other people in a nice way, and maybe you'll even convert some of them around to our side... stealth approach.

I agree. I stated something along those lines in another post on this topic.

Please understand their point of view, as irrelevant as it may be. They see us as outsiders (probably most assume we're Democrat) who are trying to take over the Republican party.

Perhaps we need to be looking at joining our county's GOP stuff. Volunteer. Make friends.

speciallyblend · 12-05-2007, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosquitobite

I agree. I stated something along those lines in another post on this topic.

Please understand their point of view, as irrelevant as it may be. They see us as outsiders (probably most assume we're Democrat) who are trying to take over the Republican party.

Perhaps we need to be looking at joining our county's GOP stuff. Volunteer. Make friends.

are you crazy,if the gop doesnt nominate ron paul ,not your problem or mine,its the gop's problem and they will lose.

I will show my sign and support,if they cant handle the truth,they can get use to hillary for all i care.

hide in your caves,no need to show support for ron paul,you dont want to offend anyone with a sign or verbal support for a candidate oooo the horror

If the gop chooses to be deaf dumb and blind let them train wreck

robatsu · 12-05-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonster

That sucks.

May I suggest that people not bring Ron Paul signs and pins to Republican events? It labels you as an "activist" immediately, and doesn't really sit well with traditional Republicans... just go in some nice clothes, chat with other people in a nice way, and maybe you'll even convert some of them around to our side... stealth approach.

This is wise. The first thing is to be a Republican.

We've got RP people (including me, www.jayroberts2008.com) running in several Congressional primaries here in Maryland. I think we've all come to the same decision independently to much more prominently feature the message in our campaigns rather than the man RP.

12-05-2007, 04:10 AM	#1
jj111 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,574	Drama in San Francisco: Straw Poll Cancelled Drama in San Francisco: Straw Poll Cancelled After Ron Paul Supporters Showed Up in Overwhelming Numbers to San Francisco GOP Straw Poll, the Straw Poll was cancelled. The San Francisco Republican Alliance’s Common Sense Supper Club announced that local Republicans were invited to attend a holiday buffet party and Presidential straw poll vote on the evening of Tues. Dec. 4. On the morning of the event, a Ron Paul supporter spoke by phone with the chairperson and hostess. The supporter was told that if he and any other Ron Paul supporters wanted to attend, they could either participate in both the buffet starting at 6:45pm and the later straw poll for $33, or come later at 8:15pm solely to vote in the straw poll for a discounted entrance fee of $5, provided they did not eat any food. The Ron Paul supporter then posted the event on Meetup, and we ended up with a huge crowd of Ron Paul supporters arriving at the event. At least 15 or more of the 80 guests seated at the buffet were Ron Paul supporters, while those who came at 8:15pm solely to vote for Ron Paul numbered an additional 40. These 40 people were forced to wait outside of the event standing in the lobby for at least an hour until 9:30pm or later. Finally, the 40 people were allowed into the event room after paying the previously-quoted entrance fee of $5. The total of approximately 55 or more Ron Paul supporters, who wore Ron Paul buttons and carried Ron Paul signs, made it clear to all in the room that the Ron Paul supporters outnumbered supporters of all other candidates. As a side note, the Fred Thompson supporters had during the entire event posted a huge Fred Thompson sign on the wall inside the event, and had distributed Fred Thompson campaign literature at every place-setting at every table. When the Fred Thompson supporters saw that the room was dominated by the huge number of Ron Paul supporters, the Fred Thompson supporters complained to the hostess that the Ron Paul supporters who did not pay the $33 should not be allowed to vote. They said the Fred Thompson supporters had not been given the same instructions the Ron Paul supporters had about the opportunity to come later and vote at a discounted price. Many Ron Paul supporters offered to pay the $28 difference to vote, but this offer was not accepted. The hostess in the heat of the moment decided to cancel the poll given the disagreement in opinion as to how best to handle the situation. A representative of the Ron Paul supporters was given the microphone for about four minutes, during which time he mentioned that there was a Revolution going on, that the Revolution has been censored at previous straw polls and in the corporate media and their debates, and at which time he also mentioned that if the Republicans continue to refuse to learn about Ron Paul and ignore the Ron Paul Revolution, they are destined to likely lose the 2008 general election to the Democrats, given the fact that 70% or more of Americans want a quick withdrawal from Iraq. Many Ron Paul supporters expressed their anger about the sudden cancellation of the straw poll, and demanded a return of their money, and I have been told that some of the Ron Paul supporters who paid $5 to vote got their $5 refunded to them although I have not gotten confirmation of this fact. I know I personally paid $33 to get into the event, only ate a tiny piece of cheescake (almost all the food was gone) and I never got a chance to vote, yet I was never offered a refund of any part or all of my $33. In the end, the attendance of the large number of Ron Paul supporters succeeded in demonstrating our numbers, addressing the audience for four minutes about the Revolution, and preventing what might have otherwise been a Straw Poll win for Fred Thompson, with the end result being the cancellation of the poll. Some Ron Paul supporters expressed empathy with the hostess, as it was understood that there was no way she was going to be able to make a decision that could have pleased both the Fred Thompson supporters and the Ron Paul supporters. Last edited by jj111; 12-05-2007 at 09:49 AM.

12-05-2007, 04:20 AM	#2
tronPaul New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4	great! That may be the best version of what happened yet. One thing I want to point out is that I paid $5 to get in and I did get it refunded. I'm still stunned about the whole ordeal! What did the organizer think would happen? Here are some cell phone photos of the event. http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...ogID=335084599 Last edited by tronPaul; 12-05-2007 at 05:08 AM. Reason: added link to phoros

12-05-2007, 04:27 AM	#3
Wyle Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 96	Yup, everything said here is true.... I was one of the 15 people who showed up and paid the full $33 for the dinner. I was told via meetup that we could show up around 6:30 and pay $33 for the dinner and straw poll or you could show up after dinner and pay $5 for just the straw poll.... anyways We showed up around 6:15pm pst. we were told by the coordinator that she needed more time for prep so we went and had drinks... we got in (after the delay) around 7:30pm to have dinner. The host stated how she was contacted by the media already and they asked for the straw poll results.. she said that after the vote she would tally the votes and release the results in a email and to the media. My initial view of the event was a good one... it was a friendly environment, but every table had a thompson fact sheet on it with his views, but no other candidates info was around there was a huge thompson banner on the wall.... After the dinner we Sat through a senator talking about fred thompson for about an hour, someone asked a ron paul question and he said he liked ron paul but did not think he had a chance. during this time Ron Paul supporters from around the SF Bay area started showing up to pay the $5 to participate in the straw poll. They waited in the lobby area while we listened to the senator speak. After the senator finished he left immediately. They started to do a raffle and let the rest of the ron paul supporters in the room... approx 30 more supporters eventually the coordinator got up and started saying how she was so proud to see all the activist in the room and how she talked to a few of us and we were very well mannered and educated lol... started saying how she hopes all of us keep up our political activities in the future and get involved in the party.... however she lead into saying that she was going to cancel the straw poll do it not being fair to the people who paid $33. Things kinda got loud pretty quick.... couple people said that if money was an issue with the vote that they would pay the $33 for each and every person there who only paid $5... some people had waited in the lobby for 1-2 hours to vote... place got really loud... It was total BS the way it went down. Everyone was looking forward to voting then bam... no vote sorry! I heard They gave a re-fund to all the people who paid the $5 to vote.. I'm not sure of this thought... but they did cancel the straw poll. After the event when most people left the coordinator spoke with a few people and stated that she was going to hold another straw poll where anyone and everyone could come.... i guess she did not expect people to bring all there supporters to the polls.... so she wants to do a new one and tell everyone to bring there supporters out. I kinda felt sorry for her at first but she dug her own grave on this one.... i mean... if it would have been 30 thompson supporters she would of done the vote I bet...... That plus she planned on releasing the results to the media... if we would have not showed up they would of done the vote and released the results to the media.... Whole thing turned out horrible, one Thompson guy started complaining saying how we should be ashamed of ourselves for our behavior... but hey..... were not the ones throwing astraw poll and promoting only one candidate with unequal speech time.... then canceling it when it looks like a landslide for a different candidate. don't mind my spelling and grammar... im tired ... ooh and someone has this on video... just need to find him and get it posted Last edited by Wyle; 12-05-2007 at 04:31 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-05-2007, 04:55 AM	#4
SwooshOU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 270	You guys are awesome.

12-05-2007, 05:20 AM	#6
Myerz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The Whitehouse Posts: 1,537	Right On!

12-05-2007, 05:36 AM	#7
leonster Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 271	That sucks. May I suggest that people not bring Ron Paul signs and pins to Republican events? It labels you as an "activist" immediately, and doesn't really sit well with traditional Republicans... just go in some nice clothes, chat with other people in a nice way, and maybe you'll even convert some of them around to our side... stealth approach.