Big Crowd, Confident of Republican Victory, Snap Up Tickets to McCain/Romney Rally in St.Louis Suburb
An estimated 300 stalwart Republicans showed up to wait in line for two hours in the St. Louis summer heat to get 250 tickets to the VIP section at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O’Fallon, Mo. in order to be part of the McCain rally featuring Mitt Romney.
I told Kathy that we better get there early, just in case there was a big turnout and I could see by the look in her eyes that she thought I was being a little over dramatic. So I said to her, look, if I’m wrong and we arrive at McCain’s H.Q. too early, we can go to McDonald’s for a late breakfast and schmooze over a second cup of coffee. Then go back to the office and get in line. Not too bad for a next to worse case scenario, with the worst case being we didn’t get there early enough and the VIP seating had been snapped up.
The best case scenario was that the event had ‘ginned up a big response among the Party faithful and that we would need to be there early.
We arrived at a little after 10 AM and the front parking lot had a couple of cars parked there, but I noticed a small paper sign taped to the front door that said: “McCain tickets in back of building by loading dock.” So I thought, we’re here, I might as well drive around to the back of the building so that we will know where to go when we get back. As I pulled around the corner of the building, I saw that the line was already starting to form. There were only about 10 people ahead of us, but within the next 15 minutes the line started snaking back toward the back of the parking lot. We were all standing in the sun, but some people had brought lawn chairs and umbrella’s. I looked to my left and saw that there was a shaded area about 15 feet wide going down the length of the building, so I walked out to the middle of the lot and said: “Everybody, lets reform the line over against the side of the building so that we can all keep our places in line and get out of the sun.” They all felt that was a good idea and started moving into the shaded area. I thought I would try a little humor so I said: “This is why we are going to win this election. If this was a crowd of Democrats, they’d sit out here until they passed out from heat exhaustion.” We had a good laugh at the Dems expense and I have to say, even with the heat, it was a good time. They were a very knowledgeable crowd, they “got it” and they were fun to talk to. Not surprisingly, a very pro Romney crowd. I recognized several Romney volunteers from the primary campaign and one man that I used to work with on the pro life committee.
Former Sen. Jim Talent was there and spoke for about ten minutes, expressing his opinion that America finds itself in very challenging times, especially with what is going on in Iran and Russia.
We signed up to work for the campaign to do door to door canvassing and phone bank calls, so our lives have ratcheted up another couple of notches, but that’s OK, because this is what political junkies do. Or as my son might say, “This is how we roll!”
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
The Dems, aka Loons, couldn’t have got OUR side more engaged and excited than to have picked “The One” aka Obama! OUR side was down and in retreat UNTIL “The One” started to rant and remind US what WE stand for! And Obama is NOT the one for US! Our side is always a little slow to get into these WARS! But here WE come again! p.s. Halperin was right about Biden and he will be right again about Mitt! Remember, he was the first to break the news that Romney was dropping out of the race in June.
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Nice story John. I think folks are going to be blown back off their feet when they witness the sudden explosion of energy and enthusiasm for the ticket that’s going to come from all the (forgotten) Romney backers - once he’s chosen for the ticket. Do you feel the same rumblings?
August 23rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Does anyone know anything about the Michigan rally?
August 23rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Laura Ingram said Aug. 31, Grand Rapids, Michigan. That was on Friday, but I think I’ve also heard Missouri on Friday Not much help, huh?
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Paulee & Mike, The rally in Michigan is on 30th. On 29th, McCain’s birthday, the day he is supposed to announce his VP pick, will be in Ohio, I think. Yeah, Missouri is supposedly his third stop after the VP announcement.
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Maybe the fourth! Pennsylvania follows Ohio…then Michigan…then Missouri.
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Copp,
Definitely. The crowd was happy, confident, acting like they were ready to push back against Obama and his cronies. We all took turns bashing the Dems and everyone in the crowd seemed to be signing up for volunteer activities.
When I told them I was a pro Romney blogger, that really lit them up.
In the course of the last two years I have learned that, as effective as broadcast media is in reaching large numbers of voters, it has got to be linked with effective neighborhood canvassing. Nothing substitutes for standing toe to toe with a voter and having your bullet points ready for a quick response when you are asked, “Why should I vote for your candidate?”
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Here’s the latest from Mike Allen’s Playbook at Politico — Go Mitt!!
http://www.politico.com/playbook/
STOKING SUSPENSE: Republican officials say Sen. John McCAIN (R-Ariz.) still plans to wait till the day after the Democratic convention to announce his choice for vice president, even though the officials believe he’s leaning heavily toward former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt ROMNEY.
The officials say Sen. Barack OBAMA’s choice of Sen. Joe Biden finished off any remaining chance for youthful Minnesota Gov. Tim PAWLENTY to be on the GOP ticket. “Can you imagine what Biden would do to Pawlenty in the debate?” asked one top Republican. “It would just be sad.”
BREAKING: The GOP officials say that besides Romney, another apparent finalist McCain was believed to be pondering at his Arizona cabin this weekend was retired general Colin POWELL. But based on the blowback from the senator’s trial balloon, most McCain aides think Powell’s support of abortion rights would make that idea a non-starter.
August 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Two military guys? That won’t work. We need someone who can help McCain with his apparent weakness’. That would be a Romney, Portman or Cantor. The latter two are too meek and mild and Biden would set them up, then go in for the kill. Hair plugs or not; the dude is slick.
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Yeah Chris, I completely agree with you. Add to that the whole pro-abortion thing and I don’t think he would be a good choice.
Part of me does not enjoy Powell very much. I got a bad taste in my mouth when he started spouting off about Bush’s administration and seeming to do it to get glory. Unimpressive. K
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
McCain might still go with Pawlenty to play it safe. In the last hour and a half tonight on Fox News; I have not seen a single pundit say anything positive about Mitt except Sean Hannity. They rightly point out the statements Biden has said against Obama during the primaries. The same thing could be done against Mitt. If Mitt is the pick I would think McCain would not go down that road. Anyone else’s thoughts?
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Copp, you are right. I forgot about Pennsylvania. Yes, it will be visited before Missouri and Michigan. Thanks!
SED, actually, Mitt and Biden did not say the same things. Biden went very much after Obama’s inexperiences. He did not do it with any respect. Mitt simply pointed out how he and McCain were different. Mitt never accused McCain of anything, and he had shown him respect every step during the primary. Yes, there was a hot moment or two between McCain and Mitt during a debate, but it was because McCain claimed Mitt to be something he was not. But Mitt did not chew up McCain like Biden. I don’t see any attack issue that would come with Romney on McCain’s ticket.
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Miitt Romney is the ONLY one who can strengthen this ticket, lend executive experience, economic experience and serious organizational skills - we must fight the petty crap and reinforce the need we have in America today for SERIOUS leadership. Obama and Biden are two of the most arrogant personalities I have ever seen. It sickens me to think we would pass by a Mitt Romney for them. We MUST fight, fight, fight for the McCain/Romney ticket. Keep emailing and calling the RNC and MCAIN Campaign headquarters. We need strong, serious, experienced leadership. Obama has NO experience and Biden has had NO executive leadership. He is the same old Washington elite personality - Mitt’s “Washington is broken” is important now more than ever and Biden is part of the “broken” Mitt is a Washington outsider who brings fresh new ideas. WE SIMPLY CANNOT LET HIM BE PASSED BY FOR VP.
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Pawlenty’s big problem is that he is unknown and does not come across as presidential. McCain is old and voters want to be reassured that his VP could step in at a moment’s notice. Mitt Romney could do it, but Pawlenty? No way.
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
SGS and Renna I absolutely agree with you. However, now on Fox News: Michael Steele of all people is now stating the type of attacks that the McCain camp is leveling against Biden leads him to believe it’s someone else. They wouldn’t want to seem like hypocrites even though differences that John and Mitt had were very different.
I live in MA and we would love to see Mitt on the ticket. I think it would be a blow out electorally if it happened in our favor. I’m just a little concerned and it’s making me believe that McCain may play it safe with the unknown to not rock the boat after Biden.
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Let’s not bash Powell. A good friend of mine (a retired 3 Star General himself) has nothing but good things to say about Colin Powell, and he has known him for over 40 years. Without going into all the details, let’s just say that I trust my friend’s judgment without reservation, and ask that you all do the same.
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I’m trying to remember back to the primary and what exactly Mitt and McCain said about each other…I think Mitt said McCain was liberal, and McCain said Mitt was a flip-flopper, and Mitt said McCain was lying about the timetables issue,but what else was there? I don’t remember anything as harsh as the criticisms that Biden had for Obama.
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Frozone: No real offense intended. I was merely stating what I felt about that particular time period and the impression it left with me. I happen to feel he has made terrific sacrifices for this great nation. I greatly enjoyed watching him in war time. I do however not feel like he is the best choice for the VP mostly because of the abortion issue but also because of the other thing I mentioned. I did NOT however intend to offend, just spouting off…
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I’m pretty sure McCain called Mitt a phony in an ad during the NH primary. Mitt called McCain dishonest regarding the timetables. I think that timetable issue will be juxtaposed with comments from NY times and pundits calling McCain a liar. It could go on and on.
This is why I hope Mccain stops this line of attack before it goes down this rocky road with Mitt as VP. Once we step away from the issues, we will lose against “hope and change”. Otherwise if McCain continues then he knows it’s Pawlenty; so he could attack without repraisal.
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Pawlenty is a big yawn, and Biden would destroy him in the VP debate.
Heck, even lukewarm Evan Bayh thumped T-Paw pretty hard a week or so ago for not agreeing with McCain initially about the surge. “Tim, I even read in your hometown paper that you opposed the surge.” T-Paw had a deer-in-the-headlights look, a la Dan Quayle when Lloyd Bentsen laid the “You’re no Jack Kennedy” line on him. I hope McCain remembers this.
Add to that Pawlenty’s comment: “The age of small government is over” and his global warming craze, and he’s toast.
You can bet your sweet bippy the Dems are praying for anyone on McCain’s short list . . . except Mitt.
August 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Here is what the Reasmussen Market is saying at this moment:
Vice Presidential Markets
To Win Republican Vice-Presidential Nomination
Mitt Romney 66.9
Tim Pawlenty 24.0
Charlie Crist 7.7
Sarah Palin 9.7
Mike Huckabee 4.1
John Thune 3.0
Mark Sanford 2.5
Carly Fiorina 2.1
Bobby Jindal 2.7
And here is Intrade:
NEW.REP.VP.ROMNEY
Mitt Romney to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 60.0 67.0 67.0 6731 +25.0
NEW.REP.VP.PAWLENTY
Tim Pawlenty to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 21.0 24.0 22.0 2201 -0.7
NEW.REP.VP.RIDGE
Tom Ridge to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 9.0 12.0 9.0 2497 -0.3
NEW.REP.VP.WHITMAN
Meg Whitman to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 0.5 10.0 5.0 428 -5.0
NEW.REP.VP.PORTMAN
Rob Portman to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 5.3 6.8 5.5 1149 -1.1
NEW.REP.VP.LIEBERMAN
Joe Lieberman to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 1.1 7.5 4.0 1235 -1.0
NEW.REP.VP.CRIST
Charlie Crist to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 5.5 7.9 7.7 1701 +0.7
NEW.REP.VP.CANTOR
Eric Cantor to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 0.5 8.7 3.1 413 -5.5
NEW.REP.VP.GIULIANI
Rudy Giuliani to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 0.5 4.0 2.0 980 -5.0
NEW.REP.VP.PALIN
Sarah Palin to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 6.8 9.7 7.0 1193 +1.0
NEW.REP.VP.JINDAL
Bobby Jindal to be Republican VP Nominee in 2008
Trade 1.5 6.0 2.0 2672 -1.1
It’s kind of interesting to see where people are putting their money!
August 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
If they had any footage of Mitt saying McCain isn’t ready to be president but Obama is, it would be a comparable situation. They don’t, of course.
August 23rd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Very interesting . . . first head-to-head matchup poll I’ve seen of McCain/Romney versus Obama/Biden:
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1114607
The M & M ticket is creaming Dumb & Dumber!
August 24th, 2008 at 3:52 am
I did not think Pawlenty seemed agressive enough in his interviews or quick enough to take on Biden. Mitt has been through the ropes, he is used to the attacks, he learned how the Washington die hards work. I think he is ready for the big time. Besides who first said, Washington is broken? Just so many American’s are talking Romney, It’s truly the economy! Who talked most about the economy? He was spot on, just not enough time to show America who he truly was. He’s done that, now. He’s by far the best outsider with no strings, and miles of abilities, they have to get it! Mitt is loved and respected and admired! Just do it Mccain, chose Mitt!!!!!!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:04 am
The buzz seems to be confirming that Mitt Romney will be McCain’s pick. Of course, McCain may surprise us after all by picking someone else, but that is looking increasingly doubtful.
McCain has been running for President for a quarter of a century and I don’t think he will risk foul-balling the election over a mediocre VP pick.
Because of JM’s age and health problems, a youthful looking and athletic Mitt Romney will balance the ticket from that standpoint. Add the business expertise, at a time of mounting mortgage defaults, a sinking U.S. dollar and rumors of another impending big bank failure, and Mitt Romney is an obvious choice.
None of these other VP choices comes close.
Another thing to keep in mind. Mitt’s Militia has been waiting on the sidelines, waiting to get back into the game at the national level, going back to February. We are experienced in phone bank calling, door to door canvassing and we know a lot about MR. After yesterday’s events, I can tell you that there are Romney partisans who are ready to devote themselves to the hard work of a presidential campaign. All we need is for John McCain to get in front of the microphones and tell us that Mitt’s the pick and we are off to the races.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Renna’s right, flood everyone with e-mails that we think it’s got to be Mitt to win! They can respect Bush, but come up with some new angles that assure America of a more stable economy. Mitt is a winner, he knows the basics and more. It can’t be empty promises. The first team to hit the hot buttons with concrete plans and proven know how will be our future. If it is Mccain and Romney, I’m comMitted to do whatever RNC needs to assure Obama does not win the White House. They will need our help, big time.We can do this! Write, Write, and Write.This is the week, I don’t want to feel like Clinton’s people, do all that we can for Mitt.We just have to.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:34 am
I will be at my local Republican office as soon as McCain chooses Mitt.
If he chooses a pro-abortion running mate, all bets are off.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Thanks for the stroy John. Did Talent mention Romney at all, as far as being VP?
August 24th, 2008 at 8:51 am
IF there are REALLY GOOD advisors and creative thinkers on the McCain Campaign they will be able to come up with many, many neutralizing comments for ANYTHING that was said during the campaign - just look at the spin from the Democrats for the REALLY TELLING comments made by Biden. I was told by a VERY reliable source close to Mitt that all of the TV appearances he has made in recent weeks and months have been made AT THE REQUEST OF JOHN MCCAIN. That has to say a lot for what might be forth coming. McCain can express that he has truly appreciated Mitt Romney’s support and that he has gotten to know a very different man than the one he ran against during the Primaries, etc, etc. There are so many ways to refocus on serious issues and leave the rhetoric of the primaries behind. Besides, having different opinions on issues is healthy for an administration as important decisions are made - many sides of the same issue can be examined and considered. Not to mention that differences of opinion on issues is VERY different than saying that a candidate is NOT READY TO BE PRESIDENT. Let’s stay focused on the positive and spread it all over the country. There are enough of us here to make a difference - in fact, I am sure that we have already done that. KEEP IT UP.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:09 am
MCCAIN / ROMNEY MERCHANDIZE IN SECRET LOCATION
IN OHIO…….
http://fatwhiteamerican.blogtownhall.com/2008/08/24/john_mccain_picks_mitt_romney!!!!!!_yeah.thtml
August 24th, 2008 at 10:10 am
http://fatwhiteamerican.blogtownhall.com/2008/08/24/john_mccain_picks_mitt_romney!!!!!!_yeah.thtml
August 24th, 2008 at 10:12 am
IN CASE YOU CAN’T FIND IT.
John McCain Picks Mitt Romney!!!!!! yeah?
Posted by http://www.fatwhiteamerican.com on Sunday, August 24, 2008 12:05:42 AM
John McCain Picks Mitt Romney!!!
A John McCain merchandise warehouse located, for security reasons, “somewhere” in Ohio just confirmed that they are printing off only McCain-Romney merchandise for the campaign. Speaking under the condition of anonymity two sources confirmed that they were sworn to secrecy and they are starting to stockpile McCain-Romney merchandise.
Mitt Romney is the right choice to shore up the only known flaw of the McCain presidential run which is his economic credentials. Just like Obama it does seem that, to some degree, McCain did succumb to some political pressure and chose the conservatives choice. Romney is the one of the two I predicted he would chose all the way back in May. Romney should bring along some enthusiasm to the McCain ticket that it has currently lacked.
With the knowledge that Obama has not been able to amount any sizable lead, in an election cycle that should favor anything the Dems put forth, McCain can finally grab the slight momentum that he would need to easily defeat Barack Hussein Obama.
Nathan Robert Zehirnger
“The Great Fat White American”
August 24th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Hopefully, Emilio, this is not a head fake like the “Obama/Bayh” bumper stickers.
August 24th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
John,
No, Talent didn’t have anything to say about Mitt. I did ask a local Republican official who had invited me to speak to her township organization the night before Super Tuesday and who is a big Romney fan if she had heard anything about Mitt being picked. She said she hadn’t heard anything.