Ron Paul in St. Paul.
Credit: Connie Wilson | ©Connie Wilson
Ron Paul's Minions, 10,000 Strong, Rallied in Minneapolis' Target Center on Tuesday
The Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minneapolis, wasn't in the path of Hurricane Gustav, but, judging from the defections in the ranks of Republicans citing it as the reason they were MIA in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Labor Day (and the Tuesday after), Minnesota might well have been.First among the no-shows were President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. Last time Hurricane Katrina struck in New Orleans, President Bush waited 84 days to make it down to Louisiana for photo ops. This prompted Barack Obama, during the final night of the Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado in his acceptance speech to decry a president who "sat on his hands while a major American city drowned."
The Bush administration's Powers-that-Be responded this time by rushing off to the Gulf, so that their inaction last time would not reflect poorly on this season's Republican candidate, John McCain.
Therefore, Bush was immediately off to the races (in his case Texas), rather than the eye of the storm, which, as of midnight Monday was closer to Mobile and other Gulf Coast states, rather than Texas. (It was explained that the President felt his presence in the storm area might detract from relief efforts.)
Vice President Cheney also didn't show. This distancing from the current unpopular administration suited John McCain just fine. Arnold Schwarzenegger phoned it in, citing a budget crisis in California. Republicans were left with Laura Bush and Cindy McCain to carry the speech torch into battle. All eyes and all major press were on the Gulf. Katie Couric was here earlier, but, like Anderson Cooper et al, she took off to rub shoulders with Geraldo and the gang in the windswept, rain-drenched streets of New Orleans.
By Tuesday, Hurricane Gustav had been downgraded to a tropical storm, but it appeared that the Republican Convention was not going to be "a really big show." (Picture Ed Sullivan saying that, if you're old enough to remember who he was.) "Wouldn't be appropriate," said one missive sent out.
- Variious speakers decried the current state of Republican affairs and celebrated Ron Paul
Comments
I'm registered independant but virtually always vote democrat. I honestly don't know too much about Ron Paul, but I know that he TRULY believes in personal freedoms and the constitution and the more I learn about him, the more I am inclined to listen to what he has to say. America was based on freedom and I believe that we are losing some of that in this country. I heard Ron Paul in the Republican debates and he stands up for what he truly believes, right or wrong. That is a rarity in this day and age. So yeah, I disagree whith some of Ron Paul's beliefs, but nonetheless, he has some interesting and valuable ideas that we should pay attention to. Regardless of what you agree and disagree with, this country was founded on the idea that what YOU disagree with SHOULD be allowed to be heard/spoken/expressed. Hooray to hear what Ron Paul has to say and hooray for somone who says what they believe even if most disagree.
Dear Mr. The Minus Factor: I actually DO use words like pejorative on a regular basis. It certainly was not used to offend you (nor was "minions") and if you knew the difficulties under which I am laboring to post at all, you would understand the (occasional) typo. The conventions have been very interesting; next, the Town Hall meeting at Curb Auditorium in Nashville (Belmont University), at which I hope to be present and at which,I'm sure, I'll typo at least a few more times. Getting back safely from the RNC is no easily-accomplished task.
It's not the typo that bothered me, it is that you tried to use big words to insult me, rather than common words, and in doing so, you messed up...hilarious. I highly doubt that you use the word "pejorative" on a regular basis. Also, I think your "Snorefest" comment was a bit premature. You hardly covered any of the RNC as far as I can tell, but I guess you did watch your late night talk shows. Either way, I AM envious that you were able to attend both conventions, and glad you made it back safe.
Dan R
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/04/2008
This was a very entertaining read! Snorefest.. :)
(continued)...see...I did it again...POLKA....
Try to imagine a really bad polka band with an off-key clarinet and a lot of really cheesy songs, with me sitting in the lobby, typing away to tell all AC readers about the interesting things going on here (or not) in St.. Paul, Minnesota, land of the loon.
Dear Mr. The Minus Factor: Please excuse my typo(s) in the name of reporting. i apparently left an 'e" off the word "chaperonE", as well, for which I apologize, and the venue is the Xcel Center (no "E" on that one). I am staying in Edina with friends who have a computer that was dropped on its head or something and it flickers constantly while in use. (I think I may fall down and have a fit like those little kids in Japan who were watching Pokemon cartoons or something). I'm actually surprised that I have gotten anything at all written, given the hurdles to producing same (and, yes, I DO have my laptop wiith me; I am currently at the St. Paul Library using their wireless network (friends don't have one) but there is a Senior Citizens' dance going on in the background, and it is a pretty surreal backdrop from which to thank Rose and Carol and all who contributed, even if it is only to point out that my typing "ain't what it used to be." Try to imagine a really bad poka band with an off
Mrboris
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/03/2008
In response to Tyler Mills,
People who support Ron Paul are not anarchists. The mainstream media tends to throw that term around quite a bit when talking about Ron Paul. You say Anarchists, I say Patriots.
Red
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/03/2008
To: The Minus Factor
You could not pay me to listen to Lieberman.
Ron Paul Delegate
nader paul kucinich gravel
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/02/2008
Gov Jesse Ventura, USN:
"The HELL with the Patriot Act"
02 SEP 08
1630 hours
I love Ron Paul, but if you have time, watch the speeches that Fred Thompson and Joe Lieberman made tonight at the Republican convention. Wow! Exciting stuff. And remember, Lieberman is a democrat (actually now an independent) who was the vice presidential candidate running with Gore. If you only have time to watch one, watch Lieberman's.
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