Posted on 10/20/2007 11:17:10 PM PDT by mission9
It is Saturday, the sky is cloudy, four Presidential candidates desire the office enough to stake one hundred thousand dollars each for up to forty minutes of stage time in front of two thousand Floridian Republican party activists. The tone of the event was established by Governor Charlie Crist, and Party Chairman Greer, the party brass at the auditorium luncheon. Their message was that we must emerge from this primary united to fully support the Party nominee, otherwise, the Democrats will win, and we may lose the White House for a generation.
During the break after lunch and before the speeches, word got out that Duncan Hunter was Holding court in the hotel coffee shop. A long line of well-wishers paid him a visit for autographs and photographs. There are Ron Paul supporters who troll the breezeways with signs.
The candidates who paid to play took the stage in alphabetical order:
Rudy Giuliani was enlivened by the sizable number of sign waving supporters. His campaign has 16 paid staffers in the state. They have not made a true campaign in Iowa or New Hampshire, Giuliani’s gambit is to lose a few small states, win in Florida, and carry that forward to win in the rest of the Nation. Rudy’s camp bent the rules slightly by bussing in a few dozen teen-agers to actively wave placards. His youth contingent, did not pay to be on premises as had each other adult "ambassador."
Rudy’s speech was animated, peppered with humor and references to Ronald Reagan. He looked, he sounded authoritative. He made a compelling case for the job he accomplished in turning around New York City. He made his case that he is the man who will, control taxes and spending, defeat Islamic Fascist Terrorism, and defeat Hillary Clinton. Rudy’s campaign stump speech enthusiasm appealed to the crowd. He spoke for thirty five minutes, detailing the successes of his career, and contrasting the lack of any leadership experience or successes on the party of Hillary, Obama, or John Edwards. I believe his spontaneity and passion were genuine. Mr. Giuliani wants to be President.
John McCain’s speech was more sober, fewer jokes, fewer gesticulations, and fewer applause lines. John spoke from the heart and made his case that the war against terrorism is not over, and that he is the man best positioned, by training, preparation, and experience to win the war for good. John was contrite over the immigration issue, stating that he had learned his lesson that Americans want the borders secured, and he promised to do that. I counted less than twenty McCain placards, yet the audience gave him complete attention and a full hearing. But I could not shake the impression that his speech was less of a prelude and more of a denouement. He spoke for twenty five minutes.
As it came time for Mitt Romney to speak, his supporters crowded in close to the stage. It was a unique moment that you only find in a campaign. Mitt Romney supporters surprised themselves with their numbers. It was as if, many fence sitters had spontaneously decided to come out of the closet, publicly wave signs and cheer, never having done so before, and in doing so discovering that there where a lot more Mitt supporters at this soiree than had first been apparent. Mitt did not come to the stage podium at first, Al Cardenas, the former long-time party chairman, testified for his accomplishments, as did Connie Mack Jr., Congressman and Grandson of the Baseball legend, and Congressman Tom Feeney, Jeb Bush’s legislative protégé. The final testimonial for Mitt was spoken by his wife, Ann. Her remarks were not rehearsed, and she seemed a little loss for words, and moved to tears - in a good way. It was an interesting and tender moment, for I believe that the Florida Republican party gave Ann a campaign epiphany. All those many months on the campaign trail were beginning to pay off. Others were seeing in Mitt, what she had found out in their life together. His love for this nation, his work ethic, and his steadfast integrity.
After telling an family anecdote of how his sons presented him with a 1962 Rambler, Mitt reflected on his experience in business, in the Olympics and Massachusetts. The theme of his presentation was strength; American strength founded in the family; American economic strength competing in world markets; and American Military strength to keep the peace. Mitt wants to eliminate the death tax, and any capital gains taxes on savings. He also proposed expanding the health care savings accounts. Mitt’s presentation style was somewhat reserved, but stately. Mitt’s presentation lasted a little less than twenty five minutes.
The biggest question mark was now set to appear, the sound technicians cued the video monitors. The Fred Thompson presentation began with a five minute biographical of his law career, his government service, his acting roles, and his desire to seek the Presidency. The Fred Thompson supporters as judged from the sign waving count numbered a few dozen less than the Rudy supporters. And at least one hundred less than the Mitt Romney group. The crowd had thinned noticeably. His wife Jeri, at first walked by his side as Fred took the stage to speak. For a few moments, Fred played to the crowd of supporters who clapped and cheered with a noise level equal to the reception given to Mitt or Rudy. Fred began to speak thanking everyone for their accolades, "I just want every one to get to know my wife, Jeri." Fred made a broad gesture with his arm (Fred is a tall man) as if to acknowledge Jeri to the crowd so that she too could take a gracious bow. Unfortunately, she had only taken a few initial steps with him on the stage, and had left him on the stage alone, so Fred was gesturing to an imaginary wife, which was a little awkward, and a little disappointing to some, who were eager to see the prospective First Lady. Fred spoke of God, Fred spoke of winning the war in Iraq, and the perfidy of those who would attack General Petreaus. Fred emphasized that we need a workable immigration policy, and control of our borders with new technology. He also highlighted his pro-life record, and his consistent conservative ranking in the Senate. Fred asked for our support.
He spoke for less than ten minutes. When he left the stage, he went in the wrong direction. There was only one way out, and that was through the autograph and handshake gauntlet. Fred looked at that and thought maybe he should go out stage rear. After a few seconds, while the applause and cheers continued, he emerged, waved at the crowds, then tried stage left. That was a dead end too, because he came back out, awkwardly waved to the crowd, and walked off again, to where the security guards manned the rails, and there he left, disappointing many.
An hour and one half later, the last general admission event of the evening was the "ice cream social." This was an out door event to which any Presidential candidate could have taken advantage of a small microphone and podium. Only Mitt came out to address the crowd. Approximately 500 people had gathered for this last look. When Mitt came out, the crowd cheered him resoundingly, as if to signal that he had won the day. Mitt looked at the podium which was set up on level ground. Mitt instantly sized up the situation. "Bring me a chair," he demanded, "Does anybody have a chair? Oh, I am not going to do what you think with this chair" A lone chair was handed through the crowd like a fire-bucket brigade. Mitt stood up on the chair. "Yeah, now that’s more like it. Can everybody see me now?" The crowd roared. Ann Romney came to his side and beamed. Mitt closed with a promise that he would unite the social conservatives, fiscal conservatives, and the Reagan Democrats, to win the White House in 2008.
Sunday night, we look forward to the nationally televised debate.
We've heard from Alan Keyes before. The last time was in 2000. Nothings changed. Keyes remains a non entity. His candidacy is weak and his campaign is a total joke. What a waste of time and effort.
Was Fred that bad ?
Who stood out to you as an acceptable alternative given their presentation ?
Here is an article from the Orlando Sentinel that somewhat describes the dismay of his supporters at his short (4 min. 37 sec) speech.
This seems to confirm our two Freeper first hand reports.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2007/10/freds-moneys-wo.html
I wonder if the campaign is aware of how Fred came across at this event ? It sure doesn’t sound good .
Thompson campaign spokesman Jeff Sadosky said the candidate was simply keeping his remarks "quick and upbeat" and that nothing was wrong. He said Thompson was following the guidelines set down by the Republican Party of Florida.
I am sure they are hoping for a good performance tonight, so that this story fades.
Avanti. Raymond Lowe.
That's true. That's why a possible third party candidate is an inviting picture.
That's not going to happen if the Party nominates a "moderate", aka RINO. The rank and file is conservative, especially the grassroots activists. Nominate a RINO, and while they may not stay home on election day, they will not be out there on the hustings for him in nearly the numbers they will be for a true Constitutional Conservative.
International Drive, my favorite! Thanks for the ping.
I think the Dems push him for the same reason. I don't they'd find him acceptable. Although they like his previous anti-RKBA efforts and pro-abortion stand, he's too anti-criminal and MUCH too strong on the War on Terror. They are the party of surrender, and treason, have been since the 60s.
“Was Fred that bad ?”
Fred left everyone in shock. Seemed if you blinked you missed him. The people around me looked at each other confused....disappointed....shocked. Not a good showing, to say the least.
We happened to be at the top of the stairs when Fred and wife Jeri were making their staircase entrance to Thompson's reception. After shaking hesitant Fred's hand, Jeri went out of her way to greet me. After Fred spoke to the crowd for a few minutes, he left his reception rather quickly. Jeri Thompson stayed at the reception for quite some time meeting and greeting.
This is much more Jeri Thompson's campaign than it is her husband's.
“Was Fred that bad”
I heard some reports that he was just as disappointing in the greeting rooms.
I am trying to get the word out. It really is a dis-service to all conservatism to tout a lackluster candidate, Bob Dole reloaded. Sorry Bob, you were never that bad.
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