I went to the Bush rally at the Villages in 2004. The place where these events are held is a huge field and open area. Part of it is fenced off, and that was the part for which you needed a ticket, 20,000 of which were distributed and used. They set up jumbotrons around the fence, so that people who don’t manage to get in - in this case, some 50,000 people, evidently - can see what’s going on.
The attendees were not only Villages residents by any means. The place is centrally located and people come from Tampa, Orlando, the Gulf towns and Gainesville and other north central Florida locations.
Read an article yesterday about NoBama’s event in Daytona Beach and quoting the AP (Sea of people give rapturous welcome).
I can already see the headlines in the AP story, thousands give welcome in a republican stronghold and ignoring as Paul Harvey would say, “The rest of the story”.
I hot-footed it outside when the Prez was done speaking and positioned myself right behind the street rope facing the door he would come out.
Out he strode, glad-handing the crowd, our little group let out a chorus of squeals, hah....he heard, he turned, he zeroed in on us, he crossed the street.....and shook our hands. Ladies, he's even more tanned and handsome than he appears on the tube.
I wish I'd been there for Sarah, but I'm in Illinois right now winding up my snowbird gig. I hope she comes to the Sunshine State again. She may just do so as Florida is so pivotal. I'll drive a fur peece to see her, that's for sure.
McCain/Palin will TAKE FLORIDA like a trout takes a fly! You can count on it!
Leni