deployment day 3: McCain

So, this probably goes without saying, but today is the most awesome day of campaigning yet (and it's only half over even though I've been awake for 8 hours already)!! I actually got to see Senator John McCain and (hopefully) the next President of the United States. It was an exhilarating, overwhelming experience. To see him after watching on TV for so long, and seeing pictures for so long...to actually be in the crowd and be so close, it was really cool! But don't worry, I'm not going to go all gushy like this Obama supporter and say that it was the most memorable moment of my life (it wasn't) and that I'm so glad this day has come, the govt is going to pay my mortgage and fill my gas tank (how could anyone possibly believe that?!)

Anyway, I digress!! Sorry. Everyone has been talking about that Obama supporter and just how crazy people are thinking now, they're not even looking at the issues.

I woke up at 4:30 am. Yeah, I haven't woken up that early since high school for a state literary meet. Haha. Drove on down to Raymond James Stadium. After some organizational issues & down time, finally went through the mags (where there was this really handsome Secret Service guy...), got my volunteer credential, and then did sign duty with a new volunteer friend. We had to confiscate any homemade signs, because they block the camera views of the stage when people hold them up.

Here's everyone going through the mags when the sun was starting to rise. I thought the sky looked really pretty.

After the mags, everyone was guided toward the stage area:

Check out all the remotes.

The stage starting to fill up...I was loving the huge American flag. We said the pledge of allegiance and everything :)


After doing that for about an hour, we switched to helping the caterer carry all the food in for the traveling press. And then I basically guarded the food from the local press (the traveling press pays for the food, so if it wasn't there when they arrived...they would not be happy). It was cool being in the press section for a while, not too crowded (until the traveling press arrived), and I got to watch them making their reports, taping, etc.

The main press riser:


The press area:

Once the traveling press arrived, that meant the Straight Talk Express was pulling in, and the crowd went wild!

After the bus pulled in, I made a beeline out of the press area toward the stage. I didn't want to be so far away! Call me a bad volunteer, hehe. I tried to get a good spot in the crowd. It was hard because I'm so short and am not good at pushing people around, but I tried my best! First, former Buccaneer Mike Alstott took the stage, got the crowd going:

Cindy is so beautiful! I hope I have the beauty & grace that she has when I grow up. Joe Lieberman, Lindsey Graham and FL Gov Charlie Crist also there.


Then McCain got the crowd so pumped up. And he doesn't look, sound, or act old at all! He seems so young & dynamic to me. I enjoyed hearing him speak and was encouraged by how much fight he had in him. This race is definitely not over.

Crowd cheers "Nobama! Nobama!" then "USA! USA!" Then McCain talks economy: "I'm going to make government work on a budget, just like you do."


"Obama's running for redistributionist-in-chief, I'm running for commander-in-chief ...I've been tested, I passed the test."


Closing remarks: "stand up & fight!"


Then the speech was over and McCain took on the rope line. I tried so very hard to shake his hand, but like I said, I'm not very big nor am I good at pushing.



And that was my morning. McCain's off to 6 more states today, I think. Congrats if you made it to the end of the post. I just ate some lunch, took a shower, and now I'm going to power nap before heading back to HQ for more phone calls and whatever else needs to be done!

Countdown to Victory

I attended the GOP's Countdown to Victory rally this weekend. It was really fun...just a little taste of what it must be like at the McCain-Palin rallies. Pretty much all the big name Republicans were there...

Gov. Perdue took the podium, with everyone looking on: U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, Secretary of State Karen Handel, School Superintendent Kathy Cox, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, Rep. Tom Price, Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, Rep. Phil Gingrey, GAGOP Chairwoman Sue Everhart, radio host Herman Cain.

Of course the star of the morning was U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss who is up for re-election this fall:

His wife Julianne gave a little intro before him, she was really cute.

I have to say my favorite speaker was Gov. Perdue. I really respect what he's done as governor, and he's always a great speaker (I got to meet him in college and he was just such a nice guy). My favorite part was when he mentioned Obama's paid volunteers leaving the state. Har har. And Isakson also gave some spirited remarks - "who does Charlie Gibson think he is anyway?" I also enjoyed the pledge of allegiance. I haven't done it in who knows how long...hey I am really proud to be an American and pledge my allegiance to our flag!

Oh and duh, the BEST part: John McCain called in. Interrupted Gov. Perdue's speech, Perdue was like "I didn't even bring my cell phone, who could be calling?" Then McCain said hello and the whole room erupted into cheers. Pretty cool. The first thing he said "how bout that Sarah Palin?" to which the room erupted into more cheers. It was a great, diverse crowd, young & old. And we got our McCain-Palin signs & bumper stickers :)

rally tomorrow

In case you're around and want to go to a GOP rally for McCain-Palin (I'm going!):

Countdown to Victory Rally
Please join Senator Saxby Chambliss and Julianne Chambliss, along with Governor Sonny Perdue, Senator Johnny Isakson, Secretary of State Karen Handel, School Superintendent Kathy Cox, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, Congressman Tom Price, Congressman Phil Gingrey, GA GOP Chairwoman Sue Everhart and Special Guest US Senator Richard Burr, and other elected officials to kick off and begin the countdown to Victory in November!
Saturday, September 13
11:00 AM

Renaissance Waverly Hotel
Habersham Ballroom
2450 Galleria Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339

RSVP: georgia at johnmccain dot com

McCain Palin yard signs and bumper stickers will be available

tale of 2 rallies

My observations on 2 Republican rallies held prior to Super Tuesday here in Atlanta.

Saturday 2/2 - 12:30 pm - GA Capitol

Ron Paul

Ron Paul was not actually in attendance, but his son Rand was. Unfortunately, I completely missed Rand's speech. So this report is incomplete. We arrived at the rally, the stairs were packed on the West side. We were greeted by several sign holders, a pair holding up a huge joint, a man holding up a Ron Paul blimp, and a patriotic RV that was driven by the Granny Warriors. Fox News covered the rally, no local stations.

What portions we did hear of the rally that stuck out to us:

1 - Libertarian presence - a prominent GA Libertarian (sorry, didn't catch the name) gave his support to Ron Paul. LOTS of Libertarian supporters there.

2 - Ways the secure your vote - what do you think happens when you vote in the electronic booths? We heard from one speaker that your vote may not really be counted! Not sure how I felt about this, but considered it a valid question. The speaker recommended voting absentee, so at least there is a physical record of your vote. He also recommended going in a big group of other similar voters, voting at a certain time of day at the same machine, and going back at the end of the day to check the counts on the machine you all used. Apparently this is legal (never knew that!) Conspiracy theory or valid point? You decide.

3 - Song time - the rally ended with a singer/songwriter from Fayetteville who played a bell, harmonica, and guitar all at the same time. He sang about why we should vote for Ron Paul. I have never seen/heard anything like this before. If I had been alive during the Vietnam War, I might say that it reminded me of those protest songs. The song was original and heartfelt, and probably the most appropriate ending to this rally.

After the rally was over, we heard some Ron Paul supporters planning on meeting up at John McCain's rally later that night with their signs. Awesome.

Monday 2/4 - 12:00 pm - Ga Tech Hotel

Mitt Romney

What immediately stuck out to us at this one was the amount of press. There were several remote trucks for various local & national stations. There were rows upon rows inside the salon reserved for the press. There was also a table outside with info on phone banks, results party, stickers, etc. We arrived on time for this rally and squeezed up to the front, where incidentally, we ran into one of my best friends from college. We got pumped through a couple pre-speakers telling us why they're endorsing Mitt. There was a large group of supporters on stage with signs etc. Then the music plays and in comes Mitt! Everyone goes crazy. The room is so hot with all the people and lights.

What we heard that stuck out to us:

1 - amounts/types of cheering - lots of spontaneous "let's go Mitt" cheers and then speaker led cheers i.e. "are we gonna vote for someone who voted against tax cuts?" "NOOOO!!!"

2 - Mitt's calm & collected demeanor the whole time. You would never guess that he was behind McCain in delegates right now. Every word, part was crafted to drive the point home that he is THE conservative candidate.

3 - Lots of interesting thoughts presented. Governor of a Blue state, able to work with Democrats and effectively get things done. Will stay in Iraq and wants to build up the army - compares himself to Reagan here. Mentioned his success in business several times, and that McCain admitted the economy was not his strong suit. Wants to secure our borders, no amnesty to illegal immigrants, "wait in line" he says.

So two very different rallies, two very different candidates. One Republican nomination up for grabs. Who will it be?!