Posted on 01/26/2012 3:56:03 PM PST by kristinn
Hosted by Wolf Blitzer at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Candidates: Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.
Word is the audience will be "allowed" to participate.
Thanks for the post Kristinn.
Praying Newt has clarity of thought tonight and is at ease when expressing himself.
I HOPE to G-d the TEA Party is there in force. If the audience is stacked with rombots, that is gonna be a problem. I hope Newt has a plan. Oh boy.
I think Santorum will be on a gingrich ticket
Wolf Blitzer is moderating.
I met Newt Gingrich after the speech on the ropeline and was able to relay JimRob's FreeRepublic.com endorsement in person and that there is a lot of support for him on the website. Newt politely thanked me as we shook hands. He then stepped away, stopped, turned back, looked me in the eye again and emphatically repeated, "Thank you," as if it took a second for him to assess what was said and he wanted me to know he understood.
The event itself was packed, perhaps a thousand in the room and another thousand outside. I barely got in and was in the back a few rows before the press riser. More people were given standing room behind the riser.
I saw Fox's Carl Cameron and ABC's Jonathan Karl among the media. Print reporters and still photographers were brought to the front just before Newt arrived.
The crowd was revved up and waiting to cheer Newt. The speech was well received, as you saw on C-SPAN. While there were reports that leftists would infiltrate the crowd, there were no disruptions. The Q&A which was scheduled for after the speech was ditched. Newt lingered inside the room, Callista by his side, shaking hands, posing for pictures and giving autographs. He did the same when he went out the back of the Holiday Inn Express convention room on the way to his campaign bus. It was almost 45 minutes after the speech ended before he left for his next event.
I met FReepers 3D-Joy and mcmuffin after the speech. They were out sign-waving before the event. 3D-Joy made a special 'FreeRepublic.com supports Newt Gingrich' sign.
I think other FReepers were there, but I didn't see them in the crowds.
214 posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 10:18:24 PM by kristinn (Dump the Chump in 2012)
Checking in. This should be good to see Newt hammer Mittens for the stretch run in Florida. :-)
Bumping the thread in preparation of the debate, Kristinn.
I’m wishing I could livestream it over the Web, but a live thread on FR should do nicely.
Some ideas about what I wish Gingrich would say (among other things).
Something along the lines of
“I was born in Georgia. I have lived in the USA ALL of my life. I love this country and you will not find anyone to tell you differently. I am up front. Nothing is hidden I realize people have negative opinions of me and those are out there and those are based on and referenced to public information. There are no sordid secret details about me. I’ve been around awhile. You can find lots of dirt and if you choose to dwell on that sideshow, so be it. There are pundits who want to tell you I am bad. I am here to say, you have the right to make up your own mind. I am here to talk about my vision for this great country and why I want you to join me in making that happen. You can read all the rest later,,but for now I want to concentrate on,..
and then launch into what HE wants to say.
For what it’s worth. Sometimes I”m an idiot but I’m hopeful because it’s the only alternative to being afraid.
Romney got his second wife Ann Coulter and third wife Karl Rove to go on the talk shows afterwards and try and bash Newt while singing his praises also.
bkmk
I’m here but my doctor is mad at me so I have to eat “good” food tonight and forever, like veggies and olive oil based dressing, NO BAD FAT for the rest of my life. Have to take three new pills for what’s wrong.
Never go to the doctor or you will be sick. I was fine before I went.
So, if you want fresh veggies, you can come here. HOWEVER, HE DIDN’T SAY I COULDN’T DRINK ALCOHOL!
Terrific idea!!!
Politically polygamous ....... why am I not surprised.
If it Santorum that you are talking about I wonder who he would endorse.
i am loving the signs in the crowd behind the (very nice) CNN babe, good luck Newt and Paul
live your life but keep going. I can tell you that you have to be tough to get old. You would not believe my story. Enjoy that drink Buddie!!
Thanks for the thread, I’am checking in, this one important debate.
You are definitely not an idiot...good post!
“I can tell you that you have to be tough to get old.”
I’m the oldest person on this forum, for sure. Could I get a FR trophy for that?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.