thanks for thread kristinn. Have you been able to attend any of the recent rallys I have heard about? Sound exciting, much like we had with Sarah a few years back. Lord knows we need something to be excited about
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)