Posted on 04/20/2004 4:07:12 AM PDT by Badray
As I begin this post, Quinn (in Pittsburgh 104.7 FM) is talking about the event last night in Pittsburgh for the next US Senator from PA - Pat Toomey.
It was a great event. We were hoping for 300 people. Best guestimates put the number at 400. Four hundred cheerful, enthusiastic, willing to work people. They waited patiently through all the speeches for Pat to take the stage. Thankfully, they were short but they just kept coming. (I did say that they were good, so don't any of you speakers complain, okay?)
When he got to the stage, Pat was greeted with thunderous applause and sustained cheering. He was interupted by applause constantly. He really sounds encouraged by how well the campaign is moving along and the turnout at these events. You'd have to be brain dead not to be excited about this crowd tonight. Brain dead or "R"len Specter. Or is that redundant?
I saw two of the local TV news crews there, but neither stayed long. At least one of them interviewed Pat, but I don't remember which one.
Quinn cracked a few jokes about Specter that everyone who has heard any of "R"len's ads can relate to. He was particularly amused by the ad that talks about the restaurant/bar owned by Pat and his brothers "where drunks were served". D'uh.
Another thing that made this event so wonderful was that President Bush was in town an hour earlier to stump for the liberal incumbent RINO, "R"len Specter. I haven't heard any reports on that effort other than smokeyb's report that only 7 minutes of the 33 minute speech was about "R"len. I suspect that the other 26 minutes was his own campaign talk. We had several people who did have tickets to that event, but chose to see Pat instead. I, too, had requested a ticket, but (and I can't figure out why) was turned down.
On Sunday, when I sent out the reminder for the event, I asked that people show up early to help with the room setup and to help with a mailing that Firearm Owners Against Crime (FOAC) was doing to help Pat. The response was heartwarming. Enough people showed up early and stayed late to prepare ELEVEN THOUSAND pieces of mail.
Of course we asked for contributions to the campaign and there were too many envelopes with cash and checks for me to get an accurate count of the money. Not hiding anything here, but that was not part of my responsibility and I just don't know. We also conducted a 50/50 raffle to allow everyone a chance to help. Not every Republican is rich and they can't write a check for a $1000, but can spend $5 on a chance.
My goal was to get $1000 for the campaign. That would be enough to pay for the event and make all other contributions the icing on the cake. Thanks to the advice of an attorney who was present, I learned that PA law required that a ticket be pulled and that the prize be must be awarded. That was important because a lot of people told me that they wanted to donate the money back if they did win and I was tempted to just ask if there was any objection to turning the whole amount in. I'm glad that I mentioned it or I could be writing this from a jail cell.
I told the crowd of that conversation but reminded them that there is no law that requires them to KEEP the money if they win. The prize was $475 and the winner did graciously make a $200 donation back to the campaign.
I'm going to rely on the other FReepers there to tell more of the story because I was too busy with the tickets and the cash. They all did an incredible job helping make this event a success.
The FReeper honor roll:
Smokeyb, smokeyb's mom (I can't remember her FReeper name) General Havoc, Samintheburgh, mombrown1. I hope that I didn't miss anyone.
We also had a special guest - a FReeper visitor from Ohio - our dear FRiend conspiratoristo. He brought along his Kerry-Fonda bumper stickers and worked as hard as any of the others. Of course, I would expect no less from a man who is a Marine and a FReeper. Paul, thanks for all of your hard work. It was great to see you again and not have my life threatened. ;-)
This was reported on the local WPXI TV news report at 11 pm.
I have had the most uplifting 3 days for the campaign ! Two days at the NRA convention passing out lit for Pat was so positive !! "Sorry, I not from PENNA but good luck, we need to get rid of him" or "Oh, yeah ! he's got my vote." Was all I heard ! And that was not just local-that was people from all over the state ! We gave people over 100 yard signs !
And last night ! All those people that came-even having to fight both rush hour AND the POTUS motorcade !!!
A note to my friends and compatriots from Ohio - This man is the real deal. Pro-Life, Smaller Gov't, Lower Taxes, Pro-2nd Amendment. We Ohioans need to get John Kasich out of retirement and back into politics and put a Conservative in the Senate from Ohio.
My fingers still feel like they are folding leaflets that will be mailed out in the push before the election next Tuesday, but it is a good feeling:
Toomey Bump
In God We Trust…..Semper Fi
Is Arlen a Republican? Not proven.
www.pattoomey.org/dishonesty.asp
Arlen? his name is Arlen?! BWAHAHAHAHAH!!!
[sorry..couldn't resist]
a Texan for Toomey!
Did you see this?
Badray and Smokeyb of the Thomas Jefferson Think Tank, (Heritage Club of Pittsburgh, were working the event, I breezed down to help and meet a lot of new friends, and fellow FReepers.
Most of my money is staying in Ohio to help State Rep campaigns, but I did send money to Pat Toomey and John Thune. Like the man said: "I'm just watching out for my investment", but I don't think I will get to South Dakota.
In God We Trust…..Semper Fi!
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