Donald Trump, the brash New Yorker, picks up Southern campaign in states key to GOP nomination

ATLANTA (AP) — Donald Trump is expanding his paid campaign staff into several Southern states that will be key to selecting the Republican presidential nominee.

Trump's advisers say it's a sign he's committed to a long race, despite suggestions he's reconsidering his bid.

He now has paid staff in South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Trump will be in metro Atlanta for a rally Saturday that is expected to draw thousands. He set the high mark for Republicans this campaign when he drew about 30,000 to an Alabama rally in August.

We just got home from the Atlanta Trump rally at the N Atlanta Trade Center. It was radical folks. Standing room only I estimate 10,000. The place was packed. 90 degrees inside. We were maybe 100 feet from the stage. I almost started crying at the number of young people that were there and Blacks.

When Trump came out it was pandemonium. He started mocking the press who were all set up in the back. They will not pan the audience because they don’t want anybody to see how jammed these events really are. Its insane. His speech was great and the crowd was wild.

Afterwards we went outside and went around the side of the building where the SUV’s were parked. There really were not that many people who realized it I guess. Anyway Trump came out the side door and everybody was waving and cheering. I had on my Flag T shirt and I was waving and Trump looked me right in the eye and pointed at me likely due to the flag tee shirt. What a rush. He was signing autographs and shaking hands. It was incredible.

I was really taken aback by the lack of security in the trade center and like when he came out and got into his SUV. People were walking right up to his window and getting autographs etc. I worry that somebody could easily get to him. They need to beef up the security. IMO.

All in all what a great experience.

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