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Scenes from Today's Paul Ryan rally
Dateline: 9:30, the city that is home to the Pro Football HOF
Due to self-discipline I was able to get up at 4:45 and make it there ahead of the crowd. Oh wait, what am I saying? I got there early because of the workers who built my roads and bridges 50+ years ago during the Eisenhower administration.
I was so glad I was able to sit in the third row. I had a birds-eye view of a woman being escorted out because she had on rainbow colors. Not sure what that was all about. I was so excited upon seeing Paul Ryan that I lost my voice saying the Pledge of Allegiance to Ayn Rand. Luckily, I got it back for the loyalty oath to Family Research Council. Someone burned a figure in effigy, but I couldn't tell if it was Hillary Clinton or Vince Neil.
I'm not sure how much truth there was to the rumor that there was a stoning of a woman who had an abortion. It was hard to see over the "NO IVF!" signs that the Ryan supporters held.
Ok, I'm done being facetious so here's what I noticed.
#1 There were no references or allusions to social issues or even "values." No screed about gay marriage or abortion.
#2 The biggest applause lines had to do with cutting spending, making a dent in the debt, and going back to our nation's founding principles. There was also great delight in the refrain from his announcement speech: "rights are derived from god and nature, not government." (sorry, Melissa Harris-Perry)
#3 There were also some applause lines about trade; how we needed to have free trade but also our partners need to play by the rules. What brought down the house way more than I thought it would was his comment about energy. Our state is going through a heated debate about fracking and the jobs it may produce.
I think the crowd of approximately 2,000 (venue was full) was energized, especially by the tribute to small businessmen who did "build that."
-If you see coverage of this, I am beside the guy in the bright yellow hat.
Re: Scenes from Today's Paul Ryan rally