Chicago Rally Update

Couldn't read without chiming in and echoing the prevailing sentiment here - that the Chicago rally was truly awe inspiring. Broad cross-section of informed, thoughful Americans fired up beyond belief because we have such an excellent candidate in this election. Then I read this http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24188 from a local, well-known Republican pundit. Warning: Prepare to be incensed!

I drove about 3 hours in all to be there, and every minute was worth it. My only regret is that I got there late and didn't get a good seat. I had 3 people with me who didn't know him that well and listened to him attentively. While I'm not sure they're converted supporters, they were certainly caught off guard listening to him talking about topics that no one else ever touches on (Federal Reserve, leaving the UN, gold standard, etc). I don't think they expected it to be anything like that, and I think that's a good thing.

I got to see Paul up close afterwards when the crowd formed around him to get autographs and pictures. He was nice enough to autograph my rifle.

Most of our INDY group will be going to Cincinnati. A small group went to Chicago, I look forward to seeing any video/pictures they may have. Congrats to all the RP meetup groups you have proven to be a resourceful & effective in all your activities.

There were 50 rows of chairs X 30 chairs wide, with one chair for every person in the room although some 75 people chose to stand. Amost exactly 1500 people in the room, give or take ten or twenty.

An attendance estimate from a Floridian who attended the $1000 to $2300 per person event after the rally was 60 people.
I believe attendance would have been even higher had the event been held at a more recognizable location, like the "House of Blues" for example, that more advance notice had been given, and some advertising had been done. I only knew of it from internet based sources and was just lucky that I could get away.

Incredible speech. I was pleased that Dr. Paul was filling in some of the connecting details between the soundbites. Afterward, he was very patient signing hundreds of autographs and getting pictures taken with admirers even though the crush of jostling people around him had to be unpleasant.

I've been following his career since about 1988. As I recall, he used to have current speeches available for listening if you called a certain phone number. Like an answering machine. He was great then and even better now.
David Schaffner
Candice Kniffen

She sent me a message on youtube after watching my video (Ron Paul Speaks for Me) and we talked for about 50 minutes. Really curious about why this has attracted so many fervent followers. Seemed really curious more than anything. Should be a good article. She has written some nice pieces about Libertarians in the past.

I drove up from Louisville, KY (meetup 216 representin') to see Dr. Paul. With me were 3 of my friends and a baby. One friend I had converted to Dr. Paul a couple months ago, and the other two got acquainted with him in person yesterday for the first time and are now going to cast their votes for him.

I sat in the second row and had a great view of our next President. The room was full of energy and excitement and was filled as far as my eyes could see. I couldn't begin to accurately portray how many were there, but it was over a thousand for sure.

Afterwards I took my Ron Paul sign onto the streets and talked to several dozen about the good doctor. Saw the Wisconsin fellows and they we're encouraging with their zeal. The message really does resonate with the common man and based on the conversations I had with those people, they too will be voting for Dr. Paul.

The highlight of my night was getting a picture and an autograph from him. Never before have I cared about such things, but I do think I will frame them and hang them on my wall to serve as a reminder that I must keep the love of liberty alive in my life even if I seem alone at times.

I ask you, what GOP candidate gets these kinds of crowds?

http://www.justin.tv/ronpaul/36710/Ron_Paul_speech_at_Chicag...

Bravo all organizers for this one. Bravo For Dr. P who was magnificent as usual. I have pretty good video from the 8th row. The place was electrified! We sang the star spangled banner. Everyone was moved.. Speech was great! Crowd was very enthusiastic. Dr Paul was brilliant, ascertive, and lovable.. He remained in the room after his talk to sign t-shirts etc. My friend got some excellent close-up hi res pictures.. Awsome!! I was able to grab video of his car outside the Hyatt. He had the window down. Everyone outside the hotel saw him and a loud cheer went up... He looked happy and welcome. Video will be posted soon.

My wife was interviewd by the lady from the Boston Globe. She had to be affected by that rally. I have a feeling a good article will follow.

I think we converted the bus driver on the way.. At the end of the rally he was talking up Ron Paul on the streets of Chicago with our group orgaizer....

What a great day!

The ballroom had approximately 1,200 seats. These were filled as far as I could see, looking towards the back of the room. 1,500-2,000 is an exaggeration. Nonetheless, it was a well-organized, smoothly-run event. Thank you to Joe and the rest of the Chicago meetup organizers for putting this together!

The rally was great! I would estimate that there was about 1300 people there. Before the rally there was a march for Ron Paul. I rode down with a bus of 50+ people from Wisconsin to see him. We had people from all over the state and we had Wisconsin For Ron Paul t-shirts on. It was great to spend time with people and meet new people.

We spent the hours before the rally out on the streets of Chicago handing out literature and holding signs showing our support for Ron Paul. I had made up some 15" x 20" I support Ron Paul signs from this site and gave away about 10 of them to people. Thanks Michael for the design of that. I wish I had more. People loved them and wanted to know how they could get them. I told them to come here. Surprisingly many people have not heard of this site yet.

I had a great Ron Paul moment while standing on the street corner holding a large banner. A black minivan pulled up and stopped right in front of me. In the front seat was Ron Paul himself. I fumbled trying to get my camera but it all happened too fast. I said "God bless you Ron" and he drove off to greet more supporters. I think that it is so great that he is so proud of his supporters.

After the rally we found out that our bus driver was constantly being questioned about Ron Paul as our bus was parked outside the Hotel with bumper stickers on it. When we were waiting for the bus to leave a group member got into a good debate with a Guliani supporter. She debated for about twenty minutes. Midway through the conversation there was our bus driver arguing for Ron Paul. It was so great to see. :)

I think the webcast had some techincal difficulties as the screen came up on the projector that windows had crashed and was checking the hard drive on the computer. :(

Sorry, no video as I loaned my camera to my friend who went to the briefing afterwards.

Go Ron Paul!

It was great. We estimated closer to 1500 and I got my name taken by a reporter for the Boston Globe. Pictue caption? Anyway everyone was extremely enthusiasic and the whole thing went off well.

Great reports everyone - thank you all. Anyone have any video or pictures?

There was supposed to be streaming video but I could not get it to work.
I hope someone filmed.

Did you mean FERRY boat? I hope the boat was not on fire. ;-)

I love being a Ron Paul supporter.

Thanks for the news. I can't wait to see Rudy cutting and running from the Ron Paul crowd.

Go Ron!

Kudos, and thanks for your continued efforts!