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My First Hand Account of Jay Leno Show
Posted October 31st, 2007 by LACole4RonPaul
output
***UPDATE 1*** This started as a response to Bob W so I thought I would include that response as extra info:
"Hey Bob W - yes, I was there (Jay Leno) and it was...
On October 31st, 2007 LACole4RonPaul says:
Magical. Amazing. Captivating. One of the most wonderful experiences of my life. HUGE props to the supporters. All of you have been talking about how "relaxed" Ron Paul was. Well the reason he was so relaxed was because of all of us (yeah, I'm gonna give myself credit too). When a person is met with the kind of reception we gave him and he knew we were all in the audience ready and waiting to cheer our bloody hearts out for him how could a person not be relaxed and at ease. We also clapped and cheered for Jay, Tom, Betty, Tom Arnold, The Sex Pistols, and Kevin Eubanks. We were respectful and courteous to everyone and even gave Tom Cruise two standing ovations. I can't tell you what an amazing bunch of people showed up to support our man and how well they represented supporters everywhere. There was only one guy in the line that showed up for Tom Cruise and one couple that showed up for the Sex Pistols (everyone else was RP supporters, Jay Leno fans, or special guests of the studio) and we were nice to him too. Okay, I think I'll just start a forum so everyone can get a firsthand account. I'll post in a few minutes."
***UPDATE 2*** This is a response to another question: "Okay, the seating holds about 392 seats. 200 were reserved or guaranteed seats for guests of the studio. A bunch of "pre-sale" tickets went out plus 75 were given away at the box office. Something like 132 people got turned away so not everyone there got seats but the audience was full. Not sure exactly how many were RP supports were in the audience but I'd guess around 75-85. They wouldn't let us wear our yellow revolution shirts that someone had brought for us but we were allowed to cheer and go nuts when Ron Paul was announced. We were reminded that if we cheered too much we wouldn't be able to hear Ron talk as much. The audience/supporters were really awesome about cheering and then cutting it off so we could get more Ron time in. But we cheered enough on the big points to let America know that he has "real support" and if we are willing to stand in line all day to get on the Tonight Show to cheer our guy on we sure as hell are going to show up to the voting booth come voting day...unlike a lot of the participants in the so-called "scientific polls".
WooooHooooo!!!!!!!!! Ron Paul and his supporters ROCKED the house!!!!!!!!! And this time WE stacked the audience, yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
***ORIGINAL*** I'm posting this for those who want more details about today's events.
I arrived at the Box Office around 4:40am. I was the sixth person to arrive. Shortly after a couple of other supporters joined the line and one brought coffee and donuts to share. One guy came to see Tom Cruise and people were friendly to him. After a few others arrived Glozell, The Tonight Show Blogger (www.GlozellLovesJayLeno.b...), showed up and told the group who she was and was immediately rushed to the front of the line amongst cheering and applause. She was offered coffee and donuts too and even given a Ron Paul Revolution T-shirt which she wore the whole day until we entered the show for taping-what an incredible sport she was. She has posted pictures on her blogspot (I'm the one on the far right in the fourth picture down).
The group was awake, lively and enthusiastic and came from all over. Ernest (pretty sure that's his name) came from Arizona and taught us how to make billboard signs for the freeway and even gave us stencils to make them with. He and Walter (fifth picture down on blogspot) and a few others were the ones who put up those famous signs we've seen on youTube over the Arizona and Nevada deserts.
There was some chanting and lots of friendly chatter and of course in-depth political discussions. It was fabulous. At 8 o'clock am they started giving out tickets and by 8:10 the tickets were gone and they started handing out standby tickets.
After that a few of us went to breakfast at Bob's Big Boy and our delightful and engaging conversations continued. Jerry, a guy from the Santa Barbara meetup group, was out "evangelizing" to the people on the street. He was amazing to watch in action because he is so enthusiastic about Ron Paul and so unafraid to approach people. He gave out slim jims and liberty cards and people responded positively to him.
We got back at around 9:45am to stand in line. People stood along the street with signs and banners and cars were honking like mad. I was so amazed! I didn't realize how much support he has out there. Ron Paul supporters lined the street, the corner, the center divider and walked back and forth to the gas station and a couple of restaurants across the street. We chanted some more and talked some more.
And then Ron Paul arrived and the crowd went bezerk with chanting and yelling. It was amazing to watch this little old man (well, he's about 6 foot...lol) climb out of the car and greet people. Glozell was amazed! She said she hadn't seen anyone come to the front to greet guests like that before. Some got pics and autographs but I was one of the first 27 people in line so we missed it because we were being taken into the building for seating.
The show was awesome!!! You all have seen it by now. When we were being ushered out along the side of the stage I got a quick handshake from the Dr. himself. We waited outside for a few minutes and he drove around in an SUV to sign autographs, chat for a couple minutes and shake hands. I boldly asked for a hug (he was in the vehicle with the window down but the door closed) and I was surprised when he learned out the window to give me one. "I've just hugged the next President of the United States," I thought and quickly got out of the way so others could say "hi."
I couldn't have asked for a more exciting, eventful, magical, or fun-filled day!!! Definitely one of the best days of my life.
Major props to Jay Leno who has done Ron Paul an incredible service by having him on the show. We have turned a corner folks. Jay was respectful and asked good questions and really bumped the doctor's name recognition and credibility tonight.
One person said they though Ron Paul was a comedian who wasn't really running for president. Ugg! His name is still not known well enough for people to know the difference between him and Stephen Colbert. And when we were leaving, one of the Tonight Show girls who worked the entrance drove up and chatted for a few minutes with us and was like "Wow, how could I NEVER have heard of Ron Paul before?" She was so impressed with all of his supporters and their pure excitement, enthusiasm, passion and courtesy that she said she would go home and Google Ron Paul. One guy said, "just make sure you don't start watching youTube videos or you'll get hooked and watch 'em all weekend." Another guy said, "Ha. Ha. You'll become a Paulaholic like all of us." Her eyes widened as she was a little surprised, "You guys actually do that?" And my boyfriend and I went, "Yeah." She said, "Wow, he's like a rock star or something!" Yes he is. he most certainly is.
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Thanks for all the props everyone!!!
Maybe I'll make it as a writer some day after all.
I've re-watched the
I've re-watched the interview like 5 times; it makes my day so much better. Great to know it was even better than that!
Thank You - Thank You - Thank You
Thank you! Your post was nothing short of Fantastic. Great Job! You rock Big Time. Sure wish I could have been there.
Video?
Any video of the crowd outside?
I Love it
Thank you. This is so inspiring.
Did anyone notice that there was a link yesterday on http://www.nbc.com/The_To...
to go to Amazon.com for Ron Paul's book? They took it down today but it was up all day yesterday. I hope it got some takers.
yeap
There's still a link to it on the bottom. Pretty sweet.
"Books
To learn more about Ron Paul's book "A Foreign Policy of Freedom,"
Click here."
Ron Paul's Book
Please buy RP's book from the Campaign site, it counts as a Donation! http://www.ronpaul2008sto...
Awesome post. Thanks for the lift
Very well done LACole, what a wondeful post. Thank you for it.
Excellent reporting from the front lines!
"we have turned a corner folks."
We have indeed. Can you not feel the momentum building?
LaCole: Awesome first hand
LaCole: Awesome first hand account.. I really appreciate it.
I've seen a few mention other mainstream shows we need to push to get Ron Paul on. Chanda and I started an initiative detailed here:
http://dailypaul.com/node...
Let's get letter writing!
Colleen STRIKES again!!
This made my day, ahahah. Love the commentary! Its like I was there!
"There was some chanting and lots of friendly chatter and of course in-depth political discussions." I envy you! hehe :D
Seriously, bravo... Bravo!
Thanks very much for the
Thanks very much for the stories :)
bump
great!
4:40 AM?
Hey, you ARE a trooper! In line at 4 in the morning is pretty impressive to me!
Thanks for the play by play account, LACole! I found it funny that you felt compelled to hug RP. I was talking to my wife about that the other night and told her I thot if I ever met RP I know I'd lean over to give him a big ol' hug.
I'm 6' 2", 250 lbs. and have a propensity for hugging folks that I like. I don't get wierd about it, but I notice that genuine folks appreciate genuine folks. You can just tell, I can't explain it.
Ron Paul is Huggable
Well, Ron Paul is very huggable. He has all the qualities that meet huggability. He is genuine, sincere, honest and has a nice, kind way about him. He is also humble and thoughtful. So, I would love to hug him, too. You go girl (and big guy).
Laura Hatton
Mashthegas
LACole is a female, but a guy hugging Ron Paul is certainly ok......just don't crush 'em!.........we need him. lol
LACole a woman?
My mistake. I still think she is a great RP trooper.
I'd probably give her a hug too.
Thanks Mash, and right back at you...
I'd give you a hug. I actually got up at 3 am to get ready and get there on time...it was pretty cool to be on the road at the time of day, it felt magical!!! Walter (guy in 5th pic down on GloZell's blog) actually got there @ 2:30 am and this guy Roger that I met through e-mails the day before rode by on his bike @ midnight and like 3 am to make sure the line wasn't out of the parking lot cuz I was afraid I wouldn't get a ticket. Both really awesome guys!!! I heard there were a lot of people coming from out of town and only 75 tickets and I was like "eek, I've been looking forward to this for a long time and I don't want to miss it so I better get there BEFORE the 5am folks." Lucky for me that strategy worked.
President Paul
Awesome. I wish I could have been there, too, but watching it on TV was pretty friggin' awesome, anyway.
What a great night. I don't remember feeling so energized by a politician in my life. The energy from Dr. Paul is like lightning.
He's like the person who says what you always thought, but never had the courage to say yourself. Then, after he says it, you find out everybody else thought that way, too.
Good Guys DO FINISH FIRST, when your name is Dr. Ron Paul.
Ron Paul, the one and only, what a class act!
Double, Triple, Quadriple, agree. The Show was a FRIGGIN HOMERUN!!!!!
I hope 10million+ Americans finally got a chance to see why we love, respect and admire the man so much. Well, that and the fact that the Good Doctor is the only one capable, courageous, and sane enough to save and restore the Republic and the Constitution from the tyrannical police state being advocated by the NeoCONs.
I gotta admit, I must second the sentiment that tonight's show definitely seemed to have been well coordinated on the part of the producers to keep the theme of govt corruption, and well meaning citizens who rise to fix it, meme.
BIG KUDOs for Jay Leno. As I understand it, Jay Leno knows a lot more about geo-politics than he lets on; his wife, Mavis, is an NGO worker. If I remember correctly, she worked to spread the word, internationally, of the plight of Afghani women oppressed under the Taliban regime in the late-1990's. So he has a direct second hand account of some of the toughest places and human tragedies and triumphs, on earth, right at his disposal, should he choose to know more about it. So I'm sure Leno is fully aware.
To me the following response sums up why we love the man so much:
"I have shortcomings, but the message has no shortcomings... It's all about liberty."
Who, but the Good Doctor would be secure enough in himself to honestly qualify that on primetime TV, in front of millions? If America cannot see from that, the humble integrity, avuncular compassion, and reserved but fierce intellect in the man, I don't know what will.
http://blogs.usatoday.com...
That kind of statement would have your proverbial campaign operative calling propagandist spinsters, the likes of Frank Luntz, on speed dial in a crazed fit of frenzy.
Besides I think Ron Paul impressed Jay Leno, as a comedian, with really good one-liners. Some of my favorites are:
"There's probably a risk I could win"
"I have shortcomings, but the message has no shortcomings."
"I probably wouldn't be offered one [Viice Presidency]."
"Well, I lean toward a flat tax, but I want to make it real flat, like zero."
A Classic. An absolute Classic.
RON PAUL 2008!!! B E L I E V E
Biggest Crowd Pleasers
My two favorite quotes and the ones I thought got the most cheers were:
"There's probably a risk I could win" (yeah, you gotta scared now, Dr. Paul) and
"I fear now because of of the consequence of what's going on with the war over seas as well as the war on terrorism that our greatest threat is to our civil liberties here at home."
Flower Shower?
What about the flower shower?
Flower Shower...
Well, I didn't hear too much about it except that they weren't expecting them and there was no where to put them. The whole area is actually pretty small compared to what it looks like on TV. The hallways are even tight and it's pretty cramped when you have people trying to go in opposite directions so there really wasn't room. And putting them on the stage wasn't really an option because the whole area was utilized for the show. Maybe if they'd been expecting them...
We were actually told they would give them to us and the group that organized for that was going to take them to St. Jude's Children Hospital but I don't KNOW for sure what happened to them. The staff was REALLY impressed with all the attention Dr. Paul was receiving. A couple of them mentioned they had never heard about so many phone calls and e-mails from people flooding the studio. A lot of people were trying to get tickets last minute...really, really thankful I got a ticket!! I actually got a pretty kick ass seat too. We were in the 2nd row of cushioned seats behind about 3 rows of chairs on the ground and sat directly in front of Jay and the famous couch. It was awesome, you guys!!!!
good play by play!
thanks cole for the play by play/
reading your post and watching the vids is the next best thing to
being there!
it is much appreciated!!!
blessings,
sunny
Thank you, thank you for the play by play!
Yep, Ernie Hancock's awesome. Actually has his own show on NovaM Radio, which can be heard on KPHX in Phoenix at: http://novamradio.com/ind...
Charles Goyette, who is another big Ron Paul supporter, also has a talkshow on KPHX. Though I don't believe it's carried on NovaM, like Ernie's is.
NovaM is a liberal talk radio station started by the original founders of Air America Radio (AAR), Illinois investment bankers Sheldon and Anita Drobny. On the most part, it has a pretty good line up: Mike Malloy, Stephanie Miller, among others. Though not a fan of either one, NovaM and AirAmerica are a good way to gauge what liberals and progressives are talking about. Plus, especially, in the case of AAR, you can get in on what the Dem shills are sending out in their talking points.
Though I must say that Malloy's endless angry tirade can get a little tiresome. Along with the fact that he has totally dissed Dr. Paul, with the obligatory liberal attack line of ending social security, putting people out in the streets, and the biggie, abortion, etc. But Malloy has a concealed carry permit from Georgia, as he has stated on the Alex Jones Show a yr or two ago. The irony.
So anyway, Ernie is the only Libertarian voice in a sea of liberals on that station. That tells you, quite a lot, about the Drobnys' supportive stance on the First Amendment. Please support his weekend show. Hancock is a 10,000% Ron Paul supporter!!
Ernie Hancock also runs one of the best Libertarian websites, in fact one of the best news aggregators out there. You can sign up for Ernie's daily news email updates, and newsletters at: http://FreedomsPhoenix.co...
Here's his own journey behind the scenes at the Tonight Show.
http://freedomsphoenix.co...
Thanks LACole for sharing, with us, your account of the trip to Burbank! Can't believe the manual brushwork of that guy in Glozell's blog, doing Ron Paul signs and scripts on the fly. Show me a single candidate other than Ron Paul who has even 1% of passion, dedication, creativity, and drive that the Ron Paul Revolution has. We're inspired, Not Hired!
Glozell's blog said that TonightShow security asked people to not wear bright yellow RP shirts, but I caught a couple, plus some RP buttons in the audience shot. Great stuff.
Cannot thank you guys enough for indirectly representing Ron Paul with your cool and friendly demeanor. A class act, all of you.
RON PAUL 2008!!! B E L I E V E
Thanks BleuCream013
I can't believe you and I both got accused of being a Huckabee "plant" a few of days ago. sorry...I guess those comments stuck in my head. how silly.
I think...
Some people just got, collectively, a bit anxious leading up to Leno appearance and Nov 5th Money Bomb. My initial reaction was one of slight incredulity and laughable disgust, but in light of the momentum of the campaign, and how fiercely loyal, but independent Ron Paul supporters are, I just took solace in the fact that it's all part of growing pains. Perhaps as a movement, we're at the bickering adolescent sibling rivalry stage.
It's all good. I just have to keep reminding myself to not to get too carried away blogging, instead, to hit the streets and keep introducing Ron Paul and his work to those who are not familiar with the Good Doctor, yet.
Though I think it is self-evident to anyone with a modicum of common sense, from just by tracking previous comments, who is who, and what is what. I always see this on activist forums. Some, like yourself, who actually go out and do things and communicate to the rest of us your experience, whereby some of us can learn a thing or two. While others just end up posting endlessly, which eventually, as with all dissenting opinions do, spin out of control and people lose focus and end up attacking each other instead.
I vow not to do that. So I've made a conscious decision to be wary of my own conduct here. I want to remind others, though I think most of us already know this; despite being independent of the official campaign, what we say or do here and on the streets, both directly and indirectly reflect on the Good Doctor.
With that in mind, I could not be more grateful at the conduct of the Ron Paul Revolution in attendance at the Tonight Show. You guys are simply awesome. Did I say that you all are awesome?? Yes absolutely AWESOME!!!! I feel great to be among such inspired company. Truly grateful.
Keep up the good work!!
By the way, anyone have any photos of from the wait-line, or the Doctor's Cali visit?
Some of Lew Rockwell's accounts.
http://www.lewrockwell.co...
I think the following perhaps makes it more clear as to those who weren't sure where Rotton stood, on the Doctor:
http://www.lewrockwell.co...
"(The other main guest, libertarian Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, hailed Ron as “President Paul.”)" - while giving thumbs up, though I'm sure, some may have mistaken him shaking his booty, as an insult. I think it's pretty clear that he was just being playful.
Perhaps Tom Cruise also helped Ron get the bump. According to Lew, Tom stopped by to chat with our favorite man about health freedom issues:
"Tom Cruise stopped in twice to talk to Ron, who he thanked for long opposing federal mental-health screening of school children, federal drugging of school children, and the state as Big Shrink."
Tom knew enough about Ron Paul to know that he has been, and always will be, the greatest champion of health freedom, in Congress.
As someone else here also observed, I cannot help but to think, of all the clips Tom Cruise or his production company could have chosen, he picked the one about a REPUBLICAN Senator admitting mea culpa on the Iraq War, while the imbedded media still shill for the neocons. Awesome!! I'd take that to the bank!
RON PAUL 2008!!!! B E L I E V E
PS Can anyone imagine some evil bastard like Goon-liani having this type of effect? Hell, any other candidate from either party? A big fat NO!
"As we stopped, supporters thronged Ron’s van, but to have a chance of keeping our next appointment, we had to go. Then a mother asked me if Ron could shake her disabled eight-year-old son’s hand. Ron hopped out and bent down to talk to the boy for a few minutes, then signed his t-shirt, as he had so many others.
In the van, Ron said he had asked the boy if he was there because his mother had brought him. No, he said, he had learned about Ron on YouTube, and had brought his mother."
That was my little boy!
And actually I brought him :)
But he has learned an awful lot about Ron Paul on YouTube! And he is happy to help me campaign! He told everyone today at school about Dr. Paul signing his shirt. He was so excited. He asked when he could go to his next sign waving!
Hestia
Hestia -
I teared up when I read Lew Rockwell's blog too and I really broke down when I was retelling it to my boyfriend who had seen Dr. Paul get out of the van but didn't know why.
I hope to see you around at events. It would be lovely if you could shoot me an e-mail and let me know what meetup you are in. Thanks.
What was that, tears? Uh..nu..thing. Just something in my eyes.
Ah heck, who am I kidding. Your story had me in tears.
I cannot imagine anyone else running who would be able to do that without seemingly pandering to a specific demographic. The Good Doctor, they certainly don't make them like they used to.
I really do wonder sometimes... I know everyone is a byproduct of each generation, but sometimes it really does seem like, unless they lived through the Post-Depression/WWII era level of hardship, people don't seem to have the same type of avuncular, humble, honest charm, and quiet but fierce intelligence that the Good Doctor has.
What a day. What a guy. What a fantastic group of supporters the Ron Paul Revolution has!!
Thank you so much for being out there and supporting him!
- We're INSPIRED, NOT Hired!! -
RON PAUL 2008!!!! B E L I E V E
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sooooooooooooo LOVE that Tag Line....
I hope you don't mind if I use that from now on.....
"We're Inspired, NOT Hired"......
Genius!
Not at all.
Though I cannot take full credit for it, as I believe I heard it said before. Kudos to all original, independent creative minds.
RON PAUL 2008!!!! B E L I E V E
Good Morning America
A little off the subject, but is RP scheduled for that show tomorrow morning as was originally suggested? I don't see it on the site calendar.
Bedtime for me.....anyone know answer and if so, what time in the a.m.?
sweet
great post. sounded like an awesome time and I'm glad to hear the supporters as well as the good doctor made an impact.
Hey, LACole, thanks!!!
I really appreciate your blow by blow account. Sounded like sooo much fun! Wish I could have been there.
I saw your picture on the lady's blogspot. That's cool cuz now I'll have a face to put with your posts and comments.
Your enthusiasm is contagious.
fight4liberty-Thanks so much for your post!!!
One of my biggest desires in life is to make a difference in other people's life so you really made my day (it's past midnight so I can say that now...cuz, you know, Ron Paul and Jay Leno made my day yesterday-haha) by saying "Your enthusiasm is contagious."
Cole N.
LAcole....
I'm so glad you were able to go =) A ray of sunshine can sometimes get us thru a lot of dark....and you my friend just got a super nova!!!!!
What an amazing post, I feel
What an amazing post, I feel so inspired for today!!!! Thank you indefinitely.
I hope somebody puts the video up on YouTube, I have not seen anything yet and I cannot access the videos on the show's website.
Good luck you great Paulite!!!!
Francesco
Don't curse the darkness, light a candle
Thanks for your account. I
Thanks for your account.
I met Ron Paul in person on 9/13/07 in SF and I had the exact response: I was completely wowed by this tall, confident statesman who is so well-thought that it is uncanny.
Cool.
Cool.
Ernest from Arizona was probably Ernie Hancock... (nt)
...
Ernie Hancock
Right, thanks! I'm sure your right. He also was picked out of the audience and interviewed by the Times (he wasn't sure if it was the magazine or the newspaper but be on the lookout for this article). Could they have picked a better guy??? He is awesome, powerful and dedicated. Boo-ya
I had the privilege of
I had the privilege of meeting and working a week with Ernie in Iowa for the straw poll. I saw his REVOLUTION hat he was wearing (which my wife made), and I shouted to my wife, "That's one of the hats you made!" Then whoever was sitting in front of Ernie moved over so I could see his face, and I shouted, "That's Ernie!"
Then I noticed the concealed yellow shirts all around him and I knew we had stacked the audience for a change!
You rock, guys!
Wow, Orat, what a cool story
had no idea about the Iowa Straw poll. Glad to know things aren't always "stacked" against us. BTW...when we were talking to the Tonight Show worker someone started talking about straw poll results and she goes, "what's a straw poll?" It is so cool to me that so many people who didn't care about politics before are becoming interested in this stuff because of RP and his supporters.
Thanks for all the info. LACole
You have a future in writing. Congrats on the hug. Sounds like the day was an incredible experience.....sure wish I could have been there.
A really big day for Ron as the Democratic debate got "spammed" by Ron Paul supporters in Philly......an awesome sight. Very nice of Chris Mathews to invite them. :)
Hi Bob
I sure hope so (a future in writing). Otherwise I've wasted the last several years of my life pursuing a career in writing.
Wow! Philly sounds kewl. I'll have to check it out tomorrow after I grab some sleep.