Ron Paul Supporters Turn Out at USF, Copper Top Pub
Those who favor the Republican presidential candidate were at the University of South Florida campus for Monday’s debate and a Temple Terrace bar afterward.
They lined the streets near the Marshall Student Center at the University of Florida (USF) Monday night. They waved campaign signs and chanted their candidate’s name.
Ron Paul supporters made up the most visible and vocal groups during the Republican Presidential Candidates Debate, which aired live on NBC from USF’s Theatre 1. They organized their efforts using Meetup.com, a website that allows users to start and find groups with certain interests.
Public tickets to the live debate were unavailable, so while it was taking place inside, USF’s Student Government hosted a free, public watch party on the western end of the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza lawn, close to the theater.
Near a 1,000-person tent set up for the party, Paul’s supporters broke into chants.
“Bring us back our constitution. Ron Paul revolution,” they said, holding up signs.
William Mahmet, 30, of St. Petersburg, said he wanted people to know that Paul’s supporters are made up of more than extremists.
“We are regular folks, too,” he said.
After the debate, Paul went to Copper Top Pub in Temple Terrace.
According to Bay News 9, the visit drew about 200 supporters.
YouTube users have posted videos they took of Paul’s speech at Copper Top. The videos show Paul using a bullhorn so the crowd could hear him.
“When anybody joins the cause, whether they’re 30 or over 30 or 70 or whatever, they never leave. They stick with it,” Paul told his supporters. “I think everybody finds it’s exciting to work in a campaign where we actually believe in something.”
hmj
4:36 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Romney is the best all around candidate. Newt had his chance and failed the test of leadership in the House ( just ask the GOP members that pushed him aside). Why replace one failed leader (Obama) with another failed leader (Newt) ?
Joe Clay
12:54 am on Monday, January 30, 2012
Romney is a horrible candidate. But he is better than everyone except for Paul and Johnson. If Paul fails to get the nomination, I'll be voting for Johnson (assuming he gets the LP nomination).