It was an interesting experience, let me tell you.
I got in there and register to select the delegates for the convention, and found the Ron Paul table. They had a list of candidates, but it was for McCain and Romney.
There were about eight candidates, and each one got to make a small speech. A couple of them recognized the Ron Paul section, and I have to tell you, readers, we took up a whole corner of the room. The pooh-bahs running the meeting were all very impressed by the turnout (makes you wonder about the vote), with nearly 100 showing up.
I think that's how our candidate got elected, because the other delegate is a state party big-wig, and the alternate has connections in one of the bigger cities in the district.
So I did my civic duty and cast my ballots for the slate of candidates they wanted. Anyway, one of the slate IS going to the convention as a McCain delegate. I had to leave before the alternates were counted, but one of the fiscal conservatives will be going to push ideas for the platform.
It was a little strange sitting around the table and chatting with so many folks who are aware of the dire situation of the republic. With a room full of Republicans, the war wasn't much of an issue, although a couple people brought it up. One guy was pure party with the "we gotta win" rhetoric (whatever that means).
It felt weird to be considered part of the party, but as sort of a bastard step-child. No one was outright hostile, but you know, the positions and the policies aren't meshing that well right now between the organization and the grass roots. The lead Ron Paul rep in the area seemed to have a lot of problems with McCain, but that's a fight for another day.
Oh, one more thing, don't buy Hillary Clinton's argument that she's the better candidate vs. McCain. She'll galvanize Republicans, because everyone in the room perked up when she was mentioned; not so much on the Obama front.
In fact, I was sitting there thinking, I'll probably vote Obama in the fall, but not Hitlery or Big Mac. Readers of the blog understand why, although a room full of Republicans wouldn't.
