The Debate Hall
Main Street
New Friends
I have had an interest in politics since high school and Bill Clinton-ugh. I've come a long way since then. At BYU, I helped with my first campaign for a local Utah County Congressman, Bill Orton who was running for his third term. Interestingly enough, he was also a Democrat. I promise I really have come a long way. I actually really liked Orton-he was a conservative Democrat. I helped with exit polling during the next Presidential race and it was then that I learned that the state's major polsters would double-check it's stats against the BYU exit polsters-coincidence, I think not. I'm not sure how this little fling with a Congressmen and polls (that just doesn't sound right) sprouted into an obssesive love affair with all that is political. But these soirees have become my opportunities to get out, dress up, and feel needed in a completely different way than I am needed in everyday life. I am in no way among the political elite, no one is calling me to contribute big bucks or host a rally at my house and no one really cares about what I have to say. So any political opinions expressed are my own ramblings usually meshed with lots of sarcasm unbecoming any substantial political voice. I love that it has provided occassions in which I have been able to meet interesting, kind people, not just candidates, while engaging in a very worthwhile cause. And as fair warning, this may bore you to death. But in the spirit of journaling and record keeping here is my account of this historic debate.
I wasn't sure I was even going to this thing until about two weeks prior, but I had cleared my schedule
way ahead in hopeful anticipation. Finally my email came and I was more than excited. In fact as the day drew nearer I began having a hard time sleeping. I seriously don't think I was able to fall asleep the night before, just going over my plans the following day to get everything done before our role call at noon. I won't bore with you with the wardrobe changes and decisions, just know that was part of the prep. I'm a nerd!
When I showed up the streets were already blocked off by Mesa Police and I parked in my designated lot. It was another gorgeous day in Mesa and gladly Mother Nature decided against an early February heat wave. And thank goodness because I need a sweater when it dips below 70 and I'm dying from heat at 81. I followed my fellow "white shirters" to our meeting area where a box lunch and ham sandwich with a very dry bun was waiting for me. The excitement in the air was evdient with everyone looking for a familiar face to tell us where to go. The staff of the AZGOP were able to tell us a few things, but mostly that they had no idea what to expect so everyone stay flexible...it was kind of the theme. So, the next few hours involved moving from one area to another and being ushered (very officially) past secret service, swat and mesa police to a new place to sit and wait. And I might add that you only sat if you were ok with sitting on something hard or concrete. But it really didn't matter, everyone was just happy to be there.
Finally we all encountered the notorious Lucy-Lacey..whatever. She was the CNN rep who would brief us on our assignments and remind us of how what we were going to be doing was the most important thing happening the whole night. She tried her hardest to come across nicely, but her shaggy hair, perma-frown and overly sized red-rimmed glasses weren't fooling me. She was a Democrat. I'm almost sure of it. And, if you want more evidence...well, I don't have a picture, but she was wearing CONVERSE. I can't believe I was pining over which shoe(s) to wear when she was there in Converse. And to my credit, I have been known to show up for these events wearing two different shoes so don't get all judgy on me.
We did get a little break in there. Long enough for me and a nice new friend to sneak into Sweet Cakes for a Diet Coke and Snickerdoodle. It was fun to get out and see Main Street come together, try to spy any undercover cops or snipers and see ALL of the raging Paulbots and their minions.
Fast forward to more waiting and the debate entrance where we had been told exactly how to "wristband" someone. The lines were forming by 3:00 but no one was allowed in till 4:00. We were lined up to take people by last name alphabetically. There were 48 of us ready to check in over 1000 people in a one hour time frame. Cue Lucy, Lacey-whatever from CNN. She comes up and with only minutes to spare freaks out about the alphabetizing saying we can't open as-is because the alphabetizing was backwards. Seriously, she was adamant that her gophers change the signs and everyone in line (nice friendly republicans) completely switch and move to the opposite end of the line in. Can you say power trip? Nice form Lucy er Lacey, whatever! Ohhh and she really made these Repubs mad...they had been waiting an hour in what they thought was the right line just to be all jumbled up like a rubix cube minutes to the flood gates opening. Oh the drama!
I'm am a sucker for the famous...especially the policitally famous. So fundraisers, rallies, and now add debates to my list of events to sit and pick out who I know and pretend that my opinion about them somehow matters. Some of the thoughts running through my head during check in were: Why won't Tom Horne get rid of the comb-over? I've seen that pant suit before-but I do love that aqua marine color too. And my favorite-step down Sir, your name is not on the list! That was a thought more than once since security was tight and you had to have a background check to get in. However, it was only a thought because we weren't actually able to say anything to anyone "not on the list" they had people there to handle that. And it did get heated. One lady waited the whole hour to get "approved" and was sadly never approved. And she had the cutest little dress ensemble on.
I don't know why and maybe it's in my head, but there is always so much pomp and circumstance when the Sheriff arrives anywhere. OK, it is all in my head, because he only shows up with a body guard, but there are always people eager to meet him or stare (oh maybe that is just me). I just keep waiting for someone to go all --- ---- on his --- and get into a rumble. And then some serious stuff to hit the fan. This was probably not the place to do that since right above us was a 360 degree camera, about 50 security guys and a brooding officer on the roof with binoculars...and probably a gun.
Once check-in was over, it was a mad rush to get to our seats. And rush it was. This is really what we all came for. As we filed into what looked like the last seats available on the bottom level we were quickly kicked out. Ever so nicely by an usher with an earpiece. Then her radio loudly declared that Lucy-Lacy from CNN said, "Sorry volunteers needed to be escorted out!" Boo! Alas, they let us fill into any open seat and were all seated by the time the doors closed. What a site the stage was! I didn't care for the set-up. I like to see them standing. I really didn't like how it came through on TV either. I don't like having two of them in a camera shot. It often looked like they were slouching too. But anyway, no one asked me about that. Or any of this obviously. I am writing to record these thoughts for myself.
The debate opened up with a few speakers, AZGOP chair, Mesa Mayor and finally Govenor Brewer who recieved a standing O. I like her, her chutzpa and boldness, but that
voice. And really frilly hair-do. Interesting choice. We all rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. That was really awesome, I felt so much pride! Sitting there waiting was simliar to the feeling I had while sitting and waiting for Hubstar's graduation. I was excited, proud, and felt like I'd earned it for all of the hard work I'd put in. The crowd was pumped and energy running very high. It was so much louder there than it came across on TV. So when they announced the candidates, it was very uproarious (it's my blog and I'll invent words if I want to) for Romney. Newt had lots of old people who literally gave a shout out for him and the Paul Bots...WOW! They are loud. It didn't help that we were sitting by one particularly loud one. Who also liked to yell innappropriately insisting more time be given to RP.
I don't know that there was a clear winner. I did think there was a loser though. Although Santorum said some very good things, he didn't take this opportunity to really be hard hitting. He did however, say some things that just didn't sound presidential, polished or refined. His attempt to(again) compare Romeny care was heavily booed and he just kept going at it. His defense of Specter just wasn't convincing. He really stumbled on the Title X. However, his best line of the night stemmed from the birth control question and how he was concerned about the family but that didn't mean he'd draft a program to fix it....but you know he will. He won't though-becuase he will never beat BO.
Mitt was clear, conistent and showed his ability to again convey his message. I thought his debt reduction plan was much more clearly explained in this last important debate. He needs a three point plan, economic plan not a 59 point plan. He highlighted his experience and I thought his response to the auto bailout was spot on. I don't know that he did enough to win over an undecided voter, but he impressed his supporters with what would be a great debate performance. It was nice to see a less robotic Mitt while still being poised and "resolute".
It is really fun to be there when Newty grants us a zinger. He hit a home-run with the elite media's avoidance of reporting the infanticide and BO. Newty has great ideas. Sweeping change and reform is his platform and I think he communicates his ideas excellently. I loved when he described himself as "cheerful", a good snarky response.
Dr. Paul was great to hear in person. Because of how far away we were so much of the body language was lost...and that goes for all of them, but I found it much more humorous rewatching it on TV. You couldn't see how much RP was being overlooked from my viewpoint either. His fans again, were so loud! Loud like a football game where you just want the drunk guy to be escorted out. We had a few secret service come up to our level and "hover". And that kind of shut him up a bit.
Overall, it was a great debate. I didn't even mind Santorum and Romney getting into it. I think it makes Santorum look bad when he becomes so unglued. It's a statement to how he would fair against BO. I hope that with these upcoming primaries that the Republican party will stop eating itself alive, choose the most electable candidate and stop trying to find the perfect candidate. There isn't one. And with so many issues who could one possibly represent the "perfect" candidate? It's easy to see a clear winner back in the 80's when the economy and communism were the main issues. Now we have the economy, our debt, immigration, nuclear threats, terrorism at home and abroad and a multitude of other pressing issues. But our main goal should be to unarm our biggest threat to Liberty at home. That threat is Obama. Who is best equipped to do this when it comes to the experience, knowledge and the ability to work against the Obama money machine? I think that answer is clear.
I came home exhausted. It felt like I'd been gone for days when I arrived home, especially when you don't see your kids after school. I slipped into the cozy spot next to hubstar on our cozy couch and was grateful it was over. My feet were achey and I was happy to finally eat. That was one thing we didn't get...a dinner break. Hub and I rewatched parts and I told him the insider scoop like what happens during commercial breaks, if Rick Perry forgot where his seat was and of course what the candidates were writing on their notepads. So happy for the chance to go, so glad it was now over so I can get on with my life. :)
