John McCain at Robarts Arena
Republican presidential candidate John McCain made a campaign stop in Sarasota today. Sarasota county is a huge republican stronghold in Florida and has not elected a democratic president since F.D.R in 1944. This year, however, it is considered as being “up for grabs”. There were about 3,000 people in Robarts Arena (which was awkwardly sectioned off due to a concert scheduled for tomorrow night). Kristin and I made it in and were able to stand about midway back on the main floor. Thousands who didn’t make it in had to listen to the speech outside through a loudspeaker.
McCain delivered the typical “stump speech”, but it was definitely cool to catch a Presidential Candidate live.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune Article
October 24th, 2008 at 8:23 am
How many times did he say “Friends…”
I’m guessing 20-30!
Montgomery doesn’t get that many (or any) presidential candidates.
October 24th, 2008 at 9:23 am
I really missed the boat on that one, Shaun.
A “my friends” count would have been a great addition to this post. It was well beyond 15.
October 24th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I’m glad you got to go see him. Being that we have both said we would go if given the opportunity, no matter what candidate it was, at least with McCain you didn’t have to go wash all of the crap off that would have come from seeing Obama.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Yo, what was the security like?
That’s cool that you got to the candidate in action.
October 24th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Indeed. The security wasn’t over the top by any means, it was just understaffed. Two medal detectors for a crowd of several thousand.
Those same two stations checked bags so it took forever.
October 24th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
It was fun
October 27th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I’m happy you guys got in!
David & I still had fun people watching while waiting in line! haha