backers moving to larger Target Center for Sept. rally by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio From Minnesota Public Radio's (MPR's) Daily Briefing for 7.22.08

[Guest guest]

Thought this might be of interest to you. ~~Ruth/REU

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[PHOTO CAPTION:Ron spoke to a group of supporters outside the Republican

state convention in Rochester in June. (MPR Photo/Mike Mulcahy)]

backers moving to larger Target Center for Sept. rally

by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio

July 22, 2008

Ron 's revolution rally is moving to a bigger site. Supporters of the Texas

Congressman are moving the rally designed to serve as an alternative to the

Republican National Convention to the Target Center. His supporters say the

rally will remind the GOP that millions of voters will join the party if it

returns to its core values. But it isn't clear if 's activity will make a

difference in November election.

St. , Minn. — Ron is moving his so-called Rally for the Republic from

the University of Minnesota's Arena to the Target Center in

Minneapolis.

In an e-mail to supporters, said he made the move after measuring the

excitement and enthusiasm of his supporters. That means the campaign expects

15,000 people to fill the arena, 4,000 more than could have attended at the

university.

" We would not have put all of our cards on the table if we weren't very very

confident that we would fill the Target Center, " said Benton -- the

spokesman for 's Campaign for Liberty group.

Benton said tickets for the rally go on sale this Friday at the patriotic price

of $17.76.

He said will also hold a book signing, a training for like-minded

candidates and a dinner for donors during the week. Benton said it's no

coincidence that the rally and two other days of events will be held at the same

time as the Republican National Convention is going on in St. . He said the

Campaign for Liberty's mission is to encourage the Republican Party to return to

its roots.

" We want to send a strong message to the Republican Party that there are

millions of people out there -- part of this growing limited government movement

- that want the Republican Party to return to its traditions of personal

freedom, limited government, balanced budgets and common sense foreign policy, "

he said.

The event will be another reminder that his supporters are not happy with

the Republican Party. was deafeated by McCain in his bid to win the

GOP nomination for president.

Many of 's supporters have tried unsuccessfully to get seated at the

Republican National Convention. They had hoped that their efforts would have

given a speaking slot at the convention. 's spokesman said

requested to speak at the convention but doesn't expect an invitation because he

refuses to endorse McCain. has been a vocal critic of McCain's foreign

policy proposals - especially his support for the war in Iraq.

McCain's campaign is staying silent on 's event. But Minnesota Republican

Party Chair Ron Carey said Republicans are focused on helping McCain win in

November.

" There's a clear choice for voters this year between McCain and Barack

Obama and we need to make sure people see what that clear choice is because last

I checked Ron is not running for president this year, " he said " He's not on

the ballot, so spending a lot of time on Ron isn't going to do anything to

make sure our conservative values aren't forwarded. "

Carlton College political science professor Schier said he doesn't think

's rally will have an impact on the presidential race. He compared Ron

supporters to professional hockey fans - a small, vocal and passionate group

that is just a small subset of the larger population.

" He's got a small group of people who are intensely supportive and focused upon

him, " he said. " It's really rare to see that level of support and intensity but

it is a limited group. Beyond that group, everyone else is sort of scratching

their heads and saying 'what's that all about. "

But 's supporters say they intend to make a statement with the rally. Benton

said supporters are snatching up the hotel rooms that haven't been reserved by

the Republican Party. He said rally-goers are preparing to live in RVs, camp at

nearby state parks or bunk in the homes of Minnesota supporters of Ron .

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More from MPR

Ron to hold rally during Republican National Convention (06/10/2008)

speaks outside state Republican convention (05/30/2008)

Thousands rally for Ron (02/05/2008)

Resources

Rally for the Republic: Buy tickets

Campaign for Liberty