Philly Rally - VALLEY FORGE

[TheEvilDetector]

The site of the Ron Paul rally scheduled for Saturday, November 10 has had to be moved from Independence Mall to the Valley Forge Convention Center.

Numerous requirements have forced us to make the move; including an $80,000 to $140,000 price tag. This information was slow in coming, but it has arrived from the city, the unions, and the audio/visual rental companies of Philadelphia. In contrast, all previous rallies we’ve held, regardless of city, have cost between $5,000 and $9,000.

The Valley Forge Convention Center is located 30 minutes from the Philadelphia International Airport and is easily accessible from the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The rally will begin at 12 noon in the Philadelphia Room of the Valley Forge Convention Center. The convention center is located at 1160 1st Avenue, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406. For directions call (610) 337-4000 or visit www.vfconventioncenter.com.

Join us in historic Valley Forge on November 10!


http://ronpaul2008.typepad.com/ron_paul_2008/2007/11/philadelphia-ra.html

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

Let me preface the following by saying that I am strong RP supporter, but that doesn't mean his campaign staff are above criticism.

So here is my opinion:

While the late change of venue despite mass communication from grassroots to people about the original location is bad,
nothing is worse than not postponing the rally about an hour or two, to allow those that go to the original location to shift to the new location.

This is a strategic and tactical blunder of gigantic proportions on the part of the official campaign staff.

I know RP is a conservative fellow and has every right to be, however this is taking fiscal conservatism too far.

Without these grass-roots people, RP would have ZERO campaign power. Yes ZERO. RP is ALL GRASSROOTS!

Just when the grassroots organised the biggest rally yet, the official campaign shafts them.

Do they not want to win?
What about the symbolism of the original location?

What a powerful message it would make having a rally in that place and this message would more than certain pay for itself in free advertising by mainstream.

Not only that but you could easily raise enough money to cover costs from people who are there.

5000 supporters giving $30 each. There is your $150K.

Short-sighted, irresponsible and self defeating decision.

Shame and the second serious mistake of the official campaign so far, after the 1st NH TV commercial (which was LAME!).

Flame me if you will, I honestly believe my conclusions and stand by them unapologetically.

 

[KewlRonduderules]

Everything is corrupted when goverment gets it's tentacles around it. I don't know how people can live in Philly. There's no way this should cost more than $25,000

I'm sure word got around and jacked up prices because it was Dr. Paul.

 

[d991]

F*ck it. I'm coming down from Canada - an 8 hour drive to Philly. Another 30 minute drive is not going to deter me. I totally agree that this situation sucks but the campaign should not have to spend over $100,000 to put on a rally - that is rediculous.

I realize a lot of people are disappointed and many are now not coming and I understand the frustration, but do not let this deter you from supporting Ron Paul as much as you have been.

 

[ACJohn]

How do you Un-RSVP ?

 

[Phenom24]

WORST...DECISION....EVER.

Valley Forge. Yes, it's historic. So is Washington's Crossing. But the Mall is the place where it all began for our country, and it would be such a monumental thing for Dr. Paul's campaign to erupt skyward from the energy and passion there on that day.

Harumph. Valley Forge???? (cough) bad idea (cough)

 

[piotr1]

Can we setup a giant tv at independence mall with a live feed from valley forge?

 

[TheEvilDetector]

Can we setup a giant tv at independence mall with a live feed from valley forge?

That is BRILLIANT!

Lemons -> Lemonade!

 

[TruckinMike]

Even if it would have cost $140,000 this would have been worth it in free advertising. The crowd... would have been huge... I've just lost an enormous amount of motivation to even make it.

I was ... I was going to be there no matter what crappy load i had to take to get there. but now.. i just don"t feel the same.

if you kill the campaigners motivation, you've killed the campaign!

However, if I do make it, my hay ride is still offered.

I think we need to have an event at the mall somehow. We don't need the "campaigns" permission. And maybe dr. PAul could catch a taxi over to see the rest of the crowd.:o

is it me...or is this a real bummer?

TruckinMike

EDIT+++++++++++++++

edit--- I was busy complaining with the above statement while y'all were coming up with a great idea!!! YES>>> A big screen ..thats the ticket!!

 

[MsDoodahs]

I'm sure word got around and jacked up prices because it was Dr. Paul.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Love the big screen tv idea, also the pre rally party idea...

 

[Nefertiti]

This is the event the Philadelphia Meetup won and was entitled to because of their fundraising efforts. The campaign is delivering that, somewhat, as the rules did say the Meetup was supposed to organize the rally and that is not the case here. But it is only the Meetup group in question that can question that, and allegedly their leader has gone AWOL.

I say all the Grassroots efforts should be remembered, plans recorded, and they be revived next summer if we make it that far. If he wins a lot of delegates we still have time for another grassroots events in Philly. All the work should not be for naught.

 

[Nefertiti]

They did say this would be broadcast on Justin.tv.

 

[KewlRonduderules]

F*ck it. I'm coming down from Canada - an 8 hour drive to Philly. Another 30 minute drive is not going to deter me. I totally agree that this situation sucks but the campaign should not have to spend over $100,000 to put on a rally - that is rediculous.

I realize a lot of people are disappointed and many are now not coming and I understand the frustration, but do not let this deter you from supporting Ron Paul as much as you have been.

Great to have you.

There is nothing wrong with being disappointed - how you convey it is essential.

I think the lack of organization in HQ is hurting Dr. Paul. Can something be done about this? Things cannot continue this way. My concern is the next event. I cannot help to think 'what will happen to the next big event?'

 

[Nefertiti]

Valley Forge. Yes, it's historic.

It's at a convention center next to Valley Forge. I wouldn't call that historic except in name.

 

[Hurricane Bruiser]

Well I was going to drive 6.5 hours up there with my 3 kids all under 3yrs old plus my wife. I was really looking forward to a big outdoor rally with thousands of supporters. This event was supposed to happen whether Ron Paul showed up or not. Now the event won't happen at all because the campaign was given the permit plus the different location won't hold the crowd that would have shown up at the mall. This ticks me off and I don't believe the high cost number given. Just today I RSVP'd when I figured out you were supposed to and now I wonder how to undo that.

What is to prevent us from descending on the mall anyway without a permit?

boo boo boo boo boo and more boos.

 

[terlinguatx]

...

 

[ItsTime]

I am glad that Ron Paul is choosing to spend far less than the 140k holy cow! That is 10% of the ads they are running in New Hampshire! This rally will only be a blimp in MSM... that is reality.

 

[Diana]

I've got an idea... I'll load my flatbed with hay bails and I'll have a liberty hay ride from the mall to the convention center.

Yahoo... I knew we'd think of something!

Truckinmike

Excellent idea!

 

[TheEvilDetector]

I am glad that Ron Paul is choosing to spend far less than the 140k holy cow! That is 10% of the ads they are running in New Hampshire! This rally will only be a blimp in MSM... that is reality.

Not if there is 5000+ people it won't.

This is a very short-sighted decision.

 

[ItsTime]

Obama has rallys of 5k all the time... no biggie

Not if there is 5000+ people it won't.

This is a very short-sighted decision.

 

[KewlRonduderules]

I am glad that Ron Paul is choosing to spend far less than the 140k holy cow! That is 10% of the ads they are running in New Hampshire! This rally will only be a blimp in MSM... that is reality.

Yeah, that is an awfully high price especially for Philly. I can see something like this in NyC- it is so damn expensive. But Philly?