Pawleys Island Straw Poll

South Carolina

The trip to SC was a good one all together, that stretch between NC and SC where you come down from the mountains always makes me grit my teeth as the RV seems to have a mind of it's own. It loves to speed down that incline which makes my feet hug the brake. Once that section is in the back ground it is pretty nice driving, wide roads and little traffic. It has taken some getting used to but the horns honking now don't even make me flinch. Seems like 90% of the people on the road agree with me whether it is getting Ron Paul in office or honking for speaking English. Either way we get lots of honks and waves.

I stayed in Spartanburg with Steve the sign guy on Thursday Night and loaded some of his big signs up to carry for him to Pawleys Island. He was still making signs on Friday when I pulled out as it takes me longer to get somewhere in this thing than it does in a small car or truck. I got hopelessly lost several times on the back roads but finally got Tom on the phone and he led me to the local Wallmart where he met me and led me to his house where we spent the night. Nice folks and very dedicated to Ron Paul and his campaign. Their home was lovely, big and modern with a beautiful raised bed garden in the back full of the healthiest looking tomatoes and vegetables. I should have raided that garden but just didn't have the energy to do so.

Saturday morning the sky was clear, beautiful day, Chris Panos had taped off our parking space right in front of the school and met us there to guide me in the space. Bea was there with her beautiful friend and as usual full of life and good advice. Too bad more people ( campaign committee) don't pay more attention to the local experts.

People started drifting in, placing signs for their candidates, not saying much at all. Not many people showed up, to my count there were about 250 all together. Several people stopped by the RV to talk, one carrying a I'm with Fred sticker. I asked what made them want to support Mr. Thompson when he had not even declared as a candidate yet? Their reply > " I love the way he talks" and "He supported the Patriot ACT". I personally have never heard Mr. Thompson speak other than in the TV show Law and Order so have no clue as to what he could be saying that would inspire anyone to vote for him. I asked if they realized he was a member of the CFR? Of course isn't that great? He has so much experience. I didn't even ask what kind of experience I didn't even want to think about that.

That is the Sign Guy with his merchandise for Ron Paul. He made lots of T Shirts which kept him busy and a little quiet which was kind of different. As you can see by the view below there were other signs out on the drive, Mitt Romney, Brownbeck, etc. Those big ones against the building were of course Ron Paul.

As you can see the dining area where the BBQ was being served is almost empty. Not many people anywhere to be seen in spite of the various speakers and work the grassroots had put into this poll. It has been reported that Fred Thompson purchased 100 tickets for the vote which doesn't say much for his support. His win by 102 votes means that only two people cared enough to actually pay for a ticket to vote for him. Yet there were 100 people who simply like BBQ and sold their vote for a meal?

My Vote can't be bought for a $10.00 BBQ dinner.

On a happy note there are lots of youngsters who are working along with their parents handing out information, talking to people just as this little guy here is. Will helped out at the table for a long spell and was good at it too. Thanks William for the help.

All in all the day was disapointing, very few people, very few votes. Ron Paul got 42 votes which put him in second place which actually means he won as Fred Thompson had to buy his votes. That is a good thing but the papers will be ranting about Thompsons victory and not telling the full story. We will all have to be more determined to get the facts out to people as the news is just not going to do it for us.

I have a meeting today with a reporter from the News and Observer and hopefully will be able to convey some good points which will make the news and not just a story about some wacky old lady who drives a RV around the country supporting Ron Paul.

I can't put in a photo of me not working in this issue as I was alone on this trip and had to really work. That will have to stop!

828-683-2009