The San Francisco Republican Alliance conducted a straw poll on Wednesday, December 5th at the Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Inn. A big Fred Thompson banner was hanging from the wall, with most of the $33-per-plate dinner guests themselves resembling the decidedly unenergetic Thompson.
As is the case with most straw polls, participants pay for the privilege of voting. Wednesday’s event was $33.00 for dinner and a vote, or $5.00 for just a vote. Things were going fine until dessert was being served, that’s when 75 Paul supporters walked in and event organizer and perpetual Assembly candidate Gail Neira decided to change the rules saying that the influx “wasn’t fair” and that only the dinner eaters should vote. When one non-eater then shouted that he was ready to pay $33 for every Paul supporter in the room, Neira cancelled the vote entirely and told everyone to go home. The situation grew loud enough that hotel security soon showed up and wished everyone a good night.
KCBS reported on the event with the story being picked up by outlets in several states, most prominently, by broadcast stations in New Hampshire and Iowa. CNN ran with it too. Blogs noted and debated it and, as of December 9th, 146,000 people had viewed the confrontation on YouTube.
They’re derided as “nuts” and even “terrorists” online, but the group outside the Ferry Building was friendly, very active and decidedly non-nutty. Their strategy isn’t too nuts either. Changes in how Republicans divvy-up their national convention delegates mean these Bay Area volunteers could have a disproportionate impact on the primary.
http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/Ron_Paul_Supporters_Scaring_People_and_Darn_Proud_of_it__5184.htmli'm glad they can admit they're scary.