Mitt today at the Villages, FL, calling for Lee Greenwood backup.

[seafan]

Retirees' dreamland is Republican bastion, September 16, 2007

THE VILLAGES --
''It's a beautiful day in The Villages,'' the decidedly chipper receptionists tell callers to Florida's fastest-growing retirement community, no matter the forecast.

For Republican candidates, the sloganeering rings true. In the Central Florida development that sprawls over three counties and two Zip Codes, Republican voters outnumber Democrats roughly 2-1. Turnout in Sumter County, where the bulk of the community lives, was among the highest in the state in the 2004 presidential election.

''It's safe to say that the road to the White House is through Florida, and the road to Florida is through The Villages,'' said Richard Cole, president of the largest of the community's four Republican clubs. ``We're a substantial political force.''

No wonder GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney picked the community to make his Florida debut back in February. With an eye on Florida's Jan. 29 presidential primary, he plans to return Wednesdaywith country singer Lee Greenwood, whose hit God Bless the USA increases the likelihood of a red-state, red-meat crowd.

.....

Ocala StarBanner, September 19, 2007

THE VILLAGES - Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, is scheduled to speak at a rally in The Villages this afternoon.

The event begins at 3:30 p.m. at Lake Sumter Landing, campaign spokeswoman Kristy Campbell said. Singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood will perform from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., Romney is scheduled to address the crowd. Afterward, the candidate will attend a closed fundraiser.

Funny how they try to soften their rigid, corporate zealot personalities, but just can't seem to stay away from those closed-door fundraisers. Got some laundering to do, Mitt?

Makes one wonder.

[MissMarple]

1. Lee Greenwood walked away from a concert in Denver without playing a note.

Leaving fans and all in the lurch, he left the building. Apparently he didn't like the way he was getting paid. He had ostensibly contracted for a cash payment.

http://search.denverpost.com/sp?aff=3&keywords=Lee+Greenwood+&searchbutton.x=16&searchbutton.y=10

[CottonBear]

2. I know several Republicans who live in the Villages. They are out of town this week

so they'll miss seeing the Mitt and Lee Show. :puke:

My friend is a Fox News watching Republican. He's a nice older gentleman but I never, ever discuss politics with him

edit:
I suppose that many of the retirees are originally from the Northeast like my friends who live in The Villages are. I'm sure a bunch of retired, Republican North easterners would be familiar with Romney.

[DrDan]

3. think Lee might sing "God Bless the USA"??

[MissMarple]

4. Only if he is paid in cash.

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_6937777

"Young did not immediately return a call to The Associated Press. He told The Denver Post in Wednesday's editions he had wired $14,000 in advance and had $4,000 in cash and a $2,000 check from the Knights of Columbus at the time of the show.

Greenwood was "really disappointed" by what happened, Bentley said. Greenwood and most other performers insist on cash or cashier's checks because they've been burned by worthless personal checks, Bentley said.

He said Greenwood continues to support military, veterans and first responders with donations of money and time, including USO tours and a July concert for a Vietnam veterans group where he charged no fee. "I don't have to defend what Lee has done to support the military or the veterans organizations as a whole," he said.
...

Jeff Alumbaugh, who was in the audience, said Young broke down in tears when he went on stage to explain why Greenwood would not perform. When Young offered refunds, "the entire crowd said no, which says a lot about the crowd," Alumbaugh said.

Kia Ritland said she and others in the audience couldn't believe what happened. The crowd joined hands and sang Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." "I don't ever want to hear another song of his," she said. "I had bought two of his CDs for this occasion because I loved the man. I'm going to either burn those CDs or send them back to him."

[DrDan]

5. what a jerk

[BreweryYardRat]

6. Isn't the Villages that place that has more STDs by population percentages...

...than Detroit and Washington D.C. put together?!

[seafan]

7. There is an epidemic of STDs at the Villages, as reported in the newspapers.

Maybe Mitt can give them a good talking to.

[seafan]

8. Update: Lee sings and Mitt jogs with nary a hair out of place.

Greenwood played the song as the candidate strode in, wearing a checked shirt with rolled-up sleeves and khaki pants. A commercial Romney launched last week -- the only presidential ad airing in Florida -- shows him jogging, nary a hair out of place.

http://www.miamiherald.com/459/story/243692.html

[MissMarple]

9. So, I'm guessing he didn't sweat ,either

How so totally creepy is that? Errghh....