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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumsvery bizarre - the trump rally - pic heavy
I never expected to see a standing president hold a campaign rally. However, I don't think we have ever seen such narcissism from a President in the past.
My wife and I arrived around 3:00 or so for the 5:00 rally. She went to join the protesters and I headed toward the hanger. The line was very long - blocks. I decided to head to the front of the line, and luckily arrived just as the next wave of supporters were allowed to proceed to security - I successfully meandered into the line and made it in quite quickly. I was in-place around 3:30 about 4-rows deep from the crowd barrier. Very near the podium.
70's rock was blaring - Elton John, Sinatra's "My Way", etc. Right at 4:00, our first hearing of Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" played - the crowd erupted. Posters and pom-poms were handed out - sure would like to know who paid for those. Not much else until 5:00. Several speakers started at 5:00 to include a couple of House Reps, the mayor, and Pam Bondi. Luckily they were limited to about 5 minutes each.
AF-one landed right outside the hanger, and after about a 15 minute wait, trump and Melania came out and entered the hanger on a runway to the podium. The crowd erupted, of course. Melania went to the microphone and read the Lord's Prayer.
Nothing memorable or significant came from trump's address - just the same campaign rhetoric with a few updates (he announced his USSC candidate, Pruitt confirmed, etc).
The crowd was large (9K or so), energetic and worked up. They definitely love him.
I was surprised at the mix of ages - probably an equal number of retirees and 20-to-40's. I certainly expected more of the former.
trump once said "I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters." I have no doubt he would not lose any of those supporters present on Saturday.
On a positive not - my wife reported the 500 or so protesters were well-organized, very energized, and for the most part, well-behaved.
dalton99a
(81,539 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)the best improvements money can buy
Lotusflower70
(3,077 posts)And fine tuned machines. Maybe she is a robot or a zombie.
ailsagirl
(22,897 posts)dhol82
(9,353 posts)ailsagirl
(22,897 posts)Last edited Thu Feb 23, 2017, 03:02 PM - Edit history (1)
She looks like a Barbie doll... and is about as animated
BeyondGeography
(39,377 posts)A sweaty, bloated mess plays to his loyal band of disaffected deplorables. Now blast me some of that Greenwood.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)Pachamama
(16,887 posts)Seriously....the man is supposed to be a Billionaire and be can't even wear some Spanx or get a better fitting shirt?
That picture captures the sweaty pig he is....
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)according to insiders, has gained a lot of weight, which is easily seen if you count his chins from last summer till now.
While some people focused on his hair in this pic, check out his rump, instead.
njhoneybadger
(3,910 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)An old saying.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)3catwoman3
(24,018 posts)...HAS a big ass.
ailsagirl
(22,897 posts)Squinch
(50,958 posts)"Hot chicks for Trump" looks like she's had a tough life. It's a great photo.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)njhoneybadger
(3,910 posts)Squinch
(50,958 posts)rsdsharp
(9,188 posts)and buy the guy in the 3rd Armored cap some teeth.
Squinch
(50,958 posts)underpants
(182,848 posts)HER ARMS!!!
njhoneybadger
(3,910 posts)underpants
(182,848 posts)Boy her standing next to the Queen will be aaaawwwwkward
Freedomofspeech
(4,227 posts)Maybe 80. I never used to think that I was better than anyone but these trump lovers have changed my thinking. That picture of him sweating made me sick...he is such a disgusting thing.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)well, . . . except they voted for him
anneboleyn
(5,611 posts)"intelligence." There are so many things wrong with that image, and with a person so incapable of self-awareness (heck monkeys and crows recognize themselves in mirrors), that an IQ of anything higher than "functional" is doubtful.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)He is such a pig. My opinion of the crowd was similar to yours as well.
logosoco
(3,208 posts)I am not sure I could have done this without laughing or crying and giving myself away!
DO you recall how the crowd reacted when he mentioned the "bad thing that happened in Sweden?"
Were there any other black people besides that "group" (and I have heard about that group!) conveniently posted behind the podium?
Any Hispanics? Was it an even mix of men and women?
Sorry for all the questions! That was very cool of you to go there and see it first hand. I have not even been able to get myself to watch videos.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)The largest reaction came when he attacked the media. They are really buying into the "fake news" meme. After that, repeal of Obamacare got a loud reaction as did illegal immigration and his USSC pick. Those are the ones that come to mind.
Yes - a couple dozen blacks. There was one organized "blacks for trump" group - maybe 8-10 - matching shirts and staying together. They did successfully get some of the limited seating.
Yes - I would say men and women were equally mixed - many of the women were very vocal - "I love you President Trump" came from one I was fairly near to as trump took the stage. When leaving, another woman commented "I think the President felt our love." Very weird.
Hispanics - I saw one or two that I would put in that category. Definitely the bulk (90-95%) were white.
C_U_L8R
(45,012 posts)Have another bucket of KFC, Donald.
Maru Kitteh
(28,341 posts)riversedge
(70,260 posts)for Prison sign. damn idiots!
Island Blue
(5,819 posts)Looks like he's about ready to heave up that bucket of KFC he ate on the trip down, and then pass out. Or have a heart attack.
FSogol
(45,503 posts)Island Blue
(5,819 posts)of triple chocolate & bacon cake that mother made yesterday."
DrDan
(20,411 posts)not fooled
(5,801 posts)So if dump drops dead of a heart attack and goes to meet , it's all the Lord's work, doncha know.
Some Christian.
babylonsister
(171,075 posts)wife's side. Good job; I had no desire to cross that road.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)She feels an obligation, and she does not care for crowds - and inside the hanger it was definitely crowded.
It was worth the couple hour drive down.
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)Last edited Sun Feb 19, 2017, 02:00 PM - Edit history (1)
DrDan
(20,411 posts)something is wrong there
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)and expect to make 4 years.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)did wave his arms a bit
Wasn't flapping his meaty wings his chosen form of exercise, or was it just pork sweats?
Pachamama
(16,887 posts)rsdsharp
(9,188 posts)(if not THE greatest) pizza cities in the world and he eats Dominos. With a fork!
MelissaB
(16,420 posts)Really? With all of his money he could pay personal chefs.
MelissaB
(16,420 posts)I had no idea. Thanks for the link.
alarimer
(16,245 posts)I wonder if there is a correlation between food preferences and political ideology? I think of liberals/progressives as more open-minded and willing to try new things at least and I think of conservatives as being purely "meat and potatoes" kind of folks who don't like the unfamiliar.
But if I had money I'd certainly have a personal chef. For one thing, I wouldn't have to cook because they could certainly do it better than I could. That counts as money well spent in my book.
But the White House has an entire staff of people whose job it is to do those things.
dem4decades
(11,299 posts)Would the Republicans pull the plug and install Pence. I know what they would want to do but the truth always finds its way
anneboleyn
(5,611 posts)Vinca
(50,299 posts)The gross sweaty one has a very good chance of being fitted for an orange jumpsuit.
superpatriotman
(6,251 posts)You are a brave American hero.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)MattP
(3,304 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)as he slowly worked his way to the podium
LeftInTX
(25,437 posts)Complete with My Way.
Trump just needs to lip sync it.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)all other music (except for "Proud to be a Murican" was 70's rock to get the crowd all stirred up
Maru Kitteh
(28,341 posts)It's one of the "not so much a dog-whistle as a French horn" signals he sent out to the white supremacists at every rally he had.
I know Pavarotti's widow asked him to stop.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)played
Lars39
(26,110 posts)Elvis phase....
nolabear
(41,988 posts)CrispyQ
(36,487 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)was not sweating like that
Glimmer of Hope
(5,823 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)HoneyBadger
(2,297 posts)Some cray cray folks pictured
HipChick
(25,485 posts)Are these pics from a camera or cellphone? Quality is really good
TrekLuver
(2,573 posts)one for any and everybody who likes that sort of "message". You also learn what you live (not always but often).
greymattermom
(5,754 posts)Is he sweating? Is he wearing Spanx?
True Dough
(17,313 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)He's trying unsuccessfully to hide his blubbified pear-shape.
Mc Mike
(9,114 posts)LeftInTX
(25,437 posts)Did he throw it out to his screaming fans?
DrDan
(20,411 posts)suit, white shirt, no tie
SecularMotion
(7,981 posts)From the photos you've posted the crowd looks much smaller and older than your description in the OP.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)I have no doubt the hanger was full however, as it took forever to get out - just creeping along at a snails pace
SecularMotion
(7,981 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)The hanger was there to handle the large planes, hence it was VERY large. It took forever to get out at the end and I was halfway between the exit and the runway. So no - there certainly were not more protesters than supporters. I also walked through the protesters twice - to get to the hanger and to return to my car. I would guess around 500 protesters - that is a good number to have shown up however,
As to people leaving, not sure about that. I was not near the exit. I can believe it, however. I could understand folks at the end of the line getting into the hanger and seeing how far they were away from the podium, leaving. If I could not get fairly close (primarily for pics) then I was going to join the protesters.
The crowd was very worked up - shouts of USA-USA-USA filled the hanger. "Subdued"? no way.
HoneyBadger
(2,297 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)SecularMotion
(7,981 posts)The pictures you've chosen seem to portray a RW perspective. The only unflattering photo is of the protester while all the other photos are "glamour" shots of Trump & supporters.
I don't think you had any problems mixing in with that crowd.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)so you think that last picture of trump and those of his supporters are "glamour"????
wow
I guess you think I should have used some photoshop enhancements? Should I have lied about what I saw? Would that have convinced you of my political leanings?
I was an active Hillary supporter - contributed to her campaign, worked for her campaign. I am insulted by your characterization.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I find your narrative ironic, as you appear to see only that which validates it.
SecularMotion
(7,981 posts)i suspect the truth lies somewhere in between the differing accounts. I'm skeptical of the OP's report because it simply repeats mainstream media numbers which have a habit of under reporting protesters and inflating crowd totals.
SecularMotion
(7,981 posts)Takket
(21,592 posts)Good work. I'm always fascinated by these looks at the other side.... and terrified at the same time.
nini
(16,672 posts)3catwoman3
(24,018 posts)Threadwinner!!!
That was brilliant!
Stinky The Clown
(67,812 posts)nolabear
(41,988 posts)I hope that poor person gets combat pay.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)sensitive to all the jokes around his hair
True Dough
(17,313 posts)Always interesting to get the perspective of someone who hasn't drank the Kool-Aid.
What was the security protocol? Of course the secret service was present. We saw them when that Trump supporter (possible plant) was called up on stage.
But when you arrived at the hangar, did they frisk people before allowing them inside? Were there metal detectors? As much as Trump is pro-gun, I can't imagine anyone in the crowd was allowed to be packing a sidearm.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)all done by folks wearing "secret service" vests
the ticket requirements were quite minimal - no selfie sticks, no tripods/monopods, no "professional cameras with interchangeable lens" (I had a camera that takes multiple lens, but was not as heavy as typical DSLRs, so I had no problem with it), no posters (but handmade posters were admitted - I think they tried to not allow a poster on a stick) - so mostly safety related imo in the context of thousands of people in a confined space
spanone
(135,855 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)I am sure a MD travels with him
spanone
(135,855 posts)maybe he could take up smoking?
samnsara
(17,625 posts)is crumbling, Calif is drowning and hes on an ego trip....
DrDan
(20,411 posts)The crisis in California involves work
scscholar
(2,902 posts)which he has done nothing about.
Joanie Baloney
(1,357 posts)I watched it, but your close-ups are very revealing. I bet the combination of his extra adipose and the vest and leaving the jacket on to cover the rolls contributed to his sweat-fest.
I am not surprised nobody there reacted to the 'Swedish incident' at the time. They are in thrall.
Thank you for doing the dirty work.
-JB
P.S. Those on Twitter, check out the #SwedishIncident. It's a hoot.
That last pic looks like the man just had a stroke after a lounge set in the late 70's. Somebody is having a hard time with their stamina.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)and I was scrunched in the crowd
not fooled
(5,801 posts)Because the opposition is stronger than they anticipated, Bannon is sending dump out there to rally their idiot base to keep the pressure on the 'puke congress to enact their sh*tty agenda and other malfeasance.
While dump appears to the sane to be losing it during press conferences and public appearances, the drivel contains messages that appeal to his supporters. That's why it's critical that they discredit the media and others that level legitimate criticism.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)and gotten in.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)security, and went into the hanger
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)speak out while in there - just kept my mouth shut and did not speak to anyone
Crash2Parties
(6,017 posts)Still In Wisconsin
(4,450 posts)Why can't he at least get a decent tailor?
DrDan
(20,411 posts)Still In Wisconsin
(4,450 posts)He wasn't exactly svelte to begin with.
Oh and BTW how are you 'Huskers liking life in the Big Ten after a few years? I think you've got the right coach for your FB team now. I've heard he was Alvarez's first choice four years ago when we hired Gary Andersen, but he wouldn't come. Def. better than Pelini IMO.
-a Badger
DrDan
(20,411 posts)fairly flat stomach - I cannot find any link, but it sure sticks in my mind - he was on television and suddenly looked quite svelte
I am still not sold on Riley. He was brought in as a master-recruiter. I have yet to see it. I was a Pelini-fan until he went off the deep end his last season. My read - Riley is another Pelini, but a nice one. I am not convinced he can win the big ones, or take a team into the playoffs. Not unlike Bo. Definitely has clock-management gaps.
Always afraid to face the Badgers though.
anneboleyn
(5,611 posts)In his mind he's always a "ten." Blech.
HoneyBadger
(2,297 posts)Adds weight, bulk and makes it hotter. The pic from the back makes it look fairly obvious.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I'd pretend that to be the case as well. I also pretend my suspicions are obvious, too.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Lotusflower70
(3,077 posts)That is some scary stuff right there. He looks so creepy and unhealthy. Everybody send him so fast food. The Ego Stroke Tour 2017 continues. Thanks for your sacrifice and I am glad your camera didn't break.
Kimchijeon
(1,606 posts)Sad to see the mentally ill being used this way.
Cha
(297,403 posts)Here's someone into reality @ a trump campaign rally!
Thanks DrDan
Cha
(297,403 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)onecent
(6,096 posts)speaking he fell over dead after his golf game....
DrDan
(20,411 posts)by that time I had been standing in the crowd for over 3 hours and was not sweating nearly that much
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)she stopped some lawsuits regarding trump university and an illegal campaign contribution to her from his foundation.
My guess - she is eyeing the governorship in 2 years when rick scott's term is up.