Lakewood Palin Visit Photos Are Up

[Gary Rice]

This morning's photo essay, recording a visit to Lakewood Park by Alaska Governor and Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin is posted. Dad and I joined Jim O'Bryan and others at the park for the occasion.

You may view the photos here:

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... s-lakewood

[Grace O'Malley]

Did they have to bus those people in?

[Ed Dickson]

It looks empty. Were many people attending?

[Gary Rice]

Wearing my "photojournalist" hat right now, I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. You may draw your own conclusions as to the size of the crowd.

[Jim O'Bryan]

It looks empty. Were many people attending?

Tens of hundreds.

Police put it at 2,500 or so.


FWIW



.

[Brian Pedaci]

Did they have to bus those people in?

School was out today, so they couldn't rely on their recent strategy of bussing in schoolkids to fill out the crowd.

[Colleen Wing]

Since these pics were taken outside the outside perimeter, from the looks of things- the sidewalk, they aren't a good judge of how many people were there. No offense to Gary.

The inside was packed plus two sets of bleachers and the stage.

A lot of Lakewoodites, some may surprise you.

BTW...

Gary, I totally would have let you in. Banjo and all.

It was AWESOME!

Lakewood looked good, that's national news no matter how you cut it.

[stephen davis]

I thought it was a pitiful turnout. There were almost as many Obama supporters at the perimeter as Palin supporters inside.

Same old tired message. Lakewood Republicans should be embarrassed by this morning's performance.

I hope they learn something from this. If Obama wins, maybe we'll see better Republican representation next time around. Maybe they'll have a coherent and accurate plan/message that isn't so negative. I can only hope. It would be better for EVERYBODY.

.

[Colleen Wing]

Yes, someday I hope to adopt Steve's positive attitude.

Where do I sign up.

[jennifer scott]

I agree Colleen,

It was awesome!!! I am so glad we were there. Gov. Palin did an incredible job. The whole event went very smooth. Thanks for the shots Gary.

[Stephen Eisel]

It looks empty. Were many people attending?

Tens of hundreds.

Police put it at 2,500 or so.


FWIW



.

yep... It was a great event...

[Gary Rice]

Colleen,

Thanks for your kind words.

While I certainly understand your wanting to put the best face on the event, and yes, Governor Palin's supporters were indeed enthusiastic...

...and it was certainly a GREAT event for Lakewood! Nice work to the local state, and national Republicans for pulling it off well!

The rest of my story would be, however....

...while I was indeed at the perimeter fence, I was indeed inside the park and that was well away from the city sidewalk. There was PLENTY of room for whomever wanted to come and listen, believe me all.

I think those pictures are indeed a fair depiction of at least a part of my field of vision. Out of courtesy for the Governor, I chose NOT to post photos of the prominent Obama signs and supporters standing close by.

As for that banjo? Well, thanks as well, but not yet. I did not bring it down to the event today. I like for the banjo to be a unifying instrument, and I think we'll be needing it for after the election.

[stephen davis]

It was awesome!!!

I wasn't inside, so I didn't have a chance to taste the Kool-Aid.

.

[Stephen Eisel]

I thought it was a pitiful turnout. There were almost as many Obama supporters at the perimeter as Palin supporters inside.

Same old tired message. Lakewood Republicans should be embarrassed by this morning's performance.

I hope they learn something from this. If Obama wins, maybe we'll see better Republican representation next time around. Maybe they'll have a coherent and accurate plan/message that isn't so negative. I can only hope. It would be better for EVERYBODY.

.

Stephen, were you in the media section?

[jennifer scott]

Stephen,

You know you were welcome to come in. I know you wouldn't do so, but, you were welcome.