Trump holds a raucous rally in Sanders country (Burlington, VT)

[Tab]

BURLINGTON, Vt. — To get one of 1,400 seats at Donald Trump’s rally here Thursday night, hundreds and hundreds of people waited for hours in the cold and then had to answer a question like this: Do you support Donald Trump?

Anyone who did not answer with some version of “yes” was not allowed inside. That included undecided voters and those simply looking to learn about Trump’s positions. And anyone showing any trace of supporting Bernie Sanders — the former mayor of this liberal town who is now a Democratic presidential candidate — was definitely not allowed in.

Trump explained his thinking in a statement: “We have more than 20,000 people that showed up for 1,400 spots. I’m taking care of my people, not people who don’t want to vote for me or are undecided. They are loyal to me and I am loyal to them.”
The yes-or-no question was quickly compared to the strategy Trump has proposed for screening Muslims trying to enter the country if he were to temporarily ban them. At first, the pledge seemed to work, and Trump presided over an unusually calm and collected rally crowd inside the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, a historic 1930s Art Deco theater.

But about 20 minutes into his 70-minute speech, a woman wearing a headlamp and a sign reading “Dump Trump” came marching down an aisle. She was quickly escorted out, and Trump provided this assessment: “That was a very mild protest.”

A series of other interruptions followed, dominating the evening. Trump mostly stuck to his regular talking points, although he seemed to take a new stance on gun access, saying that he wants to ban gun-free zones at schools.

Aides to the candidate did not respond to requests for more details on that proposal.

From the theater balcony came chants of “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” As about half a dozen protesters were walked out, Trump’s supporters responded “Trump! Trump! Trump!”

As more of these outbursts occurred, paranoia seemed to set in among the crowd, and some Trump supporters tried to spot potential intruders before they acted up.

So, he's only going to be President for his supporters and no one else? Danger, danger, Will Robinson!

[world wide wally]

1. Now he wants guns in schools?

What a dweeb

[In_The_Wind]

2. Trump is a joke.

[FarPoint]

3. What was Trump expecting with this stunt?

Was it simply for more, headliner publicity? I myself was anxious/concerned for the people in Burlington....it was completely dangerous and irresponsible to give out 20,000 tickets for a 1,400 seat venue. We know he has paid attendees at his rallies. I have not heard of any injuries so I am pleased.

[nuxvomica]

4. Note that only 2,000 showed up, not 20,000

Though 20,000 tickets were handed out (some possibly to dumpsters) and Trump's people told the Burlington police to expect 6,500, only 2,000 showed up, of whom 700 were turned away.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2016/01/07/trump-campaign-lumbers-into-vermont/78375274/

[handmade34]

5. they

probably showed up from my 'neck of the woods'... (those that supported Trump)

I saw a Ted Cruz sign driving along Route 2 the other day

[Jerry442]

7. He's lucky.

If attendance had been in the five figures, there would have been a real risk of a riot or trampling incident. (Not that he'd care.)

[Jerry442]

6. If Trump thinks guns-free zones are unsafe...

...how about he makes all his rallies gun-friendly. Walk the walk, dude.