Paul Ryan Draws Crowd of 300, Charges $10,000 for One Picture then Leaves

[K Gardner]

Ryan raised $1 million dollars in his brief stopover in Knoxville, TN. last Thursday. He may have seen more protestors than supporters. Many of his donors reportedly just "sent checks", but did not show up. There was barely a ripple in the news cycle here. Following are some snippets from local papers. The biggest news was that he evidently does not know what "acclamation" means. So even here, in the East Tennessee Bible Belt - a solidly RED area - there is virtually NO Enthusiasm for this ticket.

http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120928/NEWS02/309280091/Paul-Ryan-raises-1M-Knoxville-fundraiser?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan on Thursday said he wants the Republican campaign message to be so detailed and compelling that Mitt Romney will be elected president “by acclamation.”

The Wisconsin congressman said at a $1,000-per-plate fundraiser at a Knoxville hotel that the GOP message contrasts with what he called the divisive tactics of President Barack Obama.

“Since he can’t run on hope and change and all these new promises — because the last ones have been mostly broken — he will have to divide this country. He will have to distort and distract and try to win by default,” Ryan said of the Democratic president. “We want to win by acclamation.”

Acclamation can be generally defined as an eager expression of praise or approval, though as a political term it is perhaps best known from when delegates forgo a formal roll call in party nominating conventions for a voice vote.

<snipped out part where he does the America will become Greece/Europe schtick>

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/oct/01/georgiana-vines-ryan-gets-red-carpet-open-wallet/

The visit of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, GOP vice presidential nominee, to Knoxville was not the first time Republicans raised $1 million locally for a GOP presidential ticket, but it doesn't happen often. When then-President George W. Bush ran for re-election in 2004, $1 million was raised in Knoxville, too.

"We're right about that (same figure). It's as good as we've done," Knoxville businessman Jim Haslam, who helped put together the Ryan fundraiser, said Saturday. "He's a dynamic guy. Everyone really loves him."

During their visits, both Ryan and Bush left Knoxville for Memphis, where each raised another $1 million for the GOP ticket. Ryan's visit to Knoxville on Thursday was short compared with Bush's. Slightly more than 300 people attended the Ryan fundraiser. The luncheon was $1,000-a-plate with those contributing or raising $10,000 getting a photograph made with the Janesville, Wis., congressman.

"There were bigger checks by fewer people (for the Ryan fundraiser). Some people just sent money who couldn't come," Susan Richardson Williams, who helped raise money, said Sunday.

She estimated that 75 people were in a special reception area adjacent to the luncheon ballroom at the Marriott for picture-taking. Rodney Lawler, founder of Lawler Wood, also was there and provided some insight into how the fundraiser was put together. Asked whether he was a $1,000 donor or $10,000 contributor, he thought for a moment and then replied: "I don't know. I just do what Jim Haslam asks.". ((This guy had "insight" but didn't even know why he was there!!))

While this is Ryan's first visit to Knoxville since becoming a vice presidential candidate, Romney was in Knoxville twice leading up to the Tennessee Republican primary on March 6. He attended a fundraiser on Nov. 17 at the Knoxville Convention Center with Jim Haslam's son, Jimmy Haslam, serving on Romney's leadership team for that luncheon.

Then March 4, Romney and his wife Ann attended a rally for about 1,000 people at the West Hills Elementary School gymnasium.

Good thing we didn't need crowd control for the Romney/Ryan events. I swear, if Obama put boots on the ground here, he might carry the state due to No Republican Turnout !

[hrmjustin]

1. Thanks for the post.

[K Gardner]

2. I tried to think of some way to make it exciting, but alas, could not, LOL :-) n/t

[hrmjustin]

3. I love it! leave it as is.

[MiniMe]

4. Is he fundraising for a superpac? I thought he couldn't do that?

How can he raise 10k checks from individuals or corporations for the campaign?

[K Gardner]

5. You got me there. I quit trying to keep up with rules and regs of campaign finance

after Citizens United. That is an excellent question, though, and hopefully someone here can answer it !!

[speedoo]

6. Is East Tennessee really that red?

I thought the area, particuarly Knoxville, was not that bad?

[K Gardner]

7. It's still that red, although many of the transplants from up north are helping to offset some of

the bright red. Still, we have horrible neanderthals elected from my district, like Stacey Campfield. The Duncans have held the same congressional seat for decades. Mostly, we don't even run dems. I'm hoping that changes soon.

The GOP Tradition is VERY entrenched here.

[CoffeeCat]

8. I think Paul Ryan is pissed...

...and I think he knows they're going to lose.

I'm sure he's pissed at Romney for being the gaffemaster extraordinaire. I hate Ryan's politics, but he was a rising star in the Republican party who was not all that known on a national level. I'm sure when Romney picked him, Ryan had visions of stardom and possibly an eventual presidency--dancing in his head.

Thanks to dog-on-roof boy--Ryan can kiss all of that good bye. He must be so incredibly pissed and despressed.

I can't wait until the book comes out, that reveals what the hell happened with this campaign and behind the scenes. I hope someone is taking very good notes.

[K Gardner]

9. Totally agree! It's going to be another "Game Change" movie !! n/t

[speedoo]

10. I can't wait for the book either.

Should be juicy, just hope I can get a free copy. Rather than fatten some rethug wallets.

[Voice for Peace]

11. who's Jim Haslan again?

if that donor says he just does what Jim asks,
I wonder if he's someone with dangerous power?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Haslam

[K Gardner]

13. Founder of Pilot Corporation. Very influencial family, son is Governor now. Multi-millionaire and

highly influencial in GOP circles.

[tanyev]

12. Somebody needs to go over his family tree. There's got to be a Palin connection.

[K Gardner]

14. ROFLMAO !! n/t

[The Doctor.]

15. This. Is. Knoxville!

Did they kick anyone into the Pit of Death?

[babylonsister]

16. Ugh, ugh, ugh. I cannot even fathom looking at these two for any

longer than absolutely necessary.

[WI_DEM]

17. people are finally seeing what an empty suit Paul Ryan really is.