Garling Gauge

Ron Paul Supporters Dominate in Michigan

Ron Paul supporters stood alone at the October 9, 2007 GOP debate

Garling Gauge skips the GOP debate to explore life outside the event.

No support for GOP frontrunners

Donning a traveling hat and venturing off to attend the outside events of the October 10, 2007 Republican presidential debate in Dearborn, Michigan, I noticed some conspicuous absences.

Along the streets and outside the debate hall were no supporters for the Republican national frontrunner former mayor Rudy Guiliani. Looking left, looking right, there were no supporters for Iowa primary frontrunner former Gov. Mitt Romney either. None for Sen. John McCain, none for former Gov. Mike Huckabee, and none for Sen. Duncan Hunter (there have never been any for Hunter).

Lonely Fred Thompson signs lie prone on the pavement

While the GOP presidential candidates were debating lofty platitudes inside, in an empty ‘free speech zone’ behind the event hall rested a bored, lonely pile of Fred Thompson signs with no indication of use. At least from the outside, Fred Thompson’s debate debut looked like a bust.

What was happening here?

With a large population of union and auto workers in southeast Michigan, the Detroit metro area expresses strong support for the Democratic party. But even so, the no-show of support for the Republican frontrunners was striking.

So who actually showed up for event?

None other than supporters of Rep. Ron Paul.

Scott Boman (left) & other supporters of libertarian presidential candidate Ron Paul

Small groups of Ron Paul supporters huddled together along historic Michigan avenue in front of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center that hosted the debate. Interspersed amongst Paul’s cheering fans were anti-war demonstrators, police officers and a few (former) conspiracy theorists. With no other GOP supporters in sight, it was clearly becoming a Ron Paul evening.

Enthusiastic supporters for Rep. Ron Paul and anti-war Army Veteran Joseph Borrajo (right) line the street in front of the debate site.

Ironically ‘The Bar’ across the street displayed the only sign for another candidate, Gov. Mitt Romney, whose religious beliefs ban the consumption of alcohol. Moments after the picture of the bar was taken another Ron Paul supporter entered the fray, highlighting the complete lack of personal support for any GOP candidate save the Texas Congressman.

Anti-war supporters also took a stand along the busy thoroughfare, wielding colorful signs and bearing military metals earned in the service of their country.

Republicans certainly weren’t the only attendees outside the Michigan GOP debate; Democrat Roy Gonzales (left) urged others to join in protest of the war in the city of Wyandotte on Oak & Fort Street, this and every Saturday from Noon to 1.

While the Congressman was discussing economic policy inside, episodic cheers were erupting outside the debate as passing cars honked their horns in support from both sides of the street.

[flv]http://garlinggauge.com/videos/pauldebate.flv[/flv]
Inside the debate: Rep. Ron Paul discussing the monetary system

“As long as we live beyond our means we are destined to live beneath our means”

And then the word began to spread.

Ron Paul was giving a free speech on the library steps at the University of Michigan an hour after the debate. With a 45 minute drive ahead of us, I thanked the veterans and war protesters, grabbed my gear, leaped in the car and hit the gas.