Donald Trump's visit to Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —

Donald Trump will decide soon whether to mount a third party bid if he loses the Republican nomination for president, the real estate mogul said Saturday.
"I think over the next couple of weeks you're going to see some things that are very interesting," Trump said after a speech in Nashville to a gathering of tea party activists.
"We're going to make a decision very soon," he added, "and I think a lot of people are going to be very happy."
Trump has so far refused to pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee, saying his refusal to commit gains him leverage over the party establishment, which has been caught off-guard by his early dominance in the race. He's also said repeatedly that he'd prefer to run as a Republican as long as the party treats him fairly.

- See more at: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/ap/ap/top-news/trump-speak-100-bucks-got-you-in-to-his-boston-unf/nnTBJ/#sthash.SzKFk0Ed.dpuf

Trump, photo by Rick Williams

Personally, I am not on board with Trump. I think he is a carnival barker promoting Donald Trump and I doubt his devotion to conservative principles.

However, if I was not limited in my ability to go to events due to my caregiver responsibilities, I would have attended this event.

This is the Facebook report and pictures from my friend Rick Williams, a conservative Democrat who is in the slow process of making the transition to becoming a Republican. Rick is chairman of the Save our Fairgrounds group:

Good Morning To All My Facebook Friends, I am sad I had to miss the monthly John A's Community Breakfast at his Music Valley Night Club, John A's this morning. But it was important to me to come and listen to Donald Trump this morning at Rocket Town on 4th Avenue South. I TRUELY FEEL he is speaking for the middle class of America. The reason we have

Donald Trump, photo by Rick Williams

such a low turn out for elections is because most people think nothing will change. Donald Trump gives hope to the Middle Class that things will change if he is elected. He will draw from both parties and his campaign will encourage people who have given up to get back involved and voting. I also believe this movement is real and will last. Please take time to look at what he is saying.
Your Friend to All,
Rick Williams

Councilman  Fabian Bedne, who actually I think is one of the better Councilmen- not one of the "good" councilman, but he is responsive, thoughtful, and attends committee meetings and returns phone calls. He wrote:

By Lauri Day

Before I head downtown to protest all the lies and falsehoods that Trump and Santorum are going to spew today I figure I do a pre-emptive post with the top lies that have been said already by candidates. It gets so old to argue a negative but we have to try because in the meantime the environment gets dangerously toxic for all immigrants. Please share if you can. (I am not posting his list of 'top lies' you can find him on Facebook it you care.)

B. J. and Ed Zigler, photo by Lonnie Spivak

This is from Tami Kilmarx, a conservative activist and formerly Chair of Tennessee Tea Party:

I will say this....an observation I did make today (and I wasn't there but a few hours to, admittedly, hear Mr. Trump on behalf of our son. I also really like Mr. Trump and have for years).....I took definite note of who of our elected employees were there (state and federal)....and that wasn't hard. Sen. Mae Beavers, Rep. Sheila K. Butt, Rep. Courtney Rogers, and Congressman Marsha Blackburn (who somehow made herself available to introduce Mr Trump....which was a bit of a head-scratcher for me, admittedly.)

I would like to understand why more of our representatives don't make themselves available to the REAL conservative Republican Party (Tennessee Republican Assembly)....and I should think when you have a front-runner presidential candidate who is come to Nashville, you would be here to greet him.
I just wonder...is it barely possible that many don't truly care about what the grassroots think? Do you not care that that event today was FULL of young people? Very VERY young people, most of whom are not yet old enough to vote but who are showing great interest in what is happening now? That really, there is a palpable sense of HOPE and EXCITEMENT in the air about this election....MORE THAN I HAVE EVEN FELT IN A LONG LONG TIME....regardless of how you feel about Donald Trump or the TRA....or any of the rest of it?
I would say a great many of you...Republicans, Legislators, elected ones....really missed out on something very VERY GREAT and important. You just missed it and you don't get it....and it is really very sad to me....Worse still, it is our...Tennessee's....great loss....because you missed the young people....ALL THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE....and all that excitement.

Davette Blalock and The Donald

Sharon Ford....GREAT JOB HONEY!

State Rep. Sheila Butts had this to say:

 I have just listened to Donald Trump and understand completely why he resonates with the American people! I so enjoyed his comments and his winning attitude. I love that he builds things. I love that he puts the media in its place. However, every voter needs to seriously consider their vote in this upcoming election. I could not agree with him that his sister would make a great Supreme Court Justice:

 Here is a CNN report:  Donald Trump courts tea party at Nashville straw poll

Nashville, Tennessee (CNN)Donald Trump took his colorful campaign to Nashville on Saturday, where he courted a constituency that some say he is tailor-made for: the tea party.

He competed in a presidential straw poll here -- winning handily with 52% of the vote -- and addressed the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, a group that boasts it was "the tea party before there was a tea party."

Trump's appearance was highly anticipated at the conservative gathering: As a candidate, he's hitting the same notes -- anger at conventional politics, contempt for Washington and distrust of special interests and lobbyists -- that propelled the tea party movement in 2010.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —

Donald Trump will decide soon whether to mount a third party bid if he loses the Republican nomination for president, the real estate mogul said Saturday.
"I think over the next couple of weeks you're going to see some things that are very interesting," Trump said after a speech in Nashville to a gathering of tea party activists.
"We're going to make a decision very soon," he added, "and I think a lot of people are going to be very happy."
Trump has so far refused to pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee, saying his refusal to commit gains him leverage over the party establishment, which has been caught off-guard by his early dominance in the race. He's also said repeatedly that he'd prefer to run as a Republican as long as the party treats him fairly.

- See more at: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/ap/ap/top-news/trump-speak-100-bucks-got-you-in-to-his-boston-unf/nnTBJ/#sthash.SzKFk0Ed.dpuf

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —

Donald Trump will decide soon whether to mount a third party bid if he loses the Republican nomination for president, the real estate mogul said Saturday.
"I think over the next couple of weeks you're going to see some things that are very interesting," Trump said after a speech in Nashville to a gathering of tea party activists.
"We're going to make a decision very soon," he added, "and I think a lot of people are going to be very happy."
Trump has so far refused to pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee, saying his refusal to commit gains him leverage over the party establishment, which has been caught off-guard by his early dominance in the race. He's also said repeatedly that he'd prefer to run as a Republican as long as the party treats him fairly.

- See more at: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/ap/ap/top-news/trump-speak-100-bucks-got-you-in-to-his-boston-unf/nnTBJ/#sthash.SzKFk0Ed.dpuf

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —

Donald Trump will decide soon whether to mount a third party bid if he loses the Republican nomination for president, the real estate mogul said Saturday.
"I think over the next couple of weeks you're going to see some things that are very interesting," Trump said after a speech in Nashville to a gathering of tea party activists.
"We're going to make a decision very soon," he added, "and I think a lot of people are going to be very happy."
Trump has so far refused to pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee, saying his refusal to commit gains him leverage over the party establishment, which has been caught off-guard by his early dominance in the race. He's also said repeatedly that he'd prefer to run as a Republican as long as the party treats him fairly.

- See more at: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/ap/ap/top-news/trump-speak-100-bucks-got-you-in-to-his-boston-unf/nnTBJ/#sthash.SzKFk0Ed.dpuf

Donald Trump courts tea party voters in Nashville

Donald Trump courts tea party voters in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —

Donald Trump will decide soon whether to mount a third party bid if he loses the Republican nomination for president, the real estate mogul said Saturday.
"I think over the next couple of weeks you're going to see some things that are very interesting," Trump said after a speech in Nashville to a gathering of tea party activists.

- See more at: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/ap/ap/top-news/trump-speak-100-bucks-got-you-in-to-his-boston-unf/nnTBJ/#sthash.SzKFk0Ed.dpuf

Donald Trump courts tea party voters in Nashville

Here is a video of a portion of his speech:

Here he is leaving Rocket Town:

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Donald Trump in Franklin, TN, Saturday, October 3rd.

Williamson County Republican Party rally with Donald Trump
When: Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 2:30 PM (CDT) Door open at 1PM.
Where: The Factory at Franklin - 230 Franklin Road Franklin, TN 37064

The event is free but the venue only seats about 2000, however  there may be an opportunity to see Trump in the parking lot. For registration and more information follow this link.

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Please Proofread my Blog

Dear Friend of a A Disgruntled Republican, 

I love writing for this blog but I often cannot see my own mistakes.  Sometimes, I can see them the next day, but can not see them prior to posting. Sometimes I never see them. I can proofread something someone else wrote better than I can proofread what I wrote. While spell check can catch an obviously misspelled word, it cannot catch the wrong word. If you see a mistake, please call it to my attention immediately. If you have my phone number, text me or call me.  If we are Facebook friends, message me on Facebook. You can also post a comment to the blog post pointing out my error.  I will get the comment, make the correction but will not post the comment.

After working hard to create a post, I hate to have my work devalued and dismissed because I do something like write "pubic" instead of "public." I know the difference but sometimes my fingers do not follow my thoughts.  I will not be offended if you call out an error in spelling or use of the wrong word or grammar. In fact, I want to be corrected. I appreciate the help.

Thank you,
Rod Williams.

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Beacon Center Forms Legal Foundation, Files First Lawsuit challenging Nashville's Airbnb regs

Press release- In a major development, the Beacon Center today announced the formation of a brand new litigation arm, the Beacon Center Legal Foundation, and filed its first lawsuit. The Beacon Center is suing the city of Nashville on behalf of P.J. and Rachel Anderson. They are challenging unconstitutional regulations the city has placed on their ability to rent their home on Airbnb, a website that connects homeowners like them with guests visiting Nashville. 

At the heart of the issue is an arbitrary 3% cap on short term rental properties in each Nashville census tract. P.J and Rachel are seeking a ruling that will force Nashville government to cease enforcing the arbitrary cap, the outright bans on advertising and signage, and the requirement that they turn over their guests' records to the government.

You can read the story of Rachel and P.J. here.

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Former mayoral candidate Jeremy Kane endorses David Fox

Fox, left, listens as Jeremy Kane announces his endorsement.

This afternoon, former mayoral candidate Jeremy Kane endorsed David Fox for mayor. They made the  announcement at about 2 p.m. at the James C. Cayce Homes public housing complex in east Nashville off Shelby Street.

“This was a tough decision for me,” said Kane. “On August 7, I obviously became an undecided voter and I really wanted to take my time and think about this. Ultimately the decision came down to looking at the issues I cared most about,” he said. “For me, this is a personal decision. I’ve been impressed throughout this campaign by what he’s stood for, the issues he’s pushed to the forefront, and so ultimately, this became a very easy decision that not only did I want to vote for David but come out publicly and show my support for him,” he explained.

"Jeremy Kane brought tremendous compassion and intellect to his campaign for mayor," said Fox. "I am honored by his endorsement and his willingness to share his talents and energy with Fox for Nashville."




Jeremy Kane and David Fox share a commitment to education excellence and improving education in Nashville and to advancing school choice.

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Megan Barry raised taxes. Racked up debt. But didn't solve our real problems.

"To see where someone's going. You gotta look where they've been. Megan Barry raised taxes. Racked up debt. But didn't solve our real problems."

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Save Our Fairgrounds endorses David Fox

Duane Dominy, a Metro councilman and vice chairman of Save Our Fairgrounds,

 second from left, announces his group's endorsement of David Fox, 

whose wife, Carrington Fox, is at left.(Photo: Joey Garrison / Tennessean)

by Joey Garrison, The Tennessean, August 25, 2015- ...Barry, a two-term Metro councilwoman, in 2011 voted for the demolition of the fairgrounds speedway, which lost by a narrow vote, foiling Mayor Karl Dean's push to redevelop the 117-acre site. ... Barry this year also voted for the appointment of a Dean nominee to the fair board who had been flagged by fairgrounds supporters for his past statements in support of razing the racetrack. The appointment also failed in the council. .....

"It's not a single vote," said Metro Councilman Duane Dominy, who serves as vice chairman of Save Our Fairgrounds. "It's vote after vote after vote. She has consistently voted against the best interests of this property.

"David understands that this city is made up of people who love this property as well as many areas across this city," he added. "David understands the way Nashville has grown and that our foundational principles are protected in the places that have been here all these years."
According to Dominy, Save Our Fairgrounds' board of directors voted unanimously Monday night to endorse Fox. (link)

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Senator Douglas Henry endorses David Fox for Mayor.

Senator Douglas Henry

Former State Senator Douglas Henry, a conservative Nashville Democrat who served six decades in the legislature before retiring this year, on Wednesday announced his endorsement of David Fox for mayor.

"I have watched this race closely, and I am convinced that David Fox will be a great mayor for Nashville," Henry said. "David Fox has both the business and government experience we need to move this city forward in a responsible way. I am proud to endorse him, and encourage all my friends and neighbors to support him."

"Senator Henry a true statesman and gentleman of the highest order, and I am honored to have his support," said Fox.

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Megan Barry denies being an atheist. What are her values?

Today's Tennessean reported that Megan Barry made a preemptive move to counter charges that she is an atheist. I had not heard much about this prior to reading it in this morning's Tennessean, but had heard the vague rumor. I had chose to ignore it and not blog about it until Barry brought it up.  Now that she has brought it up, I think it is fair game to question Barry's values and ask if she is hostile to people of faith.

I do not think one necessarily has to be Christian or a person of faith to be a good person.  Also, one's personal religious believe is not much of a factor in whether or not I would support that person for public office. I personally think one can be a person of little faith or no faith and still be a good public servant and still be a good person, or one can be a person of strong faith and be a poor political leader. I think Jimmy Carter was a terrible president but I think he was a good man and a person of deep religious faith.  I would prefer to have an atheist president or mayor who believes in balanced budgets and small government and personal liberty that have a liberal Christian who believes in prolific spending, who accumulates massive public debt and wants to impose their liberal concept of morality on other people. A profession or denial of faith in and of itself does not tell you a lot about a persons position on public policy matters. 

The major reason to question Megan Barry's values is that she is married to Bruce Barry.  To be fair, the beliefs of a husband and wife may not always mirror each other. The most obvious example of this is James Carville, Jr. the commentator and media personality who is a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, who is married to Republican political consultant Mary Matalin. How that marriage works I have no idea. I know I could not devote my self to a cause and be married to someone who is devoted to the opposite cause.  More often than not a husband and wife have shared values.

Bruce Barry,  is a columnist, blogger and current board member and past president of the ACLU of Tennessee. While on occasion I think the ACLU has been on the right side of defending free speech and has occasionally been on the right side of protecting other liberties, more often than not the ACLU seems driven by a desire to push people of faith out of the public square and to protect non believers from being offended by expressions of faith.

Bruce Barry was board president of ACLU of Tennessee from 1999­ to 2009. ​During Barry’s tenure, the ACLU­TN took several extreme positions:

• Fought the passage of “Choose Life” license plates in 2003.
• Opposed new restrictions on partial birth abortions in 2008. 
• Opposed the National Day of Prayer in 2005. 
• Fought the posting of the Ten Commandments in Monroe County in 2004 and requested their removal in Rutherford County in 2006.

Bruce Barry as a columnist has authored several radical opinions out of touch with Tennessee values. Here is a sample:

• Barry criticized legislation that would protect students’ religious expression in public schools: Today at the Capitol: More Religion as Much as Possible.
• Barry implied the religious right wished to return to slavery: Faith Drives New Political Movement: Slavery? 
• Barry said Belmont University was “bigoted” and employs discrimination because the school with a Christian mission dismissed a lesbian professor. In a piece titled Orienting for the future he wrote, "A ​Christian university can cloak its bigotry and discrimination in a shroud of religious doctrine, but that doesn’t compel its stakeholders to admire the fabric or the fit.” 
• Barry argued collective bargaining is a “universal human right” in​ Labor Rights and Wrongs. 
• Used disparaging language to describe Republicans and conservatives in a blog post, ​Feeling Better About Tennessee’s Unhinged State GOP​, he said:

  It’s pretty depressing this time of year looking in on the Tennessee legislature’s weekly wing­nut chronicle — those persistent reminders of just how far our GOP­ led state can stray from sanity. Fortunately, for those of us dispirited by the right­wing mayhem that sucks all the rational air out of the room in Tennessee, scientific psychology offers an easy remedy: social comparison theory. In simple terms, we can shore up our self ­worth by comparing ourselves with others. The good news is it turns out Tennessee lacks a monopoly on unhinged conservatives.

This is only a sample. If one searches, one can find  more that reveals a contempt for traditional values and people of faith. None of this of course even proves that Bruce Barry is an atheist, and it certainly does not prove that Megan Barry is an atheist, but I think it does show that the values of Bruce Barry or not the values of most Nashvillians and I think it is fair to assume Megan Barry shares her husbands values unless there is reason to believe she does not.

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Corker to talk with Williamson County Republicans Tuesday

Williamson County Republican Party,  today Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. at the Westhaven Residence Club,, Franklin.

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Megan Barry's crusade to ban guns.

Mayoral candidate Megan Barry has voted against the right to bear arms every time she has had the opportunity and has led the charge to ban guns from all establishments with a beer permit and from even the most remote undeveloped Davidson County park.

Tennessee allows only those with a valid handgun carry permit to carry a gun in a restaurant or bar and the armed person may not consume alcohol in the establishment and the bar or restaurant owner has the right to ban all guns from their establishment.  That is not restrictive enough for Megan Barry.  She attempted to ban guns from all restaurants and bars during her service in the council. She also attempted to ban guns not only from Nashville's urban parks but from the most remote wilderness parks in Davidson County.

In June 2009, Barry filed legislation that would require bars and restaurants to ban guns in order to get a permit from the beer board. (Metro Council Minutes, Jun. 16, 2009) This drew the ire of state lawmakers who argued that such legislation was outside the authority of local government.

Here is how it was reported in The City Paper, Jun. 8, 2009:

At-large Councilmembers Megan Barry and Charlie Tygard filed legislation Thursday aimed at outlawing guns in Davidson County bars and restaurants. The legislation would use the beer board as a tool to make outlawing firearms a condition of a permit. But in a press release sent Friday, Jackson said Tennessee code specifically puts regulation of firearms outside the purview of local government. Quoting from Tennessee Code Annotated 39-17-1314(a): "No city, county, or metropolitan government shall occupy any part of the field of regulation of the transfer, ownership, possession, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or components of firearms or combination thereof ..." Jackson (D-Dickson) said the recently passed law allowing guns in restaurants and bars already gives owners the right to post signs outlawing them. "There is no need to remove options from restaurant owners or interfere with the rights of law-abiding citizens by revoking beer permits and punishing restaurants," Jackson said.

Barry said the point of the Council legislation is to outlaw guns in bars and restaurants without establishment owners being forced to post signs.

Barry and other co-sponsors were forced to withdraw their bill which would use the beer permitting process to ban guns from restaurants after city attorneys said it was probably illegal. Metro lawyers determined the state's firearms statute superseded the city's beer permit ordinance. "A court more likely than not would say it was the intent of the legislature to pre-empt our ability to do anything about it," Metro Law Director Sue Cain said.

In response to legislation passed and signed by Governor Bredesen which authorized persons with a valid handgun carry permit to carry guns in parks, Barry and others sponsored and passed legislation banning handguns from all Metro public parks.  The state law had an opt out provision that allowed cities to ban handguns from some or all of their city parks. Some Council members and Second Amendment advocates argued in favor  letting people with a valid handgun carry permit, carry handguns in the large, undeveloped parks like Beaman Park and Shelby Bottoms.  Barry was not happy banning guns from just the crowded urban parks but wanted guns banned from them all. (Metro Council Minutes, Aug. 18, 2009) For more on this issue follow this link.

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Fox needs volunteers!

Dear Team Fox,

It's crunch time for Fox-y volunteers! We have immediate and urgent need for cheerful folks at early voting, as early as tomorrow!

Can you volunteer to wave signs at the polls any of these times?
 1. Monday, Aug. 24 through Wednesday, Aug 26, downtown at Howard Building, 700 2nd Avenue South? Critical shifts are 8-10 am and 4-6 pm.
2. Thursday, Aug. 27 through Saturday, Sept. 5, we need folks at ten satellite locations (GH, BM, Bellevue Hermitage, Madison, etc.). Critical shifts are 8-10 am and 4-6 pm. (See the attached graphic for locations and poll schedule.)

To volunteer for these critical times, please email Ann Shayne at ann.shayne@gmail.com or text her at 615-473-4975. Bring a folding chair, water and a buddy! Bring your yard sign and wear your T-shirt. We can get you signs and shirts if you don’t already have them. We've been hanging out across the driveway from the glass doors entrance to the Howard Bldg voting station, so people see us as they walk in. (Remember, always respect the 100 ft boundary, and don't wear your Fox-y paraphernalia when you're actually voting.)

Thank you sharing your enthusiasm for Team Fox!
 Carrington and Ann

P.S. Please forward to friends. The more the merrier! Let's get out the vote!!!!

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Mark Green says Gas Tax Increase Proposal is Premature

From Senator Mark Green:

Senator Mark Green

Let your voice be heard over the next several weeks regarding Tennessee's Road Fund and a common problem that faces every Tennessee family just like our State government - operating on a budget and prioritizing spending.

Before an increase in the gas tax should be discussed, there are a few key actions that must occur because Tennessee should never operate like Washington, DC.

• Return the $260 million plus interest to the Road Fund borrowed by TennCare
• Assess a user fee to the 2,000 electric cars driving tax-free currently
• Utilize the projected budget surplus that may reach $500 million

Tennessee businesses will pass the increase in a gas tax on to customers as a cost of doing business. Tennessee citizens will carry the heaviest burden with an increase in the gas tax. Read the entire opinion piece here

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David Fox endorsed by Nashville police union

By Joey Garrison, The Tennessean, August 24, 2015 - Nashville mayoral candidate David Fox on Monday picked up the endorsement of the Nashville Fraternal Order of Police....."We are proud to endorse and support David Fox for mayor of Nashville," said Danny Hale, president of the Nashville Fraternal Order of Police. "David is clearly the common-sense candidate who is most focused on real needs of Nashville's neighborhoods. And the issues he cares most about are also important to all of our men and women in blue." (link)

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Great time at Americans for Prosperity Defending the American Dream Summitt

Wow! I had a great time at the Americans for Prosperity Defending the American Dream summit

At the Tennessee delegates reception. From left to right: Derick Adams,
 Peter Vorsey, Rod Williams (me), Greg Halvorson,  Gene Wisdom, Dan Sifuentes,
and  Kasondra Watkins

in Cleveland Ohio this weekend. I was educated, motivated, entertained, and thrilled. And the cost of travel, the convention, hotel rooms and most meals came to only $29! Thank God for the Koch boys!

I left home Thursday 11:30 in the morning and went to Legislative Plaza where I caught the bus, joining other people who had gotten on the bus in Brentwood. A second bus left Brentwood and stopped in Hendersonville. We then went to Cleveland where we registered at the convention center and then got to our hotel about 9PM. From 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM all day Friday and Saturday we attended the conference then left Cleveland about 6PM and got back home about 12:30AM Sunday morning.

Next to Ohio, Tennessee had the largest delegation at the convention, with almost 400 people from Tennessee attending. We all wore matching tee shirts; neon light green the first day and bright red the second day and we were highly visible.

The mornings were taken up by breakout session that covered a range of topics from school choice, to right to work and prevailing wage,  health care reform, how regulatory overreach is taking our freedom, energy policy,  how to talk to millennials about freedom, how to be an effective advocate for your position and lots more. The panelist at the breakout session were all experts in their field and accomplished.

Break out session “Don’t Let Them Tell Your Story- Countering
 the Left Narratives.  From left to right: Lawrence Jones, writer
The Blaze; Donald Bryson, North Carolina State Director AFP;
 Sonnie Johnson, Political Activist and Commentator, Brietbart.com

After the breakout sessions we had a box lunch and then reconvened in the big hall. The events in the big hall were well organized and ran like a well oiled machine. There were wrist bands handed out that flashed lights at appropriate times and gave the room a glow of thousands of little lights, there were big screens and music to get you pumped up and music as people entered and left the stage and pyrotechnics. It was a great show! Much like a sporting event or a concert, there is something about being in a crowd of thousands who are there for the same reason and who enjoy the same thing that is exciting.

We heard from five of the presidential candidates: Jeb Bush, Bobby Jindal, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rick Perry. Among this crowd, the least favorite by far was Jeb Bush and the most favored was Ted Cruz.  The audience was polite to Bush. He was not heckled or booed and people did not walk out but the applause was not as loud and his remarks got fewer standing ovations than that for any of the other candidates.

Rick Perry

For Ted Cruz, the applause and cheering was deafening, and the standing ovations made the audience look like pop corn: up and down, up and down. For some periods of his speech, the audience stayed standing. Cruz threw out the red meat and the crowd ate it up.  Ted Cruz was not my favorite, however. For one thing, I think Cruz is a little too bombastic. I want someone who will bring me to my feet and get me to cheer, but who will also reason and persuade me.  I feel he has too much the touch of a televangelist. Also, I had just seen Cruz speak in Franklin a couple weeks before and he gave the exact same speech. It was a rerun for me. I was more impressed the first time I heard the speech.

Ted Cruz

After hearing Bobby Jindal speak, he rose back to the top of my preferred candidates list. He has a compelling personal story and has a record of having been a good governor of Louisiana having cut the size of government and grown the economy and advanced school choice and improved education.  I like his delivery style. He threw out enough red meat zingers to keep the crowd roused, but also talked policy prescriptions. He took a humorous jab at Cruz or Paul or both when he said, "if you are looking for the candidate with biggest bladder, I am not your guy."  If you recall, both Paul and Cruz have each conducted filibusters, however they were not real filibusters that had a chance of changing the outcome of a bill and served no real purpose except to call attention to an
issue and gain the respective senators some attention.

Several people I spoke to claim Jindal's claim of accomplishments as governor are inflated resulting from a  ending of Federal flow-through Katrina relive funding and other factors that only make it appear he cut government. I'll be paying close attention to see how true that is. Marco Rubio also gave a great performance.  I have seen him speak a couple times before but not in a while and his speech did not seem like a rerun. At this point in time, my top tier candidates are Jindal, Rubio and Walker.

I had never seen Rich Perry speak before and somehow, I had low expectations but ended up being really impressed. He did not keep people on their feet cheering, but talked about the serious issues facing out country and he modulated his tone from rousing crescendos to low confiding conversational tones, and at one time had the 3,600 absolutely silent.

Part of the 400 Tennessee attendees

An obvious snub was that candidate John Kasich was not present to address the gathering.  He is governor of Ohio and the event was in the capital of Ohio, Cleveland. Kasich is considered a moderate in the Party due to his expansion of Obamacare Medicaid and he failed to enact right-to-work when he had the chance. His absence was noted. Of course, all of the candidates could not have been there but the talk among delegates was that Donald Trump was not invited. Trump's phenomenal rankings in the polls was the topic of several conversations, but I met almost no one who was for him or who believe he will be the nominee. Among people I talked to at this event, the consensus seems to be that Trump is not to be trusted and his support has to do with his refusal to kowtow to the press and his celebrity status.

In addition to to presidential candidates there were speeches by APR officials and war heroes and
others. There were also protesters outside the hall and a bomb scare. In addition to the events in the big hall and breakout session, one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip was spending time with people I know and making new friends. On Friday night after we all checked in to the hotel, about ten people, including a couple state legislators, and some local activist went to a nearby bar and talked for a couple hours and on Saturday night, I had dinner with some people I know, but got to know better, and some new friends. It was a great event. Sometimes you need a revival to keep motivated to fight the fight.

For press coverage of the event: Ted Cruz gets enthusiastic greeting at Americans for Prosperity event

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