St. Paul, MINNESOTA (CNN) - The convention for former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will go on as planned, the campaign said Sunday, despite the RNC’s decision to truncate their program.
With Hurricane Gustav approaching the Gulf Coast, Republicans announced that they would hold an abbreviated session Monday and determine the rest of the week’s schedule on a day-by-day basis.
Paul’s campaign said it decided to stick with their schedule because it didn’t want to have to turn down the 10,000 people expected to attend the three-day event.
The “Rally for the Republic” kicked off Sunday with a training class for those interested in learning the skills needed to be an activist, according to the convention’s Web site.
Monday’s schedule includes musical performances from Rockie Lynne‚ Aimee Allen‚ Mark Scibilia and Rick Ellis, and late-night speech by Paul.
The main event takes place Tuesday at the Target Center in Minneapolis. When planning for the event began earlier this year, it was originally scheduled to take place at the University of Minnesota, but due to a “strong initial response,” it was moved to The Target in Minneapolis, which can house up to 18,000 people.
Speakers Tuesday include NBC’s Tucker Carlson, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse and another appearance by Paul.
The rally will officially launch Paul’s new political action group: the “Campaign for Liberty.”
"The Rally for the Republic will send a powerful, positive message to the Republican Party that there is an army of grassroots activists across the country ready to work with them if steer back to their traditions of limited government and personal liberty," said Campaign for Liberty spokesman Jesse Benton.
From CNN Politics
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Good for you Ron Paul
The REAL conservatives should be supporting you anyway!
Just how can he live with himself? Having a self indulgent political rally when a major US city is in turmoil?
Why is this being inserted below Biden?
boy this guy has a big ego.
if he had been nominated for republicans ,this independent may have voted for him over obama. republicans just picked their worst nominee. the bush 'twin'.
"Just how can he live with himself? Having a self indulgent political rally when a major US city is in turmoil?"
Robert from England, I'm hoping that's sarcasm. If it's not (and I'm sure there actually are people out there who really do believe that), then just what exactly is he supposed to do instead? Sit in front of the TV and follow coverage of the hurricane...as if that somehow makes any difference? Canceling or changing the event will have absolutely no effect whatsoever on anything that is going on with Gustav.
If you were just kidding, then never mind
Funny how people will blast folks for having a political rally while a tragic event happens elsewhere. Very partisan indeed. The US is continent-size. There's almost always a tragic happening somwhere at virtually every moment. You're talking about more than 300 million people in a giant empire – which Ron Paul is trying to bring back to a constitutional republic.
Go Paul Go!
Ron Paul's rally will just get more attention compared to the Republican Convention and make Republican Convention less noteworthy. The headlines for next week will be about Hurricane Gustav. Then the following week is the 7th Anniversary of 9/11. I expect to hear about another Al-Qaeda/Bin Laden tape release which will dominate the news cycle until Tropical Storm Hannah turns into a Hurricane that same week and hits Florida or the Gulf Coast.
I don't understand these people. Real conservatives roll up their sleeves and help their neighbors which is what the RNC is doing, but Ron Paul is concerned more about his ideology than what is going on on the Gulf Coast. It just saddens me. It is truly sad that he can't have a bit more respect for this very serious situation.
18,000 will go to whom, if not elected? just wanted to know.......
Why not? Katrina = Gustav Hurricane = Votes for you, right. LAST thing on their minds. Former Republican?
It is obvious, the Republicans are using Gustav for a 'cover-up' for their failure.
It is sad to think that the Republicans are probably glad this hurricane is going to hit. Because why is this the first hurrican the Republicans are paying attention to? They didn't care before when Katrina hit and devastated thousands of lives.
Hello:
Ron Paul should put up a fight at the Republican convention to take the nomination away from McCain. Ron Paul is the best Republican choice for nomination.
Charlie D of Atlanta, GA
Go Paul go!
The only credible republican.
Paul 08.
I think this man is a true conservative– in the true meaning of the word. The way it was meant way back when. He is fiscally conservative, but not a war monger. And I'm an Obama voter. But I have a very high regard for Ron Paul. He is really the person the conservatives should be voting for.
Good luck
Robert Woller and Lisa, get over yourself. Bush and McCain were having a birthday party when Katrina hit. Do you seriously expect every city and every event to stop?
ya, let's all stop eating to show support for N.O. let's stop breathing too. What's the big deal. I'm sure Mayor Nagen has everything under control.
I like Ron Paul but all the typos in your story make it hard for me to read!. Please proof your stories before posting them.
"Rick Ellis, and late-night speech by Paul."
" former Minnesota Gov. Jesse and another appearance "
"ready to work with them if steer back to"
Thanks,
Dave
i would take Paul any day over McCain
Mr. Wooller,
The rally is not about Ron Paul or self-indulgence. It's about the idea that the federal government tries to do way too much, including providing disaster relief that should be managed by cities and states independent of Washington.
Federal government activities have created the inadequate levies and are the primary cause of the erosion at the mouth of the Mississippi that is ultimately what is making New Orleans so vulnerable, all efforts originally intended to solve some problem.
The more we look to Washington to solve problems, the more problems we have to solve. The only way out is to stop depending on Washington in the first place, not depend on it more.
to louisina, those real "Republicans", those neo-cons sent mercenaries to relief the people of Louisiana of their pain!!!
Ron Paul is right on, he doesn't play politics: Oh, hurican underway, duck and cover, cancel everything, let's show our support, bla bla bla
Give me a break, Ron Paul is the only true conservative still existing in Washington DC, check out his record for your convenience, start reading!
Ron Paul can't stop Gustav. This rally has been planned for months. Over 10,000 tickets have been sold. The show will go on!
Lisa: I am a long time fiscal conservative and I can tell you, AND you already KNOW, there are few if any real conservatives in office right now. Being conservative has nothing to do with helping neighbors, That's and American trait, not a party trait.
Joey: excellent point that many seem to forget; mb for party unity.
I think Paul belongs in Texas with his district during this storm..His wife is also ill in Texas and his rally really isn't important in the scheme of things. The real convention will nominate McCain, but there is no real substance to just another protest meeting of sorts..I guess he does have a give the money back problem..I think snubbing the hurricane victims will reflect poorly on his cause..The news on Monday and Tuesday will be the hurricane..
Really the Republicans help people? I dont remember them doing much help in 2005 until 3 weeks later. Also Conservatives are the ones who are against health care, education reform, are anti-choice and havent a clue.
Every Republican vote for Paul is a vote for Obama. Just dont go dipping in to the Obama leaning-Independents too much!
Obama/Biden 08!