BDBopper
11-17-2008, 08:09 AM
As some of you know I really got excited middle of last week. This was after learning that my hero, Governor Mike Huckabee was coming to town. He was in the nearby suburb of Duluth, GA to be a part of a FairTax (http://fairtax.org) rally (if you want to know more just follow the link - I won't talk about it unless asked). Despite working long and hard to try to get Governor Huckabee elected, I had never enjoyed the pleasure of many of my fellow volunteers around the country of meeting him and hearing him speak in person. Finally I thought my time had come! BOY DID IT EVER!! :)
The day yesterday did not start well in this department. My ride was late and I was not sure if I was going to be able to get in through the crowd. Fortunately there were no problems. Eventually I was able to get up to the roped off area to the right of the stage where all the dignitaries were going to come through and waited patiently.
Through the same friends who got him to surprise me on my Birthday, he knew I was coming and to make sure he saw me he was told what I was going to be wearing. After running a bit late himself a huge roar went up in the crowd and Mike made a beeline to the stage. I didn't see it but was told the altered his direction a wee bit and hot footed it to me. My moment had arrived!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/BDBopper/FairTaxRally002.jpg
A handshake immediately became a bear hug and Mike said that it was great that I was able to make it out to see him. He thanked me again for all my hard work. He told me he appreciated and cared for me even though I am a fan of the Georgia Bullldogs. After letting him shake a few more hands I motioned back to him and I told him "Just for you Governor, Whooo Pig Sooee!" He gave me two thumbs up. After that he turned toward the stage to take his seat. My friend told me later that he'll never forget how caring and sincere his look was towards me as he looked me straight in the eye. My friend had met a lot of politicians and had seen no other politician act that way towards people.
Right behind Governor Huckabee was his handler. and he made a beeline towards me next. I had no idea what he was doing. Maybe a security check to make sure I was okay? He took my hand and said "Hello Brian. Please come with me. We're going up on stage. Hold tight to me as we go up the stairs." My friend told me later that his handler was explicitly instructed to find me and make sure I was on stage with the dignitaries.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v377/113/48/585067690/n585067690_1522883_1710.jpg"]http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v377/113/48/585067690/n585067690_1522883_1710.jpg
I felt like a true VIP and when I crossed the stage Governor Huckabee embraced me again and told me "Brian I am so glad you're here!" I stood for a little while on stage and something hit me. I was running on adrenaline. Because I had run late I hadn't eaten anything since 9 AM. I might stand on stage for an hour. Not that I felt I was going to do so but the last thing I wanted to do was to bring attention to anything other than the cause we were all representing on stage by passing out. Fortunately there was an empty chair on the far left side of the stage and I spent the rest of the rally seated with the dignitaries.
It was an incredible day and one I won't ever forget! I am so glad I got to meet Governor Huckabee. I will be out of town for Thanksgiving on the weekend he comes through again on his book tour (I can't wait to get my copy this week to read the Political Cinderella Story I was a part of). While I have reached the top of the mountain I have a feeling that this will only be the tip of the iceberg. I made a lot of contacts yesterday who were impressed with what I did. It truly was amazing.
Merry Christmas! My present came early!! Anything I get a month from now is only gravy!! :D
The day yesterday did not start well in this department. My ride was late and I was not sure if I was going to be able to get in through the crowd. Fortunately there were no problems. Eventually I was able to get up to the roped off area to the right of the stage where all the dignitaries were going to come through and waited patiently.
Through the same friends who got him to surprise me on my Birthday, he knew I was coming and to make sure he saw me he was told what I was going to be wearing. After running a bit late himself a huge roar went up in the crowd and Mike made a beeline to the stage. I didn't see it but was told the altered his direction a wee bit and hot footed it to me. My moment had arrived!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/BDBopper/FairTaxRally002.jpg
A handshake immediately became a bear hug and Mike said that it was great that I was able to make it out to see him. He thanked me again for all my hard work. He told me he appreciated and cared for me even though I am a fan of the Georgia Bullldogs. After letting him shake a few more hands I motioned back to him and I told him "Just for you Governor, Whooo Pig Sooee!" He gave me two thumbs up. After that he turned toward the stage to take his seat. My friend told me later that he'll never forget how caring and sincere his look was towards me as he looked me straight in the eye. My friend had met a lot of politicians and had seen no other politician act that way towards people.
Right behind Governor Huckabee was his handler. and he made a beeline towards me next. I had no idea what he was doing. Maybe a security check to make sure I was okay? He took my hand and said "Hello Brian. Please come with me. We're going up on stage. Hold tight to me as we go up the stairs." My friend told me later that his handler was explicitly instructed to find me and make sure I was on stage with the dignitaries.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v377/113/48/585067690/n585067690_1522883_1710.jpg"]http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v377/113/48/585067690/n585067690_1522883_1710.jpg
I felt like a true VIP and when I crossed the stage Governor Huckabee embraced me again and told me "Brian I am so glad you're here!" I stood for a little while on stage and something hit me. I was running on adrenaline. Because I had run late I hadn't eaten anything since 9 AM. I might stand on stage for an hour. Not that I felt I was going to do so but the last thing I wanted to do was to bring attention to anything other than the cause we were all representing on stage by passing out. Fortunately there was an empty chair on the far left side of the stage and I spent the rest of the rally seated with the dignitaries.
It was an incredible day and one I won't ever forget! I am so glad I got to meet Governor Huckabee. I will be out of town for Thanksgiving on the weekend he comes through again on his book tour (I can't wait to get my copy this week to read the Political Cinderella Story I was a part of). While I have reached the top of the mountain I have a feeling that this will only be the tip of the iceberg. I made a lot of contacts yesterday who were impressed with what I did. It truly was amazing.
Merry Christmas! My present came early!! Anything I get a month from now is only gravy!! :D