Home > Political notes > Archives > 2008 > October > 03 > Entry
Ticket trauma: Palin posse faithful despite shortfall
Sarah Palin’s vice-presidential debate Thursday stirred up the GOP hive in Pitt County Friday as Greenville Republicans prepare to welcome the Alaska Governor to Minges Coliseum on the ECU campus Tuesday.
Republican faithful into the thousands lined up at the party’s county headquarters on Commerce Street throughout the day for tickets to the event, only to be turned away before noon.
It seems that the party received the tickets a day early, according to volunteer Vicky Borne, and the early birds got the free tickets.
Borne then had to share the news with the die-hard Palin posse outside headquarters. Most of the disappointed supporters remained in line, however, to place their names on a waiting list for potential no-shows.
Mack Pollard said he’d be there even if he had to stand outside the coliseum. “I like this. She’s the new Ronald Reagan. He’s been reincarnated in female form. I think she’ll come outside because she’s a person of the people,” Pollard said.
OK, now the good news and bad news for ticket hopefuls.
There were only 2,300 tickets available for local supporters, so they disappeared quickly.
The good news is that the remaining 5,700 tickets (Minges holds about 8,000) are being distributed through party offices statewide. That means there could be lots of no-shows on Tuesday.
That point wasn’t lost on many standing in line here in Greenville.
John and Joanne Hartsell of Winterville thought it was good idea to spread the wealth of tickets to other counties.
“Yes, we’re disappointed to be late, but we don’t think Pitt County should monopolize the tickets,” John Hartsell said.
His wife was luke-warm on the idea of being outside for the event.
“We might go there, but I don’t want to just hear her; I’d really rather be inside to hear what she has to say,” Joanne Hartsell said.
Comments
By Nicole Bahn
October 3, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
This is ridiculous. I think these tickets first of all shouldve been given out to the college students before anyone and the fact that they were being given out shouldve been made more aware of. I am a Senior at ECU and knowing that many young adults/college students do not vote that wouldve been a great way to get more of us to vote. I am so upset that I pay about 6 grand a year to go to school here and I can’t even see a great speech on my campus because the local businesses got a majority of the tickets!!
By voter
October 3, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
ECU should have had tickets-I’m not sure who the Rep. student rep is there. As far as I know only the GOP office on Commerce had tickets coming in today from Raleigh. A state wide dispersal of tickets to the local GOP offices was made and tickets arrived this afternoon.94.3 advertised it but I don’t know if the other stations chose to or not . I myself went to Minges to get the low down Please check back in the morning at the GOP office corner of Arlington and Evans-the doors open at 9am-good luck!
By Uncle Sam
October 3, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Students tuition pays for this campus. They should have first choice on the tickets. Typical government plan. A Big Crock Of S$$T.
By Jason
October 4, 2008 3:37 AM | Link to this
No, idiots; student tuition for instate students pay for 1/8 of the facilites, therefore students should be entitled to 1/8 of the allotment of tickets at most. True republican supporters would be smart enough to realize that her visit is to spread her message througout the state, not just Pitt Co. Your ignorance is disgusting. Get an education before posting, you make ECU alumni such as myself embarrassed.
By Jason
October 4, 2008 3:38 AM | Link to this
No, idiots; student tuition for instate students pay for 1/8 of the facilities, therefore students should be entitled to 1/8 of the allotment of tickets at most. True republican supporters would be smart enough to realize that her visit is to spread her message througout the state, not just Pitt Co. Your ignorance is disgusting. Get an education before posting, you make ECU alumni such as myself embarrassed.
By Wow!
October 4, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Dear Jason,
Your arrogance and derogatory tone make ME embarrassed to be an ECU alumni.
By Jacquelyn Cartwright
October 4, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
All are voters…whether studetns or not. That’s the lamest rationale i’ve ever heard! Technically Minges paid for that building…not ecu tuition. I am an ecu student as well and I think that you people are arrogant! We are surrounded by military. maybe they should get the tickets first…ya’ll are lame!
By Melbabe
October 4, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Why do they even require tickets? When Obama came during the primaries, we didn’t need tickets to get in and the place was packed to capacity. Are McPain/Failin trying to make sure only those willing to go the GOP headquarters to get tickets can get in? What’s up with that? Seems overly controlling to me.
By Another ECU Alum
October 7, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Why even have tickets????
Obama is going to win anyway….
By Carly
October 7, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
Tonight will be something that people that see her won’t forget. Sarah Palin is a great VP candidate and stands for the right kind of “CHANGE” this country needs right now.
By Melbabe
October 7, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
So the right kind of change we need is someone is isn’t able to discuss world affairs, doesn’t read, gets prayed over by witch-hunters, and resorts to folksy drivel instead of talking about issues? Um, no.