PHOTOS: Sarah Palin in Rosemont, IL 5/12/10, "An Evening with Sarah Palin" speech
Here are some photos from the Sarah Palin event last night — “An Evening with Sarah Palin” — at the Rosemont Theater in Rosemont, IL. Panda snapped them on his phone, so they are not the best quality in the world, and there’s an inordinate number of photos of blurry people that look like ghosts, but aren’t ghosts. They aren’t dizzy, either, but you will be after seeing them all whirl around in front of you. Other people look like they are being beamed up into a starship under bright lights. What was Panda’s major in college again? Oh, yah, Visual Arts and Photography.
"An Evening With Sarah Palin", Rosemont, IL 5/12/10. This shot is what Panda calls, "Setting the stage". It was also taken because he couldn't figure out how they got that up on the wall like that. They used an overhead projector. Not magic, as he first thought.
One of the booths at the theater. There were dozens of these, all scattered around, and there was a raffle where you had "passport" and had to get a stamp from each of these people to enter to win an autographed copy of Going Rogue. We never like entering contests because we'd prefer someone else have the joy of winning something. Superstitiously, we always feel like it would be using up luck we'd rather reserve for something we really need, instead of wasting it on a contest. Note the excellent photography capturing the fast-moving, blurry people -- who are all seated.
This is another booth on that "passport" thing -- it's a Christian radio station. This is not a station we would probably ever listen to, for any reason, but honestly if they would like us to do a guest spot sometime, we'd love to do it and talk with them. It's amazing how much we've changed as people since the 2008 campaign. Never in our lives would we even think about going on a show like this, but when we saw the booth we wish we had our business cards so we could have done some networking (Chrissy the Hyphenated designed some great ones for us through MOO, but they haven't arrived yet...maybe tomorrow!)
Some of the tee shirts for sale in the lobby outside the theater -- this one says "Palin -- Babies, Guns, Jesus". We were tempted to get one and wear it out to Sidetracks one night to make guys spit their beer out, like people do in bad sit-coms, or like they used to do when we wore our Democrats for McCain shirts in 2008. Palin. Babies. Guns. Jesus. Everything 99% of gays can't stand, because they're taught gays are supposed to hate all these things.
Boystown Drag Queen Cyon Flare, dressed up as a witch doctor for some reason, because Panda "can't figure out how to get old photos from getting all mixed up in the phone". This was taken last month at Hydrate in the middle of the night, and is still nicer than anything Michelle Obama wears out in public.
This was very much a Palin 2012 campaign event. All the trappings of a political event were there, and we felt like we were right back in 2008 again, with all the patriotic balloons and decorations. You betcha.
A woman in pink Palin 2012 sweatshirt who, in this blurry shot, for a second looks like Palin herself signing autographs -- but it wasn't.
More Cyon Flare and friends, from like a month ago. "I don't know how to stop all the photos from being mixed together!" claims Panda.
Another great tee shirt for sale at the event in the lobby.
Technically, this is the first Sarah Palin for President tee shirt any of us has ever seen. Immediately after the 2008 election, there were gag "Palin/Joe the Plumber '12" stickers and tees we saw for sale, but they weren't serious -- clearly. This however is very much the real deal. And everyone who was buying or wearing one was thrilled to have it. That reminds us of how INTENSELY PROUD we were when we got our first Hillary for President tee when we did our first volunteer assignment for Hillary in 2007, where we worked a petition drive to get Hillary's name on the Illinois ballot for the primary. We still have that shirt -- all they had were XLs that none of us fit in and looked terrible on all of us, but we were so proud to have something from the campaign. So it is with these Palin shirts too. Though not official, it's a taste of what's to come.
This is our favorite Palin tee shirt we've seen so far, and were so tempted to get some, but at $20 a pop we figured we could make something like this ourselves. It's super cool, though.
We go to all sorts of events all the time, for all kinds of things. Even when there is a big room full of people like this, normally the crowd isn't very excited to be there. Even if free stuff is being given away, strangers don't talk to each other. The only times we've ever seen people so animated, excited, friendly, and talkative are at Hillary Clinton or Sarah Palin campaign rallies or events like this. All the blurry, expertly photographed people you see here are having a BLAST, and every other person is festooned with Sarah buttons or big pins with the American flag or eagle on them. There were little old ladies wearing all red, white, and blue -- some who couldn't even walk and were on those little jazzy scooters. There were young girls whose fathers brought them so they could see the next president. There were old men who were ready to crack some skulls for "our Sarah". Guys in their late teens, normally too cool for school, were walking around trying to hide the goofy smiles on their faces that they were actually in the same building with the 45th president.
There were motorcycles randomly parked all over the room, for some reason. We think because it was raining outside. Look at all the little faces in the carpet...like the Well of Souls in Hades, only as carpet.
These are readers Jim and Nancy from Des Plaines, who somehow guessed who we were. Nancy said she loves "that picture of the cat on the couch with that ugly dress" we run of Michelle as often as possible. Jim has a shirt that has not only the flag on it, but the Constitution, and says hello to everyone out there. We really love when people say hello like this, but are forever taken aback when people just come up at random and say "Are you the HillBuzz guys?". We sincerely don't know how they guess it, but maybe we talk too loudly. They always say, 'You sound just like you write, so we took the chance".
We have no idea what's going on here. Maybe it's "art".
We're not 100% sure, but we think that man in the suit is Dan Proft, who tried to run for Governor this year, but didn't make it passed the primary. Proft's the one with all those crooked deals in Cicero, which we think is near Rosemont, somewhere in the suburbs. So, it makes sense that he's here. Do you remember Slimer from Ghostbusters? For some reason, whenever we see Proft, we think that's what Slimer looked like before he became a ghost.
Another motorcycle. Duh.
The Rapture.
This was a May-December gay couple sitting in front of us in the theater...they were Hillary voters in 2008 like us, who did not support Obama then either. So, for all of you out there who think we're anomalous, there are indeed more gay guys like us in the world.
The inside of the theater.
A very well-produced video about Sarah Palin that was shown before the event started.
Before the event began, the national anthem was sung.
These two people are either on the radio, or have a puppet show or something really early in the morning. They seem very nice, but the man is a little dim, despite being lit by the brightest spotlights we have ever seen. Like, a lighthouse somewhere went out of business and Rosemont got a great deal on all those unused million watt lightbulbs.
We don't remember why this guy was there. Maybe to turn down the spotlights.
Palin was at a large-donor fundraiser behind the curtain while this man played his guitar and sang patriotic songs. We think someone said this man was also on the radio somewhere. He sang very well. That fundraiser is really important because ostensibly it was raising large sums for Republicans in Illinois. Pat Brady, the GOP chair, was there -- and he's one of the best guys we've ever met. In reality, this event was putting Palin in front of Illinois' big donor crowd. She was not raising funds for SarahPAC or for her campaign - yet - but this was the first time she's met any of the big check writers in this state. She's going to need those connections in Iowa. So, it's very smart Pat Brady made this event happen. He is a smart, good man.
Here's another guy from the radio -- this one was really funny though. He did the usual for a Republican event, and spent 10 minutes acknowledging all the Poobahs and Mucketymucks in the room...which is something that doesn't happen at Democrat events, by the way. Only at Republican ones...so that the donors in the room feel important that they are sitting in the audience with someone who once posted a column at American Spectator or some random Congress critter or former state senator. This guy was clearly stalling as the VIP reception wrapped up, but did a good off the cuff riff on the latest political happenings in the Midwest, from Iowa to Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. He left off Ohio because we think someone signaled him that Palin was ready to come out.
Governor Palin looked great as always -- rocking her black leather jacket and black mini skirt. She talked at length about the importance of talk radio, then dove into some local bits and spent a good amount of time talking about a girls' basketball team in the area that had been forbidden by the school district to go to a tournament in Arizona. "We'll just see about that," Palin mused.
Palin gave a lot of acknowledgment to President Ronald Reagan and talked at length about what Illinois and Midwestern values contributed to Reagan's philosophy and vision for the country.
Palin itemized at least 10 things the current administration was doing wrong and outlined her solutions for fixing it.
The Governor repeatedly used the term "HopeyChangey" to ridicule the failings of Obama to live up to his promises.
Palin gave an excellent 45 minute speech, followed by a thorough question and answer session.
© 2010, HillBuzz. All rights reserved.
Also Recommended:
- Sarah Palin in Rosemont, IL open thread
- Who are the 20 Leftists Sarah Palin is targeting and how can we help her?
- Sarah Palin throws wonderful ninja stars at the Five Main Lies of the Rationing Summit
- Tomorrow is Sarah Palin's 45th birthday!
- Too funny. Here's what MSNBC's resident sexist pigs Matthews and Olbermann had to say about Sarah Palin's speech
Latest Buzz:
Help HillBuzz by Shopping Amazon
"Bee" Advised!
I look forward to your comments. Please follow these simple guidelines:
- Please do not complain about your comment not yet showing up
- Stay on topic of the article ("This is OT, but..." = bad!)
- I will STING if you troll, spam, bait, swear or attack someone
Thanks for all you do Hillbuzz. It means alot to me.
Oh no…did I miss the rapture? darn!
I always worry if I come home to an empty house…I look around and yell…anyone home? or did I miss the rapture???
(I love the rapture picture)
Yes, me too! I guffawed loudly when I saw the rapture picture!
I cracked up at that one.
The Rapture.
I LOLed – right out loud.
You guys are amazing. I’m not sure which I enjoyed more, the pictures or the captions. The “rapture” caption had me laughing out loud. Keep up the good work.
I concur
It was like watching a slide show and getting the running commentary. And poor Panda, being picked on so much! But it’s for a good cause Panda, the post wouldn’t have been nearly as good otherwise.
It’s midnight on the Pacific Coast. Are you guyz for cryin’ out loud still up? I hope you don’t have to work tomorrow. Thanks so much for this thread. It is very interesting. Night—-
We are still up — if we don’t have the write up for Palin’s speech done before work today, we’ll come home to hundreds of nasty emails from people mad we didn’t have it written faster.
That’s what happened at the last Palin speech. It’s kind of crazy. So, we’re just going to plow through and get it done so that we don’t have to take that grief again.
Although I do not condone whining emails demanding more of your writing, in the far evil recesses of my mind, I am right there with them. I can hardly wait to read your write-up.
You are writing about Sarah Palin. This is what makes the majority of us anxious to read your write-ups. We are all dreaming of Palin 2012.
Your reports are entertaining, informative and inspiring. Thank you for your efforts.
Boyz,
1. Loved the Rapture caption.
2. Love your writing and analysis of politics.
3. Love Sarah Palin.
4. Get antsy when waiting for your analysis of events of SP.
5. Please forgive anxious comments, it’s just that I never in my life had someone that was “my hero,” or “my idol,” so when it comes to SP, I now know what it feels like to have one of each.
6. I’d rather have your anaysis of SP events than some of your other posts, but I have to remind myself that this site is yours, not mine. I get no editorial override.
7. So glad you had the opportunity to attend and are willing to share your thoughts with all of us.
8. Get some sleep.
Boyz you can do no wrong in my eyes. You need to get your rest, we can act like adults and be patient. Don’t let some posters bully you. If that were to happen again some of us Mommabuzzers will be all over them to ST*U and use your manners.
So apparently I am not the only photographer that cannot take a decent picture with my phone to save my life! Thanks for the affirmation, Panda!!
Of all of the sites in my conservative “news feed” of favorites, yours is the only one that makes me laugh out loud–frequently. My family thinks I’m demented, laughing like that in the middle of the night. I LOVED “the Rapture.” Thanks for the update on Sarah.
The next Rapture we encounter, we will be sure to invite you along to.
The Rapture was great
But your energy and passion and support is greater. Thanks for all of it
I always log onto Hillbuzz for my laugh-out-loud of the day. You guys are the best!
The Rapture. LOL!
Guys:
Thanks so much! I think the blurry pictures have an artistic quality to them … and you weren’t even trying! Its so great to see other gay couples at Palin events … I’m glad you are not the only ones. That just speak volumes about Palin’s appeal.
I wonder, seeing Sarah, was it good as the first time??
You naughty guys, you . . . y’all just had to snuck in a couple photos of those drag queens, didn’t you? Heh heh . . .
You don’t want to see all of what Panda has photos of on his phone. Though, there’s a really good one of Jake Gyllenhaal out in Chicago that’s quite scandalous, but for private eyes only.
Love Panda’s Phone. It should have its own blog. The Hades Souls carpet made me laugh out loud.
The “Babies, Guns, Jesus” tee-shirt is probably taken from Rush Limbaugh’s first reaction when McCain announced her.
“Holy cow!” he said (not sure if that was the exact expression), “Sarah Palin?! Babies, guns, Jesus!”
Go Panda!
I personally would love to see what has so caught panda’s eye enough to click a pic.
Hmmm. Perhaps when you are tired, or taking time to think and write and re-write again, you can steal pandas phone and post some random images.
These were great. I agree with the posters above that the rapture and hells carpet were the best pic/caption combo. Cyon pics were a treat too.
Thank you, all of you there, for what you do.
Well of Souls, the rapture and puppeteers. Throw in a little Cyan Flair and you’ve got a convention! I’m another one who laughs out loud at you – my boys will roll their eyes, but always want to know what you wrote that was so funny.
Thanks for giving us all the info guys. Its great to have ears and eyes on the ground to give us the scoop.
Thanks so much for the information on Palin. I’m hoping to be able to vote for her again in 2012. Love reading your blog, you have a very smooth approach to most topics.
Country before Party Always!!
I was there last night with my sister. I wish we could have introduced ourselves!There were just too many people to see everyone there, but we were hoping to meet you! EXCELLENT comments about the event and the photos are terrific.
Your reports, analysis and photos are much appreciated whenever they appear (i.e., you could take a nap). Great job, guys!
Love the photos…and the quips on the photography.
My dad saw her during the campaign. He is 85, they put him up close in handicapped seating since he pulled into the parking lot with his handicapped tags.
He said she’s gorgeous, Hollywood (in the old sense), and she can “park her red shoes under his bed anytime she wants!”
Thanks for the photos! (Witch Doctor mixed in among these is hilarious!)
laughed out loud LOVED the rapture picture… perfect! my carpooling buddy and i always figure we’ve missed the rapture… again… everytime atlanta traffic is light. but then they always come back.
i don’t know which i love more… the way y’all think or the way y’all write. i guess it’s all one and the same.
The rapture.
Hehehe.
(I’m actually looking forward to that.
)
LOL The commentary was great. You boyz (and posters here also) make me laugh a lot! That’s what we need right now – to laugh.
Thanks and good job to Panda
I love the “Silence is Deadly” shirt.
Is that available online anywhere?
I searched as best I could but no dice.
They sell them at Harpo Studios here in Chicago.
It’s court-mandated, actually, ever since that mishap on chili day a few years back.
Since Oprah is one of the western hemisphere’s leading methane producers, “Silence is Deadly” is much more than just a catchphrase…it’s a warning that could darn well save your life.
Got my baby blue tee “babies guns and Jesus” what a steal at 20 bucks