AUSTIN — As a prop plane with a banner bearing the likeness of Texas native son Ron Paul circled Saturday afternoon, his supporters flocked to the University of Texas' main mall where they danced while Jimmy Vaughan sang “Down with Big Brother.”
Excitement built as more and more people showed up to hear the Republican underdog speak on one of his presidential campaign stops throughout the state before the March 4 primary.
President of UT Students for Ron Paul, Chris Robertson, incited the crowd even more as he introduced the longtime U.S. Representative.
Robertson downplayed the success of Republican front-runner John McCain, who holds a nearly insurmountable lead over Mike Huckabee while Paul is a distant third.
“We're Texas,” Robertson exclaimed. “Who cares what those other states are thinking!”
When it was Paul's turn to speak, the exuberant crowd cheered throughout Paul's address whenever the candidate touched on his themes of bringing the troops home, strengthening the U.S. dollar and restoring the Constitution.
“It's people like you who come to Washington to lobby for nothing more than to get the government off our backs,” said Paul to the crowd.
Many of Paul's family were present, including his wife, Carol, and some of their five children and their families.
His daughter Joy LeBlanc, who camped out in Bastrop with her husband and their five children ranging in ages from eight months to 10 years old on Friday night, said she is always impressed with the turnout for her father.
Wherever dad goes, there are usually at least 1,000 people who show up, LeBlanc said.
“These people love him because of what he stands for,” she added. “He says what he believes in and does what he says.”
Laine Jastram, 57, of Austin, could be considered one such person.
“He's the most courageous man in the entire world ” said Jastram. “He's always telling the truth, and I've learned so much about how civil government and how the country is supposed to work.”
Norman Horn of UT Students for Ron Paul said they had 35 student volunteers signing people up to be delegates for the state convention and informing people on the issues.
“The response has been really great,” said Horn. “People who had no idea before how the political process worked before are now getting interested and involved.”
Richard Patnaude, 36, of Leander was at the rally with his 13-month-old daughter, Nebraska, who was wearing a Ron Paul sticker and a huge grin.
“He's the best candidate for the presidency that I've seen,” said Patnaude. “He's the only one that seems to have a real down-to-earth view.”
