Romney Rally in Sidney
Romney Crowds exceed expectations
By Al Bliss 

On Wednesday October 10, 2012, I had been scheduled to participate in the phone bank effort located on North Broadway but Cindy Pike offered to take my place and set aside tickets to go to the Rally in Sidney.  She convinced me that this was the right thing to do because I would have the opportunity to see my wife who was driving in the Romney motorcade. I rapidly accepted Cindy’s offer and left for Sidney at about 3:00 p.m. 

The line formed immediately adjacent to the field being used for parking that was in fact the practice track for the county fair. The line started to move at about 4:10 p.m. and was about a quarter of a mile long. Processing through security seemed a bit slow but a fourth metal checking unit had not opened went we went through. When we arrived, the area immediately in front of the stage had a few people standing next to the security fence but only a very few were next to the security fence on both sides of the Romney bus approach area. This is the spot that we selected. 

We were a little above the main audience area and (only to show how few people were there at about 4:30 p.m.) my companion walked easily from our vantage point to purchase a cup of coffee and returned with no difficulty. A gentleman standing next to me commented that he understood that a crowd of around two thousand was expected but also observed that based on the number of people standing in line waiting to pass through security, there very well may be people trying to get in when the event started. About five minutes before the show started – approximately 6:10 p.m. -- the infield was full and some of the multitudes waiting for security check were rerouted to stand outside the security fence to avoid the check in process but be located where they could hear but with restricted visibility. 

I subsequently learned that over 9,000 people attended this Sidney event and that over 12,000 attended the rally in Cuyahoga Falls. In both instances, crowds in excess of capacity. 

My personal comments are:  When I left the rally site, a very few pieces of paper were on the ground. When the National Anthem was played and sung very well, two young men kept their wool caps on and did not salute the flag. And finally, I never did see my wife, but did shake hands with Governor Kasich and Candidate Romney. 

During a brief gathering before Mitt Romney spoke, my wife, Lyn, had an opportunity to chat with Mitt. Please see the attached picture.