Ron Paul Supporters Turn Out at USF, Copper Top Pub

They lined the streets near the Marshall Student Center at the Monday night. They waved campaign signs and chanted their candidate’s name.

Ron Paul supporters made up the most visible and vocal groups during the , which aired live on NBC from USF’s Theatre 1. They organized their efforts using Meetup.com, a website that allows users to start and find groups with certain interests.

Public tickets to the live debate were unavailable, so while it was taking place inside, USF’s Student Government hosted a free, public on the western end of the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza lawn, close to the theater.

Near a 1,000-person tent set up for the party, .

“Bring us back our constitution. Ron Paul revolution,” they said, holding up signs.

, 30, of St. Petersburg, said he wanted people to know that Paul’s supporters are made up of more than extremists.

“We are regular folks, too,” he said.

After the debate, Paul went to in Temple Terrace.

According to Bay News 9, the visit drew about 200 supporters.

YouTube users have posted videos they took of Paul’s speech at Copper Top. The videos show Paul using a bullhorn so the crowd could hear him.

“When anybody joins the cause, whether they’re 30 or over 30 or 70 or whatever, they never leave. They stick with it,” Paul told his supporters. “I think everybody finds it’s exciting to work in a campaign where we actually believe in something.”