United Liberty

Tonight marked a historic milestone in our nation’s battle to reclaim its government, and restore government that serves the people and respects our Constitution. Just outside of Minneapolis, at the Blaine National Sports Center Stadium, thousands of Americans from across the country gathered at the Ron Paul Nation Celebration to kick off the Campaign for Liberty.

I was honored to serve as the emcee for tonight’s event, and took 48 hours out of our campaign’s schedule to join fellow supporters in thanking Dr. Ron Paul for his thirty years of service to our country, and his presidential bid which launched this grassroots revolution. As a Congressional candidate, this was perhaps the best audience, and best experience, I could have imagined. Where else can one find thousands of fellow patriots who applaud the Constitution, and break into cheers during a discussion of money and banking?

While tonight’s Celebration was just a prelude to tomorrow’s sold out Rally for the Republic,  it was a fantastic four-hour concert with unbelievable musical guests, followed by an address by Rep. Paul.

We started at 6pm, when Minnesota native Eric Richards, a classically-trained guitarist renowned for his song Are We Still Free, opened up with the national anthem. San Francisco-based Rick Ellis, perhaps the nation’s best known Frank Sinatra impersonator, provided a great set culminating in his grassroots favorite Ron Paul, Ron Paul. Rick was followed by the amazingly talented Marc Scibilia and his band, all the way from New York — Marc cut his first CD at the age of 12, and as tonight showed, he hasn’t looked back.

That took us to to about 7:45, and between sets we had the opportunity recognize our veterans in attendance. Sgt. Adam Kokesh of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) gave a stirring address, and we also recognized Tribute to the Troops, a Minnesota organization co-founded by Army veteran and recording artist Rockie Lynne. Tribute to the Troops visits families of fallen soldiers and is raising money to provide educational funds for children whose parents have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Los Angeles singer/songwriter Aimee Allen then kicked off the second half of the evening, with an encore performance that left everyone on their feet following her Ron Paul Revolution Theme Song. Getting into the home stretch, I then had the pleasure of introducing Rockie Lynne whose inspired finale included the entire crowd singing God Bless America and The Star Spangled Banner.

After Rockie Lynne, we heard an impassioned address from Dr. Paul himself. This was my third opportunity to introduce Dr. Paul, the first being his visits to Duke and UNC Chapel Hill for our North Carolina primary in May, and the atmosphere during his address was electric. At the end of the night, it’s more clear than ever that the Campaign for Liberty is just beginning.