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Title: Paul book signing draws diverse crowd
Source:
Bowling Green Daily News
URL Source: http://bgdailynews.com/articles/2011/03/06/news/news3.txt
Published: Mar 6, 2011
Author: ROBYN L. MINOR
Post Date: 2011-03-06 12:17:20 by A K A Stone
Keywords: None
Views: 251
Young and older stood in a long line Saturday at Barnes & Noble Booksellers to grab the autograph of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul on his new book: “The Tea Party Goes to Washington.” “I don’t think the tea party encompasses any particular age group,” said Rick Montgomery, 65, of Bowling Green. “Just look around, there are lots of young people here.” Fourteen-year-old Matthew Embry of Butler County was one of the younger crowd. “I got his book a week ago,” Matthew said. “It was refreshing. It speaks to how we need to take back our government and focus on conservative values that include smaller government and lower taxes.” Matthew comes by his knowledge and interest in politics naturally. His grandfather is Woody Allen, who was a state representative for more than three decades. Matthew said Paul, a Republican from Bowling Green, and his grandfather were friends. When he got his turn in line, Paul’s deputy state director, Rachel McCubbin, made sure Matthew told Paul who his grandfather was so he’d acknowledge the connection. But Paul didn’t know everyone who stood in line. One woman asked if he remembered meeting a certain person. “I’ve met so many people along the way,” Paul responded. “Maybe Rachel knows her,” he said, turning to his aide. Montgomery purchased two books for autographs, one for himself and another for a friend in Michigan. “I got it because I agree with his positions, particular financially,” he said. “I think he’s done a fine job so far. People are getting to know how he feels about where the country ought to go.” Montgomery speculates that the continuing battle over the federal budget and deficit is going to be a difficult one in which the tea party’s influence will be felt. Pat Goodwin of Bowling Green agreed. “I don’t know how the budget is going to turn out, but I know I hope ... they cut the budget just like Rand and other tea partiers want,” Goodwin said, holding three books for an autograph. Goodwin said even though the tea party is not an officially recognized party, the way it operates from the grass roots appears to be working. “I think it’s best the way it is,” she said. “I don’t think it needs to be made an official party.” Others in line know Paul and his wife, Kelley, personally. Bowling Green attorney Troy Brooks said he first met Paul in the 1990s through the Lions Club, an organization that has among its missions improving or saving eyesight around the world. Paul is an eye surgeon. “I’m a big supporter of Rand,” Brooks said. “His cut spending message is really what we need now.” Brooks said he thinks Paul and other tea partiers are starting to have an influence in the direction Washington is turning. Joe Jean Scott of Bowling Green brought her grandson Ben Scott for the signing. “I’m proud of you,” she told Paul. Ten-year-old Ben, a Holy Trinity Lutheran School student, shyly slid his book over to Paul for a signature. Ben said he wanted to purchase the book to learn more about politics. Jennifer Bailey, community relations manager for the store, said the signing went well, with 225 people going through the line. “I can’t give you specifics on the number of books we sold, but I will say we sold more than we anticipated,” Bailey said. Many people had more than one book in their hands for the signing.
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