PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — What happens when a Rudy Giuliani campaign event, Ron Paul spoilers and anti-abortion protesters collide? Not a press conference, that's for sure.
Giuliani's campaign scheduled what is known in the political world as a "meet and greet," a supposedly impromptu opportunity for a candidate to stroll through a place where lots of people are gathered. In fact the event is planned in advance.
It was no secret that the Republican presidential candidate and former New York mayor was going to be at TooJay's Original Gourmet Deli on Tuesday.
So when Giuliani showed up at the shopping mall where the restaurant is, he was greeted by supporters, reporters and staff, and a few dozen enthusiastic backers of Paul, a long-shot GOP rival. The Paul backers have shadowed Giuliani at many events. At the deli, they held signs behind his head so that any camera shot of Giuliani could appear as an advertisement for Paul.
After Giuliani worked the crowd inside, aides signaled to the media that he would take a few questions on the plaza outside the restaurant. A spot was selected, a rope line set up. Then Giuliani emerged, and things fell apart.
The Paul loyalists had really healthy lungs. Their repeated shouts of "Ron Paul! Ron Paul!" were loud enough that no one could think, much less speak. The Giuliani people countered with "Rudy! Rudy!" to keep their guy in the game.
And then came the anti-abortion contingent. They were an even smaller crowd but outshouted the other two groups. "Rudy is not a true conservative! Rudy is a traitor to innocent life! You need to go to confession!"
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