4:44 pm. That’s a wrap for me today. Some high level thoughts, and exclusive interviews, to come tomorrow.
4:40 pm Speeches continue. We’re told that Pete Snyder will not make it, so no public announcement today.
4:14 pm Pence’s speech is inspiring and just what the party needs. We’ll post full video later.
3:50 pm “The media spend more time talking about what Donald Trump said or Tweeted in the last 30 minutes than what Bill and Hillary Clinton have been doing for the past 30 years.”
3:45 pm Pence takes the stage to roaring applause.
3:36 pm Goodlatte skewers Hillary Clinton over her repeated and flagrant public dishonesty. Pence walking to the backstage now. Rep. Bob Goodlatte introducing Pence.
3:29 pm A swarm of traveling media and Secret Service have descended. Pretty intense as all the final preparations being made for Pence’s speech.
3:26 pm Governor Pence has arrived. Corey Stewart is introducing him. Stewart himself was introduced by National Committeewoman Cynthia Dunbar as “the next Governor of the great Comminwealth of Virginia.”
2:46 pm Security is tightening in anticipation of Governor Pence’s arrival. People are still arriving, with total attendance estimated by various sources to be between 500 and 800. UPDATE: one of the organizers says their count of attendees is just shy of 1,000.
2:35 pm A 9/11 tribute, on the eve of the 15th anniversary, is underway. I’ve not been doing a very good job of live blogging…sorry about that. Lots of folks to talk to, with friends gathered here from all over the state in a festive atmosphere.
The good news on that front is that we will have a good deal of video from interviews with candidates and others that we;ll be able to share tomorrow.
1:53 pm Rob Wittman and Martha Boneta:
1:24 pm A lot of speculation swirling about Pete Snyder’s intentions today. The former candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2013 is rumored to be preparing to announce his entry into the 2017 Governor’s race. He will be here in a couple of hours.
Up next at Virginia’s new conservative Shad Planking: 7th District Rep. Dave Brat.
1:19 pm Rob Bell, grassroots animal and Delegate from Charlottesville, is talking about the lawsuit to stop Gov. McAuliffe’s unlawful restoration of voting rights. Very well received. His other opponent, John Adams, could not be here because he is speaking at a frirbd’s funeral. In his stead, he is represented by Shak Hill.
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1:05 pm It’s hot, and shade is at a premium. But that hasn’t stopped the crowds from continuing to pour in.
There’s a palpable excitement here, at an amazing example of what grassroots activism can do. This event grew organically from the efforts of Martha Boneta in defending her rights to use her farm as she saw fit. Along the way, she’s helped build a broad based coalition that draws on all segments of the center-right coalition. We’ve got a lot to be proud of in Martha!
12:55 pm We’ve begun! Because of the long security lines, the start at this exciting event has been delayed. Opening ceremonies marked by a spirited invocation from E.W. Jackson. First speaker was former Governor Jim Gilmore, who exhorted the crowd to unity behind the Trump/Pence ticket.
Now speaking is Attorney General candidate Chuck Smith.
