On This Day - February 2nd

Trump Rally in Milford, NH - February 2, 2016

Every four years I get to witness a parade of Presidential Candidates as they canvas the State of New Hampshire. 2016 was a busy year with lots of candidates, including Donald Trump. I decided to attend his rally to take photos and see if he was odious in person as he was on television. He was. Before I could get inside, I had stand outside a sports arena in the cold.

Queuing up

https://flic.kr/p/DAgQ6G Waiting in a queue outside Hampshire Hills Sports Arena

Magnetometers

I've attended many Presidential Primary event over the years living in New Hampshire. I've seen John McCain, Obama, Romney, Jeb Bush, Hillary Clinton, Jon Huntsman, Gary Johnson, John Kasich, Chris Christie, Bill Richardson, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden.  There was only one time I was require to go through a magnetometer security screening and this was the event. Ironic for a guy who said "Take the f*cking mags away. Let my people in." on January 6th.

https://flic.kr/p/DCqy26 Security check

Overflow

I arrived too late, the main area was full. They set up an overflow area with a screen. I took the opportunity to snap some photos.

https://flic.kr/p/CPbfah Watching Trump in the overflow area. They should have invested with a proper display.https://flic.kr/p/DLFL8M Breaking news, Hillary was not sent to prison

I wonder if these folks were just curious, or true believers

https://flic.kr/p/CPbk7w Trump Rallyhttps://flic.kr/p/DCqyHr I wonder what these guys thought about this.

Press not welcome

I witnessed a bit of drama in the overflow area. A journalist  Gustau Alegret attempted to enter the main arena and was confronted by a staff member.  The staff member explained that this was private affair and he was not welcome. The police were called and he was escorted out of the building. Later I had the opportunity to speak with him outside as well as a Dutch TV camera crew who were also expelled.  Friendly venue.

https://flic.kr/p/Ddckq2 Trump aide asks Gustau Alegret (right) to leave rally. Police escorted him outside.https://flic.kr/p/DLFKGB Police escorted Mr. Alegret out the door minutes after this

The Crowd Thins Out

After a while, Trump began to repeat his themes. Some of the crowd became bored and left. I had the opportunity to enter the main arena. There was no seating, it was hot and stuffy and reminiscent of a locker room which was apt considering it is a sports arena. I took a few photos before leaving. I wanted to beat the rush to the shuttle buses.

https://flic.kr/p/DdchA4 The throng. Red hats weren't a  thing in 2016

No Red Hats

Red hats weren't a thing yet. I wonder how many of these folks were supporters and how many were just curiosity seekers.

https://flic.kr/p/DdcjqX Donald J. Trump - February 2, 2016

Looking Back

I'm still in wonderment how this guy ever managed to win the election. Hopefully we'll not make the same mistake in 2024.