Happy Super Tuesday eve! If you’re a registered Republican in one of the 11 states that’s voting in a primary tomorrow, maybe you’re still mulling your choices.
Will it be the candidate who vows to put a permanent military base on the moon, build a giant fence along the Mexican border and return to $1 per gallon gasoline? The man who doesn’t believe in contraception? The man who is under fire for being too moderate and too rich? Or, the one who wants the American military out of, well, everywhere, except for America?
Decisions, decisions.
On February 22 I was in Mesa, Arizona to watch the Republican candidates duke it out in the final debate before Super Tuesday. Here’s the story I wrote during the debate for iPolitics.
Even more interesting than that, here’s what things looked like on the ground, from the debate stage to the rallies outside:
Absolutely no weapons allowed, warns a sign outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Metal detectors outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012. Somehow, members of the media got to go around the metal detectors during the tour.
CNN staff members prepare the stage for the Republican primary debate at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
CNN debate executive producer Sam Feist speaks to members of the media as a crew prepares the stage for the Republican primary debate at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
A close up of one of the stars cut into the blue carpet at the Republican primary debate in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
A crew member cuts a star into the carpet on stage before the Republican primary debate at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Crew members ready the stage before the Republican primary debate at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Here’s what the Republican candidates looked out at during the primary debate at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012. The theatre held approximately 1,000 Republican supporters.
Just in case someone forgot where to sit, each seat got a label at the Republican primary debate at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Anyone who couldn’t afford a seat to the Republican primary debate could watch on a giant inflatable screen outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Anyone who couldn’t afford a seat to the Republican primary debate could watch on a giant inflatable screen outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Ron Paul supporters were the most vocal (and the youngest) supporters outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
A Ron Paul supporter rallies outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012. Maybe it was the flag cape, maybe it was the low-cut dress and ample breasts, maybe it was the shrill yell, but this woman was the hands-down favourite with media photographers.
Ron Paul’s pledge to takes troops out of Afghanistan was a hit with this supporter outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Ron Paul supporters rally in the afternoon before the Republican primary debate begins outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Tea Party supporters sell their merchandise before the Republican primary debate begins in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Teenage Republicans, and a teenage Republican’s mom, before the primary debate begins outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
A Republican supporter models his GOP tie before the Republican primary debate begins in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
More GOP merchandise for sale before the Republican primary debate begins outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Arizona: where the iced tea is cold and portion control does not exist. Time to eat the world’s largest cookie before the Republican primary debate begins in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
A sign points to the “Spin Room” where radio and television reporters filed their stories at the Republican primary debate in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Television trucks set up before the Republican primary debate begins outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
Television crews set up before the Republican primary debate begins outside the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
All is calm in the media tent in the hours before the Republican primary debate begins in Mesa, Arizona on Feb. 22, 2012.
