Blowout Santorum Crowds Continue: Hollis Pharmacy - Granite Grok

Blowout Santorum Crowds Continue: Hollis Pharmacy

Hollis, NH, Jan 7th: After the blowout town hall event at Hollis’ Lawrence Barn, first the press, then the people, and finally the candidate, moved about a half mile to the center of Hollis, to the pharmacy of notable local conservative, Vahrij Manoukian. This landmark establishment is a de-rigeur pilgrimage for all presidential candidates passing through New Hampshire, and “V” has a trophy wall of photos from those visits, including his all-time favorite, Rudy Giuliani. Here is our intrepid reporter and Grok friend, Robert Stacy McCain with Vahrij during the calm before the storm – the rest of the crowd was still down at the Lawrence Barn, but the advance party had already hit the Dunkin, uploaded a report, and positioned ourselves for the onslaught. Notice that all the pictures are outside – the pharmacy was packed to the gunwales an hour before Santorum arrived!

Instant press crush as soon as Santorum exits his pickup truck (did he borrow it from Scott Brown?). You can see Stacy’s hat in the foreground.

Vahrij Manoukian and Rick Santorum work the crowd on their way to the entrance of the already crwoded pharmacy.

Obviously having fun – this is a far different reception than he was getting in NH a few months ago, or even in Iowa a few weeks ago – persistence and hard work on the part of the candidate and his excellent NH-based staff have paid off, and he’s now the hot ticket.

The vehicles have been turned around, the obligatory staff/security SUV is near the exit, and Santorum’s black pickup truck is in place for his departure from the store….. And another insta-crush as the crowd surrounds the truck to try to get in a last question, grab an autograph, etc.

Sermon on the Mount? Seizing the moment, Santorum climbs a convenient grassy bank to address the crowd for a few more minutes, confounding the staff and public gathered around the truck trying to anticipate his path to the passenger seat.

Really leaving this time, Santorum says his farewells and hops into the waiting truck. “Where next?” ask the reporters – “To Mass”, came the reply, taking his faith seriously.

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