By Sandra Ecklund
secklund@abcnews4.com
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV)-- The gardens behind the Stern Center on the College of Charleston campus were packed Thursday morning. From the small stage set up in the back to the food court doors, people stood shoulder-to-shoulder to catch a glimpse of the man they hope will get the GOP nod.
You would think the predominately college-age crowd was there to see their favorite band. They were so excited to be there. Many skipped class to stand in the grassy area after all of the seats were filled. Some climbed surrounding brick walls to see over the crowd. Girls in the adjacent Zeta sorority house stood on their balcony to get a bird's eye view. When he finally took the stage, the crowd erupted in an explosion of shouts and applause.
Dr. Ron Paul was in the house.
As quickly as the noise had started, the crowd became silent, hanging on every sentence the 76-year-old GOP candidate had to say. Appearing as part of the College of Charleston's Bully Pulpit series, Paul said it was refreshing to come to Charleston - joking that it's nice to hear applause for a change.
He started right in with the issues, keeping things flowing from one topic to the next - a perfect pace for a generation famous for its short attention span. He touched on the most current issue of SOPA and PIPA, congratulating young Americans for making their voices heard.
"When the people really decide they're going to speak out, Washington will listen," he said. "Sometimes you need a two-by-four to make them listen, but evidently numbers play a role."
Senators and representatives are pulling their names off of the controversial Internet piracy bills facing Congress in the coming weeks, and Paul credits the uproar made by the people.
"The people, especially the young people, are waking up and letting the politicians know what they want."
The crowd was definitely full of young people - some younger than others. A group of middle-school students from the University School of the Lowcountry in Mt. Pleasant were in attendance. The students weren't there as part of a social studies class, but as part of the philosophy of the school.
"The idea is to expose them to as many ideas as possible so that they can make an intelligent, educated decision about which candidate they want to support," said chaperone, Amy Frain.
The group was just one of several from the school making visits to every candidate they could fit into their schedule. They had already visited Rick Santorum's headquarters, had sent another group to see Mitt Romney, and some even traveled to Walterboro to hear Newt Gingrich speak.
Those candidates, however, weren't even a blip on the radar at the Ron Paul event. Not a single mention was made of his competitors. Paul spoke only about the issues he believed in and what he wanted to see change in how the country was run. And his message of change was heard.
"I've only been around for two presidents," said USL student Luke Emerson, "And I think we need a little bit of a change in government."
Citadel freshman Logan Morris agreed.
"I love the message of small government and non interventionism," said Morris. "I would love for him to be elected and for me to serve as an Air Force officer protecting our liberties and not constricting the freedoms and liberties of others."
When the speech was over, the crowd rushed the stage hoping to get a handshake, an autograph, a picture with the famous Dr. Paul. One woman wanted him to sign her iPhone, which she had specially personalized with his campaign logo. One lucky fan walked away with a photo taken with Dr. Paul.
"Well, MY day is made!" he said grinning from ear-to-ear.
But the velvet rope was up, the bouncers were in place. Only those with VIP passes were allowed to the after-party. Even media was turned away by security and there was no hope of an encore.
Dr. Paul had left the building.
