Ron Paul Supporters Gather for Rally in Springfield

Presidential candidate Ron Paul hosted a rally for volunteers and supporters Tuesday night at the Waterford, a hall in Springfield, Va. Results were rolling in from the primaries in Michigan and Arizona as Paul addressed the crowd in Virginia. The following posts are live updates from the event.

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9:15 p.m. The rally is over and the crowd is just beginning to disperse. Paul has 11.4 percent of the vote in Michigan; Mitt Romney has 41.2 percent of the vote and Rick Santorum has 37.2 percent. Results are still rolling in and percentages will change. Media outlets have called Arizona for Mitt Romney. (See video of Paul's speech at right.)

8:55 p.m.: "Liberty should bring us together," Paul said. "This notion that government can protect us from ourselves — let people be responsible for themselves!" Another large round of applause and cheers from Paul supporters followed, along with chants of "President Paul!"

8:47 p.m. Paul's speech tonight to a crowd estimated at 2,500 is full of applause lines for his supporters at the rally in Springfield. "We need to get out of the business of policing the world and nation building," Paul said.

Later, he told supporters, "To fix [the] entitlement system and war mongering, we need to send people to Congress who have actually read the Constitution!"

8:33 p.m. Ron Paul has taken the stage in Springfield to deafening applause. "You're a noisy bunch! We have to be noisy in order for Washington to hear us," Paul said. "I guess the revolution has arrived in Virginia."

Paul was quickly interrupted by a large group of attendees singing 'Happy Birthday' to Paul's wife, Carol. Her birthday is Wednesday.

After singing to Carol, the crowd returned to chanting: This time, "End the Fed!"

8:30 p.m.: Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has taken the stage in Springfield to whoops, hollers and applause. He estimates the crowd is 2,000 inside the venue (which only holds about 1,000 people) and an additional 500 people outside. In the background: chants of 'USA! USA!' and Glen Miller music.

8:20 p.m.: Very early results in Michigan have Rick Santorum leading over Mitt Romney; Ron Paul is in third place with 14 percent. However, the returns are so early (from the Eastern time zone of Michigan) that results are sure to change.

The crowd in Springfield is getting restless waiting for Ron Paul to arrive.

If you're at the event tonight, you can upload photos from the event to our growing photo gallery. Click on 'Upload Photos and Videos' under the photos at right.

7:35 p.m.: Author and presidential historian Doug Wead is speaking to the overflowing crowd of Ron Paul supporters in Springfield.  Wead said the strong majority of the American public wants an audit on the Federal Reserve -- a statement that was met with loud applause. Ron Paul is expected to address the audience in about an hour.

6:50 p.m.: An announcer is asking the crowd of Ron Paul supporters to spread out away from the main stage; he said some supporters are outside the hall because authorities said the ballroom is too crowded. The ballroom holds 1,000 people, according to managers of the hall. .

6:20 p.m.: Ron Paul supporters are gathering close to a stage at the ballroom, where a podium is set up for speakers, including Paul who is expected at "8:30ish," according to his campaign.

Two cash bars are set up at either end of the ballroom. A "Ron Paul Family Cookbook" is available at a table outside the ballroom. The cookbook contains recipes for "Oreo Cake" and "Mama's Peanut Butter Cookies." 

5:45 p.m.: As voters in Michigan and Arizona vote in tonight's GOP presidentail primary, , where the candidate is expected at about 8:30 p.m., according to organizers.

Doors to the hall, The Waterford, are expected to open to the crowd at 6 p.m. A large ballroom festooned with red and blue balloons, large TV screens, and Ron Paul signs sits ready for the crowd.

The first person in line, Ryan from Fredericksburg who recently graduated from college, said he arrived at 1:45 p.m. today. Asked why he supports Paul: "He tells it like it is."