MINNEAPOLIS – Hundreds of people unhappy with the two major political parties offered a noisy endorsement Tuesday of Ron Paul, the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman whose failed bid for the Republican nomination for president garnered heavy support on the Internet.

People stood in a light rain outside Target Center to wave signs and chant “Ron Paul, Ron Paul.” He was scheduled to speak at the “Rally for The Republic” Tuesday night.

Supporters were still filing in when political commentator Tucker Carlson got the rally under way about a half-hour late. Organizers said they sold 10,103 tickets for the Paul event. Delegates to the Republican National Convention were meeting in nearby St. Paul.

Ron Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said tickets to seats with obstructed views of the stage will be given away.

Target Center seating for an event with a stage is 15,000 to 18,000. Rally organizers said they chose the arena after first considering a college basketball arena that seats 11,000 people.