A Democrat just launched his presidential campaign in a 'half empty' school auditorium

Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee (D) just launched his presidential campaign in room 134 of the Founders Hall at George Mason University's law school. 

Chafee's announcement took place during a previously scheduled foreign policy speech. 

And though he was launching an huge political endeavor, Chafee kept things fairly low key with no accoutrements other than his campaign logo, which was projected on a screen behind him. 

According to multiple reporters, the auditorium where Chafee spoke was not remotely full for the event. Fox News' Peter Doocy described it as "1/2 empty." 

The law school's website says the auditorium has a capacity of 300. It has previously played host to a wide variety of events including film screenings, lectures, and a "Mexican home cooking" class.

Chafee, who previously served as a GOP senator, is considered a long shot. In an article published on Wednesday morning, the Associated Press described Chafee's White House bid as a "quixotic political quest" and reported he has "made little effort to set up a competitive campaign operation, beyond a few visits and calls to activists in the early voting states of New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina."

Check out tweets and photos from the event below.