The American Spectator

Bob| 4.16.09 @ 10:25AM

Shall we put this into perspective? Even if the total was 250,000, that's just 0.08% of the U.S. Many of them had harsh words for Republicans as well.

From a campaign management perspective, while this targets the issue of taxation and spending, it may well marginalize Republicans as whackos -- much the same as we've seen with calling Dems "socialists".

WendyG| 4.16.09 @ 10:35AM

When one leftie shows up to protest (say Cindy Sheehan at Bush's ranch in Texas) it's a HUGE story. Full of meaning and significance.

When 250,000 Republicans/Conservatives show up to protest, it's a paltry showing, an anemic joke.

That's just how it goes. That is how biased and tin-eared and elitist the MSM and the left is.

Karen| 4.16.09 @ 11:35AM

This is just the beginning. We have just begun to fight! Our kids and grandkids futures are at stake.

Don Cates| 4.16.09 @ 11:42AM

Our small town in Texas has a population of about 6000, The tea party attendance was approx 1000, and 750 signed a petition to be sent to congress.

Texas may secede yet.

Brad| 4.16.09 @ 12:10PM

Thanks for the comment Bob! British crown ignored the first tea party, and the party in power (and their lap dogs the MSM) are ignoring this one. Being a bit too sure of themselves from my perspective!

Bob| 4.16.09 @ 2:02PM

Brad, you need to study some history. The Boston Tea Party was all about taxation WITHOUT representation. You voted and you have representation. The problem today is that those who attended has signs that said "socialist", Hitler, "fascist", "Where's Obama's birth certificate", "Obama was born in Kenya", and lots of others. Mainstream people will see these folks as a bunch of whackos. Even if some of them were legit, that is not what appears on the tube. In addition, Fox News did this "revolt" a disservice by promoting it. People don't trust big business and Fox News is big business.

kywrite| 4.16.09 @ 2:44PM

Bob said: "The Boston Tea Party was all about taxation WITHOUT representation. You voted, and you have representation."

Really? So, the thing where the porkulus bill was rammed through Congress without anyone getting a chance to read it, that allowed us our representation? The fact that our idiot incumbents don't listen to what we say, that's representation? The politicians in charge are not representing the people who voted for them. They are, rather, representing the special interests that put them in power, and helping themselves to as much money and power as they can grab.

Here's a hint for you: the Tea Parties weren't about the past. They were about the FUTURE. About 2010, and 2012, and 2014, and 2016. They were a means for bringing people together, letting them know they are not alone, and -- putting the politicians in BOTH parties on alert that we are sick and tired of having our children's futures indentured to the government. We own the government; it is not going to own us through debt servitude.

Keep up your faint and lame condemnation of the most peaceful and friendly protests our country has ever seen, and enjoy the ones coming on July 4 and September 11. 'Cause it doesn't end here.

Jon| 4.16.09 @ 2:50PM

Bob- you are the typical liberal ***, blind to common sense, and bitter to the end. I dont understand why democratic liberals defend the policies of higher spending, higher taxes, and bigger government, what are the benefits? At least the conservative polices benefit everyone. Do you enjoy paying more taxes? I just dont get it!
It's obvious that if the rally's weren't at all meaningful yesterday, you all wouldn't have to be on "defence" mode this morning!

Jon| 4.16.09 @ 3:01PM

By the way, you'd better comment on my mispelling of "defense", so people don't pay attention to the real issues! That's what you people are so good at, right?

Bob| 4.16.09 @ 3:18PM

kywrite -- Since I skimmed through most of the stimulus bill before it was voted on, I suspect other Republicans could have done the same. In fact, most of it was a compilation of three committees input which was also available for review. Now, yes, there wasn't a whole lot of time for the final bill, but if it were so important, they could have read the parts ahead of time. Do you always believe the politicians? I don't believe any of them -- Republican or Democrat. If you see their lips move, they are lying.

Jon, I've never defended higher spending and bigger government. Your problem is that you listen too much to Rush. I was against the bailouts -- both Wall Street and auto --, thought Obama's stimulus bill spent too much money, think that some of the departments in the federal government, like education, should be disbanded, and believe that anyone who increases the debt, including Reagan, Bush, AND Obama, are immoral. I believe in a flat tax and that corporate taxes should be abolished. Yeah, I'm just another "typical liberal".

Jon, you are just blind to the truth and open to the lemming inspired dribble. Who cares about your spelling of "defense". I mistype enough that I don't comment on spelling. I do comment on thought -- when it is there -- however.

Myke| 4.16.09 @ 6:25PM

It seems you are over- counting by about 6,000 people. There were about 3,000 people. About. Not 10,000 or even close in Nashville. We have about 65,000 people attend each Titan NFL game and even Women's Basketball games at Vanderbilt draw as many as 10,000 people. The Tennessean Newspaper reports 3,000 people approximately attended. Most of these people are unemployed because of the last administration. Maybe they won't have the day off next April 15th because somebody is finally doing something to bring our country out of the toilet we have been in for 8 years.
You are just making stuff up but many of us are on to you. There are over a half a million people in Nashville. 30,000 employees at Vanderbilt and all you can do is brag about 3,000 misinformed idiots? Visit us sometime and you'll see the South is not backing up your bullcrap.

Laurie Bartlett| 4.16.09 @ 9:45PM

Austin Texas held two tea parties. The second teaparty, held at the Capitol, hosted an estimated 5000.00. An impressive showing for both.

TJG| 4.17.09 @ 10:57AM

Regardless of the Tea Party attendance, which on the surface seems meager overall, there are several problems facing the Conservative movement. First, an almost complete lack of diversity. The Conservative movement can only succeed if it has a political party to serve as its vehicle to make things happen in Washington. Assuming that party is the Republican Party, it cannot win if it relies solely on aging, white, baby boomers. Second, the movement cannot succeed if it relies of misuse of terms. Using slurs like socialism, fascist, comparing the president to Hitler, accusations of tyranny, taxation without representation, wishing for the failure of the President, even discussing secession, etc. are only going to further shrink the base. Third is the size of the events. Unfortunately, President Obama set a new standard in terms of "overwhelming force" by show of huge and very, very diverse attendance at his rallies. Anything less is going to be perceived as a failure by comparison. Still size is not so much the issue in and of itself. Keep in mind, as massive as Obama rallies were, he almost did not get the nomination of his party, and though he handily defeated Mr McCain in electoral votes, the margin of victory was not nearly as overwhelming as the turn out at his rallies might have suggested it would be. The point is, quality is always more important than size, but if size is a precursor to victory at future polls, this movement has an awful long way to go. Complicating the matter is as the movement endeavors to grow, Mr. Obama has the government at his disposal. If he is successful (even Larry Kudlow believes the economy is turning) there are going to be fewer and fewer adherents to the myriad of "principals" expressed at the Tea Parties. A final point, I never thought I would see the day when Conservatives would have something in common with Louis Farrakan -- arguing with the media of the size of its rallies.

DDG| 4.17.09 @ 1:07PM

If the events were not successful, did not make valid points or identify what many people view as dangerous trends in our nation, then why such a pervasively virulent and hate filled reaction from elements of the MSM, the administration and leftist ideologues. If these people did not care about the events, what was said and done there, and believed the participants were actually kooks, then their reaction would have been mush different. You can tell a great deal by the tenor of their words. The word that comes to mind is venomous. The events must have hit a nerve. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Griff| 4.17.09 @ 1:16PM

"Most of these people are unemployed because of the last administration."

Myke, if any of these people are unemplyed, it's thanks to the good intentions of left-wing loons like Carter, Clinton, Dodd and Frank (all of whom had a major hand in the demise of the housing market via the Community Reinvestment Act). Why is it that the misguided intentions of liberals always seem to turn to s***? Answer: Lib's "think" with their emotions. If it feels right, it must be good. Unintended consequences are always the result with these fools.

pricila| 4.24.10 @ 9:41AM

The problem today is that those who attended has signs that said "socialist", Hitler, "fascist", "Where's Obama's birth certificate", "Obama was born in Kenya", and lots of others. Mainstream people will see these folks as a bunch of whackos. ecommerce

louis vuitton| 4.26.10 @ 10:11PM

How can that would leave the Democrats at 59 seats and the Republicans in pretty much the same situation of occasional filibustering.Meanwhile, some other canada goosewho will be helpful on some filibusters but not many.) The only race where I disagree with him is Norm Coleman in Minnesota. I wouldn't guarantee a Coleman loss, but I think his chances are weaker than Gordon Smith's in Oregon. So if I'm right and John Sununu doesn't pull off an upset,

Daniel| 12.21.10 @ 10:20AM

I live in Australia and this whole tea party movement has been receiving quite a deal of publicity over here and while I realise it stirs up the emotions and divides opinion in the states, I confess to not understanding what it stands for or signifies.

If someone could give me a brief explanation I would appreciate it.

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Daniel. Tuncurry. Australia

real estate| 12.21.10 @ 10:22AM

Oh and ny the way I totally agree with Pricila's post, the extremists will and should be viewed as wackos.

Daniel. Australia