Tea Party Disputes Take Toll on Convention

[cal04]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/us/politics/26teaparty.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

A Tea Party convention billed as the coming together of the grass-roots groups that began sprouting up around the country a year ago is unraveling as sponsors and participants pull out to protest its expense and express concerns about “profiteering.”

The convention’s difficulties highlight the fractiousness of the Tea Party groups, and the considerable suspicions among their members of anything that suggests the establishment.

The convention, to be held in Nashville in early February, made a splash by attracting big-name politicians. (Former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech.) But some groups have criticized the cost — $549 per ticket and a $9.95 fee, plus hotel and airfare — as out of reach for the average tea partier. And they have balked at Ms. Palin’s speaking fee, which news reports have put at $100,000, a figure that organizers will not confirm or deny.

(snip)
Tea Party Nation, the convention organizer, started as a social networking site for the groups last year, a kind of Facebook for conservatives to “form bonds, network and make plans for action.” But its founders, former sponsors and participants are now trading accusations.

Philip Glass, the national director of the National Precinct Alliance, announced late Sunday that “amid growing controversy” around the convention, his organization would no longer participate. His group seeks to take over the Republican Party from the bottom by filling the ranks of local and state parties with grass-roots conservatives, and Mr. Glass had been scheduled to lead workshops on its strategy.

[Gman2]

1. That was my prediction, when or if, Brown won.

[LiberalFighter]

2. $100,000 for Palin? They could get 5 of Michael Steele for that price.

[libforeva]

3. wow

you just cant fix stupid.

[Mopar151]

4. What would they have had to pay Limbaugh?

And that bag of shit shoulda voulunteered to do it free, to promote his brand.

[Demeter]

5. There May Be Some Value in the Movement After All

If the Tea Party grassroots can recognize when it's being ripped off, then perhaps it can also work for items of value...now, if they could see the light on dear ole Sister Sarah, and recognize her as the con woman she is...