Posted on 01/28/2010 10:26:38 AM PST by kristinn
Reps. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) have withdrawn from their speaking slots at the National Tea Party Convention after controversy mounted about how proceeds would be used.
The convention is "for-profit," and the lawmakers worry that their participation might violate last week's Supreme Court decision in Citizens United vs. FEC. (For background on the ethics issue, see here.)
"Due to conflicting advice on whether Rep. Bachmann’s participation in the upcoming Tea Party Nation Convention would be in line with the Committee on Standards, Congresswoman Bachmann has decided not to participate in the event," said spokeswoman Debbee Keller.
Keller said the outspoken conservative congresswoman would "err on the side of caution," and stressed that her cancellation was not "a repudiation of the Tea Party Movement."
Blackburn also announced Thursday that she will withdraw from participation. The Tennessee Republican said she conveyed her doubts directly to the convention's organizer.
"I spoke to Judson Phillips this morning and let him know that I could not participate in the convention. I told him frankly that Tea Party Nation’s for-profit status has put many of his speakers in an awkward position," she said.
A number of sponsors have also pulled out of the event after doubts were raised about whether organizers were trying to profit from the convention, despite organizers' claims to the contrary.
Sarah Palin is still slated to speak at the event, scheduled for Feb. 4-6 in Nashville. Reports have emerged that she will receive a speaker's fee of $100,000, but neither Palin nor the convention's organizers will comment on her fees.
Sarah, beware.
Whol Holpin?
1. Third party dilution TPF-Poison in the Tea?
and
2. Progressive infiltration and takeover TPF - Progressisivm
Both could be happening ... I worry about Palin's role in this, not surprised some are bailing out.
liberals are threat ethics complaints to both Bachmann,and Blackburn
Is the TEA Party movement being hijacked?
Seems like it.
If this was a TRUE 1st national convention, they sure made the cost to attend beyond the scope for many of the grassroots patriots who started this movement.
I also am not keen on the ‘for profit’ tenure they have taken. Did the founders go around and say, pay up if you want to secure your freedom?
HELL NO!
This convention could have been held at a more central location & certainly at a facility that could have accommodated a true showing of the tea party movement. This is nothing more than Tea Party elites strutting their stuff and will eventually become the next TPINO (tea party in name only) astroturfing elites.
Well, they weren’t getting 100k. Palin will;
1. Take the money
2. Run
yep.
The American Entrepreneurial spirit in action.
They’re just making money off of a movement.
The movement has become a virtual ‘Che’ Party.
“...not surprised some are bailing out.”
So the question is will Palin;
1. Be last to desert the sinking ship, you know, because she’s the smartest woman in America.
2. Take the money and run.
My bet’s on 2 BECAUSE of #1b. Who cares how it looks, their expenses are good!
I have been suspicious of a RINO hijacking ever since the heavy involvement in Mass.
Lawmakers back out of tea party event
As first reported by POLITICO, the convention is being run by a for-profit Tennessee corporation called Tea Party Nation, registered to a little-known Tennessee lawyer whose efforts to position himself as a national tea party leader have put him at odds with some state tea party activists. The lawyer, Judson Phillips, intended to turn a profit from the convention, with the stated goal of seeding a so-called 527 group that would air ads praising conservative candidates or criticizing their opponents, though he now concedes he’s hoping just to break even and has tabled the 527 idea.
Sarah's comment at that link:
But Palin, who is being paid a $100,000 fee to speak at the convention, in a statement to POLITICO on Tuesday night said she remained committed to the event.
"This is about the people — the grass-roots' activists whose core values demand a responsible government,” she said. “This is not about politics or organizers, it is about the soul of our blessed country.”
She added that “any speaker's fee will be contributed to the cause, and I will not be personally gaining from this."
She (Palin) added that “any speaker’s fee will be contributed to the cause, and I will not be personally gaining from this.”
Good on you Sarah.
Also she said:
“This is about the people — the grass-roots’ activists whose core values demand a responsible government,”
It doesn’t seem to me that a $500 steak and lobster dinner (what I heard) is something the common people can afford.
SAUL ALINSKY IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE!
4. “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.”
Given that Statists seemingly have no moral code, this would appear to be a good tactic for them. But in reality, they do have ‘rules’ – rules they want everyone else to live by, but not themselves – Statist’s are nothing if not hypocrites.
Therefore, we Conservatives should insist that the Statists ‘lead by example’ – live by their own set of stupid rules and admonitions.
So Bob Jezeera lied again. Becoming a nasty little habit that.
Looks like he's still got his knickers in a twist. It must be a bitch to be so dour all the time.
What kind of freeper wouldn't be willing to put out $500 to hear Sarah Palin talk??? (PSSSS, You can see her on FNC every night for free now, mystery gone)
Where is a list of speakers? I want to count the RINOs.
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