[GOPJ]

...He told me about the differences between liberal and conservative protesters. He said that police don’t turn their back on liberal protesters and police don’t wear riot gear at conservative protests.

I never noticed before - but he's right: Police don't wear riot gear at conservative protests... Thanks for sharing.

[cripplecreek]

The only time I’ve seen police in riot gear at a tea party event was the day it was outside the auditorium where Obama was speaking.

I suspect that order came down from far above the local level.