Palin, Bachmann to headline Tea Party convention

[alienken]

Posted: November 25th, 2009 07:30 PM ET

From CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser


Palin, Bachmann to headline Tea Party convention.
(CNN) – Sarah Palin will be the main attraction at what's being billed as the "First National Tea Party Convention."

Tea Party Nation announced Wednesday that last year's Republican vice presidential candidate will serve as keynote speaker for the conference, scheduled to take place in Nashville, Tennessee February 4-6. A representative for Palin has confirmed the former Alaska governor's speaking role at the gathering.

The group also announced that Rep. Michele Bachmann will be speaking at the gathering as well. The Minnesota Republican has become a hero among many in the conservative movement. A representative for Bachmann confirms her speaking role.

The event could focus the political spotlight on both women. Bachmann has become a rising star, her ascent fueled in part by major support from Tea Party activists. For Palin - currently taking a brief Thanksgiving break from a national tour for her new book, "Going Rogue: An American Life" - serving as headliner at a tea party convention could increase speculation that she is weighing a run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.


Judson Phillips, a spokesman for Tea Party Nation, says the group is talking with other high-profile political leaders about possible convention roles, though he wouldn't name any names.

"(T)he convention is aimed at bringing the Tea Party Movement together from around the nation for the purpose of networking and supporting the movements' multiple organizations (sic) principle goals," according to a statement from the group.

Phillips says the conference will feature workshops, seminars, information centers, and organizational tools for leaders to take back to their respective local tea party organizations. He adds that the Republican Party is not coordinating or organizing with Tea Party Nation in any way.

Phillips says Tea Party Nation was launched in April, just before the first tea parties were held across the country on tax deadline day, and that the group held rallies in Nashville and in other parts of Tennessee on April 15. He added that Tea Party Nation also organized a smaller tea party event in early July, when a second round of events were held around the nation, but did not take part in the two cross-country tea party caravans held the past few months.

A spokesman for the Tea Party Express, which organized those two cross country tea party caravans, says they are not currently involved in the organization of the convention, but that they are supportive of the gathering's goals.

Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn

Updated 7:30 p.m. with confirmation from Palin's representative

Filed under: Extra • Michele Bachmann • Popular Posts • Sarah Palin • Tea Party movement

[John Turberville]

"You should read Sen. Kennedy's memoir. He has a good section on Reagan, and how he used to deflect topics (most) he either did not understand or had no interest in, through jokes and red herrings."

Yeah "The Great Communicator"

[Vernon Windsor]

"The Great Obfuscator"

[Boothby171]

I don't know...I think I'd watch a video with Sarah Palin getting tea-bagged...

[Madhatterat60]

Wait...wait...didn't I see that? Sarah Does Anchorage??

[P.A.]

Since they are going to be in Nashville maybe I will go and see them. It should be good for a laugh and to see which one is dumb and which one is dumber.

[Madhatterat60]

Not only is the 3 ring circus pulling into town here on the 10th...but they're shimmying up the road about 35 miles for a repeat later that evening.

I understand you can now get your picture taken with the Great Alaskan Quitter....for $16.00....$32.00 if you want the Big One. (Where in hell do they GET these prices?) Now as much as I really detest the empty husk, I'm very, very tempted to go have my picture taken with her. Although I agree with an earlier post that "her" book is going to end up in the 3 for a quarter yard sale box...a picture of her might be worth something to my grandkids grandkids. Who knows...if nothing else, by that time they may have forgotten what toilet paper is.

[Nebs Jima]

I haven't seen any bright republican president since Nixon (except being paranoid and crook, he was bright well versed in national international affairs) prior to Nixon almost of them were brilliant and deservingly being presidents. Come on people Bush II, Reagon, now it is too early, but when future historians will examine their presidencies they will reveal that those two were not qualified to be the most powerful nation on earth. God forbid, if we get three consequetives presidents with two full terms, I don't know what country would be. but luckily, each time the voters have been making corrections.

[Vernon Windsor]

An old incident predicts subsequent behavior...

http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/09/05/alaskans-speak-in-a-frighte...

[Nebs Jima]

Not too many people know this, Palin was one of the foot soldiers of Pat Buchanan, a three time failed presidential candidate. She was in the convention floor in the last two, snabbing both Bushes. He claimed, both are not conservative enough. God forbid, if she becomes a president have switches to our Nuclear Arsenals, .......

[alienken]

Bushes family influence got him into Harvard but the grades were all his. Unless you are saying they were doctored and forged.
If you don't have proof of that you can always get Dan Rather to shoot you out another forged document. we can have some"none biased reporting" and you can start a movement like the birthers.

[alienken]

I don't believe any of your quotes from Pallin. Believe me if she would have said anything close to that she would have already been buried by the media.
It's amusing to see how much of you libs hate sarah Pallin.
I think we have a winner!

[Westerly_2]

alienken - hate is too strong a word; I wonder why you would assume that. For me, it's nothing personal, just lack of faith in her:
1) ideology
2) flexibility
3) curiosity
4) work ethic
5) committment
6) sense of fairness
7) general knowledge
8) grasp of the big picture
What I'll give er credit for is:
1) charisma
2) personality
3) stylin' specs
4) the moves
5) a smooth act
6) attractiveness
7) knowing how to make a buck
8) a cute family

Yes - she could be a winner; give her her own talk show. Dough & exposure for her, eye candy for her fans. Everybody wins!