Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips likely assumed that scoring a dinner speech by the former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate would guarantee a huge turnout for his National Tea Party Convention, scheduled to start Feb. 4 at Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Hotel. But according to Tea Party insiders, the tickets for the Palin banquet aren't selling—and some conservative activists who have already paid to attend are now demanding refunds. With the controversial event shaping up to be a potential flop, some Tea Partiers are urging Palin to cancel her speech to avoid a humiliating public relations disaster.
Could this be the beginning of the downfall of the Tea Baggers? Maybe not, but this is most certainly not a sign of good things on the horizon for them.
The segment of this story that makes me feel that Palin’s star-power is fading is due to the fact that her key supporters are the reactionary lot that make up the modern-day-anarchistic movement affectionately known as Tea Baggers. They have, by and large, sold their metaphorical souls in order to align themselves with her, so why are they leaving her high and dry on this one.
Some, like the portly watch-guard of RedState.com ( Erick Erickson ) claimed that the convention in Nashville seemed a bit “scammy”. But, isn’t that part and parcel of what makes the Tea Baggers who they are – people willing to be duped into shouting pseudo-clever catch-phrases and carrying picket signs that reflect just how out of touch they are with not only the bulk of America but with the English language as well. They’ve been bused across the country several times and bought multiple copies of Palin’s* book, swallowed everything that Glenn Beck has spoon fed them for dinner, and washed it down with a glass of his own tears. Why are they concerned with the ticket prices? Why are they concerned with Judson Phillips turning a profit? Are they anti-capitalists now?
But here’s the kicker – is Erick Erickson responsible for creating a rift within the Tea Baggers?
