According to FR sources, House Republican Leader John Boehner and close political ally Rep. Kevin McCarthy were schedule to speak at a Tea Party Rally in McCarthy’s home town of Bakersfield today — but no longer will be appearing after a considered decision by rally sponsors that they did not want to have any elected politicians of either party appearing in the rally.
This is a trend that is happening at Tea Rallies all across the country. The largest California Tea Rally today, which is scheduled to take place on the steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento, will not feature any State Legislators (save one, Senator George Runner who obtained the groups rally permit) — this despite requests from many to speak.
In talking to various rally organizers, the general opinion is that these rallies are "citizen rallies" designed to send a message to legislators of both political parties that, "enough is enough!"
In talking to one organizer of the Sacramento rally, the dynamics of the big budget/big taxes/open primary deal that took place last February, with six Republican legislators voting for tax increases, even more voting to place an open primary on the ballot to facilitate a tax increase, and a Republican Governor signing both the taxes and open primary bill have lead to a high degree of cynicism.
It is the hope of rally organizers that elected officials will attend the rallies, hear the speakers and participate in that way.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:00 am
The rally organizers are very wise. The Republican brand is not currently anti-tax, sadly enough, and would only serve to drive independents and sensible Democrats (sounds like an oxymoron, but there are some among the regular citizens) away from the movement.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Taxpayers’ hero Tom McClintock gave a great speech in Sacramento!! At the end of his speech he gave the crowd two action items: 1) Go to the website for recalling Anthony Adams- donate and get involved. 2) Vote “NO” on Prop 1A. Sounds like good action items.
Earmarker Kevin McCarthy speaking at a Tax Day Tea Party would have been silly. Earmarker Kevin McCarthy might be early in his congressional career, but he has already become part of the problem. Taxpayers’ hero Tom McClintock doesn’t earmark, doesn’t vote for stimulus and doesn’t vote for bailouts… too bad Tom is not the norm for the Republican Party.