Congresswoman Michele Bachmann speaks to millions of Tea Party Patriots at the “Continuing Revolution” rally on Capitol Hill, March 31
Steve Benen: …Tea party organizers had high hopes for their rally today in Washington, DC – high enough hopes that they arranged for Fox to give it live coverage.
Then something sad happened. Just a few dozen people showed up. And Fox, naturally, blamed the weather.
Sen. Rand Paul, a Tea Party favorite who has an incentive to exaggerate the crowd size, said 200 people showed up, but if the media footage is at all accurate, even that pathetic number is inflated.
Put in this way: the number of reporters and Republican lawmakers, when combined, rivaled the size of the attendees. That’s not good.
As for Fox News blaming the weather, let’s not forget that tens of thousands of progressive activists showed up in the snow in Wisconsin a few weeks back. With federal spending on the line, today’s Tea Party crowd was less than 1% as big … because of a little rain? That’s just sad.
Chances are, this little get together will be forgotten by dinner time, but part of me wonders if it might end up having the opposite of the intended effect. The goal was to offer a right-wing show of force – with a shutdown deadline looming, lawmakers were supposed to think to themselves, “I better not cross those throngs of activists who gathered at the Capitol on March 31.”
But the point is, practically no one showed up. How many members of Congress will be afraid to cross “those tens of activists” who were on hand today?
Full article here
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The Obama Diary 
Why won’t these people just go away?
PATHETIC!!!
They are going all Milli Vanilli on us “…blame it on the rain…” :-). Fake singers, fake news source. These folks are just sad – Smh!
That was the same song that came to my mind.
🙂
Rally? Yikes.
I see they used a “token” man of color….they couldn’t possibly be racist, now could they! Also not alot of youthful exuberance in that crowd…..these people have one foot in the grave, why are they trying to destroy our young people’s future?
My deepest apologies, being from the state that elected Mrs. Bachmann, I hang my head in shame.
If that black guy thinks that many in the tea party groups don’t feel the same way toward him as they do toward other people of color, he’s a fool. He’s probably thinking the way that Ken Blackwell, Alveda King, Herman Cain, Michael Steele, and a few others think. They somehow think they’re “different,” but I remember how quick Steele was to play the “race card” when things got too hot for him as Chairman of the RNC last year. There is no way I’d place my black behind anywhere near these haters. My folks didn’t raise no fool. Don’t worry about Bachmann, Sue. She is NOT a reflection of all Minnesotans. She’s a rare anomaly, and most Americans know it.
No offense but SOMEBODY in Minnesota keeps voting for her. Who are those people?
Ideological fools?
I bet it is men that fall for her. Remember how the men really loved Sarah looks. She was hot. Now that is a real reason to vote for someone. What do you call those w.. dreams? Sorry I could not resist.
I won’t type what came to mind about the real reason men like Sarah Palin.
Nice.
Middle class, 95.6% white, 64% urban 36% rural….and the religious right (I hesitate to call them Christian, even though they profess to be). I keep trying to understand her, my brother says, “you can’t, she is crazy.”
I guess the Koch Brothers and the Dick Armey outfit are more worried about their union busting at the moment to provide free bus trips. Both Koch’s and Armey are focused on the April 5th WI Supreme Court justice election – last reports are that it’s razor close with their favorite incumbent who has threatened to veer hard right if challenged in this election by “the left” desperate to hang on.
Truth…… you speak it!!!
A judge is threatening to veer hard right? Judges are supposed to be apolitical, are they not? What a mucked up mess…Americans need to wake up to reality, it’s up to us to stop this fascist freight train that is barreling down the tracks.
It’s offensive that this small band if idiots thinks they can dictate the way of life for millions of people – and most of those so-called “patriots” are on Social Security, and they have no idea what’s in store for them with their own members of the Tea Party Caucus… And the lone man of color on the stage – pathetic.
The worst thing about these idiots is how they always talk about their “concern” for their children & grandchildren. They are ruining the lives of those children
Looking at the crowd, it seems that the majority of those attending were 65, or older. It pains me to see these retirees there listening to Michelle Bachmann and Rand Paul who will most definitely vote to cut Medicare and Social Security the first chance they get. May God punish them for this. As for the crowd size, I guess Fox Snooze didn’t see the poll that shows that the tea party’s influence is on the wane.
I see precisely……ONE….black guy who was placed conveniently front and center directly behind Bachmann. Nothing token about that….LOL!
Real diverse looking crowd. White and whiter. Old and older. Grumpy and grumpier! A real cross section of stupid…errr society.
Fred, thanks for hitting my laugh button, your last line tickled me out of my funk. I woke up debating Brian Williams in my head over the sorry ass state of our MSM….literally went on for about 10 minutes, until I figured out I was actually awake, and was being a head case. Set a funky mood for my day…thanks for breaking the spell.
The 1% of the people with just about all of the wealth cannot control the lives of 99% of Americans. Their intentions are not good and when we the people began to think about what they want for us we will fight back.
It people need to be in movies(real bad ones). We have a lot of news for them. The tea party(no caps for me) will not dictate to millions of young people who are serious about their future ruin their future. This is a joke. The American people are not with them. Not this time. As for that one black person in the group, sad, sad, sad.
What’s with the man in the blue jacket…looking like he is going throw out his back straining to get a photo of this sad gathering?!
hi everyone ppl see that the fear of the black is not working. many probably found a job and is enjoying the health care, and the tax credit the black man gave. They are embarassed to admit they were bambozzled once again by the right.
Most of them are deriving benefits from S.S. and Medicare….no doubt! The disconnect is incredible. If they are Christians they need to review those 10 Commandments and the lessons of Jesus.
There was a poll recently where teaparty is just as unpopular as congress now, and was bleeding support from folks who make $50,ooo or less a year.
Not to mention I bet they’ve lost a lot of union support.
We know that Fox News was there. CNN and CSPAN also dedicated a livestream. Can’t be bothered to feature any of the Wisconsin rallies so I hope they all get some satisfaction from looking like total fools for dedicating their precious resources to this sorry 2-bit event. JERKS.
And the weather was a lot worse in Wisconsin for those rallies as well.
chipsticks,
BIG BIG NEWS out of libya. it looks like the president’s strategy of “tightening the noose is working!!” just caught this link on gawker: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/31/libya-moussa-koussa-gaddafi-live
“Journalist Karl Stagno-Navarra has confirmed the names of more Libyan defectors on Twitter. He also says that more are currently seeking immunity in London and Rome.”
“Senior #Libya defectors are reportedly engaged in desperate calls to #London and #Rome seeking safe passage and ‘immunity’
“Mohammed Ismail, a senior aide to Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam, visited London in recent days, British government sources familiar with the meeting have confirmed.
The contacts with Ismail are believed to have been one of a number between Libyan officials and the west in the last fortnight, amid signs that the regime may be looking for an exit strategy.
(Meanwhile) A team led by the British ambassador to Libya, Richard Northern, and MI6 officers, embarked on a lengthy debriefing of Koussa (the former Libyan justice minister) at a safe house after he flew into Farnborough airport on Wednesday night from Tunisia.”
Chipsticks, great title or this post. So funny!
Meant to type…great title FOR this post, dang iPad keyboard!
Okay, I apologize in advance for this long rant, but I’ve got to get this off my chest.
First, the tea party: I clicked on Hardball just to see what the planned lineup was. Stupid, inept Chuck Todd is subbing. As a lead story — a lead story! — he’s got two tea party group leaders on to talk about the budget and the poll that showed the tea party losing support. What the hell is he talking to two know nothings about the budget for? His talking point is that the dems blinked. No democrats on to discuss the negotiations at all. Of course he covers the stupid rally as if it’s some huge deal. No mention only a handful of crazies showed up. I’m sick of the media treating these loonies as if they matter and ignoring the rest of America.
These two loonies — one looked like she was a housewife (nothing wrong with being a housewife, but I don’t want you setting policy for the country), the other was a guy who looked bummy to me — didn’t know what they were talking about and could only throw out talking points: we need to cut to save our children’s future, blah, blah. If you cared about children, you wouldn’t be okay with cutting education and health care. Hypocrites and liars.
Second, what the hell is wrong with the media that they would continue to try to give out confidential information about our efforts in Libya? Whoever leaked this information about the CIA should be impeached. And the media needs to stop playing games with our safety. They do not need to broadcast what we’re going to do and when we’re going to do it. Are they crazy or just want the GOP back in power again that they don’t care that they’re putting us in jeopardy?
Third, I have not seen any coverage on the cable stations of the AP poll. None. This morning, I sent an email to TPM, which always covers the polls, and they have not put one word up. Not one word. I am starting to believe TPM is going the way of the orange satan, which by the way did have a diary on the poll. I am royally pissed.
Fourth, stupid Dennis “The Menace” Kusinich was on CNN again talking about PBO overstepped by not going to congress. Did you see those fools grilling Sec. Gates today? Asking him stupid questions? Graham being snarky? This is why they found a way not to have to go before these idiots who take every third week off. They would still be asking Gates and Clinton questions while Libyans would be dying in the streets.
I don’t have a twitter account, but I’m going to get one just so I can blow up these idiots accounts when they do this stuff.
Thanks, Chips, for giving us this space to rant.
Good rant!
I like your rant, Proud of Obama, and Sue in Minnesota I know exactly what you mean about the early morning conversations in your head with various media personalities. I have have found I feel better if I write these people immediately. They may not read mine, but I know if they get enough of any particular viewpoint, they begin to take notice. I wrote Brian Williams last week for a statement he made trying to critique the president, when he asked Richard Engel (I think) asking whether the president wasn’t “too cute by half” distinguishing between the NATO forces and the U.S. I told him that phrase had NO place in a news program. We need to monitor these people and not let them get by with this snark.
What a silly little man.
Well deserved space for your rants. The MSM is worthless. I just cannot deal with it anymore. We have all of these great polls and the media will not mention them. We know the drill, as soon as his numbers start falling, they will be all over it.
I know how hard it was for me to let all those pundit shows go. I thought I might take up smoking. I was addicted to watching msnbc for three years. Truth is, you have to watch an entire show to maybe find one morsel of hope.
I was depending upon them to reassure me . I wanted them to say something great about Obama. Like you guys, I would be a wreck all evening because one of those ahats had said something negative about PBO. On occasion I listen to NPR or my husband tells what was discussed on NPR.
Your frustrations are real and they are painful. Hugs to both of you. dr
On a lighter note, this is one of the biggest laughs of my day. Michele looked like a fool. I am sure Foxx was really embarrassed. Oh, well, it wasn’t a very nice day for this kind of event……..hhahahahahahahahahaha!
Dorothy anytime Michele Bachman can look like a fool is ok with me.
This is first for me but I wrote a letter to Sen. John McCain 😮 last night to advise him to use his wisdom to guide some of these new congressman who have no experience or common sense. He came out recently with a statement that if we “consulted” Congress on US action in Libya that all the people in Benghazi would be dead. That is one of the only things that I have heard come out of his mouth in years that I can agree with. I am appealing to his better nature. Even if it doesn’t work I am trying to get him back to the days before 2000 when he did have some common sense. Probably won’t work but I tried. I told him about my husband dying of Agent Orange from Vietnam and two of my good friends who were POWs and referred to the fact that the rescue was top secret and came with such a roar and speed of action so the VietCong couldn’t kill all the prisioners. We should never announce we are comming in covert actions.
I also agree if this stupid MSM thinks revealing secrets of what our covert actions are in Ligya they are putting them in danger. Several weeks ago Obama mention intelligence but didn’t give specifics. I knew what he meant but to get specific is playing dangerous and our MSM has lost it’s compass.
Barb, first of all let me say that I am so sorry about the loss of your husband. Was that at the time when the military had not yet admitted that Agent Orange was extremely dangerous? I love my husband so much. It is very difficult to imagine what you must have gone through.
I think it is wonderful that you wrote that billy goat a letter. Are you in Arizona? I lived in Arizona for 12 years. I remember back then thinking how he was really a little mavericky. I never voted for him, but he did not seem to be a bad man. I wish I could still say that today.
How wonderful it is to have some advice someone who is familiar with the importance of protecting covert information. I guess the leaking of intelligence issue can create blow back and perhaps cause more destruction and death. Have a good night barb. I hope you will let us know if you hear back.
Oh Dorothy, I thank you for the kind words. Yes, it was before the government whould own up to the deadliness of
Agent Orange. You have brought tears to my eyes with your compassion. Around the same time of his death, I lost my 20 yr old son who was a passenger in a car when a drunk driver hit him. They say God never gives us more than we can handle and although you have to go through the grief head on to heal, it is the truth. I am so blessed in many other ways.
I am from Kansas and have never had any contact with McCain but just wanted to try a little reverse psychology. It probably won’t work but it is worth a try. I think maybe I will nag him to death. 😆 I’ll let you know if I hear anything. Probably won’t. I did get a nice letter from Vicky and Ted Kennedy before he died because I had written several letters to him.
ps. I wrote you a little note when I saw that you were from Kansas also at one time. I don’t know how to pm so you probably didn’t see it.
Good night Dorothy. Have pleasant dreams.
Michelle Bachmann is an attractive woman, and presents herself in a professional manner. Unfortunately, she’s an ideologue. Sarah Palin demonstrates inappropriate and tasteless behavior in every possible way you can imagine. I really can’t think of a single nice thing to say about her….so I’ll spare everyone the nasty.
I think of our beautiful, intelligent, energetic and generous FLOTUS, she is amazing, she’s off the charts. And than I think of Palin….she can’t even land on the chart, she’s less than zero.
I was born and raised in Lawrence. What part of Kansas are you from.
OKay, I have to say you have faced some truly hard times. I have always thought that losing a child would be the worst thing that could ever happen to me. I am so thankful that you have not given up on life.
It is great that you wrote that idiot a note. And, I am very touched by the fact that you received a letter from Ted and Vicky. What a beautiful treasure to own. hugs dr