Vacation Story - Protesting American Solutions

So I am on vacation with my family at Phillies Spring training. We return back to the hotel and there is extra security and we have to be passed through to the front entrance. Since I didn't go anywhere without my camera last week, I had to take see what was going on. As it turns out, Newt Gingrich was in the hotel as a part of an American Solutions presentation. And the protestors were trying to take advantage of the press coverage of the event.



This one was my favorite.



That was until I got closer and figured out that instead of oil, she was covered in CHOCOLATE!



All these people dressed the same. They aren't wearing purple so it must be some other Pelosi "astroturf" group.



And all this just to see Newt!



From all indications, the crowd for the event was strong. It appeared to be a "who's who" of the local conservative political community in St Petersburg. The event was free to the public and most of the attendees looked to be eager and receptive to the "idea based" presentation that Speaker Gingrich was there to promote. So the next time someone tried to call "tea partiers" the rowdies, compare the inside pictures to the outside photos here and make your own decision.

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Real protests vs Astroturf

I have always wondered how party leaders like Reid and Pelosi can criticize normal citizens who attend tea parties and now town hall meetings. When I normally see the photos, I see homemade signs by the tea party people yet the standard Democrat party protestor has printed signs. And the normal people are the fakes?

This post at Lookingattheleft.com explains it all and is a MUST see.

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Arlen Specter and NJ

Republicans and Conservatives are up in arms over Arlen Specter's defection to the Democrat party. My first impression is that I am not surprised. Specter has made a habit of using his "moderate" mantle to horsetrade for his own political base. And I am okay with that. What bothers me is his "holier than thou" approach to his current situation.

Here is the deal:

1. He has long been a conservative at election time and a liberal in the senate
2. He has never espoused any semblance of fiscal responsibility
3. He had been supported by the National GOP up to right now

So his response when things are looking bleak in the polls-defect. Ok.

But this isn't an indictment of conservative policies. The Republican party has the right and duty to promote politicians who agree with their principles. If members stray, they also have the right to disagree.

But Specter seems to believe that he has an entitlement to Republican support. He doesn't. Nor does any politician. Evidence? See Specter's announcement today.

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Belmar Tea Party Pics!

I have to admit that the Belmar event so far has been one of my favorites
around the country. Why? I used to live at the shore and I know very well what happens when weather conditions like yesterday occur. They had 200-300 people in absolute nor-easter weather. Now that is impressive!


From citizen reporter Eileen:

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