The Republican Study Committee is encouraging members of Congress to show up at noon at the Capitol Hill Tea Party event. But they’re at pains to tell members not to call it a “protest” or a “rally.” It’s a “press event” or “press conference.”
Meanwhile the people actually organizing the event are calling it a “desperate act” and a “last stand” in the fight against death panels and socialism. In other words, Rep. Bachmann and her fellow rally organizers have attendees ginned up for some kind of anti-Health Care Reform Alamo.
On one level it’s an entertaining example of channel conflict. But it’s also a revealing, real-time illustration of the struggle within the GOP to control and define and tame anti-reform activism.
Remember, if you’re on the Hill today, if you’re a staffer, whatever, help us keep track of what’s happening. Check out this post from last night for how to keep us posted in real time on what you’re seeing as the protestors fan out through the halls looking for members of Congress who are trying to take away their health care.
