Fresh off conservative criticism of President Obama’s Midwest bus tour, the Tea Party Express is kicking its own tires. Leading up to the CNN/Tea Party Express Republican presidential debate Sept. 10, the tea party group on Saturday launched a bus tour in Napa, California.
“We want Washington to live within its means, just like we do,” Tea Party Express chairwoman Amy Kremer told Reuters. “We’re in an economic downfall. Meanwhile, politicians are busy attending cocktail parties instead of focusing on the issues.”
Hmm, that does make Napa an interesting choice to kick off the tour, doesn’t it? Regardless, the bus tour is expecting to make stops in 29 cities across the country, ending up in Tampa, Florida.
Tea Party Express spokesman Levi Russell told TPM in an email that the route is focused on early presidential primaries.
“That is deliberate, as we want to rally conservatives in the early states to take a close look at the presidential field and begin to coalesce behind the best champion of their values,” he said. “We kicked off in Napa, in Nancy Pelosi’s shadow, to send the message that the tea party exists everywhere – even in supposed liberal strongholds. The response has been enthusiastic and encouraging, as we realize that tea party members are more active and involved than ever.”
The tour’s message is familiar: “Reclaiming America.” And event-goers can likely be seen sporting the usual tea party swag. Don Bahl, an attendee at the Napa rally, sported a dunce cap that read, “I voted 4 Obama,” CNN reports. “I was promised hope and change,” he told CNN. “All I got was despair and a little change in my pocket.”
But the event was not without its detractors. A few dozen protesters showed up, according to CNN, chanting, “Hey ho, hey ho, the tea party has got to go.” As TPM reported Monday, the tea party’s unfavorability is up in a new Associated Press poll.
Regardless of the tour’s success, the co-sponsored debate on CNN promises to be quite the show.
