Palin, Bachmann to headline Tea Party convention
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/25/palinbachmann.jpg caption="Palin, Bachmann to headline Tea Party convention."](CNN) - Sarah Palin will be the main attraction at what's being billed as the "First National Tea Party Convention."
Tea Party Nation announced Wednesday that last year's Republican vice presidential candidate will serve as keynote speaker for the conference, scheduled to take place in Nashville, Tennessee February 4-6. A representative for Palin has confirmed the former Alaska governor's speaking role at the gathering.
The group also announced that Rep. Michele Bachmann will be speaking at the gathering as well. The Minnesota Republican has become a hero among many in the conservative movement. A representative for Bachmann confirms her speaking role.
The event could focus the political spotlight on both women. Bachmann has become a rising star, her ascent fueled in part by major support from Tea Party activists. For Palin - currently taking a brief Thanksgiving break from a national tour for her new book, "Going Rogue: An American Life" - serving as headliner at a tea party convention could increase speculation that she is weighing a run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.
Judson Phillips, a spokesman for Tea Party Nation, says the group is talking with other high-profile political leaders about possible convention roles, though he wouldn't name any names.
"(T)he convention is aimed at bringing the Tea Party Movement together from around the nation for the purpose of networking and supporting the movements' multiple organizations (sic) principle goals," according to a statement from the group.
Phillips says the conference will feature workshops, seminars, information centers, and organizational tools for leaders to take back to their respective local tea party organizations. He adds that the Republican Party is not coordinating or organizing with Tea Party Nation in any way.
Phillips says Tea Party Nation was launched in April, just before the first tea parties were held across the country on tax deadline day, and that the group held rallies in Nashville and in other parts of Tennessee on April 15. He added that Tea Party Nation also organized a smaller tea party event in early July, when a second round of events were held around the nation, but did not take part in the two cross-country tea party caravans held the past few months.
A spokesman for the Tea Party Express, which organized those two cross country tea party caravans, says they are not currently involved in the organization of the convention, but that they are supportive of the gathering's goals.
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn
Updated 7:30 p.m. with confirmation from Palin's representative
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Palin/Bachman '12?
Bachman/Palin '12?
Either would be fun to watch...
ahh, now the in-mates are truly running the asylum. when will the people see that these ladies do not care about them or their cause. this whole tea party foolishness is one mass mind warp!
I think a Bachmann/Palin ticket would be a great idea.
I hope the RNC considers it. It will so so much for their image with the Amercian people. Be just the thing to solidify the GoP.
Oh Boy, "Dumb and Dumber-Part II"
Excellent! Perhaps they can join together and run for the White House in 2012. Dumb and dumber.
These people are crazy! Make mine herbal please!
An irrelevant talking head for a irrelevant splinter group, fitting.
My goodness – what will "tweedle dee and tweedle dumb" say this time? Maybe they want to bring back segregation?
Well that should work out well. Two of the most clueless people in politics today as headliners. Should make the moderates out there turn left.
So, is this where the schism happens? Will the next 3rd party movement be the Tea Party, headed by Palin, Bachmann, Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity, and Dobbs?
This is the most exciting news I've heard in awhile! Split off the uber-whackos from the GOP, drive any remaining moderates to the Democrats, and bring the GOP to its knees!
That would be such poetic justice for what the Repugnants have done to my country.
I think that being against more taxation and more government spending is the smart stance, and our congress should be held accountable for wasting the money they take from us.
That said, it is a shame to see this idea hijacked by morons Palin et al. and transformed into an ultra right-wing nutjob mobile stupidity festival.
Responsible spending is good. Responsible taxation is good. Right wing propaganda spread around the country by idiots is bad.
I believe firmly in a balance of power in congress so that the majority party has strong opposition, but I really, REALLY hope that they Republicans get annihilated in the next election cycle. Maybe then they will learn and I can rejoin the party.
OMG! IF THIS BUILDS, IT WILL GUARANTEE OBAMA A 2012 WIN!
Picture this, the Tea Party continues to grow and eventually compete with the Republican Party for wing-nut votes. Eventually, the Tea Party will split from the Republican Party, thereby ensuring the Democrats control of the White House and Congress until both wing-nut parties iron out their differences.
.
It is difficult to think of two bigger pinheads in American public life, which makes it all the more appropriate that they are the poster girls for the teabaggers. Do you realize how silly you all look with your pointless demonstrations of idiocy while America's problems go unsolved? It will never be 1955 again,so get over it. Why not volunteer all the extra time you have and become one of the "thousand points of light" rather than be one of the thousand pointless and self righteous.
This is a dream come true.
Oh god. Do we really have to keep hearing about these two whackjobs? Have fun at your tea party with all the rest of "real America".
Bravo! America is more than ready for authentic Pro-America change! 🙂
These subcultures are highly amusing.
It has become apparent that Michele Bachmann does not represent the constituency in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, but the interests of the National Republican Party instead. Bachmann has failed to serve the people over her personal ambitions. She has become an embrassment to Minnesota with her insane actions and words.
Which is why it is important to support Minnesota State Senator Tarryl Clark, the Democratic candidate in the 6th CD. This is going to be a race that will be on the National radar for months to come.
Can this get any more comical?
"The Dynamic Dunce Duo."
Ah...CNN can you not go one day without Palin on your ticker? Do you have Romney or Huckebee everyday?
The two of them and their crowd will no doubt have a rabble-raising event with much effort to undermine legislators who see the vision for America differently than they do. The outcome? They will still be a
minority group who make people wonder if they have screws loose.
The left wing loons have smoke pouring out of their heads and are twitching uncontrollably.
I hear Chris Matthews was seen walking down the halls of MSNBC drooling and stopping to shake his leg every third step, in an apparent effort to get the tingle back.
Dumb and Dumber...
Never again will I use the phrase "dumb blonde" not as long as these two idiots dominate the media.
Ought to be a rip roaring event...will they be using Palin's tour bus to bus the tea baggers to the convention, I wonder? You know, the bus with the bigger than life image of Palin's face plastered on the side, for all to see... way too all american, joe sixpack, hockey mom for my taste...
I've given up watching local news, evening news, cable news, and now it looks as if I might as well give up .com news as well. It's all become nothing but junk, consumed with fear mongering, name calling, Jerry Springer trash.