Tea Partiers Plan Convention in Las Vegas
Tea Party Nation, a group seeking to serve as an umbrella organization for the Tea Party movement, announced today that its second conventionwill be held July 15-17 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin addresses attendees at the First National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010.)
While the dates for the event had been announced during the first convention in Nashville in February, the location was not publicized until today. The group also revealed that the convention will play host to the first Tea Party Nation Conservative Film Festival.
The decision to hold the convention in Las Vegas was apparently motivated by comments made by President Obama.
"President Obama told Americans not to go to Las Vegas so that is exactly where Tea Party Nation will be holding our next event!" Tea Party Nation declared on their website.
Earlier this month, Mr. Obama received stinging criticism from Nevadans after for the second time referring to a visit to the state's largest city as an opportunity for profligacy and excess.
"When times are tough, you tighten your belts," Mr. Obama said during a February town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire. "You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college."
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The president's comments provoked criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike, even Harry Reid. The usually reserved Senate Majority Leader told the White House to "lay off Las Vegas. Stop making it the poster child for where people shouldn't be spending their money."
Now Mr. Obama's comments have provided fodder for a movement that seeks to thwart his legislative agenda and overturn his majorities in Congress.
The convention's timing, not long before the crucial midterm elections, is no coincidence.
Tea Party Nation said in a statement that the convention is aimed at bringing together leaders and activists "to present a unified front as we go into the fall 2010 elections."
The announcement comes just a day after former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin encouraged Tea Party activists to "pick a party" rather than split off into an independent electoral movement.