Impression Of The Bachmann Rally (Vanity)

[TheArizona]

I watched the rally and it seemed like a bunch of Republicans hijacked a conservative movement. The endless stream of Republican politician speakers became boring and sounded disingenuous. I couldn't help but wonder how many of these people have funneled pork back to their districts, were bought off to cast a vote, or slipped something in a bill at the last minute.

They sounded like a bunch of self indulgent windbags. I think it was a mistake to let the politicians speak with the exception of Bachmann. They offered nothing of substance. I would have preferred to see the people speak out. This event sounded more like a GOP party rally rather than a conservative grassroots revolt by people who are fed up with the government establishment of both parties. Where were these politicians last 2 years, 4 years, 6 years? The democRats do not have a monopoly on corruption and reckless spending. I find it hard to believe that every politician that spoke has clean sheets and a clear conscience.

Note for future, do not allow the politicians to hijack OUR movement. The only people that should be speaking at these events are the people who challenge the RINOs and the Marxists in the primaries.

My 2 cents worth.

TheArizona

[Claud]

I had the same impression. Even Fox was calling it a “Republican press conference”

Blech.

[pistolpetestoys]

I had the same impression;it got tedious.Looks like a lot of bandwagon jumpers when it was Bachmann who did the heavy lifting.

[hoe_cake]

Your thoughts?

[montag813]

I think it was a mistake to let the politicians speak with the exception of Bachmann.

Steve King ok, John Boner NOT ok.

[NewJerseyJoe]

Bear in mind: unlike the 9/12 Tea Party, this House Call was called by a congressperson (Michelle Bachmann) to specifically confront sitting politicians in their very halls of power. 9/12 was a grassroots outpouring of outrage, whereas the House Call was, by its nature, a political gambit -- and due to the party divide on the DeathCare bill, was always going to be a Republican-centered one.

Although the two events are closely united in their end goals, they are very different from each other in their approaches.

[Hans]

My reaction exactly. What a tan, my heart melted as he speechified for the ages.

[kidd]

It was organized by a republican (who is also a conservative).

I have no problem with republicans getting on the conservative bandwagon.

(btw - I’m not a republican)

[Tarpon]

All things come down to this ... We can’t just do something, we have to do it through our representatives. I was somewhat encouraged by the short talks, windbag and all.

They actually said, well a few did, the words individual freedom and liberty. It wasn’t enough, but it was a start.

[RC2]

We could look at it that way I guess, but it was good to see the support from the Senate. Now the people can hold their feet to the fire. I can’t lump all of them into the same pot. I do have to believe that there are many that do the right thing. If we can’t believe that, then abolish the whole thing and accept what we get.

[workerbee]

As someone watching it on C-Span, I will concur that after the first 30-40 min. it did appear that all those reps were there just to make spots for their reelection campaigns. A much stronger show of conviction could have been had by having a roll call “Vote” held, each rep introduced, and then him or her simply shouting “No”. All those quick speeches ends up diluting the message, which should be, they need to listen, not talk. JMHO.

HOWEVER, I give all due credit to Michele Bachmann, Tom Akin, etc. for pulling this off. Such short notice, so many wonderful American patriots who were able to be there and make their dissent to this takeover known — my hat is off to all of them.

[stayathomemom]

I don’t know that I agree with you. They are the ones who have to go to the floor and vote. They were the ones that realized that we were being ignored and called for “reinforcements”. Shame on those who are ignoring the calls, letters, emails, and the Constitution. I saw it as a rallying of the troops.

[who knows what evil?]

Voight, Levin, King and Wilson were great! A few others had some good sound bites. The rest? Eh. Especially you guys pimping your future political plans...

[stayathomemom]

I agree.

[RatsDawg]

Bachman said that the people would be able to go inside and talk to their reps, did that happen? Remember she said to bring video cameras and not pitchforks!

[St. Louis Conservative]

The Republican party needs to be taken back by the conservative movement. I don’t have a problem with them speaking there - they are doing a lot of work opposing this bill in congress. Who do you want to win in next year’s elections? Conservative Republicans or Democrats? The fact of the matter is that the Republican party is the vehicle for the conservative movement. What we need to do going forward is to seize the reins of the party.

[wilco200]

There were some good speeches, particularly

Bachmann
Voight
Levin
King
Foxx

but it felt like Bonner and the gang, bigfooted the thing and told Bachmann that under no circumstances will you lead a charge into the Capital offices.

Next time, the rally needs to be organized by us and we invite the politicians, not the other way around.

I am a bit disappointed that the actual “confrontation” of members did not take place — yet as far as I know

[I see my hands]

You can either work inside the system or outside of it. This is what inside looks like.

[SMARTY]

Everyone who spoke wanted to be very publicly on the record about their agreement with the new energy in the Conservative base.

It makes sense, they know the train is ready to leave the station and they want to be sure of their berth.

Everybody wins. What’s wrong with that? Liberals do this kind of thing ALL the time!

[EBH]

Watching from here behind my computer screen...

Yes, it got tedious

I was surprised though, how many came out to speak at the event. I had wondered if any, if any, would join Bachmann and meet the people today on those steps? I am glad they did.