Mandel Ngan/Getty
Tea Party supporters holding up signs in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
The much-hyped tea party rally in Washington today turned out much lower crowds than expected. This was the supposed to be a glory-filled moment in the movement’s short history. Rep. Michele Bachmann, Rep. Mike Pence and Rep. Steve King all spoke at the event. And tea partiers were going to demand Republican allies standby their 2010 pledges to slash $100 billion from the current federal budget — and not compromise with Democrats. They’re attitude: "cut it or shut it."
Instead, only about 200 people showed up to the U.S. Capitol. And Politico estimated about half of that number were journalists. It was dreary outside, but it’s no winter in Wisconsin; hundreds of thousands stood outside in the freezing cold to protests new labor laws. (Just sayin’).
Slate’s Dave Weigel, a guest on our show tonight, said there was a sense of victory in the air, despite the crappy turnout. According to Weigel, Rand Paul said the Democrats' increasing concessions on spending proved that they were "reading the tea leaves, so to speak."
A new poll out suggests 47 percent of Americans now have an unfavorable view of the Tea Party.
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If a Teahadist fell during a tea party rally in DC, would there be any others around to hear it?
If a Teahadist really and truthfully fell, no other teahadist would hear it...but if it was a lie that he or she fell they would hear and believe it.
I'm glad nothing came from the Teabaggers rally. They're a complete waste of time. And space.
There was over 100,000 tea baggers at the rally.
They melt in the rain.
They leave toxic pools after they melt.
It was expected to rain and it was cold. All the seniors wanted to stay home and make sure the government didn't mess with their health care.
Double the national debt, set the stage for 5 trillion dollars more of debt for the next administration by leaving the country in economic collapse. Then make your main agenda to cut spending and spend no money for the next administration. In other words the republican party sets the stage for total failure for the Obama administration because of the total mess the right wing policies have left the country in.
The republican party has been spinning the truth and passing the blame for their illiterate leadership since Gingrich taught them how to cheat!
Tax cuts for people that didn't need them and then they'll cut spending?
How stupid is the tea party?
Who's been running Congress all these years? W? No. Cheney?No I can't hear ya.
The first six years of Bush were all republican. after that they set a record with filibusters. You can't hear anything!
Now the GOPTP ers no what it's like as a stand up comedian No respect. This just might be a wake up call to all those folks that are living on Social Security that want to cut it....Most of the Tea Baggers are 65 years old and up. Just a quick question....how many people of color were at the rally. Everyone I have ever seen looked like a klan rally OBAMA .....2012
Wow....200 people showed up. and most of them were reporters. Kinda sad...but mostly funny....What a bunch of morons. The Koch brothers bus must of broken down
Gee Thomas you are both disrespectful and dilusional. I assume you are refering to President Obama, the most powerful man on earth...or was their a subtle freudian slip with the obammy 'mammy' slur. You are repugnant.
Never take anyone who wears bed linen on their head with holes cut for their eyes seriously.
The foaming at the mouth hate directed at President Obama as exemplified by some of the props and posters at Tea Party rallies are comprable to radical Islamic propaganda against America. The last time such vehemence was expressed on such a large scale in this country was during the civil rights movement. Attempts to scandalize President Obama as a communist who hates America reminds me of how Dr. King was attacked. If indeed the regressive right wing continues to drag this country down into their sewer of fear and venom American Exceptionalism will be a non issue.
I beleive the tea party will have major effect in 2012 ...when the going gets tough the tough get going ..but they do it with their eyes open....was no reason to stand in the rain they have dry voting booths to stand in when the time comes. Trump will not have his name on the list when the time comes to vote..Let him get the free TV time now he will have his famous words YOU ARE FIRED, he just wants free air time . He has never giving any ways to correct any problem he can only point them out any of us can do that..but finding a cure is what me need we all know the problems to much spending Nancy should all of us how to waste now we need some one who knows how to cut cost ..If the goverment would repay all the money we put into social security plus interset esp. during the Carter years no one would need Social Security..is not entitlement refund with interest all our money then cut out social security...Social Security has been used as piggy bank unlawfully for many years time to repay money the goverment took out with interest compounded.....
Willis
You make a lot of important claims yet offer no links??? We are not going to take your word for it.
I agree. They are now showing Americans what the extreme right really looks like.
I think we should let the TP shut the government down. If the government shut down, a lot of the TP's would not get their Social Security check during the first week in May. They haven't thought that far ahead. The TP's would be screaming at their representatives at the town halls which would make the health care town halls look tame. Republicans know that and they would cave before the first week in May.
Yeah...I can't wait! (wickedly smiling)
Want to cut expanses? STOP THE WAR in Afghanistan! It costs 10B a month!
How can you be so dumb?
I'm tired of these jokers, looks like they started campaigning 2 years to soon and the kettle lost its steam. I caught a little of them speaking yesterday and couldn't believe that over 100 logically challenged individuals showed up to hear the same tired campaign slogans. I would say all 200 people there were ignorant but many were press people and I am sure they weren't all from FOX.
You can make comparisons but I'll tell you the difference, Obama has at least worked in the direction he has promised, you can't say the same for the tea baggers or the republicans. As, far as your question "When does obammy get credit for doing nothing?" Pretty much on a daily basis but most importantly on Thursday at the Tea bagger rally.
If you really thought Obama was so much like Bush you would probably like him. Although he did extend the Bush tax cuts, which your people think will help unemployment and the deficit. Here's a fun fact *Obama created more private sector jobs in 2010 than Bush did in 8 years! Also he passed the Recovery Act, which did work, unemployment is at its lowest since Bush, as I see you read today it's nice Highlights printed that article. Every week I hear this president fight for energy solutions so just like everything else that hasn't been fixed, it's probably being held up by one of your Tea baggin representatives. Of course I don't think everything he does is right but it is in the right direction, thats a fact.
Look man, you asked me what he has done to fix some problems, I gave you several examples and then you just complain its not fast enough. Which is it, that it's not getting done or it's just not up to speed for you. Do you understand American government? Look up every bill Obama has tried to pass under his presidency, everything has been held up by lack of compromise. You wanna know when we will see change, when we see compromise. Any one with any sense knows it takes longer to build than to destroy, you can't say Obama hasn't done anything for unemployment just because he can't bring jobs back as quickly as Bush destroyed them. Now please post another reply that sounds like regurgitated tea-bagging, maybe again about how we haven't seen change, that seems to be your favorite slogan type.
The real Tea Party...........Koch Brothers and Dick Army, which aren't your average middle class are working people. The few people that you saw at the rally are really decent americans who are being used, mislead and misinformed by those with money and could care less about them. If they were my grandparents I would do everything in my power to enlighten them on what is really going on.
To the Teabaggers "up on the hill": don't just wait there like lemmings for "the end to come," the Koch brothers aren't done with you yet!