Updated: $550-plus Palin / Bachman To Headline National Tea Party Event

Update: Via Jennifer on Twitter. $549.00+ For a two day convention plus hotel and travel if it's a national event? Looks like even the Tea Party movement is going Green. Next up, Tea Party tea parties? heh!

Hmm. CNN claims to have confirmed Sarah Palin's role as keynote for a Nashville-based Tea Party event in February. The conference is being dubbed the first National Tea Party event. Formally speaking, perhaps. Though I suspect many who went to Washington's protest might disagree. But this is being called a convention.

Very interesting as they are both Republicans and well received by the Tea Party crowd. I'm unclear of some of the different Tea Party organizations and how that plays into all this. It should be quite an event no matter what. But does this take the Tea Party movement out of the unaligned column? Technically, Palin has said she would back candidates based upon what they believe, not party. I don't believe Bachman has made the same claim. But Sarah Palin will be the lead figure, no doubt about that.

(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.

Cross-posted at Right Wing News.

Comments

[Andrew Ian Dodge]

Yet another attempt to hijack the tea party movement for the Republican cause methinks? TPE didn't work that well so they are holding a conference claiming the mantle. The event costs $550 a person which seems a bit steep for most actual tea party activists. You know the ones on the ground who are normal hard-working people the types who turned out for the Farmers Relief and Freedom Relay all across the land.

[Sherri]

It's definitely a convention as opposed to a Tea Party. Unfortunately, I won't be able to go... the cost to attend is a bit steep for me. Not sure why it costs so much to attend PLUS accommodations since Gov. Palin doesn't charge a speaker's fee, hmm...

[Lisa Graas]

It's certainly an interesting development. My hope is that the Tea Party people will head down to their local GOP and volunteer........and I hope the GOP will welcome that fresh air of conservatism, talent and energy into the fold. Palin talks a great deal about the tea parties and the planks in the GOP. I wouldn't be surprised if she spoke about those planks at this convention. In like manner, I think Bachmann will mention the planks. It's just the smart thing to do, to take back the party for conservatives. Palin and Bachmann are quite politically savvy and I'm sure they'll both be working toward that.

[bishop]

The party establishment has been trying to disown or atleast dismiss her. With their recent record, I wouldn't be so picky,specially with regards to the Tedesco and Scozzofava races. It probably feels like a fair bit of dejavu for her, because of her experience in Alaska.

The Tea Party movement does seem to embody many of the principles she outlined on July 3rd, so it's a good fit

[unseen]

while the GOP elite play musical chairs irt who they will embrace and who they will not. As they play the shy courter hoping for a dance and maybe a phone number, Palin is walking boldly across the floor and asking for the dance herself. She is stating clearly that she does not need the elite GOP in DC. It is almost a Bush "you are either with us or against us" moment. Mitt can play his games and try to lock up the GOP elites and keep them from embracing Palin but if they get no votes? what good is it? with avg folk the gop leaders are powerless. yes the money and endorsements are nice but they really mean a hill of beans if their base leaves them. I believe that if houffman would have fully embraced Palin and asked her to come campaign for him he would have won. Instead he tried to use her endorsement yet not embrace her. That hurt with alot of Palin supporters. Yes the intial response was great for him but his failure to embrace Palin (due to his campaign handlers and the groupthink of the GOP elite) hurt him in the final days as that support tapered off.

the present GOP has made up is in danger of going the way of the Whigs. I see the Tea party not has a third party but the beginings of the new GOP.

[USMC]

The only thing I can think of for the steep price is they're fund raising for 2010.

Last I checked Tea Parties just want folks with principles. So far Palin and Bachmann have shown that.
I think most Tea Partiers would like to see the GOP have a rebirth and look more like our Founders and not Progressive lite.

[TEXAS JIM]

I AM ALL FOR SARAH 100% PLUS SHE IS AN AMERICAN AND
IS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE,,,NOT FOR THE IDIOTS IN CONGRESS AND WILL STAND UP AGAINST THEM..