WASHINGTON (AP) — If Democrats had doubts about the voter unrest that threatens to rob them of their majority in Congress, they needed only look from the Capitol this weekend to the opposite end of the National Mall.
It’s where Ken Ratliff joined tens of thousands of other anti-government activists at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial for conservative commentator Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally.
“There‘s gotta’ be a change, man,” said Ratliff, a 55-year-old Marine veteran from Rochester, N.Y.
Neither Democrats nor Republicans can afford to ignore the antiestablishment fervor displayed Saturday during Beck’s rally that took on the tone of an evangelical revival.
Billed as a nonpolitical event, it nevertheless was a clarifying moment for those curious as to what clout an anti-Washington sentiment could have on midterm congressional elections in November. The gathering was advertised as an opportunity to honor American troops. But it also illustrated voters’ exasperation — and provided additional evidence that Democrats in power — as well as some incumbent Republicans — may pay the price when voters go to the polls.
The tea party is essentially a loosely organized band of anti-tax, libertarian-leaning political newcomers who are fed up with Washington and take some of their cues from Beck. While the movement drew early skepticism from establishment Republicans, these same GOP powerbrokers now watch it with a wary eye as activists have mounted successful primary campaigns against incumbents.
The Beck rally further demonstrated the tea party activists’ growing political clout.
If the GOP is able to contain and cooperate with the tea party, and recharge its evangelical wing with Beck-style talk of faith, it spells the kind of change Ratliff and others like him are searching for.
The promise of change helped President Barack Obama win the White House in 2008, but could turn against his fellow Democrats this year. Americans‘ dim view of the economy has grown even more pessimistic this summer as the nation’s unemployment rate stubbornly hovered near 10 percent and other troubling economic statistics have emerged on everything from housing to the economy’s growth.
That’s been a drag on both congressional Democrats and the president. While Obama has shelved his soaring campaign rhetoric on change, Beck has adopted it.
At Saturday’s rally, the Fox News Channel personality borrowed Obama’s rhetoric of individual empowerment from one of the then-candidate’s favorite themes on the 2008 campaign trail.
“One man can change the world,” Beck told the crowd. “That man or woman is you. You make the difference.”
Or change Washington. And while Beck didn’t say so, that means change the party in power.
His followers got the message.
“A lot of people want our country back,” said Janice Cantor. She was raised a Massachusetts Democrat and is now a North Carolina tea party activist.
Beck’s religion-laden message was a departure from most tea party events, which tend to focus on economic issues.
Beck, who speaks openly about his Christian faith on his radio and cable news shows, relied heavily on religion during his speech, perhaps offering up a playbook for tea party activists and Republicans this November.
Earlier, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin urged the gathering to change the course of the nation, although she said “sometimes our challenges seem insurmountable.”
“Look around you,” she told the crowd. “You’re not alone.”
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JohnDoe
Posted on September 12, 2010 at 11:18pmOur great country was founded by and for the citizens of the thirteen colonies. It was designed to insure that a central government was controlled and limited by representatives of those citizens. It was given a limited amount of power, with many checks and balances, to secure the rights and freedoms for its citizens. They were making sure that an American Government would and could not become as Britian had. England enacted laws and taxes on their American subjects, but without allowing the colonies a say in their government. Ignoring the will of the people of America, they bullied and took away what limited rights they had and tried to force them to comply. Sound familiar? Yes, we don’t have to look far across the Atlantic at a despotic leader, we have only to look at the Oval Office in Washington, D. C. and to those whom we had entrusted the liberties of the people and the country. Our representatives, Senate and the House, are there to represent the will of the people. Instead, they have consistently lied to the constituents, both during campaigns and when in office. They have consistently rob the American people, not only of their money, but also by stealing their liberties, little by little. The incumbent office holders allow themselves to be above the law, they allow themselves to steal by back-room corrupt deals and the like. They ignore the very people who put them in office, they even resort to passing laws, under cover of darkness. They hide laws and corrupt deals in the midst of thousand of pages of laws. This has always been a trick of unethical lawyers. Their mindset is to bog down any opposition by inudating them with mountains of paperwork. Then, they laugh and call the people stupid and ignorant, or worse! No doubt, I could go on and on. Their lack of character, morals and ethics makes them unfit to be employed anywhere, let alone entrusted with the security, freedom, and economic growth of this great country. They have taken your freedom to worship, especially targeting Christianity. They have tried to rewrite the American history, to further their agendas, just like the Moslems continue to do with Israel.
Soon after deciding what sort of Government America was to become, that very question was asked of Benjamin Franklin. In reply Franklin said, “A Republic….if we can keep it”. This is a question that should be upon the lips of all true American patriots. If we can’t or more correctly, if we won’t, then we don’t deserve it. The choice is up to us, the American people, and the answer should be and must be yes we will!
You’re probably asking how do we insure that we will keep this nation a free Republic. Oh, we voted for only those who promised no more taxes, no more spending, etc., etc. Of course they all were proven to be liars again (or should I have said they were just not quite forthcoming or perhaps they were a little disingenuious?). Then we did the “best of the two evils” choice. This was no different than the “Magician’s Choice” trick! We now know that there is no difference between Republicans and the Democrats when it comes to which is telling the truth. Neither has the best interest of America at heart, probably not even in mind! Their goal is simply to acquire power, money, more power and more money while doing and saying anything to remain in office.
So what is the answer? They don’t listen when the people, overwhelmingly, protest and tries to voice their opposition. So the American people need to get their UNDIVIDED attention. How? WE THE PEOPLE, must vote any and all incumbents out of office. It doesn’t matter if they are better than most. If they haven’t been part of the solution, then they are part of the problem. THEY MUST KNOW AND WE MUST LET THEM KNOW THAT GOVERNMENT WILL NO LONGER BE RUN BY ROUGUE LAWYERS AND OPPORTUNISTS, PROGRESSIVES (AKA SOCIALISTS), ETC. THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN MODERN-DAY CARPETBAGGERS OR WANNA-BE DICTATORS. THEY MUST BE EDUCATED TO THE FACT THAT THEY WILL BE VOTED OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN, UNTIL THEY LEARN THAT OUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO RUN THEIR OWN VERISON OF CRIME, INC.
AND THOSE THAT ARE ELECTED TO OFFICE, BUT CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT WILL SOON LEARN THEY WILL HAVE ONLY ONE TERM IN OFFICE.
We, the people, need to lobby our newly elected representatives to enact new laws to insure ALL our freedoms, our security, etc. Enact laws that ethical or criminal behavior of representatives will be prosecuted swiftly and severly, with no possibility of any pardon…not by a state Governor nor by a President! Enact laws or amendments to limit a President to one term only, ensuring that any damage to our country will not be as damaging as is obvious with this Government. Further limit the terms of our Representatives, both in the Senate and the House. Imperative to limit the term of all Supreme Court Justices to no more than an eight year term and make an amendment that the justices can no longer re-interpret the Constitution, but uphold the laws as it was written and intended by the original framers.
So, the bottom line is this: unless the American people get the undivided attention of those in government…when you and your family members are homeless and hungry or at the very least jobless…remember, you have only yourselves to blame.
THE ONLY WAY TO INSURE THAT YOUR FUTURE REPRESENTATIVES WILL LISTEN TO ITS CONSTITUENTS IS VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS!!! FROM THAT POINT ON, EACH REPRESENTATIVE MUST KNOW WE WILL VOTE THEM OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL WE HAVE RESPONSIBLE REPRESENTATIVES THAT UNDERSTAND THEY ARE THERE FOR THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
Report Post »paulblack
Posted on September 11, 2010 at 7:50pmThe power, Yep we vote them foaming leaches out of office, Obama cries for the next two yrs. and we love hearing a Messiah cry, but what about all those leaches at the teaching level, elementary and above, I hear Iowa in the elementary schools they now teach Obama discovered America before Christopher Columbus but shortly after Chris got here they began shipping Obamamites, to another country, unless they were willing to be enslaved. Then one day looking over the ocean the Obamaites began to whale, and tears of joy rolled down their face it was Obama yes Obama was coming back to free the people.O Obama freed them, yes he did, he destroyed the all the white folks that called themselves Americans. and gave his people a new name (Democratic African Americans) and gave them all free health care and food until it runs out. O OBama O Obama O Obama. O Obama O Obama good song > Stop the teachers!
Report Post »ThinkLikeABlackBelt
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 7:44pmThe article states:
“One man can change the world,” Beck told the crowd. “That man or woman is you. You make the difference.”
YES. Being a political couch potato just won’t do any more. Playing Monday morning quarterback on politics won’t change the world. Each of us, as a drop of rain in rain storm, are forming a huge deluge of change in this country. Elections are just the start. Time for “We The People” to exert our God-given and constitutional rights to fix the corruption we voted into office for so many years.
Report Post »Asher
Posted on September 6, 2010 at 5:49pmThese people know nothing!
Report Post »The Rally wasn’t about the Government, it was about Us! the American.
Mr. Beck is right in everything he said. These people are just too blind to see because they have yet to be caught up in a Storm. They have yet to stand at the cliff, about to jump off and suddenly realize that they can’t do it and that they need Somone bigger than themselves to rely on.
ninecarpileup
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 9:39pmI think the first place to start would be right here:
http://tiny.cc/llqio
It has been 100% proven that an overwhelming majority of the American people were / are against Obama care. Yet OUR supposed representatives passed it anyway. That in and of itself is an act of treason, and those responsible should be held accountable, and sent packing. The self serving political speak is already starting, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) is just the beginning of the flip flopping say anything politicians who will want to add to or clarify their position on Obama care as November draws closer. I say shove it Ron. You had your chance to speak for your constituents, and you took what you thought was the best deal FOR YOU. If the tea party accomplishes nothing other than showing up on the doorstep when every one of these oath breakers comes up for election, and staying until they are banished, the movement will go down in history (real history, not the made up one fed to our children) as a huge success.
Report Post »jayb
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 10:49pmThe fact that some from the other side are planning similar rallies (as reported on Glenn Beck’s TV Show) tells you a lot.
Report Post »Carolynrr
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 12:26pmOh…one more thing….Beck’s rally and the TPM, in general, is against ANY BIG SPENDING POLITICIAN…NOT JUST DEMOCRATS. So, Republicans be warned…you’re out when your term comes due.
Report Post »Carolynrr
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 12:24pmThis rally was great. I can tell you, because I blog on the major sites, including Politico, Washington Post, ABC and CBS….the libs were not happy. For the most part, these blogs have been taken over by Conservatives, Republicans, PO’d Democrats and Indies. But…when Glenn’s rally came around…ring ring…SEIU or whoever, we need bloggers. So…out they came, curse words and all. All against the terms and conditions of the papers…but then…liberal sites give liberal bloggers “exceptions”.
Yes, the predictions of Larry Sabato are a little short. People around this country are mad. Mad that they were lied to, mad that this president is not the President of the United States. Mad that they can feel his hands in their wallets.
However Obama was THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO AMERICA. Better than Beck’s Woodrow Wilson. He has shown his face finally and I don’t think there are many people who back the man anymore, lest those in the unions, who still think he will save them and the die hard communists. Unfortunately for them, they will find that they were just a schill to be used to gain even more power, Stand out and rally…do all that Obama wants you to do. When the money runs out…Do you really think Obama’s hand will be there to save you?
So, yeah…God and God’s principles will save us and Obama will help us look at them. Isn’t God smart…he even uses people who are evil to turn the complacent people towards God and towards a good government. End Rant.
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 12:15amIt‘s too bad Glenn couldn’t do a sweep rally across America. I mean I know safety would be a huge issue but it would be nice to see that big of turn out all over America. I for one would go to it if he would come to my state. I also would love to hear the numbers on how many viewed the event from home.
Report Post »ticktockoma
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 3:45pmYou and I CAN make a difference. WE THE PEOPLE have spoken on 8/28, quietly and respectfully but firmly. Thank you Glen for letting us know by the volume of people that showed up, that we are not alone in how we feel.
Report Post »In November we can start to make a change. And if we don’t like what the new politicians do, they will know we are not afraid to vote them out too! So they’d better be on their toes, and do right by us, or out they’ll go too! Power to the people, that’s where it belongs.
God bless you all.
dio
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 4:54amThe author of the article, Scott Baker, doesn’t seem to get it. 8/28 was NOT a Tea Party rally. I realize that Journalism Schools today are not exactly bastions of intellectual vigor but is it really that hard to comprehend that there are multiple movements underway with similar, not necessarily overlapping reasons to want government to return to its constitutional constraints?
Cliff notes for the media: The Tea Parties are about spending and taxes, 8/28 is about honor and integrity in government and civil life. Hint for the media: That means they aren’t the same movements.
Report Post »dio
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 4:21pmSorry, Mr. Baker. I misread the heading: Mr. Baker posted this story to The Blaze, the article was actually written by an unnamed AP writer. My point still stands. I sincerely regret the error.
Report Post »rhet 2
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 6:26pmWith all due respect to Glen Beck, he did NOT originate this anti-government protest.
He did NOT create it.
He merely HEARD it and responded, giving a Voice to what many hundreds of thousands of what used to be the “Silent Majority” were already thinking.
THANK YOU, Glen Beck.
Now, maybe, others can hear and find the courage to speak up themselves.
Time to end the “progressive” tyranny and climb out of the back of the bus to be seen and heard. Time to make a real difference. Time to rediscover the courage that ended Jim Crow and the KKK bestiality back in the 1960s. Now we end the bestiality of the fanatic destroyers of individuality on the Left. We did it then. We’ll do it again.
Report Post »senah
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 3:28pmPeople mock and MSM basically ignored what happened last week.
Did you see that crowd, and I bet 10 times that amount couldn’t make it there.
I’m sick of progressive and libs. TY GB for showing me the real truth on what is happening.
Report Post »Ellie
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:15pmThe 8/28 rally showed that America is ready for the restoration of honor in themselves, the country, and by extension our politics and politicians.
Those politicians that continue to think that they can continue the same old Left vs. Right or D vs. R tactics will be the big losers in November.
As they are quickly beginning to learn it is no longer he who brings home the most pork or he who spends the most on advertising for their campaign but he who exhibits the most honor in all their public and private dealings that America wants working for them in D.C. once again.
Report Post »Citizen
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 11:41amToo bad most liberals are going to just call everyone on the right racist and say its because Obama is black. That grows so tiresome and stops earnest dialogue.
Report Post »booboobear
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 3:33amThose in power should be scared to death. If the American public is finally fed up with their nonsense and is angry enough to do something about it, the party is over!
Report Post »Sunnyr
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 3:25amThe Liberals are foaming, like salted slugs. They are desperate and will probably get meaner and meaner as the days go by. If you don’t believe it, tune in to MESSNBC and listen to Chrissie Matthews spewing his narrow minded hate! Pathetic.
Report Post »brylacos
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 1:05amI think the Beck rally was an awesome event. Regular taxing paying American citizens such as myself are fed up with this current administration and the current members of both houses PERIOD
Report Post »Extinguisher
Posted on August 30, 2010 at 10:21pmpfft.. the economy signals election trouble for the dems.
Report Post »rhet 2
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 6:21pmNot just the economy.
Pelosi swore to “drain the swamp” — Rangel, Waters, now Johnson — and others — fostered and protected by the “swamp owners.”
Bribery and corruption and browbeating and bully-boy armtwisting to get that atrocity of a NOT medical reform crud, “Obamacare,” passed against the good sense of the vast majority of citizens — and it is proving every bit as false and destructive as we knew it would be.
Interference and corruption in Senate campaigns — in open defiance of the LAW
Refusal to submit Tzar appointments to the Senate
And out of control EPA that acts more like SS troops than anything remotely resembling honest servants of the citizens who are stuck with a man who consistently and constantly SPITS ON Rule of Law
And the list of offenses and destructive hell-born assaults on justice, on compassion, on honest and decent life grows longer by the day.
langushire
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 7:41amI agree with RHET2. Anybody that thinks this movement is spurred by a single issue has not really been listening.
Report Post »rcr1648
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 12:00pmThe world is watching to see if this nation can stand the onslaught of the Communist tempest trying to blow our house down just as they watched in the 2008 elections. Yes, America made history on a veiled promise by PinocciObama. Now that the truth is out, our great nation founded on Truth, Justice and the American way must undo this egregeous error. Thank God for our founding fathers who gave us a system that divides the power between the Legislature; the Judicial, and the Executive branches of government. THESE RULES DICTATE SO THAT NO DICTATOR RULES. Our President has forsaken these God based, man made commandments and must pay the price for his deleterious actions. The majority rules; not the minority. We’re a just nation that seeks to unite all nations under God no matter what your faith. However, their must be vigilance decerning the legal from the illegal. Those who come to this country through the proper channels with hands clasp in prayer; not hands clenched with hate. Charity is being given to the enemy abroad while we, the people, suffer. This will come to an end for charity begins at home. To all Democrats: What will you have when all faith,hope, and charity is gone? An empty Pandoras’ box. Help keep faith, hope and charity alive. Support the American dream by voting the “Right” way. It’s time to correct your mistake. It’s not too late to take back our country from the wolf in sheeps clothing that dictates our rules. I say, “ENOUGH OF THIS NON-SENSE. STAND UP AMERICA! DON’T LET TYRANNY THRIVE ON OUR FRUITED PLAINS. SHINE THE LIGHT ON THE SHADOW AND IT WILL DISAPPEAR. LET’S GO TO THE AMERICAN GUILLOTINE THESE ELECTIONS AND SEVER THE HEADS OF THOSE WOULD BE DEMAGOGUES RUINING THIS GREAT NATION!” Let your vote be the Guillotine of justice these coming elections. Surely, nothing; Republican, Democrat or Independent, can possibly be worse than the “Let them eat cake” attitude of the present administration. The nation is at stake. GO OUT AND VOTE ON 11/2, AMERICA; OR WALLOW IN THEIR WASTE. God bless anyone who reads my words, and God bless the U.S.A. Let’s go “Beck” to our founding fathers. 8/11, as 9/11, will never be forgotten. Amen and Halleluyah!!
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