Joe the Plumber at D.C. Tea Party: No one on the Hill gives a rip about you
posted at 4:10 pm on February 27, 2009 by Allahpundit
Even I’m not so cynical as to believe that, but he’s entirely right to credit the boss for her tireless work in promoting the Tea Parties. She’s been Twittering contact info on this stuff for days and dropped by the D.C. festivities herself this afternoon. Click for photos and video of that, or go here for her coverage of Parties around the country. I like the “No Taxation Without Deliberation” sign best; read Jonah Goldberg’s piece today at NRO for a shrewd gloss on the haste to make waste.
More coverage at Instapundit. Exit question: How many of you followed DeMint’s advice to CPAC and “took to the streets” today?
Update: Another good sign here. You’ll know it when you see it.
Update: A fair question from lorien1973 in the comments: “In reality, though. These tea parties are pointless. They have no direction. What do they want to accomplish with them?”
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Best. Sign. Ever.
lorien1973 on February 27, 2009 at 4:12 PM
I was thinking the exact same thing, lorien. My question is, won’t some of them, like Barney Frank, like that?
Torch on February 27, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Joe Knows
faraway on February 27, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Just made a comment on the CNN poll that I was disappointed not to see the Tea Parties covered. Guess I was just a tad early. Sorry and thanks.
We had a good party in Tulsa. Lot’s of good signs. Pretty good turnout for short notice. Had a state senator support, several speakers and folks ready to get involved — many for the first time. There’s a lot of anger out here.
Christian Conservative on February 27, 2009 at 4:14 PM
You don’t mess with Joe.
jimmy2shoes on February 27, 2009 at 4:15 PM
“…and thats the bottom line…”
‘cuz stone cold says so.
im sorry, i couldnt help myself. he even kinda looks like steve austin
ernesto on February 27, 2009 at 4:15 PM
In reality, though. These tea parties are pointless.
They have no direction. What do they want to accomplish with them?
lorien1973 on February 27, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Lol.
BadgerHawk on February 27, 2009 at 4:16 PM
b-4 too long the dimmies and libbies will be calling this guy “Joe the Millionaire” I LOVE THIS GUY – I would bet dollars to doughnuts that Joe would not use his waffles as a way to avoid a direct question….
Ris4victory on February 27, 2009 at 4:16 PM
King George: “In reality, though. These tea parties are pointless.”
faraway on February 27, 2009 at 4:16 PM
I nominate “Constant Comment” as the offical tea of HotAir.
BigD on February 27, 2009 at 4:17 PM
we should start throwing tea bags at obama everywhere he goes.
hey if bush gets shoes thrown at him, why not?
cameo on February 27, 2009 at 4:18 PM
They’ve already accomplished more than this so-called stimulus package will.
jimmy2shoes on February 27, 2009 at 4:19 PM
What’s with the losers in the white top hats??
capitulus on February 27, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Oh yeah, that sign is a real winner all right. Sexual innuendos are such great message to send as part of an astro-turf protest.
starfleet_dude on February 27, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Congressman Frank’s office called. He’s very excited to craft a bipartisan teabagging deal.
Christien on February 27, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Proving Chuck Schumer wrong. Period.
MadisonConservative on February 27, 2009 at 4:23 PM
It’s kind of like a warm up to completely surrounding the Capitol building 24/7 with a rabid, torch and pitchfork wielding mob.
TugboatPhil on February 27, 2009 at 4:24 PM
The main point about the tea parties, to me, is that it’s getting people together. It’s getting rid of some of that fragmentation in the party. I also think it will get people who don’t necessarily agree about everything to get together on this issue. I’m a pro-choice atheist. This issue makes me come together with pro-life Christian conservatives. We have a common bond in that we don’t want to see our country that we love sold out and bankrupted. And we all know that these things start out small but get bigger and more organized with each protest.
Hopefully, there will be more. It will let a lot of conservatives who’ve had their voices drowned out by the left know that they aren’t alone. There are other people who feel the same way they do.
But maybe the usual pessimistic me is being overly optimistic. We’ll see.
CookeyD on February 27, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Congressman Frank’s office called. He’s very excited to craft a bipartisan teabagging deal.
Christien on February 27, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Senator McConnell is the eager co-sponsor.
capitulus on February 27, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Poor guy only sold FIVE copies at his book signing last night.
benny shakar on February 27, 2009 at 4:26 PM
We are no longer the monarchy of England because of them……it starts with a single shot.
HornetSting on February 27, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Tea party, shmea party. Starve the bastards. Stop paying taxes until the insanity stops. Atlas shrugs.
Valiant on February 27, 2009 at 4:26 PM
The point of the parties is not in what they accomplish, but what they signify.
Conservatives are notorious for not being the “get out and protest” types. We have jobs, and better things to do.
Yes, the parties represent the idea that “joe the plumber” has finally had it with Washington. Truly, it should worry that conservatives are protesting. This is because, if we have finally decided to say something outloud, then you know its bad, and you know it aint the last you heard of us, and it is only going to get bigger.
RiteWingFascist on February 27, 2009 at 4:26 PM
The movement is growing. The time has come for it to be on DRUDGE. Send in the tips to Drudge about the Tea Parties. As usual Matt Drudge will be the first main stream media to carry it. Let’s get it on Drudge!!!
bloggless on February 27, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Don’t feed the troll.
Akzed on February 27, 2009 at 4:28 PM
In my dreams, Sarah Palin takes to the streets with us and leads the next round of Tea Parties.
Can you imagine the turnouts?
petefrt on February 27, 2009 at 4:28 PM
If you aren’t willing to follow the narrative we are being fed it is that the country is on board. Why do you think the WH Press secretary needed to pour cold water on dissent? They can’t afford to be spending billions while people are complaining about. Someone esle I heard put it better. Populism is Obama’s turf not his opponents.
Conan on February 27, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Awareness! Get people mad enough to do something about the rape of the American Economy by the Obama administration.
People on the left raged about Bush’s policies, erosion of liberties add nauseum. In just a few short weeks, Obama managed to destroy our economy, raise our taxes, and reduce our standard of living.
That’s a pretty good direction, don’tcha think?
Kini on February 27, 2009 at 4:29 PM
In California our focus is recalling politicians that voted for the tax increases and getting the taxes repealed. There will be a rally on 3/7 in Orange County organized by KFI hosts John and Ken with this goal.
Mark1971 on February 27, 2009 at 4:29 PM
They even had Japanese tourists there.
bloggless on February 27, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Better not respond to you, then, other than to say lorien is far from a troll.
MadisonConservative on February 27, 2009 at 4:30 PM
My two cents: An enraged mob isn’t the best image for the GOP right now.
Allahpundit on February 27, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Isn’t the point to show loyal dissent, essentially activism. It’s something the right has been lacking.
Cr4sh Dummy on February 27, 2009 at 4:30 PM
+1
capitalist piglet on February 27, 2009 at 4:31 PM
It beats sitting on my ass and being depressed. I enjoyed the one I went to last week. I felt like I was at least TRYING to do something.
jewells45 on February 27, 2009 at 4:31 PM
As I said. Pointless.
I feel like these tea parties are the first step to irrelevance. Much like libertarians, fiscal cons will be on the sidelines wringing their hands waiting for their chance, that’ll never come.
lorien1973 on February 27, 2009 at 4:31 PM
A group of protesters does not mean an enraged mob. Chicago 68 was an enraged mob. Dismissing the rights of assembly and free expression is a critical mistake.
MadisonConservative on February 27, 2009 at 4:31 PM
lorien1973,
What the hell we ‘sposed to do, mo-ron?
/Stork
Christien on February 27, 2009 at 4:31 PM
If the subject line is TEABAG a little siren will go off in Drudge’s head and he’ll be sure to read it.
capitulus on February 27, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Kinda worked for the left.
Evah hear of the squeaky wheel?
Kini on February 27, 2009 at 4:32 PM
I will give you two more cents and click on an HA ad if you give me what you think is good for the GOP image. I’m not endorsing an enraged mob.
WashJeff on February 27, 2009 at 4:32 PM
I don’t care what other people think, there are millions of American’s who are sick to death of this and trying to do their best to make a statement. Sarah and JTP are at least trying to get out a message on this crud. Agree or not.
L
letget on February 27, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Here’s one thing they are accomplishing, whether they mean to or not: They are making people like me feel a lot less powerless, and a lot less hopeless.
We CAN keep this destruction from happening, but we aren’t going to do it sitting on our butts in front of a computer fighting with each other.
capitalist piglet on February 27, 2009 at 4:33 PM
When Joe the Plumber has to encourage the conservative masses to “get educated” you know you’re in trouble.
capitulus on February 27, 2009 at 4:34 PM
+10!
capitalist piglet on February 27, 2009 at 4:34 PM
The only way Joe will be vindicated is if he wins millions of dollars from the State of Ohio.
Speedwagon82 on February 27, 2009 at 4:34 PM
No worries. Michael Steele will fix that during his “rap-off” with Colbert next week.
Seriously. Thursday night.
/facepalm
SnarkVader on February 27, 2009 at 4:34 PM
If the tea parties are a prelude to a bigger thing, like torch-and-pitchfork training exercises or something, then they’re useful. But if this is all it’s going to be, then it is pointless.
All this talk about “having a voice” and “getting together” and “finally speaking up and saying something out loud” is great, but if nobody in DC is listening to us (including those in OUR party for whom WE voted), then we’re really just talking to hear ourselves talk.
As for now, these are just big group therapy sessions where you can go and feel comforted by the fact that you’re not the only person on your block who thinks the country’s going to hell.
World B. Free on February 27, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Which is desperately needed right now. Plus, at the very least, if enough people go out to them, we can at least prove to people like Specter that we do care about these things.
Esthier on February 27, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Sorry Lorien, my bad, thought Tug was quoting Starfleet Dipstick.
Akzed on February 27, 2009 at 4:34 PM
What’s with all the Joe hate going on? He’s a regular guy – a typical American. Is that worthy of contempt now?
capitalist piglet on February 27, 2009 at 4:35 PM
The Pissed-Off, United, Can Never Be Defeated!
Christien on February 27, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Where do I sign up for a shift on the line?
belad on February 27, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Wonderful. But here’s the problem. I’ll use the Iraq War as my template.
The left was all out and protesting against the Iraq War. But what really gave those protests credence? Politicians in Washington, who were on their side, citing the protests and giving them fuel to fight with. It started small and grew over time – the media helped this of course.
Flash forward to now. Is there any, serious politician up there who is credible standing up against anything that is going on? Not really.
Bemoan it all you want, but every republican dissent is mocked as “the party of no” and until there is a coherent positive message about fiscal responsibility, there is no real choice to make. And right now, GOP is not credible to stand up against this because of its big spending ways as of late.
And we have no leaders up there making that option available. Thus, they are pointless. Just a bunch of people holding signs that make us giggle.
lorien1973 on February 27, 2009 at 4:36 PM
The problem with today’s tea parties is that the issues are so convoluted and true costs are hidden from taxpayers. The original tea party at Boston occurred when England refused to rescind a tax on tea, which pretty much hurt everyone in the country at the time, directly.
Nowadays we don’t have just one tax but literally hundreds to deal with every day and we’re not facing just one single tyrannical king but municipalities, state governments, county seats and a whole raft of taxes excised from us by the Federal government, from taxes on phone usage (really, how often do we ponder the taxes from using our cell phones?) and gasoline to basic income taxes.
There’s no lynchpin like a ‘tea tax’ to rally patriots around. The reason today’s tea parties are getting any activity at all is for the sheer size of the government’s theft from the people. But even this is not enough to stir the right kind of passion to overthrow the government (by the electoral process). Some one big thing must happen that hurts everyone directly and makes our blood boil so hot we must take up pitchforks.
Oddly and surprisingly, that day is not here yet.
JonPrichard on February 27, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Did you know Joe really isn’t his first name, the horror!!
/douchebaggery
omnipotent on February 27, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Threadwinner.
thirteen28 on February 27, 2009 at 4:37 PM
*Sigh* Is it necessary to tear down every damn thing the grass roots folks do? Note to lorien1973 and AP – get it over with and join the other side. This is just the beginning, hopefully the message will become more focused over time. Constant defeatism is so tiring.
echosyst on February 27, 2009 at 4:37 PM
It’s all about image with you, isn’t it?
thirteen28 on February 27, 2009 at 4:38 PM
A well behaved enraged mob is a good thing, you know.
Remember this quote?
Kini on February 27, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Agreed. Desperately needed.
And to some people I must ask: What’s wrong with our side making our opinions heard? What’s wrong with expressing our outrage? We did it during Bush v. Gore, and it shocked people, because we’re the ones who usually shut up and go to work. Well, I say we give them our opinion, and give it to them loudly.
capitalist piglet on February 27, 2009 at 4:38 PM
You know, they say ‘don’t feed the troll’, but you really are an elitist bag of bile. If I didn’t know better, I would think that you are Obama himself, but you’re probably sitting at home waiting for your welfare check to arrive in the mail.
HornetSting on February 27, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Isn’t that the truth!
CookeyD on February 27, 2009 at 4:38 PM
AMEN to that.
capitalist piglet on February 27, 2009 at 4:39 PM
I’ve got a pitchfork buried fork side up on my lawn with a torch next to it. Enraged, yes, mob, not yet, give me another stimulus or two and I’ll show you a mob.
HornetSting on February 27, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Besides, do any of you here have a better idea?
Blogging, talking, all of that is great and all, but what has it actually accomplished? Even though most Americans seem to understand that government is the problem, we’re not even winning the war against the stimulus.
So what’s the solution here? What are we supposed to be doing?
Esthier on February 27, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Tucker Carlson had the right idea – more facts, less spin.
starfleet_dude on February 27, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Zackly. If it’s the first shot of an escalating conflict, it’s a useful start. If it’s the only shot, then it’s a waste.
Solidarity!
petefrt on February 27, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Also, I think it’s a good start for conservatives and GOP. We really don’t seem to be the protesting types. We need to get the hang of it and become GOOD at it.
Oink on February 27, 2009 at 4:41 PM
For the life of me I don’t know why Michelle Malkin likes AP so much, she encourages the very thing AP rails against all of the time and she is right to do so. Why have someone undermining your efforts on a daily basis and pay him good money to do it? Just saying…
echosyst on February 27, 2009 at 4:41 PM
In reality, though. These tea parties are pointless.
They have no direction. What do they want to accomplish with them?
To show politicians how MAD we are. They certainly are not pointless. Tea Parties sprang up all over the country today only about two weeks after Santelli suggested having one. You have to start somewhere.
Lizzy on February 27, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Yep, those who would buy his book are those that are having to pay for this turd of a pork-filled stimulus bill. They have no money left after the Congressional mugging and gang rape being foisted upon them.
jimmy2shoes on February 27, 2009 at 4:42 PM
I think it’s a good start, and I’m glad people turned out to dissent and exercise their First Amendment rights.
Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative.
Christien on February 27, 2009 at 4:42 PM
LMFAO @ the sign!
upinak on February 27, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Conservatives tend to hold a higher standard than the left.
But I am sharpening my pitchfork.
Kini on February 27, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Glad I could amuse you.
Sorry, but as someone else just said earlier, the defeatist attitude is getting old.
jewells45 on February 27, 2009 at 4:43 PM
YES WE CAN!!! …have meaningless tea parties that won’t do anything except make the attendees feel like they’re doing something…
game.set.match
will the last concerned, liberty loving, freedom enjoying, responsibility agreeing, capitalism embracing US citizen please turn out the lights
gatorboy on February 27, 2009 at 4:43 PM
“Stimulus” bill……………………..$878 billion
Omnibus spending bill…………….$410 billion (covering four months)
President Obama’s proposed budget*…….$3.6 trillion!!!!!
None of these qualify Jon?????
Or do you mean like Obama claiming martial law?
Rovin on February 27, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Bad example. The protests started long before they had any support, and arguably, it was the protests that gave the politicians a reason to believe supporting the anti-war movement would be a good idea.
Even Kerry campaigned in support of the war, and that was after Cindy Sheehan.
Esthier on February 27, 2009 at 4:43 PM
What we really need is large-scale organization through some of the more prominent blogs. Michelle has been good about alerting folks to area protests, but eventually someone (here, Ace, LGF, etc) needs to organize something BIG for this to really take off. Not violent or crazy, just BIG. Big enough that it can’t be ignored.
These small, scattered events without much sponsorship or pomp and circumstance are easy to ignore. We need to go big.
World B. Free on February 27, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Considering that Network was one of the most prophetic movies of all time, I see no reason not to go with its wisdom.
MadisonConservative on February 27, 2009 at 4:44 PM
We are seeing something here…numbers are small but I feel they will grow larger and larger as Captin Zero keeps at it. 1 term fail…it starts in 2010 when the congress is cleaned out. I see lorien1972 point about protest/war/MSM but this to me is a whole different ballgame and the dems are not ready for it. It will hit them like a bolt of carbon credits from Al Gore’s ars!!! ~B
Brian on February 27, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Maybe you can enlighten us with what YOUR plan is? Perhaps you can regale us with some anecdotes about what YOU have done that had any constructive affect?
echosyst on February 27, 2009 at 4:45 PM
When do we get to Tar and Feather a Tax Collector?
jp on February 27, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Why are you trying to discourage Americans from exercising their right to peaceful assembly? Are you that much of an Eeyore that you don’t think it’s even possible for the American people to make a difference in their own destiny?
capitalist piglet on February 27, 2009 at 4:45 PM
I attended the Tampa protest. The organizer had less than 48 hours to organize and we had over 100 attendees. More rally’s to follow.
Answer to Lorien’s Question: We want to repeal the pork bill that was passed without ANYONE reading it. We want to hold our elected officials accountable for every single penny (including Nancy Pelosi’s $30M little mouse B.S.)
We are doing this to encourage other concerned Americans about our devolution into socialism. We are doing this to empower those who have never spoken out about our true feelings about what’s happening (including myself).
We are doing this for our children and for our future.
I hope that is reason enough for you.
Key West Reader on February 27, 2009 at 4:46 PM
I like the comraderie aspect of tea parties, which is important if an actual citizen’s revolt is going to get any traction. A historical touchstone whose “cause” is intentionally open to interpretation, allowing the tent to widen.
This is exactly what the other side is doing to great effect. I have a rabid lib friend who likes to engage in political fisticuffs. The other day I pointed out that his folks finally conceded that Global Warming has nothing to do with science and everything to do with creating an “believers vs. non-believers” wedge issue when they started calling it Climate Change. A catch-all that everyone can now get behind whether you think the weather is colder or hotter. To which my friend had a hissy hemorage, basically calling me a flat earther.
But that’s because he couldn’t grasp that I was actually complimenting the left. They’ve taken something as banal as the weather and turned it into the most dire issue of this generation. My god, it’s like living in the movie Being There except EVERYONE but you is Chance Gardner.
So keep it vague, ye tea partiers. I think you’re on to something.
miles on February 27, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Brian, numbers are small but they will grow, you’re right – but a lot of people who Obama is hurting are at work on Friday afternoons.
We need to start having these opportunities for people on the weekends, I think.
capitalist piglet on February 27, 2009 at 4:46 PM
The things I learn on line. Now the left has dirtied up the word teabag. Why couldn’t you people just stick to the gold standards – pee pee and poo poo?
bloggless on February 27, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Of course these aren’t pointless. I wanted to go to the one in my city, but I couldn’t get a ride (and can’t do that drive myself).
I expect there will be more, and I’ll get another chance.
Alana on February 27, 2009 at 4:47 PM
2nd that earlier AMEN
I think KP has gotten to Allah’s head.
Be_Aware on February 27, 2009 at 4:47 PM
funny thing about that poster:
Reggie Love, former Duke Football and Basketball player who is Obama’s Aide. In college he got drunk at a chapel Hill Frat party and passed out, they wrote all over him and took pictures. One of the Pictures consisted of the Chapel Hill Frat guy literally Tea Bagging him.
Google around, you’ll find the pics
jp on February 27, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I think if we actually dumped a lot of tea in the ocean then we would get press coverage.
profgubler on February 27, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Every journey……..
………. starts with a single step.
Seven Percent Solution on February 27, 2009 at 4:48 PM
The guy that got humiliated on his own show — by a comedian?
benny shakar on February 27, 2009 at 4:49 PM
You’re not kidding. I know everyone always references the “I’m as mad as hell” scene, but the really prophetic and chilling monologue is the one where Howard Beale talks about “the tube” being run by corrupt corporations with personal agendas. If that doesn’t sum up 90% of the media today, I don’t know what does.
Doughboy on February 27, 2009 at 4:49 PM
I did it last week, and I will again very soon.
You could’ve said the same thing about the Orange Revolution in Ukraine. They started out with just a few hundred protesters. Which grew. And Grew. And GREW. Eventually, the entire government was brought down.
These “Tea Parties” are far from pointless.
Norwegian on February 27, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Capitalist piglet-
I feel when the numbers do grow the weekend/weekday thing will be a non-player. Until then, I agree. Weekends are the way to grow the numbers.
Brian on February 27, 2009 at 4:49 PM
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