The exhibition hall at the Richmond Convention Centre was not filled Friday as tea party activists from around Virginia converged on the capital city to attend the first-ever Virginia Tea Party Convention. Reportedly 2,300 had registered for the two-day event.
With notable convention props … loud live music, banners hanging from the ceiling, video clips, signs, and a huge stage back-drop banner proclaiming “The Constitution Still Matters” … the crowd was enthusiastic listening to speakers who hit on points of less government and greater personal freedoms.
Fox News Channel was prominent in its coverage, sending correspondents James Rosen and Griff Jenkins along with a TV crew that set up an interviewing area and pulled in the tea party director Jamie Radke and others for interviews throughout the day.
Americans for Prosperity’s Virginia Director Ben Marchi was also prominent on the convention floor. AFP, the latest victim of Barack Obama’s criticism that has included Fox News and Rush Limbaugh, is one of a group of sponsors for the event. Their “Socialism Isn’t Cool” signs could be seen throughout the convention center and many sported the green and white AFP lapel stickers.
Virginia’s two top Republican office holders, Governor Bob McDonnell and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, were on hand Friday for a panel discussion about government reform moderated by political guru Bob Holsworth. They received a standing ovation and cheers as they waved and greeted the crowd. McDonnell said he would approval a constitutional amendment popular with tea party members that would allow two-thirds of the states to repeal a federal law. Bolling discussed the alcohol beverage privatization issue meant to get government out of the booze business and the creation of jobs in Virginia.
Friday also brought political strategist Dick Morris, a frequent Fox News Channel guest, to the stage where he revealed his political action committee was going to back second-tier Republican candidates between now and election day. These candidates are ones Morris feels are within striking distance of winning over their Democrat opponents, the seats Democrats thought were safe.
Another familiar face to Fox News watchers was John Fund, a columnist with the Wall Street Journal and weekly “On the Trail” writer for Opinion Journal. His solid conservative fiscal advice met with an approving crowd.
A presidential straw poll was announced throughout the day on Friday and is expected to conclude Saturday afternoon. Selections on the ballot include Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in addition to 12 Republicans consisting of Chris Christie, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, Jim DeMint, Mitch Daniels, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, Mike Pence (speaker at Saturday night’s Family Foundation dinner in the convention center), Newt Gingrich, and Michele Bachmann.
Saturday will probably see a larger crowd with a packed schedule including speakers Lou Dobbs, former Virginia U.S. Senator and Governor George Allen, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), Rep. Steve King (R-IO), and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA). The patriots are here … the tea party is in Richmond.
