Tea Party Express Caravan
Day 7 – September 3
San Antonio and Waco, Texas
What’s the deal? We managed to get through the entire San Antonio tea party without hearing one single drawl. Are we not in Texas? We must be, because we were smack dab in the center of the Alamo plaza today. It was CROWDED. I’d estimate 1,200 turned out, but we were so cramped in the middle, and spread out around the edges, it’s hard to get a good guess.
The tea partiers were so very kind and welcoming. Regrettably, it was ridiculously hot – and humid. At least that’s what I think they call it. It was only around 80 degrees, but I was soaking wet all day, like everyone else. It’s hard to carry on a conversation because at least one of the parties has liquid dripping from their face the whole time. The musicians and singers had to stop 3 separate times to call for a medical doctor to attend some overheated patriot. I heard they are all 3 doing well now. These are brave, committed folks.
It looked like every local news outlet in town came by. We were in the same place from which Glenn Beck broadcast his April 15th Tea Party day show. LOTS of Beck fans in the crowd! Sold more Sarah Palin shirts here than anywhere else, so far.
John talked with the counter-protester for a few minutes. His sign read “Universal Healthcare = Human Right.” I think my favorite sign of the day was “Think Green. Recycle Congress.”
William and Selena Owens both spoke briefly. I sure like them.
We’re meeting all the TPE caravan workers – Tiffany, Donald, Calvin, Ryan…great people.
Waco, Texas
Boy, is Waco Tea Party organized. They all wear matching shirts, had staff badges, and had a local forum going long before the TPE arrived at around 5pm. The stage set in a huge lawn bowl was great. I think there were as many as 2,500 people. Candidates were relegated to one area of the edge of the lawn with their tables and flyers. No candidates or politicians are allowed to speak on the stage. I like that.
Griff did another live package right at the end of the tea party. I guess the news folks still see the growing movement – it’s not Astroturf, because Astroturf doesn’t GROW!
FOUR tea party stops tomorrow. Time for bed!
