http://ipraudio.interlochen.org/tea_party_0.MP3
The Tea Party Express rumbled through Michigan's Lower Peninsula over the weekend. This leg was termed by some a "victory lap" in the wake of Congressman Bart Stupak's announcement that he's stepping down.
Rolling Into Cheboygan
The three big buses plastered with campaign slogans and filled with politicians, radio talk show hosts, campaign managers, and entertainers pulled up to the Cheboygan City Park at 8:00 sharp Saturday morning.
"I believe, no I don't just believe - no I declare it to be historic fact - that The United States of America was in fact founded as a Christian nation," Speaker Gary Glenn told the crowd. He's president of the American Family Association of Michigan.
Gloating Over Stupak's Retirement
And the person who is considered the founder of the National Tea Party Express tour, Mark Williams, took credit for ousting one of its biggest opponents. The group launched a TV and radio campaign last week attacking Congressman Bart Stupak, who announced plans to retire Friday.
"We are here obviously in defense of our constitution, in defense of our country but also to celebrate the power of the tea party here in Michigan. You did all the heavy lifting, all the hard work, then we came along with the final nail in the political coffin of a guy by the name of 'Stupak,'" Williams said.
Stupak says the tea party didn't have anything to do with his decision. The nine-term democrat has faced harsh criticism for his role in the healthcare debate and voting for the final bill. Stupak says he's proud of the work he's done and feels if he didn't leave now he'd spend the rest of his life in Washington.
A Vietnam Vet from Cheboygan, Cash Tryban, isn't celebrating. He's angry.
"It's time we take back our country. I'm angry at not being representative [sic], and our representatives just doing what they want without the will of the people"
We're Not Racist
The National Tea Party has its own anthem, written by singer/songwriter Lloyd Marcs. He's been traveling with the Tea Party Express since it kicked off the tour in Nevada in late March and he attacks a criticism he's heard -- that the movement has racist undertones.
"Hello my fellow patriots. I'm not an African American, I'm an AMERICAN!!! And I have a message for Mr. Obama..."
Moving On To Emmet
Later that morning about 450 people turned out in Emmett County at the Fairgrounds, mainly to hear from local politicians, including State Senator Jason Allen as well as a crowd of hopefuls looking for the Republican nomination to run for Bart Stupak's seat.
I'm here today to stop the madness in Washington because enough is enough," says Dan Benishek, a surgeon from Iron River. "Enough taxes. We've had enough of takeovers. We've had enough of stupid things they're doing there. What we don't have enough of is jobs"
"You guys live on the water, too," says another hopeful, Attorney Linda Goldthorpe. She lives in the Upper Peninsula town of Curtis. "Now my children don't have as many rights as the cormorants! The constitution is entirely ignored!"
Don Hooper from Iron Mountain plans to make his run for the 1st Congressional District as well:
"Welcome people, God bless America. This is a Christian nation and we want to keep it that way," he told the crowd.
From The Crowd
Signs in the crowd read, "STOP THE TYRANNY," and "CONGRESS GET YOUR OWN 401 K PLAN," and WHERE"S THE TAR?".
One man held a poster of Bart Stupak that reads, "JERK."
A Petoskey woman didn't appreciate that sentiment, though.
"We don't like that kind of language," Carolyn Duran said. "We think that just being fair and conservative, fair and honest, hanging on to the values that put our country together through the Constitution."