Sarah Palin Kicks Off Tea Party Rally in Searchlight, Nevada
Sarah Palin, opened the Tea Party protest in Searchlight, Nevada, Senator Harry Reid’s hometown. She coaxed agitated Americans to raise their voice against what is being called the "Obama-Pelosi-Reid spending spree."
The rally that was christened "Showdown in Searchlight," was aimed at garnering support for the Senate Democrat Leader’s defeat in the November elections. The activists of the tea party are wishing that the rally will carry an important symbolic message in the times to come. They are also referring to the rally in Searchlight as “the largest retirement party in the world.”
Senate leader, Reid, was brought up in the small former mining town in Nevada Deser. There has been growing resentment against him for supporting the controversial health care bill and also for helping President Obama push through the “fixes” measure.
Thousands of activists had gathered at the rally. Palin told the gathering, "Washington has broken faith with the people that they are to be serving.” She also said that the message to government leaders is "loud and clear." The protesting crowds cheered as she said, "The big government, the big debt, Obama-Pelosi-Reid spending spree is over. You're fired,"
At all her Tea Party events, Palin has been asking for support in favor of "common sense conservative values" and has been deriding "elites in Washington" and their huge spending of public money. Her speech on Saturday had echoes of the same sentiments.
Recently, she has also been criticized for her facebook page that urged conservatives to not retreat, "Instead - RELOAD!" Many argued saying the post asks for violent action against Democrats.
Palin, however, rubbished these claims and said, “Let's clear the air right now .We're not inciting violence. Don't get sucked into the lame-stream media lies about Americans standing up for freedom. It's a bunch of bunk that the media is trying to feed you. Don't let them try to divert (attention from the actual problem.)"
Sen.Reid expressed his happiness at the number of people who came to see his hometown, in a statement to CNN. He said, “Ultimately, though, this election will be decided by Nevadans, not people from other states who parachute in for one day to have a tea party."
The state Democratic party and the Reid Campaign have set up a hospitality tent very close to the site of the rally.
The senator will be spending his Saturday with National Rifle Association's executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre who is one of the senator's supporters. They will be a part of the big opening of the $60 million Clark County Shooting Park north of Las Vegas. The Senator is given credit for being instrumental in the effort.
Reid, however, feels political sentiment isn’t really against him as it is portrayed by the conservatives. In a recent interview to CNN in Las Vegas, he said, I don't think many voters in Nevada dislike me. I think we have an economic situation in Nevada that is very difficult.”
Reid is not facing any serious primary challenge. Last year, he created and broadcasted advertisements showcasing his contributions to economic development in the area and giving an introduction of himself to the newly moved voters in Nevada.
According to recent polls from the Mason-Dixon organization, 33 percent of those who polled have a positive opinion of Reid, where as 52 percent said they have an unfavorable view of him.
Reid’s vulnerable position in the state stems from the abysmal situation of its economy. It’s has the highest rate of foreclosures in the nation and its unemployment rate of 13 % is second only to that of Michigan.
Republican protesters are latching on the disturbing statistics of Nevada’s economy and seeing Reid as entirely responsible for them. A businesswoman in Nevada and a former state GOP Chairwoman, Sue Lowden said "He has lost touch with what is going on here in Nevada. It is all about jobs. His solution is to put the country more in debt -- to tax the country more -- to put our children and grandchildren at risk for years and years of being in debt," she added..
Two of Obama’s recent quips about not wasting money in Las Vegas have sorely gone against Reid’s case in his State.
Reid is known to be a resolute politician. He has emerged successful in many a close elections in the past. He is expected to persistently send out the message of his hard work for the state.
He has, however, announced that his campaign this time won’t be very different from those in the past.
"People in the state of Nevada know me," Reid said. "I'm not going to be changing who I am for an election. I'm just who I was when I started this a long time ago, and I continue to be the same person I used to be, as I am today, and will work very hard to meet the additional requirements that come with a changing economy that we have."
The Tea Party Rally, a 42-city bus tour, will finally end up in Washington on April 15 i.e. the tax day. The event at Searchlight is being called a “conservative Woodstock” by locals.
