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April 14, 2010

Tea Party rally Thursday

By Benjamin Bullard The Cullman Times

A nationwide grassroots movement will leave a local footprint tomorrow afternoon at a rally to be held outside the Cullman County courthouse.

The Tax Day Tea Party rally, which will feature speakers including gubernatorial candidates Tim James, Roy Moore and Robert Bentley, will take place on the courthouse steps Thursday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Cullman County Tea Party organizer Nan Auston said she hopes this year’s rally will draw even greater interest than last year’s inaugural event, which enjoyed heavy attendance.

“Last year at the first rally—I feel like that was the day that the Tea Party movement was birthed,” said Auston. “We didn’t have any officials speak last year; we had farmers and teachers and business owners. And it was a success. Since this is an election year, we kind of wanted to invite people running for office to hear what they thought about all this.”

The Tea Party is not a registered third political party, and Auston said she hopes it stays that way.

“Some of the people across the nation want that, but I personally do not,” she said. “I think it’s probably the worst thing that could happen, because it would split votes and political parties. So I do not support the Tea Party becoming a third party.”

As it currently stands, the Tea Party movement welcomes interest from everyone, regardless of political party affiliation. Because Tea Party values are strongly oriented toward tax reform, fiscal conservatism, smaller government and states’ rights, the majority of the movement’s followers lean Republican.

Auston said that’s not by design, and that anyone interested in the Tea Party’s mission is encouraged to participate.

“From the figures I’ve seen, about 8-11 percent are Democrats, but all parties are welcome,” said Auston. “Yes, the majority are Republicans, but there are also quite a few independents. As long as they are against big government, higher taxes and the loss of states’ rights, anybody’s welcome to join.”

Donations will be collected at the event, which Auston said are used to defray the cost of hosting and promoting Tea Party activities in Cullman County.

“Right now, I’m in the process of becoming an LLC,” Auston said. “Every Tea Party is funded in its own way by donations or fundraisers. I spend a good bit for the Tea Party right now out of my own pocket, but I don’t mind it—this is kind of like a calling.”



* Benjamin Bullard can be reached by e-mail at bbullard@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.

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