Hundreds of conservatives (Republicans and others), show up at Marin event

The Mill Valley Community Center was awash in red, white and blue as hundreds of Republicans, Independents, Libertarians and self-described conservatives gathered for a rousing networking event on Sunday afternoon to promote their brand of change.

The so-called Groupa-Palooza event, was billed by sponsor Bay Area Patriots as the "largest gathering of conservatives in the Bay Area" and when we arrived shortly after 1 p.m., there were at least a hundred people lined up outside waiting to get into the already jam-packed event.  There were a few colorful characters sprinkled among the flag-wearing grandmothers and preppy business types, but overall it was a pretty sedate bunch.

Not so sedate were the handful of Lyndon LaRouche supporters who waved Hitler-style Obama posters while shouting anti-Obama slogans at the crowd. 

Sally Zelikovsky, the event organizer and founder of Bay Area Patriots was quick to point out that although "they're exercising their right to free speech, they're not with our group."

What was missing in this very liberal county, was the opposition. Nary a protest or Democrat sign to be seen anywhere. Sitting nearby, however, was Deborah Phelan, a local Progressive Party organizer who had waged a one-woman fight against the conservative event.

"The decision was that we were not going to protest," said Phelan, "Because we don't give any credence to the people who are sponsoring this event."

Terry Inscoe an Independent from Ross, who was standing in line, was one of those who gave the event credence.

"I'm not with any particular group," he said, "I wanted to hear what peoples views are. I'm concerned with deficit spending and I prefer a small government to big government and I don't like the health care bill."

Inside, political groups ranged from the traditional like the 72-year-old California Federation of Republican Women to the more fringe My Liberty San Mateo 9.12 Project a group inspired by Glenn Beck. If there was a unifying theme at the event, it was a preponderance of buttons and placards reading "Reset 2010." It is the rallying cry of conservatives everywhere as they make the push for a change in the political makeup of Congress with next November's election.

Roger Hubbard of Marin was carrying a broom to illustrate the point.

"It's a clean sweep in November," said Hubbard, "And for Harry Reid come November, the only thing he's going to be pushing through the house, is a broom."

(We assume he meant 'house' not House as Reid in in the Senate.)

Party faithful pitched their particular passion; heath care reform, guns, taxes or immigration. There were speeches and tributes, and a particularly beautiful a-Capella rendition of the national anthem sung by a quartet of schoolgirls.

There were also a lot of political candidates pushing their platforms from the well known (Carly Fiornia for U.S. Senate) to the lesser known (Doris Gentry for State Assembly, 7th District). Everyone was giving away some kind of swag--hats, buttons, pencils and postcards but if you wanted the hot item of the day, a "Reset 2010" button, that set you back two bucks.

Speaking pointedly about the Democratic leadership in Congress, Zelikovsky echoed the reset theme as she addressed the crowd-

"And remember, you'll all be eating humble pie in November when we reset the Congress in 2010- and debug the political system that has been corrupted by politicians like Reid and Pelosi."

Comments

[Suzette Young]

Looks like Sally did an awesome job, as usual!
It look like everyone had a great time. I was curious How did Carly do?
Suzette in Seattle

[CAP MarineTet68]

"The decision was that we were not going to protest," said Phelan, "Because we don't give any credence to the people who are sponsoring this event."

Yeah, Riiiiight. She only had 8 protesters sign up, even after using the MyBarackObama massive mailing list, and a heartfelt plea to "overwhelm" our "expected" 300. We had a lot more than that! And everyone was joking and laughing, meeting new friends, and just having a great time! Must have really torqued her "Hate Monger" knickers. . .
She had been so fearful that her children might be "exposed" to those who protected her right to protest!

The unlabeled picture in the center of the article is a completely unflappable and delightful young registration lady named Rachel. Her smile lit up the entire room. Dunno why she deprived the photographer of it.

[mike from the belley o the beast (berkekey)]

it was a great outting. what became of the OFA protest?
were they scared when i RSVP'd that i was bring my camera just in case they started something?

[Ingo Bischoff]

The gathering of the Bay Area Patriots at the Mill Vally Community Center put the American spirit on display. There is nothing more heartening than to see ordinary citizens express their concern about the direction in which our government is taking us.

[Beverly Potter]

This gathering was encouraging and gives me hope that in November we CAN reset our course towards fiscal responsibility and a prosperous America.

[Sara]

What a great event this was! Filled with "like-mindeds" who had so much to say and share with one another, I tell you, it was totally heartening.

You guys who support endless entitlements, come on over to where it's refreshingly free. . ."free" because our God-given liberties *release* us to take care of ourselves and our needy! Don't be fooled by Nanny Gov'ment. . . .

[Vowel_Movement]

Well now ? What about this email I received. It appears somebody couldn't raise the latent RED MARIN Mill Vally (sic) Army.

Subject: Fwd: Rally Mill Valey Tomorrow

Hi, everyone. You may have read about this in the Marin IJ. The Tea Baggers organizer said she is expecting 300 participants for their event, coming from all over the Bay Area, and it will definitely be covered by the press. Please make our rally if you can. We certainly don't want to be outnumbered by the opposition on our home turf of Marin County.
Marlene Puaoi
Team Leader
OFA Novato

Tea Baggers coming to Mill Valley tomorrow. See rally info with link
Can you send this link to your teams.
thank you,
patti
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/healthreformphoneboothevents/gp82y9

Poor patti (sic) Seems that times, they are a change'N!

[Vowel_Movement]

Whoops! Drat, Foiled....Again! Only 34 rabid Obamaites signed up to overwhelm the "ribald and Dreaded Tea Partier's"

See below taken from their website:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/healthreformphoneboothevents/gp82y9

Final March for Health Care Reform (Health Reform Phone Booth Events)

Please join us in the Final March for Health Care Reform.

President Obama has told us, in these next few days and weeks of decision, it is time once again to have our voices heard.

We will engage our neighbors and ask them to let Congress know the time for debate is over. Now is the time to finish the job.

We will line the streets, and speak to our neighbors as they pass by.[ Oh Yeah!}

Bring signs. Bring your family and friends. Let's get this done.

{Mind's me of an Old NDN saw, when the horse you are riding is killed dead, the best strategy is to quit cursing while whipping it, Just dismount and get another horse.}

Time: Sunday, March 7 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Host: Pat Johnstone
Location:
Safeway (Mill Valley, CA)
1 Camino Alto
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Maps: Google Maps MapQuest Yahoo! Maps
Directions: If possible, park on the street or Tam High. Meet at the corner of Miller and Camino Alto (Safeway side) to get materials and information.
Associated Groups: Marin County for Obama
OTHER SIGNUPS
34 people have signed up to attend this event.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another Progressively Liberal A cornyish cheaply organized big shot NOT heard anywhere???

The whole thing went "Pffffffffffffft"

Tea Baggers??? My oh my!

[Vowel_Movement]

The Progressives threw a coterie of 8, unknown if warm bodies in the Soup or under the buss? The other 26 who promised to appear as well as possibly untold thousands of other Obamaites failed to show. It is rumored , that they may have been following the hundreds of large electric teleprompter like signs that read;

"DETOUR HERE for FREE OBAMA CARE and KOOLAIDE"

These signs according to some "Lost in Space Progressives were placed there by some unscrupulous and very devious "TEABAGGERS" and were set out in stratigeryick locations to misundirect the hoards of paid Obama care supporters and the eagerly anticipated throng of highly motivated of Mill Vally (sic) progressive Corpse men who were being convoyed in en masse on old used ACORN busses.

It was a vast Right Wing and Chicken Leg Conspiracy!

Note: The entire comment above was written and spall Czeched sans and without enlisting the aid of an “Obama Rents” teleprompter.

[Alpha Dog]

An awesome event. But the Chron reports a turnout of around 500? I'd say closer to 2000 passed through the doors yesterday afternoon.

[Jean Tousignant : ALASKA FOREVER !]

WOW--you do things up so very well!! and....do intimidate the faltering, flailing and failing do-little, whiny OPPOSERS--heehee! TOUCHÉ!

WE the PEOPLE are NEVER, EVER "ORDINARY", we are the best, the CREAM of the CROP, who believe in AMERICA and STAND TALL and FIGHT for HER. I just love what you do and it makes me proud of SOME people in CA!!
Love the photos !!! love my buddy!!!Keep on truckin" CA Conservatives, plow into success in November!!!! Jean in ALASKA!!

[Michelle Versaggi]

Great job everyone
Missed this event,sounds like it was awesome, but we'll see you all on
4/15!
-Michelle in Sonoma

[a patriot]

Looks like a very white crowd - not exactly a "big tent" kind of group..

[Dirigible Zeno]

Why bother to protest? It's almost an exclusively white and very senior movement, giving it a very limited, non-expanding demographic reach and an almost-solid expiration date. Further, any time these folks gather in moderate numbers, at least ten of them are prouder than proud to stand in front of the cameras and spout something that hurts their own interest more than helps.

[Instigata]

One more generation and these backward, geriatric fascist dimwits will be off the face of the earth.
Can't wait!