American Policy Summit Report #1

Dear Readers: I have a ton of notes and interviews to share with you from the American Policy Summit in Phoenix, which I was able to join yesterday. I forgot my camera connection at home, so the pics I took featuring some of the great Americans I met will have to wait until next week. I think the biggest thing I wanted to report was the dynamic energy and creative enthusiasm that filled the audience at Tea Party Patriots’ first policy summit. Dawn Wildman, one of the co-founders of our local Tea Party group who now networks nationally, was one of the forces that brought together over 3,000 attendees to the Phoenix Convention Center and over 2,000 online. Very exciting, and Dawn indicates the TPP team was thrilled at the level of participation.

One of the best moments of the event for me was meeting fellow blogger Walter Hudson, a pundit hailing from Minnesota. He has prepared his initial report, Vile Racist Fear-Mongers Convene in Phoenix to Revel in Hate. Walter and I both agree that

getting more Citizen Journalists reporting on local/state matters and keeping an eye on their representatives is an important contribution that the Tea Party is making. As Walter reflects, after attending a break-out session for Tea Party reporters: Your opinion is worth precisely nothing, because everyone has one. It becomes empowered when informed by fact. Digging for the story within the data, the truth concealed beneath the surface of rhetoric, is what leads to original content that will attract and retain a following.

Another great moment for me was meeting Jenny Beth Martin in-person. Her graciousness, intellect, and energy was evident through the entire 12-hour plus day. Politics and Government had an interview with her: Tea Party summit: A 40-year plan to take America back. From the linked article: In an interview with One News Now, Martin said it took a generation to produce the “cultural shift” that has led us to this point, and it will “take a full generation to instill Constitutional principles again.”

I was very excited to hear PJTV’s Bill Whittle of “Afterburner”, which as a highlight of the general session. There were politicians who spoke Saturday, including Presidential hopefuls Tim Pawlenty and Ron Paul. The representative that made the biggest impression on me was Arizona’s freshman congressman David Schweikert. Schweikert was part of a panel that included WSJ’s John Fund and economist Alex Brill, which reviewed the oncoming “Debt Ceiling Limit” debate that will be occurring in the not-too-distant future.

I was privileged to sit-in on a special session of the California Tea Party cooridinators. They were formulating plans to address the numerous problems plaguing California, not the least of which involves the Public Employee Unions (PEUs). They are featuring their nhew website: californiateapartygroups.org. A few key items: The California Teams hope to promote an “adopt-a-politician” program, so that an individual citizes can focus on the activities of only one representative. The combined effort will really shine the light of day on the dark dealings in Sacramento! Speaking of Sacramento, NoCal Tea Party coordinator Ginny Rapini is organizing a great April 15th Tax Day Tea Party for our state’s capitol. It is hoped that citizens will converge on Sacramento to send a powerful message to California’s politicians that the days of fiscal insanity are numbered.

It is interesting to note that some of the biggest cheers during all meetings came when people mentioned Scott Walker. I can tell you that all engage Americans are paying attention to the Badger State, as we recognize that the WI battle has national ramifications. Do not let any of the elite media pundits tell you that Walker’s popularity is decreasing. It is patently untrue.

Check back in throughout the week for updates!

PS. Beers with Demo has a report that I called in, trying to work-around the lack of WiFi: We’re assuming they do have indoor plumbing. Thanks BwD!!!!

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