A Old Fashioned Tea Party...

Nashville, Tennessee get ready..because the Tea Party and all its members will ascend upon your city. In their latest move to gain momentum as a party/movement, the Tea Party will be holding their first major convention this weekend. The keynote speaker is none other than one of the biggest figures in the movement, Sarah Palin. The convention will feature speeches and discussions on what is wrong with the country in their opinion.

There is much uncertainty how this convention will pay off as some groups within the movement disagree with others and could cause minor divides. Also, what type of turnout will they get? This can be a step forward or possibly a step back depending what transpires over the weekend. One thing the convention looks to do is show that this movement and group is serious in their convictions and hold a convention and not just protests. It will also serve as a way to train many Tea Party members in how they can "create change" of their own. The tools that will be taught will allow the members to generate the knowledge and capability to train volunteers and thus become a bigger force in the 2010 midterm elections. This convention can serve as a way to show that the Tea Party has ideas and are not just a bunch of radical people with racist or political incorrect signs and rhetoric.

The Tea Party movement and many who support the conservative values at its roots are not exactly unified behind this convention. Some vocal members including Congresswomen Michele Bachman (R-MN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) are not exactly sold on the idea of a convention and those in particular have withdrawn from attending and speaking. Some objections come from the belief that this is a superficial gathering that is more about money and less about substance.

Republicans have utilized the Tea Party to gain momentum as they look to take back control of Congress. The Republican Party have a lot to gain from this convention. Firing up potential voters for their nominees could go a long way. At the same time, we might see the Tea Party nation rebel against mainstream Republicans who represent the establishment. Because remember: part of what makes the Tea Party movement tick is taking down incumbents and the establishment. Republicans are not immune as the Tea Party movement features a fair share of Independents and Democrats with certain conservative beliefs.

It should be interesting to see exactly what transcribes and what Sarah Palin just might have to say. Will this convention increase mobilization? Will this convention create energy for the party to grow? For it to grow into a potential wildcard with candidates and campaigns for the fall? What we have seen so far from the Tea Party is a lot of unpredictability at times. That is one thing I expect: the uncertain and some controversy. Beyond that, who truly knows, but the Tea Party. Nothing like a good old fashioned tea party in the South to gather a group of "reformers".