Following an OFA e-mail link to find State of the Union Watch parties in my area of Central Texas, as expected, I found a couple of watch parties supporting the President. This is Austin, after all. There were also some anti-Obama watch parties, hosted by disaffected progressives. However, one watch party that promised to focus on a grassroots movement for national independence sounded a lot like the Teabaggers are getting in on the action.
Like a lot of people, I'm disappointed that we haven't yet been able to pass more of the progressive agenda, and was dismayed to see Ted Kennedy's senate seat go to a right-wing Republican former Cosmopolitan nude model. In the aftermath, I was glad to see David Ploffe back rallying the troops. Going to a State of the Union watch party sounded interesting, so following the link in today's OFA e-mail. I searched for watch parties in Central Texas. When I entered my zip code, I found a couple of watch parties in the Austin area, as expected. I also saw some anti-Obama watch parties that seem to be by disaffected progressives, that began with "Why the hell should I support...".
Then I saw one that looks a lot like a Teabagger event-
Gonzales, TX is the home of the grassroots movement which led to Texas independence. It should also be the home of grassroots movement that lead to national independence. We will meet a few minutes early to share our thoughts and prepare to watch the address. Feel free to stay a few minutes after and talk about what we can do as a community to get the word out
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Texas Independence? A grassroots movement for national independence? This sounds a lot like Teabagger rhetoric. Maybe I am overreacting, but I can't help wondering if the Teabaggers plan to do more than cheer when another Joe Wilson shouts at the President. Are Teabaggers hijacking OFA events? No doubt some progressives are angry about the lack of progress but I don't see many converts to the Teabaggers among us. Has anyone else run across this?