STILL BREWING
They’re rolling. Tuesday marks Day Three for the Tea Party Express and its “Countdown to Judgment Day,” a 38-city, coast-to-coast tour of grass-roots conservatives who are deft at staging local rallies for Americans offended by big government, out-of-control spending and incomprehensible health care reform.
The 19-day road tour got under way Sunday in San Diego and trundled through Fresno, Calif., on Monday. Nevada now looms on the horizon — with Tonopah, Hawthorne and Fallon as the destinations of choice. The movement remains fierce and sharply focused on the job at hand, organizers say.
“Local organizers are more motivated than ever to keep up the fight for conservative ideals. Although Congress still refuses to listen, the energy, determination and passion of the ’tea partiers’ is undeniable,” spokesman Levi Russell tells Inside the Beltway. “Hats off to those who are dedicated to keeping this nation the best place on earth.”
THE PARTY OF KNOW
They’re flush with a new Web site, jaunty messages, strategic outreach. Is the newly rambunctious Republican Party starting to rile Democrats? Could be.
“Here’s the deal: Fighting us tooth and nail fires up the GOP base. An excited base sends in money. If they get ahead on fundraising, we might never catch up. Next November would have ugly written all over it,” says Democratic strategist James Carville in a please-send-money-like-right-now message to his own party.
He wants to raise $1 million by Nov. 2.
Republicans are “the Party of No” he adds, specifically criticizing the “allegations” of, among others, Fox News host Glenn Beck and Sen. David Vitter, Louisiana Republican.
“If their lies win, we lose our Democratic majority. We must push back, beginning now,” Mr. Carville urges, noting that donors will receive a snappy car magnet that reads “If ’No’ Wins, America Loses.”
CHIMP CHANGE
Congress has become privy to the woes of apes from the maven of white rabbits. Grace Slick - the cosmic chanteuse of Jefferson Starship and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer - wants to ensure lawmakers pay attention to the Great Ape Protection Act (HR 1326) now meandering through the House. The act would end “invasive research” on chimpanzees and send those owned by federal research facilities to a permanent sanctuary. There is a simian divide, however.
Introduced in March by Rep. Edophus Towns, New York Democrat, the bill has 86 co-sponsors; only six are Republicans. The chimp-friendly? They are Reps. Christopher H. Smith and Leonard Lance of New Jersey, Mary Bono Mack of California, Rosco G. Bartlett of Maryland, Sue Myrick of North Carolina and Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan.
“We all need somebody to love,” Ms. Slick says. “I was shocked to learn that laboratories can keep chimpanzees locked up in metal cages about the size of a kitchen table. Its time for America to join the long list of countries that prohibit invasive experiments on these amazingly intelligent animals.”
The singer of “White Rabbit” has contacted every member of Congress via a mass voicemail, inviting them to a multimedia exhibit in the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday that offers an ape-friendly rationale.
“These chimps need your support,” Ms. Slick says in her message.
“An avid animal protection advocate, Grace Slick believes that its unacceptable for our nation to use chimpanzees in invasive experiments. She believes that these intelligent, emotionally sophisticated animals should be retired to sanctuaries,” Debra Durham tells the Beltway. She is a primatologist with Physicians for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit research group.
RICO’S BLESSING
Republicans can add another celebrity to their slowly expanding roster: Philip Michael Thomas, who starred as detective Rico Tubbs in “Miami Vice,” is backing Whilly Bermudez, 32, a local Cuban-American public relations whiz and Republican candidate for the Florida House of Representatives in Miami-Dade County’s 116th District.
“I was brought up in a home that shared the same values you’ve taught your children and grandchildren. Faith, family and hard work,” says Mr. Bermudez, adding that fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and educational and health care reform are his focal points
It’s all a matter of “doing the right thing,” Mr. Thomas says.
Hm-m-m. Connect dots. Think deep thought. Maybe we should pass this on to talk radio host Gordon Liddy, who made double guest appearances on “Miami Vice” in 1985. Mr. Thomas is hosting a fundraising cocktail party on Nov. 14 in Miami’s swank Epic Hotel.
GOAL ORIENTED
From the Only-in-Washington Desk: 18 members of Congress take on an equal number of U.S. Capitol Police officers in the fourth annual Longest Yard Congressional Football Game at the D.C. Armory Tuesday, featuring officials gleaned from the ranks of NFL players and generous support from the NFL, Budweiser, Marriott and others. The charity bout benefits families of fallen officers and the Washington Literary Council, kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with doors open at 6 p.m. The event is free, and donations most welcome.
POLL DU JOUR
• 40 percent of Americans say they are conservatives.
• 37 percent say they are moderates.
• 20 percent say they are liberal.
• 72 percent of Republican Party members say they are conservative, 24 percent are moderate and 4 percent are liberal.
• 22 percent of Democrats say they are conservative, 39 percent are moderates, 37 percent are liberal.
Source: Sixteen Gallup Polls of 16,321 adults, conducted January to September.
• Hollers, whoops, scoops to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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