One year later: Crist-Obama Fort Myers stimulus rally fueled Rubio campaign, pre-Santelli tea party protest
by George Bennett | February 10th, 2010Conservatives in the GOP were outraged, and the stimulus embrace became fuel for former Florida House speaker Marco Rubio’s Republican primary bid for U.S. Senate against Crist. Rubio is marking the anniversary with a rally in Fort Myers tonight, an online fund-raising blitz , and the Web video above.
Less noticed that day in Fort Myers was a woman named Mary Rakovich who organized a small stimulus protest. The term “tea party” wouldn’t be attached to such demonstrations until MSNBC’s Rick Santelli’s famed rant nine days later. But Rakovich, trained by the Washington-based conservative group FreedomWorks, is credited with perhaps the first tea party protest.
Tags: Mary Rakovich, Rick Santelli
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February 10th, 2010 at 7:54 am
It has always been Rubio’s message that defines him. Not his supporters, foes, or any group! Commitment to fundamentals leads to success in life, sports, and politics. I am proud to support a guy that has a backbone and states where he stands without a wet finger in the air!
February 10th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
We should call this the “hug felt around the nation.” It sent up a message that Americans had to address spending, regardless of party.
http:://www.SouthFloridaTeaParty.org
February 12th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
[...] See complete story and a video about the rally at the site of “The Hug” Here and Here. [...]
February 20th, 2010 at 2:04 am
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