If you haven't packed your bags yet, you're late.  The National Tea Party Convention is set to kick off this week at Opryland in Nashville, and the first-time event is sold out.
Rest assured, the menu will have many seasonal selections. Roasted Democrats with a side of Mashed Obama.  There are reports that DNC Chair Tim Kaine was invited to talk about the Massachusetts senate election, but he's opted out to stay at home to eat crow.Rumor has it that the baked Alaska will be superb, perhaps even a bit spicy. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and one-time VP-candidate is slated to address the convention that hopes to set in motion the conversative takeover of political offices around the country.  There are visions of Newt Gingrich's "Republic Revolution" that in 1994 set out to derail President Bill Clinton.  Hmmm, do we see a pattern here? 
But already there's controversy.  Critics say the so-called movement of the people is too expensive, and have questioned why they're paying Palin a reported fee of $100,000. Perhaps that's just part of the Tea Party going rogue. Dick Armey, the one-time Texas Congressman, has told some media that the Republican Party "is on probation," and GOP candidates shouldn't expect an endorsement - just because of their party affiliation.
So what is the Tea Party Movement? Well, check out the Tea Party Nation website, and here's the description:
Tea Party Nation (or TPN) is a user-driven group of like-minded people who desire our God given Individual Freedoms which were written out by the Founding Fathers. We believe in Limited Government, Free Speech, the 2nd Amendment, our Military, Secure Borders and our Country!

Is the Tea Party Nation a fringe movement or the Republican's attempt at trying to steal a page out of the Obama presidential campaign playbook by creating a network of supporters who fight for change in America? Oh, change. That's what the Tea Party Nation wants - but only their version.  Oddly enough, this Tea Party National Convention is only getting an arm's length look from the GOP establishment.  That's a statement. The longtime GOPers know they can't risk looking like their too "anti-American" or "anti-Washington" because they look in the mirror everyday and realize that they're a big part of the problem.