Palin, Bachmann Tea Party sessions closed to press

It looks like the revolution will not be televised, after all. At least not the Tea Party’s revolution. Word from Nashville on Monday was that the First National Tea Party Convention next month will be closed to the press, other than for a limited number of “selected” journalists. No word on who or how many. This from the people who brought us last summer’s media-saturated Town Hall meetings. The restrictions apparently apply to the much-anticipated speeches by Sarah Palin and Minnesota’s own Michele Bachmann. Organizers say that journalists without passes will not be allowed into the convention at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. (A Star Tribune request for a pass was denied, the paper’s interest in covering its home-state congresswoman notwithstanding). Convention spokesman Judson Phillips informs us that most of the sessions are closed “at the request” of the presenters. “Given the media interest, I don't want the sessions disrupted and overrun with the media,” he said. While organizers are offering to help set up interviews with speakers, they said Palin will not be available...read more