In recent weeks, I have watched as the "noise" related to the convention in Nashville has escalated.  From criticisms about the cost of the convention to personal attacks on the organizers and the assumption that something is "rotten in Denmark".  Actually, something was - Olympics and Climate Change .  But I digress.

The criticisms and the perceived slights to the movement have often been amplified by the press and in particular, the left leaning publications.  The blatant attempt to discredit a worthy effort cries out from the Democratic playbook - divide and conquer  - while at the same time has enlisted an unlikely accomplice, TEA Party leadership itself.  As a conservative, I am unconcerned with the commentary from the left and the blatant attempt to strip the legitimacy of the people who are attending.  I can unequivocally state that over twenty-five people are coming from The Memphis TEA Party membership and I am pleased that they chose to do so after simply being invited to participate.

The fact that attendees are arriving from as far away as Hawaii and Trinidad speaks volumes about the desire to be involved and to have a professional and reasoned convention in a wonderful location with great learning and great speakers.  In fact, it is likely that the volume will be turned ever higher by those in opposition to such a convention with the report by Zogby that Sarah Palin is now the leader in a field of Republican contenders for the Republican Primary  with 22.2 percent  and Governor Romney a close second at 19.4 percent.

In fact a recent comment to Newsmax by a Democratic pollster sums up the reality:

"It suggests to me that reports of her political death are exaggerated," political strategist and Democratic pollster Douglas Schoen tells Newsmax. "In American political life, politicians have not only second and third lives, they have nine lives. And Sarah Palin is on her third or fourth life."

Sarah Palin, upon accepting the invitation to speak, had not yet embarked on her book tour, her many interviews or took her position as a Fox News contributor.  And she certainly hadn't been the leader in the 2012 primary in any poll.  But to paraphrase Sarah Palin, if you're not the lead dog in the sled, the view doesn't change very much!  In this context, I would suggest that the attendees are getting very good value for their money - they have bet on the her sled to come in first and it is now leading!

So as we are but one week out, we are now inundated with over 100 inquiries for press credentials, calls to let in liberal bloggers and news outlets and the criticism that the event should comp tickets, rooms and provide other venues to allow various participant accessibility.  It would appear that the TEA Party and its association with Sarah Palin and other conservatives has piqued the interest of the national and international media.  And at the same time, resulted in many of our TEA Party leaders merrily making their way to their convention to enjoy Nashville, the networking and the event itself.  This sea change is a result of the continued populist and common sense message of Sarah Palin in conjunction with the desire of two local TEA Party leaders to hold a well organized and desirable convention.  For that we can thank Sherry & Judson Phillips, who upon taking on this monumental effort, aspired to organize an event like no other in the TEA Party movement!

There are those who suggest that this isn't "grass roots" enough or that their "for profit" TEA Party Nation is somehow tainted by actually wanting to use the profit motive to extend the conservative movement.  It is most amusing to hear people calling out that this capitalist idea, with its costs, expenses and fees to speakers, is somehow out of line with the TEA Party movement itself!  Have we so embraced the socialism of the Obama administration that we can't celebrate the success of the movement when two entrepreneurial people create such an event?  Are we so blinded by the curtain of lies and deceit that this administration, the MSM and the Democrat playbook espouses that we would not cheer for such actions?  At the least, one should be glad that actual dollars are supporting a local business and its employees to the tune of nearly $600,000.  Now that's real job creation and economic stimulus!  And you don't even have to provide a tax subsidy or bailout!

But no is the answer.  In fact, conservative, even "grass roots" conservatives, have always had the habit of "eating their own".  Michael Steele can fly the RNC staff to a "meeting" in Hawaii, invite a leader of the new media to discuss the very nexus of the TEA Party and the RNC and then revoke this invitation upon finding out that a smart kid who is innocent until proven guilty, may have "tainted" his speech.  I thought it was only the Democrats that trampled the Constitution.  But we have indeed come to expect this from people who believe that they matter more than the movement.  I can almost hear some of these purists spouting their theology - "We are the way the truth and the light and no one comes to the TEA Party except through us". 

Indeed, I am proud to be associated with this event.  I have no dog in the hunt and paid my $549 to attend.  I am privileged to be able to train and speak about things that matter to organizing the movement.  And in the end, while we may see commentary that is derogatory or derisive of the people and the organizers participating, this will be a great event with a great cast of "we the people".  For those who would wither under the criticism, they weren't in the battle to begin with.  But for those who steadfastly make their voices heard, they will indeed enjoy the nexus of the TEA Party movement in Nashville! 

In closing, I recall the old adage, "no one marks the second time".  It's always the first time we do anything that we cherish and this event apparently is now being pursued like it will be the first time for many!