'Tea Party Express' to Bring Protest to DC

(NEWSER) - If you polled the protesters at Saturday’s tea party protest on who they voted for in the Republican primaries, Tom Schaller of FiveThirtyEight.com has a sneaking suspicion they’d reply, “Ron Paul.” The protesters focus on libertarian complaints and rhetoric, and bear that familiar Paulite intensity. The first protester to tote a gun at an Obama rally is a Paul fan, and the man who brought an AR-15 is an ex-Paul campaign volunteer. More»

UnitedHealth Group lays down AstroTurf

(NEWSER) - UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s second-biggest health insurance firm, has been encouraging employees to attend events protesting health-care reform, Talking Points Memo reports. In a clear-cut example of “Astroturf”—fake grassroots action—a memo to employees urges them to call an “advocacy specialist” who can provide talking points for a letter to an elected official or information on protest events in the employee’s area. More»

Health care takes center stage in 'consequential' recess

(NEWSER) - With health care reform hanging in the balance, the August congressional recess is likely to be a lot less relaxing than usual, writes Glenn Thrush in Politico. What to watch:

1. Health insurers’ response to Nancy Pelosi’s singling them out as the "bad guys" on soaring health care costs. Will we see a counterattack like the “Harry and Louise” ads of the Clinton era?
2. President Obama’s approval rating. If his numbers keep falling, it will make it tough for Dems “to sell anything.”

Rove suggests 'citizen's pledge' to strengthen movement

(NEWSER) - Democratic attacks on the Tea Party movement show they're scared, and with good reason, writes Karl Rove. With public opinion still against ObamaCare, the movement needs to keep its momentum going, Rove urges in the Wall Street Journal . He suggests tea partiers sign a "citizen's pledge" demanding to know where their House and Senate candidates stand on health care and spending, to vote accordingly, and to make a list of at least a dozen others they will approach to take the pledge. More»

Legislation 'has awakened a giant,' activists warn

(NEWSER) - The Democrats are in for a rude awakening if they think they can pass health care reform and get away with it, incensed Tea Party leaders warned yesterday. Tea Party groups across the country plan protests and a campaign to force the people who voted for reform out of Congress this November, AP reports. More»