Back and Forth on Debt Ceiling Continues   ...1 of 2 >
July 27, 2011--With the August 2 deadline for resolution of the debt ceiling negotiations fast approaching, Tea Party activists staged a "Hold the Line" rally in Upper Senate Park across from the Capitol. 

(Above) Herman Cain speaks with reporters prior to the event.  Cain supports "Cut, Cap, Balance" legislation.  In a statement he said, "This should not have been a crisis...President Obama knew that this 'deadline' was approaching, and yet he failed to exhibit the necessary leadership to make bold cuts to our government's out of control spending."  Cain had initially been invited to address the rally, but, as reported by Politico, organizers rescinded the invitation because of legal concerns.
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT).
JoAnn Abbott, a grandmother from Dale City, VA, Tom Whitmore, a retired business executive from Manassas, VA (red shirt), and J.R. "States" Manship as George Washington are familiar figures at DC-area Tea Party events.
Jim Martin, chairman of the 60 Plus Association, and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).  "This is an artificial crisis," Paul stated.
Turnout for the rally was very modest; an email from American Grassroots Coalition noted that they had just received the permit for the rally the afternoon before "at almost 5:00 PM."  Nonetheless a respectable number of cameras and reporters showed up.
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