Politics

Sharron Angle might benefit from postponed Tea Party convention days before Nevada election

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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Tea Party activists from across the country will pour into Las Vegas in October, just days before Republican Sharron Angle, a favorite of the conservative grassroots, faces Democratic Sen. Harry Reid.

The National Tea Party Unity Convention, a spin-off of February’s much-hyped convention in Nashville featuring Sarah Palin, was originally scheduled for July at the Palazzo Las Vegas Resort. Organizers blamed the heat in Las Vegas and family vacations for keeping activists from attending the convention for the change in date.

But perhaps the best reason for waiting until the fall to hold the convention is the boost it could give to Angle, a featured speaker at the convention, and national media exposure for her campaign. Jerry Stacy, a spokesman for Angle, said the campaign was not involved in decision making behind the postponement.

Others, including former CNN anchor Lou Dobbs and conservative commentator Laura Ingraham, are scheduled to speak at the convention. Judson Phillips, the founder of Tea Party Nation and head of the convention, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

“The momentum we gain from holding the convention in October as we head into the November elections … will be worth all of the sacrifices and inconveniences,” an announcement on the site reads.

The first convention made news for its high-ticket prices for attendees. Ticket prices were lowered this go-round to $399 for the weekend, or $125 for Saturday only.

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