Patriotic citizens as far as the eye could see

Local Historic City News reporters were on hand at Francis Field — awash in thousands of patriotic citizens today; celebrating conservatism and the power of the people to demand smaller government and lower taxes.

The Tea Party Network, sponsor of the event, is a multi-county coalition composed of eleven Tea Party groups operating in the Northeast Florida area.

The featured speakers today were Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate Marco Rubio, who received numerous ovations during his 20-minute speech, Rick Scott, Republican Candidate for Governor and Pam Bondi, Republican Candidate for Florida Attorney General.

The Tea Party Network is committed to the election of politicians grounded in the principles of smaller limited government, personal liberty and fiscal discipline. Today’s rally kicks off the campaign march towards November 2nd for the “grass roots” citizen organization.

Matthew Corrigan, University of North Florida professor of political science was quoted today in the media saying the Tea Party has definite staying power. “I think they have done it the old-fashioned way; they’ve organized and got involved.”

Corrigan said the test for the Tea Party movement will be whether or not independents or Democrats challenge the grass roots organization.

The Tea Party Network is composed of the following local Tea Party Groups:

American Tea Party, Baker County Tea Party, Peoples Tea Party, St. Augustine Tea Party, Nassau Patriots, Putnam County Tea Party, Flagler Tea Party, Keystone Tea Party and the Marion County Tea Party.

These organizations have joined to cooperate on events and voter education efforts.

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News staff photographer