Hundreds gather for Tea Party Express stop in Lansing

LANSING -- More than 800 people have gathered this evening at the Capitol to welcome the Tea Party Express during its planned stop in Lansing.
Many holding anti-government and anti-tax signs, rally attendees awaited the bus, which is conducting a tour across the nation. Several speakers, including Attorney General Mike Cox, were scheduled to talk about the consequences of newly passed healthcare reform.
"Stop the healthcare reform. Throw the bums out of Washington," said Dan DeNike, 63, a Charlotte roofing contractor. "They're taxing us into oblivion."
The bus was expected to arrive at 7:15 p.m. but was running behind schedule.
Speakers also were expected to talk about Friday’s announced retirement by U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak of northern Michigan, who cast a crucial vote in favor of health reform. Tea Party Express members had vowed to target Stupak for defeat in the fall.
The Tea Party Express swung into high gear after Congress passed national health care reform legislation last month. Several parts of the bill, including a provision requiring everyone to obtain health insurance, have been controversial.
Organizers said they had been expecting hundreds to attend tonight’s event. A tea party event last year at the Capitol drew 4,000 people.
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