Yesterday was the start of the Americans for Prosperity Defending the American Dream Summit in Crystal City.  This event has brought together thousands of grassroots and net activists who believe in liberty, less taxation, and more government accountability.  I believe this is one of the best conferences I have attended.

Last night, Americans for Prosperity held the Ronald Reagan dinner.  This dinner began with former Maryland Governor, the Fabulous Bob Ehrlich, who made an announcement.  No, he is not running for Governor (but I pray he makes this decision for my birth state), but Maryland now has an Americans for Prosperity chapter.  That’s right, another thorn in Governor Martin “Scumbag” O’Malley’s side.  We also heard from former Attorney General Edwin Meese, Dinesh D’Souza, and George Will.  Will is a dynamic speaker, who definitely conveys both conservative and libertarian views.  Throughout the dinner, Will made some great observations about the state of our country.  I loved his line, “When the Founding Fathers met, they created three branches of government and two houses of the legislative.  This makes it hard for the government to move, and that is a good thing.”  It was a great speech that fired up the crowd.

I met with fabulous bloggers from across the country and Virginia.  I met Yankee Philip, SWAC Girl, The Virginia Federalist, and others.   Also, one of my Jeffersoniad sisters, Leslie Carbone and I had the opportunity to catch up.

Today, we have the opportunity to hear from Fred Barnes, Editor of The Weekly Standard, who is currently speaking.  “The election is not over yet.  Sarah Palin seems to realize this, but someone better tell John McCain.”  I have to agree with Barnes’ commentary, because it is not over until more ACORN/alleged voter fraud stuff comes out about the Obama-messiah (more on this in a later edition).  Barnes made another statement that Sarah Palin has added energy and enthusiasm to the McCain campaign, however the downfall has been the looming economic crisis.  (Y’all know my views on this, I do not need to further elaborate.)  Barnes is making a good point right now about the current state of the Senate.  If the Republicans fail to keep a majority in the Senate, then the filibuster will be non-existent.  Basically, the current RINO population might be to blame (if the Dems keep their majority) for some of the more extreme liberal proposals.

Barnes is also talking about free trade and the forced card check legislation.  Is it me or has the labor unions hijacked our government?  Barnes said our economy would suffer if card check passes Congress and was signed into law by the Obama-messiah (if he is elected).   Card check would virtually become the death of every Right to Work law in our country.

“Three and a half weeks is a lifetime in politics.”  It is time for McCain to toughen up and fight hard, if he expects to win.

_________

10:13 a.m.  Virginia’s Attorney General and next Governor, Bob McDonnell is currently on stage right now.   He truly believes in true conservative principles.  “AFP has made a difference in three short years, contributed to the near death of earmarks…”   McDonnell mentions his strong support of McCain.   “Government does not create wealth or dreams, only the people can create this.”  Additionally, McDonnell mentions how he has been cutting spending in Virginia by cutting his own budget.  We need to demand more transparency in our government and McDonnell understands that.  “The Founders wrote the owner’s manual, read Chapter I, Section 8 of the Constitution, elect people that understand it, and create the re-birth of Federalism.  The Constitution is not an ever changing document.  Stand for the principles of limited government and property rights.”

________

Line of the day:  “Nancy Pelosi believes prosperity is a new direction, Harry Reid believes prosperity means blame it on Bush, Joe Biden believes prosperity means freedom, and Barack Obama believes prosperity means supposed change.  I have a message for all of the liberal kool-aid drinkers.  There is no Department of Happy in Washington, DC.”-Radio Show host Herman Cain

________

10:40 a.m.  The Wall Street Journal columnist Steve Moore is currently speaking.  Moore is talking about his recent appearance on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher.  He got into an argument about government spending with Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA).  You know, I admire his firebrand personality.  Moore is extremely intelligent.  “Who do you think is most to blame for the financial crisis?  Do you think it was Wall Street?, Do you think it was irresponsible lending?, Most people said it was Washington, DC and irresponsible spending.”  The lefties want to socialize the economy.  How can you cut taxes for 95% of the people when 35% do not pay taxes at all.  Small business owners will be paying mostly all of the tax increases.  “We are not running out of polar bears, they are just making this up.  Global warming is a hoax.  No more bailouts, this is not capitalism, it is socialism.”

_______

The roll call of the states begins now!  It is 10:57 a.m.

Arizona’s state chair is talking about Gov. Janet Napolitano’s tax and spend way.

California’s state chair announces their delegation.  He is talking about taking a giant ATM machine around the state saying “No more taxes, control your spending.”

Colorado’s state chair introduces their delegation.

Florida’s state chair talks about the success of cutting government spending.  AFP Florida is defending taxpayers around the state.

Georgia’s state chair says “the peaches are ripe.”  He is talking about the potential fees and how they fought them.  Inventory tax and they have their eyes on their legislators who voted for it.

Illinois’ state chair introduces their delegation, and how they are fighting against their Governor and mentioned their FOIA lawsuit against that corrupt bastard (Blagovich).

Louisiana AFP has been hard at work with their new Pro-Market Governor Bobby Jindal and Treasurer John Kennedy (who is challenging the Senate’s Queen of Pork, Mary Landrieu).

Kansas member Alan Koch.  They had a horseshoe pitching tournament and pitching one hell of a fight against the Obama-messiah’s BFF, Kathleen Sebelius.

Michigan:  Scott Hagerstrom introduces their delegation.  Wonder what he will say about the Big 3′s future death.  Labor unions are devastating your state.  Death to UAW!

Missouri AFP State Chair announces their delegation.  They are fighting their elected officials for controlled spending.

New Hampshire:  Their state chair mentioned their success educating citizens into becoming strong grassroots activists.

NJ, OK, SC, and TX are all up right now announcing their state delegation.

Virginia is in the house.  We know how to rock a party!  My apologies to my friends in other states.

Wisconsin introduced.

______

Grover Norquist is now speaking at 11:23 a.m.  I loved his book:  “Leave Us Alone,” and I think that every legislator should add this to their reading list.  If they would leave us alone, we can govern ourselves much more better.  “Everybody is free.  Hillary’s table (and now, Barack’s) are filled with trial lawyers.”  It is time to stop giving money to the special interests who feed Hillary and Barack’s table.  “Republican elected officials who vote for tax increases are rat heads in a Coke bottle and we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”  We need government transparency.  Transparency allows us to have a say on what’s going on.

______

11:31 a.m.  John Fund of The Wall Street Journal is speaking to the audience.   Fund mentions Wall Street’s collapse and the bailout bill, which benefited ACORN (they would have received money from the Housing Trust fund).  Right now, there is a big voter fraud scandal brought to you by ACORN, who is registering felons to vote.   Fraud is suspected in Pennsylvania, Nevada, and other battleground states.   It is time for states to investigate ACORN and the Obama campaign.  “ACORN’s offices in New Orleans host 120 front groups, and the Obama campaign has been funding them.  The Obama campaign failed to register the ACORN voter drives properly, but mentioned them as “GOTV activities.”  Our votes should not be counted out by those who vote twice, are fraudulent, and we should demand that.  It is a non-partisan issue, and we should stand up for our rights.

11:45 a.m.   Maggie Thurber of Thurber’s Thoughts is the AFP Blogger of the Year.

11:46 a.m.  Erick Erickson of RedState is currently speaking.  He is encouraging people to use their talents to make a difference.  “The preservation of freedoms depend on you using your talents.”

11:52 a.m.  Rep. Tom Price (R-OK) is addressing the audience.  He is making points that Jefferson and Madison never envisioned government would become like this.  Our debt limit has grown by leaps and bounds.  “Runaway spending now threatens our existence.  An assualt on free capitalism is threatening our existence even more so.”  There is no regard to reality with the Democrats in Congress.

12:02 p.m.  John Stossel is speaking to the crowd.  “Don’t you know the free markets are over as of this crisis?”  Hell no!  Note to Stossel:  The day they pass me this memo is the day I officially build my underground bunker.  “The economy’s destruction can be determined by inflation and unemployment.”  We should re-value assets, re-negotiate with our lenders, and be more responsible with our spending habits.  “Crisis is a friend of the state.  Markets are too complicated for our government to regulate.  It is intuitive to think the government to protect us.”  The private sector always doesn’t pay.  “How can there be a credit crisis when DiTech is still advertising 6% mortgages?”  Stossel is definitely a strong libertarian thinker, and he makes sense compared to some of the corrupt legislators in Congress.  “I’d say they’re spending like drunk sailors, but that would be an insult to sailors because they spend their own money.”  It is time to leave free people alone and let us live our lives however we choose to.  “The countries who have the most economic freedom have the most prosperity.  The countries without economic freedom do not have the best prosperity.”  Screw regulations!  They are horrible.  “Now, the politicians say we have to regulate health care…ummm, no.”

______

Now, I am off to the Virginia Delegation luncheon.  I will be on Twitter giving feedback from this meeting.  By the way, there will be a new live blog this afternoon.