Fellow Patriots,

Earlier yesterday we announced our support of the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville this February. At the time, we were basing our support on limited knowledge of those involved and we trusted that all was well. A deep discussion on whether or not to support the event took place among our leadership team, and it was determined that we would go forward with the endorsement.

However, throughout the evening we were met with a plethora of replies, emails and Facebook messages that revealed a high level of concern across the board. At first, I personally had tried to explain that most of the concerns were based on assumptions, but later in the evening some very compelling evidence was put forth that painted a much different picture.

I will not go into too much detail about the evidence. I’m fairly confident that it will present itself during the next few days. Plus, I still at this point hope that those who have invested money into the event will attend and make the best of it. I don’t think anyone on our leadership team wishes to discourage folks who are registered from attending the event.

There is no doubt that those who paid for the event will get a great event in return. Sarah Palin and some of the other speakers are fantastic examples of good leadership and solid conservatism. For those who could afford to attend the event, there will certainly be value in return for the money spent.

But at this point, we have to respond to the concerns and wishes of our membership. And quite a few of our members have asked that we consider sitting this one out.

In summary, the controversy surrounding the event involves conversations about the infrastructure of the Tea Party Nation and the way its finances are channeled through private bank accounts and paypal accounts.

To be clear, the for-profit model has its place in the movement. Many, MANY groups in the movement operate this way. But these groups should always have boards and oversight, and should never, ever process donations through personal paypal accounts.

In this particular case, it’s entirely possible that those involved are operating in a fair way. But when we look at the $500 price tag for the event and the fact that many of the original leaders in the group left over similar issues, it’s hard for us not to assume the worst.

With this in mind, we hope everything turns out well and the convention is a huge success. Our movement needs activists who step up to the plate and organize independent events such as this. But we must also use process and caution when doing so.

And it appears this may not have happened in this case.

The American Liberty Alliance will pass on being involved with the Nashville event, and we’ll ask to be removed from the sponsors list.

Also, as a side but very related note, a thanks is in order to all of those working to keep us in the loop with this sort of thing. The emails of concern are very much appreciated.

-Eric Odom

Eric Odom

Eric Odom is Executive Director and Co-Founder of the American Liberty Alliance. Eric is a libertarian minded, free-market activist. His profession is web strategy and online community development.

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