Partisan sparring breaks out at Republican response

Published 10:43 am Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Republican suppoters hold signs at a press conference Monday morning in downtown Cannon Falls in response to President Barack Obama's midwest tour. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

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Two Democrats touting anti-Tea Party signs shook up a Republican counter-protest in Cannon Falls, Minn., Monday.

In response to President Barack Obama making an appearance in Cannon Falls as part of a Midwest bus tour, Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus held a “jobs rally” at Cannon Realty shortly before the president’s arrival to town.

Among the hundred-or-so Republicans in attendance were two Democrats holding signs thanking Obama and claiming, “No tea for me.”

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Priebus was talking about the credit rating downgrade being a “taste of sacrificing sovereignty for freedom” when the lone liberals began shouting counter-points.

“We’re paying for Bush’s wars,” the two shouted repeatedly.

Republicans began yelling back, and the disagreement resulted in the entire crowd chanting “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!”

Priebus waited quietly for the disagreement to die down, but he joined in the chanting.

The chairman motivated the group by announcing, “Welcome to being a battleground state, Minnesota, in 2012.”

He also said the recent credit rating downgrade is “embarrassing” and that public faith is “plummeting.”