Tea Party’s first stop: Harry Reid’s hometown
Where is Searchlight?
In the middle of nowhere, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid says about his tiny hometown. As the crow flies, it’s 44 miles south of Las Vegas, 31 miles north of Laughlin and 2,089 miles from Washington, D.C.
What is the "Showdown in Searchlight?"
It’s the retire-Reid rally that kicks off a 20-day, 44-city cross-country tour by the Tea Party Express, ending in Washington on April 15, Tax Day.
Why does the Tea Party movement want to unseat Reid?
Health care reform, for starters. Tea Party groups started rallying early last year to oppose U.S. bailouts of the banking and auto industries.
Where will Reid be on Saturday?
With guns and Gore in Las Vegas. A shooting park event in the morning, a dinner featuring former Vice President Al Gore in the evening.
Where’s the Searchlight rally site?
On 160 acres at the end of an unmarked gravel road off U.S. Highway 95, 2.3 miles north of Searchlight. From Vegas, on the right before you hit town.
How close is Reid’s house on a hill?
"Spitting distance," says Justice of the Peace Stan Colton. Or half a mile away.
Any trouble expected?
Bad traffic tie-ups.
Who’s speaking at the rally?
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and a bevy of conservative TV and radio talk show stars and columnists.
Who’s not invited to speak?
Jon Scott Ashjian, the "Tea Party of Nevada" candidate accused of being a fraud by leaders of the Tea Party movement. Ashjian has said he’s going to crash the party anyway.