Palin Tea Party Organizer Says He's Frustrated by Political Staffers

Ken Crow is upset. 

Crow, the founder of Iowa's Tea Party of America, said his well-intentioned efforts to plan an event that would "make a difference," have instead sullied his opinion of the politicians and the people that work for them.

"Dealing with politicians is like trying to herd cats," he said Wednesday. "I can honestly say I would rather have root canal than to have to deal with all of this today."

Crow and Tea Party co-founder Charlie Gruschow have been working some 18-hour days for two months to put on the Restoring America event scheduled to take place in Indianola this Saturday. Having keynote speaker Sarah Palin put her appearance is frustrating.

Palin's staff "unconfirmed" her appearance Saturday. He said they reconfirmed today.

Crow said his intentions for the family-friendly event, that was to include barbecue and a live band, were meant to put Iowans and their commitment to change in the spotlight.

"I wanted to showcase Iowa. I wanted it to start here and start now," he said.

But so far, that hasn't happened. Crow said instead, all the back-and-forth between the Tea Party, the candidates and their staffers is weighing on him.

"We just wanted to put in a nice event," he said .