Conservatives Found Their 'Big Tent' in Hart Park – and Reforming Liberals Were Welcome, Too

By Noelle Lorraine

In a world where men can wear pink and women can play hockey, it only makes sense that Gov. Scott Walker isn’t just the Republicans’ politician anymore. Allow me to explain....

I am one of the original organizers and the media and public relations director of the first pro-Walker rally in the state since the recall movement began. Our grassroots event, Celebrate Walker, was held last Saturday at Wauwatosa's , and to declare the day a success would be a travesty of understatement.

Thanks to a cause worth fighting for, passionate allies from far and wide, and a star-studded speaker line-up that newspapers coined the “Republican Heavy-Hitters,” our rally was epic. I’m talking history-book, life-changing, teary-eyed, 4,000-Walker-supporters-strong successful.

Case in point: Not so long ago, the left boasted about the march of 1,000 pathetic protesters in the very same neighborhood who would tread to disrupt the First Family's home. I have two things to say about that. First, Shame! Shame! Shame! And second, 4,000 moralistically sound supporters with jobs (or at least attempting to re-enter the workforce) sure trumps 1,000 out-of-state and out-of work outcasts. We win.

But who’s keeping score anyway? Point being, who exactly does “we” consist of these days? We the people, seems to be nothing more than a consistent thorn in the left's side. But could it be things are changing? In the days after the rally, with a consistent flow of daily feedback, I am starting to wonder how many supporters in attendance that mid-January day have crossed over to the right side after being privilege to Scott Walker's reforms? No doubt, they’re w-o-r-k-i-n-g! So if you are among the lefty-turned-right genre, who can blame you? Not us, that’s for sure.

On the flip side, in an attempt at playing the devil's advocate, one stereotypical conservative behavior that aggravates me is the different structures and factions, and the way they sometimes seem to disenfranchise themselves with one another. C'mon conservatives, we're all bright – but this move never is.

So on the day of the event, I had that chip on my shoulder and was paying close attention not to subconsciously fall in the cliquish mindset of my glory days. I went into the day sure I’d see a lot of this. I pictured in one corner the disheveled, seemingly intoxicated protesters squawking nonsense that not even they understand; the GOP elite in the other; and the radically right in the opposite, and all of them whispering and pointing.

It was mid-January, midway through our event when the winter ground swelled, and all at once, the 4,000 attendees let out a roar like I’ve never heard, and the earth under my feet literally began to move. Until this point, I had not taken the time to truly digest my surroundings. At the onset of the thunderous applause, I did just that, and I will never forget the pride I was overcome with at that moment. I was paralyzed by the size, and moreover, the makeup that rally-goers consisted of.

These people were not segregated, they were – and are – one solid base of Scott Walker supporters, united. The mainline Republicans cheered with Tea Party patriots, the independents next to the libertarians, none of them seeming to acknowledge any differences – it was just one rock-solid unstoppable force made up of  We The People.

What I found even more fascinating was the protesters – or lack there of – who attempted to rain on our our parade, to no avail. From what I understand, it was 63 leftists who yammered a whole lot of nothing for a total of 25 minutes. So much for solidarity.

I am uncertain of the exact details because from where I stood, high on my hill of Republican pride, they could not be seen nor heard. They were so magnificently overshadowed by the grassroots establishment, they had become protesters muffled in silence, if you can imagine.

But what about the registered Democrats in the rally crowd among us? Yes, I speak of liberal Walker supporters – if that makes sense. And I’m not talking about Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski sneaking in like no one would see him – how silly is that? And I am not referencing the handful of challenged infiltrators who made short-lived fools of themselves in front of the podium, either. I bet their moms are proud.

I am speaking with respect of the individuals formerly from the left who now held handmade pro-Walker signs high in the air with humility. I am speaking of the union members, the teachers, the students and everyone in-between. They’ve seen the light, and they serve as evidence that the base of the governor's supporters has quadrupled in size compared to the pathetic protest of 1,000 just months ago on the very same street.

If you don’t believe me, look at the photos. They’re easy to find online. After all, we made national headlines alongside those about Newt Gingrich taking the lead in the South Carolina primary at the very same moment. I'd say that’s making headlines. And if you don’t hear the 1,000 words the pictures say, go take a look at the Marquette University poll released this week, proving yet again, Walker's base is alive and well. And if you want to understand this national phenomenon known as the Walker Backers, look at Wisconsin's state of affairs versus exactly one year ago.

I have one thing to say about that: Go, Scott, Go!

So I reiterate – Scott Walker is not just the Republican's governor. He is every man's fiscally conservative leader, he is Wisconsin’s very own Governor of the Year. And with that, on behalf of the Tea Party, the GOP and fellow conservatives far and wide, I'd like to welcome reformed Democrats who now embrace our common-sense way of life. We won't hold your past against you. We're glad to have you onboard. Settle in, it's going to be much smoother sailing from here.