8,000 expected, 700 show up? [View All]

Glenn Beck, conservative talk-show host, kicks off 'Restoring America' tour
"Restoring America One State at a Time" rally held at Six Flags Great Adventure

By KEITH RUSCITTI and COLLEEN CURRY • STAFF WRITERS • October 2, 2010


A crowd of about 700 people, comprised mostly of Tea Party supporters, gathered at Six Flags Great Adventure on Saturday to help kick off conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck's "Restoring America'' tour.

Spectators paid $50 for a ticket or $125 for special VIP privileges to listen to speeches by various conservative and libertarian activists, radio talk-show hosts and musicians in a six-hour event.

The controversial and flamboyant radio and television personality Beck was the main attraction. He went on stage shortly after 7 p.m. to a heroes' welcome.

It was the first stage performance by Beck since his Aug. 28 rally in Washington D.C., an event that attracted nearly 100,000 people.

But that event was free and was heavily marketed for months. That is in contrast to Saturday's appearance at the North Star Arena in Great Adventure, said Janet Longo, a Tea Party activist and one of the rally organizers.

"We only put this together in a couple of weeks,'' said Longo, a Jackson resident. "But I'm glad the people came out.

Although the crowd was well short of the 8,000 capacity for the arena, there was a large contingent of conservative media in attendance. :rofl:

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http://www.app.com/article/20101002/NEWS/100930134/Glenn-Beck-conservative-talk-show-host-kicks-off-Restoring-America-tour