RNC Chairman Michael Steele will be meeting with a group of up to 50 Tea Party activists from across the country this afternoon. The meeting will take place at RNC Headquarters at 4pm.
“ The Chairman believes it extremely important to listen to this significant grassroots movement and work to find common ground in order to elect officials that will protect these principals.” Said Katie Wright, RNC Spokeswoman.
This is part of a broader effort by national Republicans to communicate directly with Tea Party activists rather than risk having their handpicked candidates get run over by the movement.
One Tea party activist who has traveled hundreds of miles to attend today’s meeting tells Fox News, “Steele wants to try to co opt us, but we’re coming to tell him he doesn’t get it. We want to return the Republican party to its roots. We’re expecting some fireworks.”
Tea Party activists have targeted multiple Republicans they don’t feel are conservative enough, such as Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Senator Bob Bennett of Utah.
RNC officials tell us the meeting is “private” but it looks like we’ll hear all about it this afternoon, as Tea Party activists are planning to speak to reporters as soon as they walk out the door.