The National Crazy Convention which is scheduled for next month in Nashville is falling apart!  The convention has been subject to controversy over its absurdly expensive tickets ($550), and generally appearing to be disingenuous to what the Tea Party actually stands for.

“[...]the convention has come under fire from some Tea Partiers who view it as inauthentic, and believe organizer Judson Phillips and his outfit, Tea Party Nation, are out to make a profit.” [TPM]

Hmm, conservatives getting con’d  into promoting something that ends up being self-defeating.  This is new to me.  NONETHELESS, This is bad news!  This is an EVENT FOR THE AGES.  I don’t want to miss out on all the kooky face-sacking that was about to go down here.

The convention was set to host some big names including Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), the beloved and expensive ($100,000)  Sarah Palin, and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).  Now it appears that some of these bigtime teabagging advocates are dropping out due to said controversy.  Blackburn released this statement earlier:

I spoke to Judson Phillips this morning and let him know that I could not participate in the convention. I told him frankly that Tea Party Nation’s for-profit status has put many of his speakers in an awkward position. I remain encouraged by the outpouring of energy from constitutionally minded grassroots organizations in Tennessee and around America. These groups are not made up of Republicans or Democrats but everyday Americans who are concerned about their freedom. They know that out-of-control spending and the expansion of government ultimately limits that freedom. I share their concerns and look forward to working with them in the future.

Bachmann has also dropped along with two of the event’s sponsors.

Damnit.