Glenn Beck drew thousands of activists on Saturday to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, where the popular Fox commentator held his "Restoring Honor" rally. During the rally Beck called on the nation to recommit itself to traditional values he said were hallmarks of its exceptional past.But the highly anticipated rally was also confusing to many. While Glenn Beck, the nation's #3 talk show host in popularity, stated the rally's goals of "celebrat(ing) America by honoring our heroes, our heritage and our future" and "restor(ing) the values that founded this great nation," it was not immediately clear what he intended to accomplish. "Restoring Honor" featured three hours of religious and patriotic speeches but offered few details on how to fix the country's problems.One of the event's headliners, Sarah Palin, was perhaps the most concise in summarizing the designs of the occasion: "Let's stand together! Let's stand with honor! Let's restore America!"It is unclear whether those at the rally fall neatly into the Republican camp. The rally -- the largest conservative gathering in the country since the tea-party fervor began in early 2009--was different in tone from earlier protest marches, when activists openly mocked President Barack Obama and waved signs that led some critics to label the movement as racist.Many who attended the rally said they were new to activism.While the crowd was mostly calm, there was evidence of divisive views. A table collecting funds in an "Impeach Oboma" [sic] jar provoked varied reactions from passersby. "Let's do it!" a woman called out. A man told the table attendants, "You guys do not represent what we are here for. You're wrong doing this." During an interview on "Fox News Sunday," which was filmed after Saturday's rally, Beck continued his criticism of Obama, calling him the "guy who understands the world through his liberation theology, which is oppressor-and-victim," adding, "People aren't recognizing his version of Christianity."Indeed, earlier this month, a Pew Research Center survey revealed widespread confusion over Obama's religion. A plurality of the poll's US respondents, 43 percent, said they did not know which religion the president practices.But Beck did say he regretted previously calling President Obama a racist. " 'Racist,' first of all, it shouldn't have been said," Beck told Fox News Sunday. "It was poorly said. I have a big fat mouth sometimes and I say things. That's just not the way people should behave. And it was not accurate."But Beck's attempts to continually typify Obama as a radical, have prompted anxiety among some Republicans who worry that Becks' rhetoric could backfire on them.The White House, meanwhile, has all but ignored his accusations.Republican strategists say the size of the rally reflected an enthusiasm for change that would bolster their electoral chances.But many Republicans have taken a more muted approach to the event, with some avoiding any mention of it altogether.Following the rally, Democrats went on the offensive against Republicans by claiming that the event was evidence that the GOP had been overtaken by extreme elements in the party.Some Democrats launched an offensive designed to link Republicans as extremists beholden to the Tea Party agenda.However one views the Beck rally this weekend, it was a prominent reminder of the disenchantment many Americans feel about Washington -- a sentiment that provides both opportunities and pitfalls for the Democratic and Republican Parties.Beck is followed up on his massive "Restoring Honor" rally by launching a news and opinion website. On Monday night, Beck unveiled the Blaze and expressed "exasperation" with the traditional news media.Beck said the Blaze will be "a place where you can find breaking news, original reporting, insightful opinions and engaging videos about the stories that matter most." There will also be articles on Beck-favored topics like faith and history, along with those on politics and policy. Source: Yellowbrix
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