'Non-Political' Glenn Beck Rally Looks Pretty Political

Glenn Beck has insisted that his much-hyped Aug. 17 rally on the national mall will not be political. "This is not a tea party," he said on his radio show in May. "This is not a political event." That's because he's holding the event with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit forbidden by law from engaging in politics. But the event looks awfully political, Politico observes. Sarah Palin is a featured speaker, and multiple tea party groups are helping to organize.

"He knows that as a 501(c)3, we have to be very careful," says a Foundation spokeswoman. "And I know it's Glenn Beck, and he's a very opinionated person, but there's not going to be any kind of political agenda." But FreedomWorks, a tea party group that sponsors Beck's show, says Beck will tell the crowd to get politically active by joining FreedomWorks. The Tea Party Patriots are also providing volunteers and logistical help, and Republican Congressmen are helping to raise money for the event.
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