Inside the Beltway

STRONG BREW

Yeah. It’s political. The bodacious, unapologetic “tea party” is ready to rumble on Sept. 12 when the National Mall will be wall to wall with those who favor less taxes, smaller government and a return to traditional American values. Unlike Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” folks, the tea partiers are encouraged to play hardball and bring their political signs, enthusiastic strategery and inner mettle, their sights set on swaying the midterm elections.

“Let me be clear about one thing. We are not seeking a junior partnership with the Republican Party, but rather a hostile takeover of it,” says Matt Kibbe, president of FreedomWorks, a grass-roots group founded by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, and a major organizer of the event.

“Last year, we demanded leaders who will defend our freedoms and advocate sustainable economic policy. This year, we assemble to remind them that if they can’t follow through, we will vote in somebody else who will,” Mr. Kibbe declares.

Four days of events organized by several groups begin Thursday, highlighted by a “One Nation Back to God” worship service, a march down Pennsylvania Avenue and a rally at the U.S. Capitol on Sunday. There is a veritable army of speakers, including Mr. Armey, Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana Republican; Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II, BigGovernment.com founder Andrew Breitbart, Conservative Hispanic Coalition director Tito Munoz, Redstate .com founder Erick Erickson, and 15 more.

BUMPER PATROL

“Mark your calendars, Nov. 2, 2010 is Take Out the Trash Day.”

(Bumper sticker from CafePress.com)

HEN HOUSE

First lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and “the hottest, sexiest, young male movie stars.”

The people Martha Stewart pines to interview, on announcing she hoped to one day turn in her whisk and become a political talker, a la Larry King and Barbara Walters.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

Not on the FEMA list of equipment, and something one-time homeland security guru Tom Ridge never considered when “shelter in place” and duct tape were part of the public mindset. How far Americans have come: For grandparents, moms, dads, parents-to-be, aunties, uncles - the, uh, Baby Emergency Kit, to “keep your baby comfortable in any circumstance with a collection of products for rescue, survival, first aid, hygiene and comfort,” says Ice-Qube, the manufacturer.

Along with a baby face mask, mylar emergency blanket, diapers, assorted supplies and sunscreen, the cubelike kit also includes a onesie-style romper, bib and infant socks in “safety orange.” Priced at $79; see it at www.ice-qube .com.

WHAT’S THAT SMELL?

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