Hannity Draws Crowd At Tyler Appearance By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer, Tyler Morning Telegraph

An estimated 3,000 people gathered at the Oil Palace Friday night to hear conservative political commentator and author Sean Hannity.

Event organizer Jim Couch said Hannity was invited to speak because they felt like it would be an honor to have him in Tyler.

"We needed something in this area. The conservative people in this area are looking for a leader," he said.

Before Hannity stepped up to the podium, George Stephenson, with Grassroots America-We The People, addressed the crowd.
Stephenson told audience members about Grassroots America-We The People and encouraged them to get involved in their precinct neighborhoods.

"We can't take care of Washington if we can't take care of Smith County," he said. "... We have to put God back into the United States of America."

Cheers erupted from the audience as Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, each stepped up to the podium.

Rep. Berman talked about the Founding Fathers, along with college tuition for illegal immigrants, while Rep. Gohmert discussed health care.

After hearing from both representatives, attendees waived flags and listened to the Singing Men of Tyler perform patriotic music such as "Yankee Doodle" and "This Land Is Your Land."

Perhaps the real highlight of the evening was when Hannity took the stage.

Hannity talked about the "Obama mania" that is going on the country and what he would like to see from the Republican Party.

"I think the Republican Party needs to stand with a bold vision for the future," he said. "... I want the Republicans to be the party of fiscal responsibility ... I want the Republican Party to be the party that balances the budget."