WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Two major speakers scheduled for the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, TN next month dropped out citing concerns about how funds raised by the convention might be used. Minnesota Republican Representative Michele Bachman and Tennessee Representative Marsha Blackburn backed away Thursday. Many Tea Party activists are boycotting the convention over its $550 per person ticket price and the $100,000 speaking fee paid to Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Judson Phillips of Tennessee is organizing the event and said he hoped to turn a profit.