Yesterday in Manchester, New Hampshire, I attended a “Tea Party,” which proved a highly educational experience. Here are some of my observations:

The crowd — estimated between 2,000 and 3,000 people — was, by New Hampshire standards, very diverse. Men and women of all ages were there — I noticed one lad holding a sign reading “I can’t even drive, and I’m already $36,000 in debt” and an elderly gentleman with a hat proclaiming himself a Korean War veteran.

The crowd was also remarkably cheerful and pleasant — despite the outraged sentiments expressed on signs and placards.

There were also only a few fringe elements at the rally. Two people compared Obama to Hitler, a few more called him a Communist, and the ever-present Ron Paul extremists made an appearance in small numbers.

One of the key organizers was the blog Granite Grok, a couple of New Hampshire bloggers who have their own talk-show and are rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with in New Hampshire politics. They set up a “blogger’s row” that included a couple of other local blogs. The bloggers spoke at the rally, and in general acquitted themselves quite handsomely.

The common message everyone seemed to unite behind was that “we’re tired of giving so much money to Washington (and Concord) — let us keep our own money!” Most every sign, button, sticker, or speech revolved around that sentiment, and it’s a hard one to refute. After all, it’s not as if people who think they aren’t being taxed enough can’t simply give more money to the government — they can just write a check and mail it off (helping out the Postal Service in the process).

The event was remarkably ecumenical. While the politicians who attended seemed to be exclusively Republican, quite a few signs loudly proclaimed their holders’ disgust with both parties.

There is talk of another Tea Party on July 4. I hope it happens.