MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — Glenn Beck received a ceremonial, plaque-mounted key to the city from the mayor of his hometown, as well as a minute-long standing ovation as hundreds of protesters gathered outside.
The Fox News personality’s visit Saturday to Mount Vernon, an agricultural city of 31,000 people 60 miles north of Seattle, had sparked weeks of protests and petitions calling for the cancellation of the visit.
But Beck was received warmly inside the sold-out event at the city’s McIntyre Hall. Mount Vernon Mayor Bud Norris, who weeks earlier proclaimed Saturday “Glenn Beck Day” as a way to mark the conservative commentator’s success as a nationally known broadcaster, introduced Beck and handed over the key.
Beck spoke for about an hour, remembering his childhood in Mount Vernon, which he described as well-connected to the values of Norman Rockwell’s small-town America. He cried as he reminisced about going to the local theater with his mother.
“Now, I would give my right arm to live in a town like Mount Vernon. And I discovered today that there are a ton of people ready to cut it off,” he said Saturday, jokingly referring to protesters gathered nearby. “It doesn’t bother me, because I have the key to their house now.”
Demonstrators outside numbered close to 800 – the largest protest anybody could remember in Mt. Vernon’s history, Fire Department spokeswoman Erica Work said. The demonstrators appeared evenly split between those who supported Beck and those who opposed his visit.
Police arrested one man who they said ignored repeated warnings to get off the street. The man was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and booked into the Skagit County Jail, authorities said.
Beck, a vocal critic of President Barack Obama, has garnered a strong national following, taking aim at such standard conservative targets as illegal immigration and big government spending.
The event had been criticized by some who claim Beck is too polarizing a figure. In July, for example, he said Obama was a racist who has a “deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture.”
The City Council passed a resolution saying “Mount Vernon City Council is in no way sponsoring the mayor’s event on Sept. 26, 2009, and is not connected to the Glenn Beck event in any manner.”
Norris, a Republican, introduced Beck and emphasized that the honor was for his professional accomplishments, not his political views. He thanked police for providing the extra security.
“It’s a pity we had to spend the kind of money we had to,” he said. “But it’s the price we pay for free speech.”
Beck, 45, mostly stayed away from discussing politics. But he said he didn’t remember politics being so divisive when he was growing up. The country could count on a bright future if people would stop tearing each other apart, he said.
Beck’s roots in Washington are deep. His father ran a bakery in downtown Mount Vernon, and his mother drowned while boating in the Puget Sound when he was a teenager.
In high school, he moved to nearby Bellingham and attended Sehome High School. Throughout his days here, he seemed keen on making a living on radio and television, landing radio and television gigs early on and a DJ job out of high school.
Beck’s fame has soared exponentially in recent years. He got a television show on CNN three years ago and later moved to Fox News, and his syndicated radio program now appears on more than 350 radio stations.
Beck warmed up for his return to Mount Vernon with an afternoon appearance at Seattle’s Safeco Field, where he also drew crowds of loyal fans, as well as a few dozen protesters.
Beck received cheers for declaring that winning the war on terror was more important than health care reform. Then boos erupted as photos of Obama and Democratic Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire appeared on a large screen.
Hooray for free speech! The libs have their fanatical mouthpieces, Olberman and Matthews, so if you don’t like what Glenn is saying change the DIAL idiots.
Oh, thank you Ted…I was wondering how to get that moronic fearmonger off my TV….
your welcome.
Better them than us!!!
I thought this was “pbpulse”?
What’s this got to do with PB county?
This was in Washington. Is everyone at The Post clueless?
Never mind.
My problem with Glenn Beck is not what he says about Obama but what he failed to say about Bush and company. if you really stand for calling it like it is, where was he during the worst presidency in U.S. history. Why wasn’t
he staging protests then???? Health care for all Americans could have been paid for by the money wasted in the Iraq war. Why are you so silent on that administration, why don’t you talk about that Glenn Beck????? He’s a partisan phony just like Limbaugh. If your a truth teller as you claim to be then go after all the political criminals we have in this country. Roger
You apparently were NOT listening to Glenn Beck during the GW Bush years, because he was an ARDENT critic of his policies, including border control(lack of), his inaction on the pardoning of Ramos and Campeon, his expansion of Medicare, his increased federal subsidy programs, his push towards amnesty of illegal aliens, his passage of TARP, and his bailout of the auto companies. I actually doubt that you listen to Glenn at all other than in edited clips of his t.v. show and soundbites of his radio show…all done by our shamelessly biased, vitriolic news media.
What many folks don’t realize (especially the extreme right wing) is that Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh are ENTERTAINERS. There job is to stir up controversy, gain listeners, and sell advertisements on their show. Of coarse, some nut cases simply send money to them because they think the whole act is for real. Wake up America!
Roger you obviously do not listen to Glenn Beck you probably watch only cnn or msnbc who only pick out certain lines. Try listening to him then form a true opinion not what you have been told to believe. GOD BLESS GLENN BECK he is bringing out the lies that we are being told by the socialist running the government
TO ROGER… As the last poster stated, you absolutely DID NOT watch Beck when W was President… Nobody tore into Bush more than Beck… Except maybe Rachel Madcow and Keith Obberwoman.
TO SPANKY… If “Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh are ENTERTAINERS” why do the Libs and Obama butt lickers have convulsions over them???
We have Beck and Limbaugh… You have Madcow and Obberwoman. Everyone knows who America is watching
That old drunk is so bitter! Obama didn’t hold the bottle to your mouth Glenn, YOU DID!
Mad Mike,
You are exactly what is wrong with America. Instead of EVERYONE working together, regardless of political affiliation, it is your types that attempt to separate the masses by “We…and..You”.
I am a registered Republican and I voted for President Obama and will do so next election because he is doing the right things for the right reasons. He is not a phony as you have been told by Beck and Limbaugh (and FOX news).
I hope you can understand how embarrassed that I am being a Republican with all the childish and ridiculous games the Republican leaders are playing. It is truly pathetic!
It truly is time for change – and you should join the masses to correct things for the goodness and fairness of all that are citizens.
Spanky you truly are a koolaid drinker no mind of your own, only what you have been programed to believe.
Glenn Beck is the biggest racist on TV today. Keep letting him spread his diseased mind and he will cause much distress and heartache in the USA. He need professional help, and probably committed to a mental institution in Siberia.
Please – in the future do not promote idiots who promote hatred and racism on TV. He and his cohorts are making millions spreading lies and biased opinions from other nuts who reflect a mentality from 40 years ago.
i personally think obama has mommy issues not race issues. however when you are losing your battle the race card is always played.
Dawn…Spanky is right. You apparently are a youngster who is wet behind the ears and don’t have any recollection of what this country was like 40 years ago. Olympia Snowe said a week or so ago that she has not changed…the Republican Party has changed instead. Olympia depicts true Republican Conservatism.
As far as Obama, he is trying to straighten out multiple screw ups from the last 8 years and needs the support of all Americans, not these radical idiots who think they are better than anyone else, like Glenn Beck, Shawn Hannnity (what a hypocrite he is!!!), and Rush the nut Limbaugh.
glenn ” dry drunk” beck is nothing more than a tool for big busniess and corporate america.. just like FAT ASS PILL POPPIN RUSH !
PAOLA…
The problems began not 8-1/2 years ago but 2-1/2 years ago when the Lib/Dems took over Congress.
And sorry, YOU don’t know what true Conservatism is… Very few do (see William F Buckley)
Glen Beck the biggest racist??? Take the time to read Michelle Obama’s Princeton thesis. And I’m sure while attending Rev Wright’s church 3 times a month for 20 years Barry Hussein never once heard anything racist.
SPANKY… Yes, have have drank of the Koolade
Spanky, I agree but isnt this a hell of a “game ” to play with peoples lives? Calling someone a “terrorist” is SERIOUS and Glen Beck is promoting this as the local moron Rush. (les we forget Palin as she is a big contributer to this game). Its NOT factual information , those are Becks and Fixed News own words but some poeple really think they are fact. Are we waiting for a tragedy for this to stop?
No I am 50 worked all my life for my money and I don’t want a bunch of socialist stealing it from me. I do agree the Republican party change they do not stand up for Americans anymore. I don’t think that the Republican choice for president was any kind of leader either he was a slightly less socialist then is in there now. I do believe that EVERY congress member should be voted OUT that is the only way we will get this country back.
I applaude this for Glenn Beck .He really makes sense to me & the common man/woman.
In a crazy world today (going to hell in a handbasket really quick)
we need to know the news around us, & all over the world.
Its become quite a tiny planet when you think about.
We need to stop the whining, & greed corruption & take action for the Pursuit of Life Liberty & Happiness.
Glenn Beck seems to embrace this principle as well.
I think He & Bill O’Reilly should run for VP & President very very soon.. Anyone agree?
I would call that Shock & Awesome……