Pelosi to raise funds in Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) - U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will return to Austin next month to join Travis County Democrats in honoring former Democratic Lt. Gov. and State House Speaker Ben Barnes for his service in Texas.

In her 2009 fundraising visit with Barnes – a longtime friend – in Austin, tea party protesters rallied against the then-U.S. Speaker of the House.

“Leader Pelosi will share stories of her friendship with Gov. Barnes and motivate us for the 2012 Presidential reelection season!” TCDP Chair Andy Brown wrote in a party email sent Friday, urging participants to contribute to the party’s candidates at the event.

Pelosi will join Congressman Lloyd Doggett , and state Sen. Kirk Watson , both Austin Democrats, as guests at the Johnson Bentsen Richards Dinner on Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Four Seasons. The event, which was once called the group’s Filing Day Dinner, sold out in 2010.

The congresswoman, who represents parts of San Francisco, was greeted in September 2009 by about 30 protesters outside of Barnes’ Central Austin home for another fundraiser before reportedly accompanying him to the University of Texas-Texas Tech football gam.

• Watch this YouTube video of the protest .

A member the Austin Tea Party Patriots who was outside the home that day said that Barnes, an Austin lobbyist, brought water out to the protesters.

“We had kids out there,” the man, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “Even though we were rallying against it, he (Barnes) was a real class act.”

Protesters’ signs included messages like: “Who is Paying For Your Trip? We Hope It’s Not the Taxpayers.” And “Hey Pelosi, What Business Do You Have in Austin?”

Republican lawmakers also took aim at Pelosi’s stop. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison , R-Texas, issued this statement through her campaign for governor:

“Nancy Pelosi is coming to the wrong place if she’s trying to drum up support for Obama’s government takeover of health care. The Texas grassroots movement in opposition to government run health care is unlike anything I’ve seen. The message is clear ‘don’t mess with Texans’ health care’. I urge Speaker Pelosi to listen to the people and stop pushing legislation through Congress that would have a disastrous effect on the quality of our health care and on the economy. ”

While next month’s event will certainly be much more visible, it is uncertain whether tea party members will rekindle their in-person outcry against Pelosi this time around.