He may have used John Boehner and Mitch McConnell and Karl Rove as safer proxies, but these are the people the president of the United States was mocking in his Democratic campaign rally today on the Hill:

The rally earlier today on the West Lawn in opposition to the health-care legislation before Congress had all the fingerprints of a somewhat organic celebration of democracy. There was a pretty focused message, but mostly displayed on handwritten signs:

I used to call that “fun with Print Shop” (long before Photoshop was invented):

What an angry and abusive sign:

As I walked around, if it weren’t for the congressmen and some right-wing organization types speaking, one might think people had gathered for an Independence Day celebration. There were smiles and babies and families and goodwill. Now and again I would run into some lone guy responding to a speaker with “then we’ll dismantle the government.” But that guy also got weird looks — and not just from me. I was struck by how few mass-produced signs there were. Many groups might try to take credit for the rally, but concerned Americans are responsible for it.

Some in the media and on the Left were ridiculing a rally earlier in the week for its being on the small side. It was, but it was also put together quickly and was on a weekday when many Americans have workplaces to report to. It was frankly impressive they got as many as they did that day considering those realities. The scene this Saturday was something very different. MSNBC apparently said there were 2,000 there. The Tea Party Express announced 40,000. My official estimate was somewhere in between. Whatever the number, it was impressive.

If this rally was a “tea party,” and you think “tea partiers” aren’t pro-life, do think again:

When one speaker announced that Nancy Pelosi had been given the choice between her health-care takeover and abortion last night, Pelosi picked abortion, the boos were overwhelming.

They even say they’re angry:

But I saw many beautiful smiles:

And all ages:

This was the big f-word of the day:

Start Over — maybe if they read it upside down they’ll get it:

A WWII vet looks on:

An Iraqi vet, too:

They came from the Buckeye state:

It was a family affair:

The line outside the Cannon House Office Building:

And outside Rayburn:

Allow K-Lo a hometown team moment:

Democracy-wear:

This one’s taxed:

A popular coat on today’s warm springy day:

Wearing the Constitution on his sleeve:

Scott Brown makes an appearance:

It’s not too late to just move to Canada:

The second most popular flag of the day:

He’s reading the Heritage Foundation-bound Constitution:

Every species of patriot got into the Fourth feeling:

It’s a shame anyone has to think that way:

“Two for $5, two for $5. Capitalism is still alive.”

Preparing for a sad Sunday:

But “Freedom never cries,” as my friend Jon Ondrasik sings. Those gathered today, among many others across the country and in Washington who oppose this ill-conceived legislation from a condescending, patronizing administration — will not be giving up tomorrow. Because Monday is another day. And so is the first Tuesday in November