Glenn Beck is scheduled to be in Tampa for a book-signing from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Borders Bookstore, 909 N Dale Mabry Highway. After that, he's headed to the Villages for a book-signing and rally where he reportedly is going to make "an announcement about his plans for 2010," according the local Facebook page promoting the appearances.

Members of the Tampa 9-12 Project, a movement spawned by Beck, are way stoked about the visit and will charter buses to take people from Tampa to the Villages for the rally. Karen Jarosch, co-founder of the Tampa 9-12 project, said she expects huge crowds at both events. Personally, though, she said she's less interested in having a book signed than hearing Beck speak at the rally.

"He's a visionary," Jarosch said. "We respect him as someone who is not afraid to ask the tough questions and be bold. We respect him for his courage and his foresight."

Andrew Dorsey, president of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans, said he's eager to hear what Beck will have to say at the Villages rally. "There's something big that's going to happen at that rally," Dorsey said. "The question is what." Dorsey said he sees Beck as the ultimate antiestablishment voice. "Glenn is viewed not necessarily as the leader of the Republicans or conservatives, but as someone who's dedicated as a patriot to making America better."

For information about the events, go to www.tampa912.org.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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