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ESCANABA -- The decision by Congressman Stupak Friday transformed the Tea Party Express's visit to Escanaba from a protest into a celebration.  More than a thousand people participated in the rally Friday afternoon.  Locals say they got what they wanted, but those with the Tea Party say their work is not over.

Singing...dancing...clapping--the Tea Party worked the crowd, all to promote less government control and more financial restraint.  And those who came say that's exactly why they attended:  to support a cause they believe in.

"It seems like we're going in the wrong direction--too much socialism in the future, that's what I'm seeing," explained Powers resident, Ken Kirschner.    

"I don't really agree with the way the movement this country is going, and I came down here to support the people attempting to move this country in the correct decision," said Escanaba resident, Sandi Dagenais.

The Tea Party Express has traveled across the U.S. for the last 14 days and made its way to the U.P., primarily because of one political target, Congressman Stupak.  But after his announcement Friday, the rally became a celebration of victory.

"We came to the U.P. with an even more aggressive schedule of rallies and events, a $250,000 ad campaign to defeat him, and today he announced he's not running for a 10th term and that's good!" explained Tea Party Chairman, Mark Williams.  "Because he symbolizes, at this point, everything that's wrong with our government and our representation."

But Tea Party supporters say they're by no means done.  They say they still have a lot of work to do before the November elections.

"We're not going to take it anymore!" said Tea Party speaker, Amy Kremer.  "Not from Mr. Stupak, not from Harry Reid, not from Nancy Pelosi, not from any of them!  WE are going to take back our country!

The Tea Party Express hopes to end their transcontinental trek in Washington, D.C. next Thursday.