HARRISBURG -- Several hundred people gathered on the Capitol steps today to protest the "B word"--the ongoing bailout, by the federal government, of mismanaged banks, poorly run auto makers, homeowners who can't pay their mortgages and state officials who can't control their spending.

The event, organized by the Commonwealth Foundation, a politically conservative group, and two local radio talk show hosts, was called the "Harrisburg Tea Party."

"These are people who believe in limited federal and state government, but who think government has overstepped its limited role in our lives," said foundation President Matthew Brouillette.

Speakers and participants denounced both Republicans, such as former President George Bush and Sen. Arlen Specter, and Democrats, such as President Barack Obama and Gov. Ed Rendell.

They disliked Mr. Bush's actions last fall to give federal money to banks that had made poisonous home loans, and criticized Mr. Obama for spending additional billions of taxpayer dollars to prop up General Motors and Chrysler, to help over-leveraged homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure and to help deficit-ridden states with his $787 billion economic stimulus program.