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With the Tea Partiers
Evolve or Die
The Tea Party movement is at a crossroads.
This February marks the three-year anniversary of the Tea Party, and with the 2012 presidential election in full swing, many are wondering whether the Tea Party will be a factor in bringing down the Obama presidency and have the ability to drive real government reform. Others are wondering if the movement has run out of gas at the start of the final lap (as a Ryun, I must periodically make running analogies). In all honesty, the answer is both. The Tea Party is at a crossroads in 2012. One route will slowly take it into relative obscurity and the other can lead it to having an even greater impact than it has had already.
As part of assessing those two paths, we should take an honest look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Tea Party movement. First, the good: there is no doubting the impact the Tea Party movement has had on the American political landscape since its inception. How many political movements can you name that within a year and half of inception impacted national elections the way the Tea Party did in 2010—even starting in the fall of 2009 in New Jersey and Virginia? The movement hit American politics like a tsunami, creating a seismic shift in the U.S. House and at the state legislative level. The most impressive aspect of that success is that many of the Tea Partiers who came out in 2009 were for the most part new to the process, and yet 18 months later, their learning curve had accelerated enough to make a significant national political impact.
In 2011, with the work of ?Tea Party groups in Ohio, Issue 3, a state referendum on Obamacare, made the ballot with the collection of an astounding 441,000 signatures and then passed overwhelmingly on election night. That’s just one of the highlights of the movement’s progress. There are numerous examples of local groups and local leaders making change happen in their communities, with victory after victory, new leaders, voter integrity and transparency projects, and efforts to stop spending increases.
Now here’s the bad news: the Tea Partiers are losing the battle of definition. Consider the polls that deal with questions of limited government, accountable elected officials, free enterprise, and other core issues of the Tea Party movement. Most polls show support for these ideas somewhere between 60 and 70 percent. But if you add the Tea Party label to these ideals, most poll numbers will drop 15-20 points.
Recent polls show support for the Tea Party hovering around the mid-40s, demonstrating that the American people have trepidation about who and what the Tea Party is. Politics 101 is the battle of definition and the people who define themselves first typically win. The Tea Party has not won the battle of definition, and right now finds itself on the losing end of that fight.
Part of the reason it’s losing is the behavior of so-called national Tea Party groups. That brings us to “the ugly.” One of the most visible of these groups is Tea Party Express, which is just a name slapped over the Our Country Deserves Better political action committee. While it poses as a legitimate Tea Party organization, it is really nothing but a front for Russo and Associates, a group of long-time Republican consultants sitting in Sacramento, California.
Nearly 75 percent of all monies raised by the Tea Party Express ends up funneled to Russo and Associates, not the movement, making the owners of the firm a small fortune. “Express” backed some of the biggest losers of the 2010 cycle including Christine O’Donnell, Sharron Angle, and Joe Miller. They’ve blown millions on hotels, cruise ships, and dinners at five-star restaurants, all while soliciting money from the grassroots and backing candidates that will permit them to hijack their campaigns.
Recently Tea Party Express’s Co-Chairman, Amy Kremer, formerly of Tea Party Patriots, another national group, lost a lawsuit to Jenny Beth Martin and Mark Meckler of the Tea Party Patriots over email lists Kremer allegedly took when she left her previous organization. Their tempest in a teapot is made more absurd by the fact it appears they’re fighting over who will be the leader of a leaderless movement.
The Tea Party Patriots’ leadership has also been involved in cease-and-desist letters over any local group that tries to use “tea party patriot” in its name, though no one really owns that term. Another group, Tea Party Nation, was sued in July 2011 for more than $640,000 by the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas for failure to pay the monies owed for an event that was eventually canceled.
The ugly part of the movement is not confined just to the national groups, but extends to some local groups that have devolved into battles for control instead of focusing on meaningful work that brings real change. They would do well to remember the words of Reagan: “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.”
It’s time for the Tea Party to evolve and leave some of its past behavior behind. It’s time for the national groups to be forced back into the shadows in favor of the thousands of local organizations that still can make a difference. The movement always has been, and always will be, about the local leaders and groups. The national groups could go away tomorrow, and the movement would be fine. The local leaders go away, and the movement dies.
IT’S TIME FOR THE NEW conservative grassroots to grow into sturdy oaks that can shape the landscape for decades to come. The Tea Party has been more effective than many ever thought it could be, but it needs to be more than it has been since roaring onto the political stage in 2009. The movement and many of its leaders have fought their way to the front lines of American politics and have now earned the right to take command of the army.
With the conservative movement lacking real leadership and conservative institutions failing cycle after cycle to have an impact on policy, the real Tea Party has been a rare example of effectiveness in winning elections. As the major party structures have taken a back seat to more effective outside groups, the Tea Party has proven what so many have said for so long—fiscally conservative principles are American values that will resonate with the majority of voters.
Now it’s time to move beyond the money-making schemes and media hype. At a grassroots level, these now battle-hardened activists must become community leaders, candidates, and, yes, party officials. They need to focus on taking over the process in a very real way. As a force, they proved in 2010 and 2011 that they can overpower the unions and liberal groups that hijack elections across the country.
The Tea Party has been the driving force in American politics for nearly the last three years. Obama can’t make that claim. The Republicans can’t either. They wouldn’t have their majority without thousands of local Tea Party groups who mobilized to bring an end to Nancy Pelosi’s Congress.
If the Tea Party will evolve, and become sustainable with a more concise mission (we’re taking over the local city council vs. we just want more freedom) and ability to fundraise, it can and will be a force beyond 2012. The Tea Party must become that slow-burning coal fire, hot and steady. But if it cannot get past the negative impressions and the internal dissension, it will become nothing but a footnote in American political history.
About the Author
Ned Ryun is the founder and president of American Majority, a political training institution. His “With the Tea Partiers” column run each month in the The American Spectator’s print edition. You can follow him on Twitter @nedryun.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (93) | Leave a comment
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Clint| 2.21.12 @ 7:08AM
Ask The Big Government Statists ,Who Force Confiscated Our Tax Money And Gave It To All The Different Parasite Leaches.
Stimulate & TARP That, Sucker.
Aalan Brooks| 2.21.12 @ 7:26AM
1776 was such a good year-- America's shining moment--
that the Tea party is permanently stuck in that year. Now, I am sentimental- but not THAT sentimental.
Gingrich looks to the Moon for his second imaginary term as POTUS; the Tea Party looks to Philadelphia 1776. Who is the most deluded? a hard one to figure..
Clint| 2.21.12 @ 7:34AM
Apparently, The Poseur Punk Poster Is Still Upset & Confused Over The Tea Party Wins In The 2010 Elections.
The Second Wave Comes November 6th, 2012.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To A Brokered Convention.
Harry the Horrible| 2.21.12 @ 8:45AM
Hmmm. "Balthazar" must be a Obama "Truth Squad" brownshirt.
I wonder how much he gets for each post.
Drunken Sailor| 2.21.12 @ 11:04AM
Each post? It's the same cut and paste crap this troll posted on yesterdays threads at around 2AM. Read their 99% crap and you can see they are just another "Occupy" thug that has been up all night posting their "Protest" instead of getting rest so they can job hunt today.
One of the three wise men they aint.
Alan Brooks| 2.21.12 @ 9:50PM
"The Second Wave Comes November 6th, 2012"
When Obama is re-elected.
post*tenebras*lux| 2.21.12 @ 8:45AM
Balt, do you not know the difference between a conservative and an establishment Republican?
Vern Crisler| 2.21.12 @ 9:19AM
Nobody is going to read a multi-paragraph post. When will you guys ever learn.
PolishKnight| 2.21.12 @ 9:44AM
There are the usual Democrat party talking points and when put together in a row like this, they illustrate the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of leftist dogma. It shrieks about accusations of class warfare while referring to a meaningless "1%" statistic. It cries about the conditions of workers while ignoring government union cronies and corporate welfare for Goldman Sachs. And it sheds croc tears about the rights of gays while bashing white males even as most of leftists prefer to live in white neighborhoods.
The response by other posts is that Balt fails to differentiate between Republican party elites and the grass roots tea party movement. Ironically, Balt also fails to consider that the beloved leftist party also has an elite that has little interest in delivering anything other than their elites "winning" more elections in the future. The left tossed working class white males under the bus, what makes him think they won't do the same to him? Once they no longer need the votes of middle class government union workers, they can cut wages to the bone just like the former USSR. Look at how the Democrats tossed Hillary Clinton's presidential ambitions aside!
Yep, enjoy being a cheerleader because that's all you're going to get out of it Balt! Tee hee!
Paul| 2.21.12 @ 9:44AM
Gee, Let me see......
If a politician gets elected by the poor on a promise to eliminate poverty, wouldn't fulfilling his promise destroy his voting base? Wouldn't he rather benefit from the growing numbers of poor people? Isn't this an obvious conflict of interests?
If economic ups and downs are natural cycles, why is the downturn always blamed on unbridled capitalism, but the upturn is the result of a wise political leadership?
Why do advocates for higher taxes have accountants advising them how they can pay smaller taxes? Wouldn't you expect them instead to seek advice on how to give away more of their income to the IRS, or not hire them at all?
If it's true that the media emphasized bad news and harassed President Bush only because they competed for ratings, what changed now? Aren't they worried that today's emphasis on good news from the White House will destroy their ratings and make journalism irrelevant?
If there are no absolutes and family is an antiquated tool of bourgeois oppression, why is having gay marriage an absolute must?
If being a winner in nature's struggle for survival is selfish, does being extinct make you an altruist?
Simon Templar| 2.21.12 @ 5:45PM
Paul, you are paying attention. Excellent comments and observations.
Wendy| 2.23.12 @ 8:47PM
Paul, I especially like your first paragraph. Good thinking!
TeaPartyDem| 2.21.12 @ 11:12AM
Balthazar, I would love to debate all these points in public after we find out who's payroll your on. Here is a taste:
1) WHERE ARE ALL THE JOBS WE SAID WE WOULD CREATE: Interesting that you are laying blame on our jobless economy on the House and giving a pass to both the WH and senate. How about asking where the hell is our national budget that has been ignored for over 1,000 days.
2)WHY DO YOU INSULT VOTERS WITH BALD-FACED LIES ABOUT HOW YOU’VE BEEN A “JOBS CREATOR” WHEN YOUR PAST RECORD PROVES OTHERWISE. Answer: Reagan and Newt who created more jobs than the shallow Dems could ever imagine. Oh yes, let's ignore the gross, overt deceit of the WH and our failed press. Let's ignore the fact that any statistics coming out of Obama's administration are twisted, contorted and false.
3)WHY DO YOU CONTINUALLY TRY TO DEMONIZE SEGMENTS OF OUR SOCIETY, SUCH AS GAYS, AND TRY TO INSTILL FEAR IN THE REST OF THE POPULATION ABOUT THEM? Your kidding, right? As Obama, Napolitano et al trash the majority of law abiding Americans (Christians/vets/pro-lifers/religious groups) you have the gall to say the TP demonizes that tiny segment, gays? We don't. We also do not care what adults do in the privacy of their own homes. We DO have a problem with trashing the 3,000 (or older)year old institution of marriage. Why permit only gays to marry? What's so special about them? How about polygamist, incest and the like. The TP is not buying the "squeaky wheel" approach to the gay movement, who will not leave our children alone in furthering their issue. That's where problems come in, leave our kids alone.
I could go on for pages, fella. No clear thinking person buys your bologna.
PolishKnight| 2.21.12 @ 11:38AM
Save your breath. Democrats fall into two categories: cronies and government largesse recipients who don't care about ideology at all. Obama could be a vampire eating children but as long as they get their government check, indirect or direct, in the mail they simply don't care.
The next are the useful fools who have a list of Democrat talking points they parrot because they sound nice and gives them a feeling of self-importance. Over time it becomes more and more crude as the different elements of dogma compete with each other (The old FDR types have little in common with modern leftists so they don't have a lot to say.) They don't really think about the ideology. It's just an emotional outburst like being at a rock concert cheering on some heavy metal band. If you argue against them, they'll just repeat their talking point. Another analogy: It's like arguing with a barking dog. They simply aren't listening at that level. One of the best Democrat talking points is to project their own behavior onto their opponents. They claim to be the defenders of victims even as they are out to make as many as possible. As Ann Coulter points out: mob behavior.
Perhaps it's amazing we don't see more of them here. As individuals, they really don't have a lot of power but perhaps they get bored with being an anonymous cheerleader in a crowd...
O.F. A.N. A.S.S.| 2.21.12 @ 4:05PM
Even sheep can tell intellectually 'elite' liberal democrat Markist scab snot bubble sodomizers employed by media mutters whether they post as Balthazar or Diogenes or Orr, Gasm and Associates or DENIALISNOTJUSTARIVER or Purpleguy or jharp or fckewe because even on a computer intellectually 'elite' liberal democrat Markist scab snot bubble sodomizers employed by media mutters reek of ram feces.
Ovines For
A Nation
Absent Species Sodomization
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.21.12 @ 6:35AM
Your statement that the Tea Party Express backed some of the biggest losers in the 2008 election cycle glosses over the fact that the Republican Party backed two of the biggest losers also: Sarah Palin and John McCain.
The fact remains that the Tea Party in various forms had more of an effect on ousting Nancy Pelosi than the mainstream Republican Party.
As far as polling numbers and the Tea Party they have been the recipients of overwhelming negative comments in the press. This is the same press which cuddled it's arms around the Occupy Movement as they destroyed public parks and forced local communities to spend millions to tend to them. Talk about the 1%.
Although you may have some perception that the Tea Party should possibly organize in a different way the facts are that's not the way they operate as a grass roots movement. Their objective from the first was not to have a national leader.
Your comments about wasted resources and partying on solicited donations bought back memories of Michael Steele, an affirmative action pick if ever there was one. According to many articles he traveled in high style and at one point was accurately accused of fronting Republican funds for strippers.
Steele spent 15 million more at one point than the party took in, spending over $18,000 to redo his office.
Look at the Republican Party now. There is no leadership, there is little in the way of vision. Paul Ryan and Eric Cantor are the only ones out there pumping up the universe.
In short, the Republican Party could actually take a lesson from the Tea Party with all its warts and wrinkles.
The lesson is stick to your principles.
The Republicans are always to eager to appease the press and that's why they appear to be a rudderless ship afloat.
If there is a political movement that needs to reorganize, it's the Republicans. The Tea Party movement is all that kept them alive in the last election cycle.
Wendy| 2.23.12 @ 9:00PM
Thank you, Bill. As a Tea Partier myself, I consider the polls endorsing our views nationally a huge victory. Getting the the media to accurately report who supports those principles is a challenge for all Americans.
I just watched "The Yes Men Fix the United States." They billed themselves as "representatives" making announcements they knew to be false about what the certain government entities and corporations will do - and the announcements are things they think should happen. It's a pretty good idea, actually.
Appleby| 2.21.12 @ 6:44AM
Sometimes the organization swallows up the movement.
janranch| 2.21.12 @ 7:12AM
THE OCCUPANTS OF THE TEA PARTY DON'T NEED TO BE A MASS OF BODIES TO PARTICIPATE.....WE ARE SILENT AND OUR NUMBERS ARE LEGION...THE MEDIA IS BESIDE THEMSELVES TO KNOW WHATS GOING ON IN OUR HEADS...WAIT TILL NOVEMBER AND YOU WILL SEE. WE ARE ONE OF MILLIONS AND MILLIONS AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE. OBAMA WILL LOSE BIG.....
NVA Patriot| 2.21.12 @ 8:30AM
Agree with the sentiment (except if we put Mitt O-Romney on the top - no need to shout - your message gets lost - even in comments when you are perceived by others to shout- just trying to help
Trish| 2.21.12 @ 7:26PM
So true Jan. We never wanted a 'leader'. We actually think for ourselves. I have never before marched in the streets until 9-12-09. I am working in various campaigns in Mich. If the repubs refuse to change, there will be another party soon. I know of no Tea Partiers who have dropped out. We are quietly working with more joining our ranks.
Fiscal| 2.21.12 @ 7:27AM
The problem with the Tea Party is that while they say they are for smaller government, they don't want cuts for Medicare, Social Security, and the military. You can't make a smaller government without significant cuts in these items that comprise almost 2/3rds of the federal budget. Fundamentally, they are ignorant when it comes to economics. Add to that, their bias (like most Republicans) towards older, whiter, Americans, and you lose most minority support. Then, of course, in addition to the groups mentioned above, you have Freedom Works whose members lobby those who actually took part in the financial crisis.
Bring me a group that really wants smaller government and is willing to support cuts in all of the big programs and you can have my support. Otherwise, you just have a bigoted group of old white people.
Old Soldier| 2.21.12 @ 7:51AM
I don't think you can assume universal agreement in the Tea Party on those issues. I would support small cuts to the military and large cuts to all entitlement programs.
Trish| 2.21.12 @ 7:28PM
I think you are very correct on the cuts OS.
jothepro| 2.21.12 @ 8:35AM
Hey Fical, (You obviously know next to nothing about the Tea Party or Freedom Works. But you do know left wing talking points.) matter
post*tenebras*lux| 2.21.12 @ 8:42AM
Fiscal, do you know what happens when you A.S.S.ume?
NVA Patriot| 2.21.12 @ 8:50AM
You know as a fairly effective Tea Party leader I bring a little different view to this thread - and most of the comments like Fiscal's are untrue. The Tea Party is more reflective of minority positions than either Dems or R's. Media does it's best to reflect the older-whiter view of the tea Party - going to such lengths as closing in on the shot of a Black gun-toting Tea Partyier to such an extent that you could not tell the man's skin pigmentation. They were caught and called on the cheating.
The Hispanic community has a deep resentment towards unions, union dues, etc. because they take precious money from thei pockets and provide fewer opportunities in return. The Black community seeks education reform and is against Gay Marriage. School vouchers are teh nmechanism to free many black communities from teh ghettoized hell of big city public education - Tea Party governance enbales vouchers.
Tea Partiers bring focus to these issues better than most.
In NVA we have fought against Agenda 21 in Loudoun County and won big. We're building on that success.
Mr. Ryun is correct the Tea Party will fade from VIEW, not impact.
We're burrowing into the Republican party and the governing elements of our society. We are replacing the establishment. And much of the establishment is not bad; they just need focused reminders - about every two years.
Von Mises Jr.| 2.21.12 @ 9:16AM
Spot on, NVA Patriot. The TEA parties have already evolved. They have moved from rallies and signs to injecting themselves into the politics. I belong to a few groups including AFP. Lectures and meetings have included guest speakers such as Betsy McCaughey, Robert Moffitt (Heritage), Peter Ferrara (TAS), David webb, as well as local Senators, Assemblymen and our Congressmen. That works a hell of allot better than an amusing sign.
But the author mis-understands movements. He should read "The Starfish and the Spider." It is an MBA management book about centralization versus decentralization.
Cortes invaded the Aztecs in 1519, cut off Montezuma's head, closed down the roads and water; and within weeks, the Aztecs surrendered. They cut off the head of the "Spider" and it died.
Then he ran into the Apache' who had decentralized tribes led by transitional leaders. Every time they killed a leader or destroyed a tribe, the next leader and tribe slit their throats in the night. They could not identify the leaders nor target the tribes since they were totally decentralized and dynamic. This is the TEA Party structure and strategy. I will be at an Agenda21 meeting tonight, and Barry won't know who I am or where I'll be.
Von Mises Jr.| 2.21.12 @ 9:23AM
BTW, the "Starfish" is an animal that can be cut in half, and you get two starfish. There is no head. This is the way Christianity and other religions spread. This is the way we will defeat the establishment. We can cut off the leadership of the Republican Party Establishment while they are not even aware who their opposition really is??? And the Democrats will still be astroturff.
Al Adab| 2.21.12 @ 1:22PM
The Tea Party never coalesced into the T-Party. If it were able to deliver finding and votes for selected candidates it could be a major force this year. Too many of the local organizations shy away from candidates and focus on education and issues alone. While these are important, without the power of numbers the influence of the movement is diluted.
Von Mises Jr.| 2.21.12 @ 3:13PM
Locally, our TEA Party groups have sponsored primary runs against RINO's and tried to get Senator Menendez recalled. They are supporting the Republican running against him in November, and other candidates attempting to take Democrat seats.
There is a Ron Paul component to the groups since the focus is libertarianism. But it is good that they are not picking official candidates in the presidential race. I would say that there is a strong distrust for Romney since he is the establishment choice, and the GOP is anti-Tea Party.
Moe Blotz| 2.21.12 @ 3:24PM
Are you referring to Joe Kyrillos as the Republican candidate challenging Menendez? I hope you are not supporting Joe Rullo.
JJ| 2.21.12 @ 3:17PM
Von Mises, you are right. I am a systems engineer. Hierarchical Top Down organizations are obsolete. Obama has himself buried inside of one. What works in today's world of rapid communication is a Lattice (Network) Bottom Up organization like the Tea Party. We realized that it would be the future of combat back in the early '80s.
The changes happen, but always starting from the bottom due to a shared mindset and collaboration. By the time the Top down structure realizes what has happened, it is too late because it has lost its base. We are seeing the panic in the GOP establishment right now. They have lost the Command and Control. All they have left is Fear and Money. And the Fear is drying up the money.
Von Mises Jr.| 2.21.12 @ 4:37PM
JJ, This is exactly whaat Adam Smith understood and is paramount in the teachings of my hero, Ludwig Von mises. Hayek, his protege, Friedman and Sowell all teach primarily that it is the dynamics of free market decisions that succeed. Smith understood that the baker did not bake the bread but for the ability to buy shoes for his children. This is one reason Obama's socialism will never work.
The other is that 310M Americans making complex decisions all day long for the best possible expected outcome for oneself, cannot be made by Barry and Pelosi the "supermen." Even if they were not corrupted, they are woefully inadequaate to the task.
JJ| 2.21.12 @ 3:17PM
Von Mises, you are right. I am a systems engineer. Hierarchical Top Down organizations are obsolete. Obama has himself buried inside of one. What works in today's world of rapid communication is a Lattice (Network) Bottom Up organization like the Tea Party. We realized that it would be the future of combat back in the early '80s.
The changes happen, but always starting from the bottom due to a shared mindset and collaboration. By the time the Top down structure realizes what has happened, it is too late because it has lost its base. We are seeing the panic in the GOP establishment right now. They have lost the Command and Control. All they have left is Fear and Money. And the Fear is drying up the money.
Al Adab| 2.21.12 @ 4:56PM
JJ:
When I did my MA we went with TQM and MBO. What are they calling it these days? I rather like the lattice, diffused model you posit.
Wendy| 2.23.12 @ 9:14PM
Fiscal, I am glad you are an educated economist. You are correct that most older Americans never got any economic education. But we do balance our checkbooks and pay our bills, so the principle of money out greater than money in is well understood among Tea Partiers. Everyone understands that the benefits systems that act as a pension for older Americans has got to change. They also understand that so many of us are Boomers - 55 and older - that balancing that program is going to take some time. But it has got to be done and without further damaging those who have planned their lives around it for half a century. So if you are younger than 55, plan for a different old age. Those in that older age group are already quite damaged by the stock and housing value losses and the inflation that has only just begun in energy, food, and medical costs. We will all feel the pain of allowing Congress to run amok enriching themselves and their friends at our expense. Let's change that.
Brian Mc| 2.21.12 @ 7:43AM
The Tea Party better watch out. The liberal media isn't even warmed up yet. The 'spitting incident' which was proven a falacy will be resurrected as sure as the sun rises. No one will be willing to admit they have sympathy for the Tea Party and its faithful before the end of summer if the libs get their talons into just one piece of falsehood that bodes ill for the same.
NVA Patriot| 2.21.12 @ 8:54AM
They've been going after us for three years - it took the Rebublican leadership 1 summer to make us look bad....
Pecos Pete| 2.21.12 @ 7:52AM
In reality, there is NO formal "tea party" structure. Instead, there are millions of voters, like [janranch] above, who are waiting silently for November 4, 2012. These voters are not being polled, nor attending rallies. They are going about their lives as best they can ... working, paying bills, raising their children, surviving ... and hating everything about ObamaCare, the EPA and the rest of the alphabet agencies.
They will vote and they will vote for anyone but Obama.
Pecos Pete| 2.21.12 @ 10:31AM
OOPS:
Voting day is November 6, 2012.
tentacles| 2.22.12 @ 12:59AM
Pecos P., I agree. You are correct. The talking heads, journalists, pollsters and Ass and Elephant Party heads will be spinning on the night of November 6, 2012.
They have long since stopped listening to us or reading what we offered to them. They have shut us out and arrogantly ignored us in all things. So, no problem. We don't communicate any more with the MSM, pollsters and GOP establishment idiots.
But we vote. (just like what you just saw in Missouri and South Carolina)
Washington, D.C. has not yet heard our real anger.
Old Soldier| 2.21.12 @ 7:53AM
It is time for a national conservative party. It does no good to carry a sign in the town square on April 15th if statist Republicans and Democrats are continuing their business as usual in DC.
Stormzeye| 2.21.12 @ 8:50AM
Job One is to get rid of Obama. It makes no sense to paint the Republicans with the same brush as the Demonrats. Moral equivalency is a technique of the left. Anyone But Obama!
Where moth and rust destroy| 2.22.12 @ 1:05AM
Stormeyze, you are obviously not awake.
Boehner is helping you? How? Mitch McConnel is doing something to restore the nation? Just how? Cantor? Fossils like U.S. Sen. Dan Coats from Indiana? What's he doing other than drooling out his mouth?
We gave the GOP the biggest thrashing the Dems have ever had in November 2010. We delivered Chris Christie, Scott Brown, and Bob McDonnell of Virginia to the seats they now occupy. Mostly these huge efforts for them to win have gone unthanked by Christie, Brown, and McDonnell (all R's, yes?).
Old Soldier is right. There is nothing that binds this nation to just 2 party rule. (What we have is two party tyranny where they play you, me and the rest of the nation for fools).
The Tea Party faithful know this. Look for this rise of a party in mid November 2012 -- this year.
martin j smith| 2.21.12 @ 8:08AM
The Tea Party is not a Party or even and organized movement--it is a sentiment. Oh sure there are obviously a few organized groups but the real issue is that the Tea Party has the underlying idea of Limited Government and Free Market Capitalism. This an idea that is not Party based it is an idea or concept that millions of voters believe in. This coming 2012 election should be defined as a choice Socialism or Communism versus Free Market and Limited Government. The Leader is our Presidential candidate. I hope we have some one who can lead us and I do not think Romney is capable or even wants to.
martin j smith| 2.21.12 @ 8:08AM
The Tea Party is not a Party or even and organized movement--it is a sentiment. Oh sure there are obviously a few organized groups but the real issue is that the Tea Party has the underlying idea of Limited Government and Free Market Capitalism. This an idea that is not Party based it is an idea or concept that millions of voters believe in. This coming 2012 election should be defined as a choice Socialism or Communism versus Free Market and Limited Government. The Leader is our Presidential candidate. I hope we have some one who can lead us and I do not think Romney is capable or even wants to.
martin j smith| 2.21.12 @ 8:08AM
The Tea Party is not a Party or even and organized movement--it is a sentiment. Oh sure there are obviously a few organized groups but the real issue is that the Tea Party has the underlying idea of Limited Government and Free Market Capitalism. This an idea that is not Party based it is an idea or concept that millions of voters believe in. This coming 2012 election should be defined as a choice Socialism or Communism versus Free Market and Limited Government. The Leader is our Presidential candidate. I hope we have some one who can lead us and I do not think Romney is capable or even wants to.
Jeffrey Douglass| 2.21.12 @ 8:19AM
The Tea Party will grow if ordinary people make it happen. If business or other similar entity is involved to the point of recognition, priorities make the Tea Party a question mark
Karena Morrison | 2.21.12 @ 8:28AM
As a local patriot leader that has moved into State level & National level volunteer roles as well, this article hits the nail on the head.
I'm currently volunteering for a project that aims to replace career politicians in Congress with true citizen selected statesmen & women. This project has yet to 'catch on' with the many patriot leaders that choose to be gatekeepers for 'their' membership. The 'gatekeeper mentality' is damaging to the movement, as membership of these groups become more & more frustrated with constantly having to write, call, email and travel to their elected 'representatives' to have their voices heard & their values represented.
When will these leaders understand that their members deserve the opportunity to actually change who represents them in the 'People's House'? When will these leaders understand that true leaders are supposed to inspire others to lead? With the gatekeeper mentality, no one 'wins', except the establishment system that is broken and so gerrymandered that politicians are routinely re-elected without any challengers.
The patriot membership has become discouraged and will keep falling away, unless they are inspired by a plan of action that will put 'We the People' back in the process of selecting & electing citizen statesmen for Congress. It's time for career politicians to GOooh. It's time for patriot leadership to take a stand and empower their members with this opportunity to really make an impact on how candidates are selected & elected. It's time for patriot leadership to reach out into their communities and to inspire others to join the movement by educating them about the issues and empowering them with a voice.
Unless these leaders open the gates of opportunity for the patriot membership that looks to them to lead, they will fast become irrelevant as leaders of the true grassroots movement that began in 2009 and become more of the same problem that is currently plaguing our system of government.
W| 2.21.12 @ 8:36AM
It appears our friend Balt is part of the Media Matters disinformation program by roboposting this copy and paste drivel after all the articles. The purpose is to divert attention from Obama's miserable, failed administration.
post*tenebras*lux| 2.21.12 @ 8:39AM
Mr. Ryun, thank you for the enlightment. Signed up for local Tea Party, but had no idea the Republican establishment was stealing money from the Tea Party and trying to persuade people towards them. No wonder the confusion I've had regarding the Tea Party lately. Definition is clearly needed just like in national politics where definition of the enemy is needed.
martin j smith| 2.21.12 @ 8:48AM
W-you are so right. For this Balthazar thing it is very clear he lives on the Planet Bush. Or is it McCain. He desperately wants Romney to be the nominee.
Karena Morrison I tell you this that the Tea Party in my view is a sentiment and not a Political Party per se. What you should be concerned about is the Republican Leadershit and what THEY do. They are saboteurs and the thing is not waiting for a leader but YOU as a citizen and voter talking to those who will listen about what is going on in this nation. Look at the post way on top by this Balthazar person. We are dealing with these sickose who and so imprinted by Propaganda that they could not know what is the truth even if it stared the in the face. Do not allow the Socialist Republican Establishment coalition to kill us. And good luck.
post*tenebras*lux| 2.21.12 @ 8:50AM
W, Balt must not know the difference between the Tea Party and socialist eh um, establishment Republican these days. And it is hard to tell.
Nancy in NC| 2.21.12 @ 8:51AM
The attack on the tea party by the MSM and POTUS has had an affect. We need to continue to define who we are and educate the American people. My tea party group is fiscally conservative and believes in limited government. We have made numerous advances at the local level, and have taught Constitution classes. The tea party is not dead or even wounded. We are using our power in other ways, under the radar.
VBMax| 2.21.12 @ 9:33AM
http://constitution.hillsdale.edu/
Hillsdale College is offering a free, online, on demand Constitution course.
Indy| 2.21.12 @ 8:52AM
People never before involved in politics are rolling up their sleeves and getting engaged, I met one last night. What are we doing? We are helping to Verify the Recall (Scott Walker Petitions) and engaged in many activities across the country to review voter rolls and volunteering to assist with elections to minimize voter fraud. Are these Tea Party members? Many are and many would prefer to simply be the Silent Majority. The media has done their part to vilify the movement while praising OWS. The DNC will attack candidates running for office in local, state and national elections by tying them to the Tea Party. I have already witnessed that in 2011 elections, you should see some of the flyers I received in the mail. As an unaffiliated voter, I receive flyers from both parties.
I never did care for Tea Party Express, too much money was spent on the bus and various tours. I donate to local groups that I trust, same with donating to specific candidates, I will not give to national groups (RNC, PACs, etc).
The challenge to overcome is the media has their list of Tea Party leaders so when they have a segment who do they call...well Tea Party Express / Patriots / Freedomworks. They don't speak for me, I will continue to go about my work, educating one voter at a time and working on specific projects. We must do more than just vote, become a precinct captain, organize voter registration drives, find conservative candidates to support with time and money. Attend town halls, it doesn't matter if you cannot change your Congress Reps mind, use these town halls as opportunities to educate voters by simply asking questions. When you speak with facts, the Rep will dance around the issue but if you are prepared you will win the point and just maybe someone in the audience will listen to what you have to say...it is a starting point.
Road Kill| 2.21.12 @ 9:03AM
The Tea Party Express, etc., are just names that have kidnapped the Tea Party. They're not paying their bills, sneak away into the night, owing a facility, spending money on strippers, or other such druggery. It does a lot of damage to the true Tea Party. Tea Party membership is mainly those who do not have opportunity for such past times, instead they work and slave to make America what it is supposed to be. Who protects their interests in this country? Answer-no one. Look at what's going on. That's the only answer.
The establishment Republicans have had a year to get busy, and from the looks of things have only been playing make believe by passing laws in the House of Representatives. Of course the Tea Party favorites have voted for these laws, but they are still a minority. The Senate, due to it's six year cycle, is a harder nut to crack. Reid and McCain, for instance, made it by the election so we're saddled with them for another 6 six years.
In truth, you will once more see the Tea Party gathered on court house lawns or squares come April the 15th. They are worse off financially, domestically, Constitutionally, than two years ago. Storm is "a-comin'."
JJ| 2.21.12 @ 9:07AM
Not a bad article, but the hype involved in the title is just too much. Just say that the tea party still has a ways to go.
Proud Mormon| 2.21.12 @ 9:13AM
The Tea Party movement will come and go just like all of these right-wing fanatical grass roots over the years. They are divided amongst themselves and divided they will fall. When Romney gets into gear he will demolish what is left of the Tea Bags winning the nomination and winning the election no matter how much the Tea remnant cringe.
PolishKnight| 2.21.12 @ 9:51AM
Ironically, the notion of division is actually an element of cherished leftist dogma: diversity. Diversity doesn't really work unless the group is united via the oldest trick in the book: scapegoating a minority. Except the left brilliantly built their majority vote out of so-called minorities.
What would happen if they won? We already get a glimpse by looking at cities run by Democrats such as Detroit, Los Angeles, Newark, etc. And that's despite these cities getting tons of money in the form of federal aid and state government employment. Imagine if there were no more right wingers to put in gulags and tax.
The Tea Party is a sentiment and a dead one at that. The Constitution of 1776 is dead. It's been altered several times including Lincoln equating states' rights with toleration of slavery and nearly 5 decades of a supreme court that has rewritten the constitution by precedent. In many ways, it's like the Bible which has been modified so much over the centuries that trying to live by it's word literally is impossible. Which part do you live by? The Old Testament that says to be Jewish or the New Testament that says not to?
It's about the PEOPLE, bottom line. That's the real message of history. Learn it, quickly.
Al Adab| 2.21.12 @ 2:30PM
PM:
What if we wrote, "The Joseph Smith cult will come and go like all of these fanatical [gropups] over the years. Thay are divided amongst themselves (reorganized LDS) and divided they will fail."
Just an example of how prognostication such as yours can lead one astray. Not to be construed as an attack on your church.
albert constantine jr| 2.21.12 @ 5:30PM
There are a lot of troll like characteristics in "Proud Mormon"'s posts that I've observed over the last several months. I get the sense of a phony trying to stir things up.
"what is left of the Tea Bags " is not the type of dialogue most conservatives or most mormons who aren't Harry Reid would use.
W| 2.21.12 @ 6:13PM
I agree there are lefties posting pretending to be supporters of our candidates. The pattern, for example, is to attack Newt and Rick and say Romney is just like Obama so why vote. Or, attack Rick and Romney and say Newt is ok but he can't win because of his past, or attack Romney and Newt, and say Rick is ok but he can't win because he is a social conservative. There is some variation of this game in these comments.
albert constantine jr| 2.21.12 @ 8:10PM
One of the patterns is exactly what you say. Another seems to be kind of a sleeper, like Proud Mormon, but since they’re not really conservative, they let slip words or thoughts that tend to reveal themselves.
Then there are the Purp-like trolls, who can’t help themselves, and the even more obnoxious variety (someone put a link to an article on the phenomenon last week that was quite insightful).
I am also seeing more of the visiting feral bully mobs showing up on a single thread, I’m guessing when a post is linked to some place when Group Think is the only kind of discussion permitted (like what I saw on those occasions I could stand to view the DailyKOS). Ross Kaminsky’s Heartland Institute Theft post this weekend drew a bunch, and a few are back on his post today. Likewise, when an abortion article is posted, Anna K from Emory U and her acolytes stroll in to try to define the debate.
That I’ve begun to discern these patterns, though, causes me to wonder if I might spend too much time on the site. Now that pitchers and catchers are starting to report to spring training, I imagine my time available for my enlightenment and amusement here will diminish somewhat, as the weather gets warmer.
Fiscal| 2.21.12 @ 9:41AM
I don't know where all of you get your information, but polls indicate that 70% of Tea Partiers don't want cuts to Medicare, 78% don't want cuts in Social Security. But it seems they do want cuts in the military. How does that align with fiscal sanity? Demographically, they are significantly older and whiter than the population in general. They are certainly comprised primarily of social conservatives given the studies. So if they don't want to cut the biggest part of the federal budget and are social conservatives, then it is hard to see how they are helpful in solving our country's problems. It also explains why their popularity is declining -- because people now know who they are.
Simon Templar| 2.21.12 @ 5:39PM
We certainly do not get it from the MSM as you do.
Your misinformed on every point you tried to make about the Tea Party.
I am betting you really do not want to know the truth or reality so I am not going to waste my time explaining it to you.
TomT| 2.21.12 @ 11:48AM
‘Evolve Or Die’ Begins With A Heavy Dose Of Reality
http://www.floridapoliticalpre.....f-reality/
ABNCP| 2.21.12 @ 1:43PM
The Tea Party is certainly not a real political party.
It is a collection of groups of people around this country who have similar political goals and beliefs.
It does not have a national coordinated organization. It has no legitimate channels set up to acquire funding for any local, state or national people to run for any political office. In other words it is a concept. Although, that concept has shown it has enough energy to drive Tea Party voters to the polls because of the disastrous policies of the Obama administration.
What is needed to make the Tea Party a real and continuing political force in this country is a professional organization. And I'm not talking about a 3rd party, at least not yet. But who could maximize what is the desire of perhaps the majority of the American people? Remember, we are and would be fighting not only the Democrat Party but also the electronic media, the print media,the entertainment gang and the universities in this country.
The person who could suceed in this challange would have to have name recognation, be politicaly
connected, have a thick skin and a strong heart because of the lies and dirt that would come their way. They would have to be welcomed by as least most of the same people who support the whole Tea Party concept. Now who might that be? Why of course that would be Sara Palin. I do not believe Sara is going to make a Presidential run. Anyway, she would be much more valueable to this country organizing the Tea Party movement and making it a viable local, state and national political movement. I do not know of anyone else who could do that job.
We are not going to fix this country in this one election of 2012. It is too late to get all the organization the Tea Party needs before this one.
But a strong solid Tea Party that had their princple
beliefs set out and agreed on, was solidly organized
at the local, state and national levels and had the funding channels set up to support those people they wanted elected could put a tremendous amount of pressure on the Republican Party to do the legislation required to fix the mess the Obama administration has put this country in. If we can get the Tea Party organized we might just have a Congress and President that returned American to the Fortress of Freedom it was created to be.
Tom Rath| 2.21.12 @ 11:07PM
Well said. To the point.
BackToBasics| 2.21.12 @ 3:12PM
from the article - "Recent polls show support for the Tea Party hovering around the mid-40s, demonstrating that the American people have trepidation about who and what the Tea Party is."
So what's wrong with approx mid-40's percentages? I haven't seen the latest polls but I'll bet the Repub and Dem parties poll less than that.
Since 1992, you can win the presidency with 43%-52%. The Republicans this November will need an extra 2%-3% to counteract vote fraud by Democrats but that still means we only need about 5%-7% more of the general vote to win.
JJ| 2.21.12 @ 3:21PM
Actually due to Obama depending so much on the large blue states, he could easily win the popular vote and still lose the election.
BackToBasics| 2.21.12 @ 9:19PM
True, but the actual count for Obam will be less than the real count. Al Gore supposedly won the 2000 popular vote by 550,000 but I've never believed that number. If you take out the vote fraud in 2000, I think it's likely he lost the popular vote by a few hundred thousand, country-wide. I'm no fan of Bush II either but the fraud is getting worse every election, The Republicans only want to reach across the aisle all the time.
BackToBasics| 2.21.12 @ 9:23PM
To clarify, make that - True, but the actual count for Obam will be less than the reported count,
1ConservativeUSA| 2.21.12 @ 4:38PM
Speaking for myself, a Tea Party activist (and perhaps for most of my fellow Tea Party activists) I'd say the author has it somewhat correct.
Live Free or Die, sure. "Evolve or die"? I don’t think so.
I am (we are) not political. I was alarmed by the new Obama administration's eagerness to "stimulate" the economy by spending profligately. The early tone and policy of this administration, and that of the emboldened Pelosi House and Reid Senate, scared many of us to give up time away from family, career and other pursuits, to make our dissent known in a political way.
We stayed on message, in a very disciplined and well-mannered way I might add. Our early results were the elections in VA, MA and NJ, with our crowing victory came in November 2010.
We are not done.
However, not being political people, we are tired of the daily grind and nonsense of these elected clowns. We value family and career, so we have returned to these pursuits. In the meantime, we do what we can, quietly, behind the scenes. We wait for our next chance to voice our dissent.
Regarding leadership and messaging, those who think we need some kind of definition, truly don't understand our genuine grass root nature. We are simply We The People, doing our duty when government overreaches and fails to represent us.
See you in November.
1ConservativeUSA| 2.21.12 @ 4:39PM
Speaking for myself, a Tea Party activist (and perhaps for most of my fellow Tea Party activists) I'd say the author has it somewhat correct.
Live Free or Die, sure. "Evolve or die"? I don’t think so.
I am (we are) not political. I was alarmed by the new Obama administration's eagerness to "stimulate" the economy by spending profligately. The early tone and policy of this administration, and that of the emboldened Pelosi House and Reid Senate, scared many of us to give up time away from family, career and other pursuits, to make our dissent known in a political way.
We stayed on message, in a very disciplined and well-mannered way I might add. Our early results were the elections in VA, MA and NJ, with our crowing victory came in November 2010.
We are not done.
However, not being political people, we are tired of the daily grind and nonsense of these elected clowns. We value family and career, so we have returned to these pursuits. In the meantime, we do what we can, quietly, behind the scenes. We wait for our next chance to voice our dissent.
Regarding leadership and messaging, those who think we need some kind of definition, truly don't understand our genuine grass root nature. We are simply We The People, doing our duty when government overreaches and fails to represent us.
See you in November.
Simon Templar| 2.21.12 @ 5:34PM
Thank you conservativeUSA for your efforts and your patriotism.
Keep doing exactly what you are doing and continue to reach out, influence your neighbors, and build this movement at your local level. You are all leaders at this level and this is where your message must be delivered and nurtured.
Remember, this is now a life time commitment, keep organizing, educating, convincing, and pushing for the change.
rnd| 2.22.12 @ 1:20AM
1ConservativeUSA: Right on! Right on! Right on! Very well stated. Thanks! We are a bit like those early patriots that did gather in the militias to fight the Redcoats. But we always have to keep an eye, ear, and most of our presence back on the homefront (home, family, job, local responsibilies).
However, we know when the Redcoats are coming again over the horizon, and we know just where to ambush them. We tend to hearth and home, but we are ready to jump back actively into the fight when the tactical situation requires it.
Simon Templar| 2.21.12 @ 5:13PM
Ned,
Sometimes it really is a good idea to have at least a basic understanding of social movement theory before you write an article about one.
Listen closely.
The tea party does not lead national leadership to be an effective force in changing local or national politics. The very notion that it does shows a deep misunderstanding of what it is and how all political movements and political ideologies evolve and make a impact. Leadership brings cooptation and you have already seen it in the so-called Tea Express, if your claims are accurate. This is exactly what the establishment forces and current power groups would like to see this happen.
Yes, the media has done an excellent job in propagandizing and misinforming the general electorate about the Tea party. This is not a central issue, however, and can be corrected if activist are trained in image making, create their own medias, and continue to organize people around a set of principles, values, and worldview.
All politics is local. It is at the local levels that people can be most effectively influenced and have a direct impact on their community and their states. The trick or key is to keep the movement fed on this level and the activism, enthusiasm, and energy alive. What activist need to learn is how to fight on these local levels and understand the dynamics of building coalitions at these levels to educate, bring change, and influence elections. Win at these levels and you will eventually win at the higher levels. Ultimate power is at this local level. It is exactly why the Tea party has such enormous effect on the elections and the shape of congress as it is now.
Educating people about the issues of their day happens here as well. Taking back their school systems and all other local institutions will be critical just as they were slowly and incrementally taken over by the Left over the last 80 years.
The question you may ask is how is this known and what evidence can back this theory.
It is EXACTLY what the LEFT did starting at the beginning of the last century when they were a minority of opinion and a small social movement. Look it up. The Left Still employs these tactics today. They get someone at the local level to file a suit against religious expression at the LOCAL high school. They move people into school boards, into local government, into the community with COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS.
It works from the bottom up, not from the top down.
Conservatives need to not only wake up but wise up. This is why they are losing. Ned, think about it. Write another article.
Simon Templar| 2.21.12 @ 5:21PM
Oh, and Ned, one more thing. Numbers are not as critical in social change and social movements.
Have any doubt about that and remember 30 percent of this nation identifies themselves as Liberal and they, not conservatives, set the agenda, frame it, and largely control this society. Think about it. Why is that, Ned? How can that be?
Conservatives. You are twice their size. If you showed up in mass at elections and gained only half the independents to your side, all this could be changed overnight.
So, it obviously is not in numbers per se, is it, something else may just be going on here.
albert constantine jr| 2.21.12 @ 5:40PM
I seem to recall a poll or polls that state about 40% self-identify as conservative, 20% as liberal, and about 40% as independents or moderates (though some of these may be liberals ashamed to admit it, or conservatives except on one issue such as abortion, etc.). I think your math formula is correct, though, a two to one majority over liberals, and with half of the independents, we win every time.
Simon Templar| 2.21.12 @ 5:52PM
Yes, albert, exactly, that is my point!
The question is then why is this not happening and how does the twenty percent, other say thirty percent, rule? How, moreover, does Liberalism rule the day? How did a minority ideology and a small movement get so powerful?
W| 2.21.12 @ 6:16PM
I think many who vote Democrat view themselves as independents or moderates and don't think of themselves as Democrats. I have seen this with the older "Reagan Democrats" here in Western Pa who vote Dem but don't view themeselves as liberals.
W| 2.21.12 @ 6:17PM
Correction" "don't view themselves as liberals (remove Dem).
albert constantine jr| 2.21.12 @ 9:27PM
I think the left seized some key institutions years ago, and it has served as a combat multiplier for their low numbers. First they took over academia, once a hothouse of classic liberalism which encouraged inquiry, academic freedom and lack of censorship; and turned it into a bastion of unrealistic, politically correct, utopian groupthink that silences all who don’t speak the party line, and uses its position to try to dumb down and indoctrination the next generations.
From there they got much of the media (they had the “journalism” schools, after all), also once a place where classic liberalism thrived, and turned it into a diversity worshipping emasculated herd of sheep with democratic party talking points. They haven’t got talk radio though, too many popular conservatives didn’t study journalism, or got mugged by reality along the way if they did.
From the labor unions where the reds were purged in decades past, they re-infiltrated, organized workers who weren’t traditionally tradesmen (whose employers were often driven out of business stateside by labor costs), but rather government or service workers (SEIU, AFSCME, AFT, NEA). Thereby claimed a lot of the bureaucracy, as well as the public schools. As a result, the left frequently wound up bargaining with itself for expensive unsustainable contracts in many jurisdictions.
As conservative institutions go, there is still the military, but this erodes more with the passage of each day (the Mabus article yesterday details this well). Wall Street has for several decades now played both sides, as financial institutions went from staid risk averse fossils to junk bond and derivative Ponzi schemers, there are at least as many leftists (before taxes, anyway) than there are those of us from the right. Law enforcement is still mildly conservative, though it tends to be more of a big government variety, as those of us who are paid by the taxpayers don’t yell “Cut spending” as loudly as those of us who have to mail in the check quarterly.
Small business owners who are paying attention are probably the most natural supporters, but then, if they’re working their businesses hard, there’s not a lot of time left over to pay attention, so that’s a shrinking crowd.
I think the way to overcome this for the long haul is to try to take back some of the territory from the left. We should try an affirmative action program for conservatives in all of those fields where they are underrepresented. When kids have a chance to have teachers and professors who don’t indoctrinate, but instruct them how to think, our numbers will grow.
Wendy| 2.23.12 @ 9:34PM
Very good points, but I still like the faster, riskier "Yes Men" approach for quick results.
Nite| 2.21.12 @ 6:11PM
Nah, I am not worried. The main goal for the Tea Party now if to get Obama out of office and elect people who will change Washington. They sure did in the House and will do it again in the Senate.
BackToBasics| 2.21.12 @ 10:44PM
The Tea Party may be more quiet now after the 2010 election wins for a couple reasons. Politics is not a religion to most conservatives. Most are busy with family and jobs. There tends to be a letdown of energy after a decisive win. Secondly, after such a decisive Republican win in the House, the promotion of ultra establishment John Boehner as speaker took some wind out of the Tea Party sails.
Yet, though more quiet, the movement will vote Republican this November in percentages that will rival and even surpass the percentage of black votes for Obam.
POST American| 2.21.12 @ 11:21PM
---------------------FINAL WORD-----------------------
--74% of ALLLL donations from
our serving military are going to
-----------RON PAUL-------------.
Put aside that media promoted term
'TEA Party' ---and stick with LIBERTY
Movement ---Constitution Movement
-------FREE MEN PARTY.
DUMP the Bankster devised and planted
term 'CAP--IT---ALLLLL--ism' and stick
with FREE ENTERPRISE.
"In the military we are sworn to
uphold and defend the US Constitution
from ALLLL enemies foreign and domestic."
------------------------AMEN--------------------------
Timely Renewed | 2.22.12 @ 1:38AM
The common thread of all the grassroots groups which have adopted the "Tea Party" designation is respect for the original Constitution. I am all for taking over the GOP, but if Tea Party groups want to have a lasting impact we must restore the Constitution in order to return the federal government to its original constitutional limits. Given how deeply entrenched are the special interests and Supreme Court decisions which have moved the federal government so far beyond its constitutional role, constitutional amendments restating the original constitutional meanings seem like the only sure way to accomplish that.
Of course, such amendments will never pass Congress, so we must first amend Article V to eliminate the archaic and unnecessary requirement that states act through a convention in order to initiate amendments. Then grassroots believers in the Constitution can work on the state level to amend it to repair the damage the left has been inflicting on it for a century. This is the kind of campaign that will revive the Tea Party and its supporters who are discouraged by the opposition of the politicians and MSM. See http://www.timelyrenewed.com
POST American| 2.22.12 @ 11:43PM
------------------"--EVOLVE or DIE'--------------------
-Capstone FABIAN
Social Darwinist
------RED ALERT!-----
BEWARE that engineered term 'EVOLVE"
---and all it's a cover for.
In this the 11th hour of the CFR-Globalist
RED China handover and TREASON OP
stick to your OWN REVELATIONS of
truth unfolding--------------
porno | 2.23.12 @ 7:12PM
The loopholes are the big problem. While many exemptions have the best intentions behind them, a system like ours encourages companies to essentially buy preferentially treatment from Congress.
Wendy| 2.23.12 @ 9:27PM
Mr. Ryun, We know who we are and what we stand for. Whether it is obvious to anyone else is immaterial. A large organization, bigger than local is the enemy of any Tea Partier right now. Organizations are what brought this country what we have: bankruptcy. There is a Community Organizer in the White House. Unions are Organized Labor. These are not what we are. We are individuals who believe in liberty, limited government, and The Constitution. Just in case you were interested.