One other item about today's Republican primary for U.S. Senate
in Indiana. As Dave Freddoso
notes over at the Washington Examiner, the race's
only public poll suggests that a plurality of Tea Party
sympathizers support former Sen. Dan Coats. Survey USA said that
he was the choice of 30 percent of likely voters who "identify
with" the Tea Party movement.
Now, Dan Coats is no Charlie Crist. He compiled a reasonably
conservative voting record (with a
few exceptions) the first time he was in the Senate and I
have no doubt he'd do the same a second time around. But if there
was a candidate who fit the profile of what the Tea Party
movement was supposed to be about, you would think someone who
lobbied for TARP bailout beneficiaries, the pro-Obamacare
pharmaceutical industry, "regulatory
robber barons," tariff hikers, and cap and trade would not be
that candidate.
Freddoso speculates that "the movement's sympathizers may not be
seeking change quite as radical as one has been led to believe.
Their backing of Coats suggests that they'd be happy just finding
a Republican who will win in November and take over the Senate
seat being vacated by Evan Bayh." It's also possible, since 30
percent isn't much, that the Tea Party supporters may be divided
between John Hostettler, Marlin Stutzman, Don Dates, and Richard
Beheny.
But the Tea Partiers have billed themselves as a movement that is
anti-bailout, anti-corporate welfare, and supportive of
candidates who will not just accumulate decent ratings from
conservative groups but actively oppose big government even when
it is delivered by Republicans. They have goals, like the repeal
of Obamacare, that are inconsistent with the way Washington
usually does business. We'll see what impact that has at the
polls.
Most are also practical. I would prefer someone a little more
Constitution oriented myself. But, I think they want someone who
can win as well. (That's just a guess.)
You make a great point about the differences between the
candidates. Thought you all might be interested in the various
media perceptions of the tea party following Tuesday's elections:
http://bit.ly/blFYUx
Deborah D| 5.4.10 @ 4:34PM
Most are also practical. I would prefer someone a little more Constitution oriented myself. But, I think they want someone who can win as well. (That's just a guess.)
meg| 5.6.10 @ 2:04PM
You make a great point about the differences between the candidates. Thought you all might be interested in the various media perceptions of the tea party following Tuesday's elections: http://bit.ly/blFYUx