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The Spectacle Blog
Ross Douthat writes that the Republicans’ apparent new willingness to address spending and entitlement reform represents at least a partial vindication of the Tea Parties. The movement’s cynical detractors, who predicted that the Tea Partiers would eventually reveal themselves to be nothing more than angry Bush-era conservatives (or racists), now have to acknowledge that the movement has succeeded in pushing the GOP to oppose spending, at least nominally.
One reason for the Tea Parties’ success in gaining influence in the Republican Party, a reason that is somewhat unacknowledged, is the apparent willingness of Tea Party activists to lose general races. The fact that in 2010 and 2009 special elections the Tea Party wing of the party nominated a number of candidates who were inept or otherwise unsuitable for politics is often cited as a shortcoming of the Tea Party movement. But Congressional Republicans’ change of tone, so far, indicates that the Tea Party’s willingness to lose with flawed conservatives instead of winning with RINOs may now be a significant enforcement tool when it comes to actual policy.
This influence can be seen in a few key votes. The best example is probably the health care repeal vote, in which every Republican voted to repeal Obamacare — a symbolic vote, yes, but one that was by no means guaranteed in March 2010.
And for every Sharron Angle who lost a race because of a lack of political savvy, there is an Orrin Hatch trashing Obamacare and showing up at FreedomWorks events, or a blue-stater like Olympia Snowe wondering if a single anti-Tea Party vote could mean a loss to a Tea Party primary challenger.
It’s still too far early to say whether the Tea Parties will achieve any real success, but so far they are at least having the intended effect.
View all comments (8) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Joseph Lawler
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/03/02/the-tea-parties-so-far
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Michael L. Hauschild| 3.2.11 @ 3:20PM
"But Congressional Republicans' change of tone, so far, indicates that the Tea Party's willingness to lose with flawed conservatives instead of winning with RINOs may now be a significant enforcement tool when it comes to actual policy."
This is the most profound staement ot appear on this site in weeks.
Occam's Tool| 3.2.11 @ 7:42PM
Just remember what Ronaldus Magnus said: "You spend what you need on defense."
We have a civilizational crisis here, and not all Tea Partiers get it. DeMint Does; Paul Does Not.
Clint| 3.2.11 @ 3:51PM
We Tea Party Patriots are purging RINO-CINO's from The GOP.
We aren't playing The Arlen Specter, John McCain " Elect "The Lesser Evil " Game.
Our Tea Party Second Wave is being vetted right now for The 2012 GOP Primaries.
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
PattyMor| 3.2.11 @ 3:55PM
Yes, we want conservatives, not RINO's. Orrin feels the heat of the Tea Party on his back and we're nipping at their heels. Olympia Snowe and Richard Lugar (who showed us what a Dick he is) are next.
Butch | 3.2.11 @ 4:02PM
Jackpot. First time I've seen it written, too, and I read a lot of conservative writing. Republican or Democrat, the most important thing to them all is to get re-elected. Any Republican will think twice about voting the wrong way on a key issue.
Jasper| 3.2.11 @ 5:06PM
The Democrat party's shellacking in November, 2010 was proof of the Tea Party's success. You think RINOs were responsible for our huge victory?
If you do I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.
Bob| 3.2.11 @ 6:18PM
The incessant navel gazing...gazing at other navels and regurgitation of whatever the current attacks from the left demonstrate, the fact remains that more of the American people have become active in the promotion and preservation of our free society than has happened in the past 100 years. A whole lot more, both in numbers and percentages and it happens to be what most Americans by a large majority agree with. We are not going to allow our putative government servants to become our Lords and Masters. By a majority of more than 3 to 1 the American believe that it is our government that is the problem. On this they are 100% correct. The Tea Party tells the truth that all of us know is the truth and the only people who don't support the truth and action based on the truth are those who are on the take. Bribery, extortion, the rackets, you name it. So questioning if the American people are having any effect on what is going on in this country is what would, under these current circumstances, be categorized as a pristinely, superfluous question. After the results of the last national election, you could call it a reactionary question. The people of the country are finished with their reactionary phase. It does not work. People have to take the action phase and root out those people and ideas that are quite simply false. It takes courage and time but it is happening and anyone who has to ask if it is happening, must live in a bubble.
Irish22| 3.3.11 @ 4:44AM
Must keep pushing, keep writing, keep nominating, keep electing!
Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom!
Carpe House! Carpe Senate! Carpe Diem!