Is the tea party movement being hoodwinked by the establishment?

American Thinker ^ | March 28, 2010 | Brian Shoemake

[ejdrapes]

Is the tea party movement being hoodwinked by the establishment?
Brian Shoemake

The one thing I take away from today's rally in Searchlight Nevada, is that the tea party is without question coalescing, and fiercely I might add, around a single Presidential candidate for 2012. . .Already. It's early in the game yet, and the whole idea behind the Tea Party movement was to objectively review all of our potential choices, so we would never be led down the path again. At least that's what I thought.

After today, I'll never again look at the Tea Party movement as one made up of Constitutional Conservatives. They may be Conservative, but sadly, not my brand of Conservatism.

Independent thinkers? I think not. Group thinkers? Indeed.

After a rip-roaring reception for the Keynote Speaker, I was sadly disillusioned at the lack of criticism toward the former Alaska Governor and Republican Party "Cover Girl," Sarah Palin.

Wasn't it just yesterday, she was in Arizona campaigning for the former "Maverick" suddenly turned rock-ribbed conservative "reach-across-the-isle" moderate "RINO" John McCain of McCain/Feingold, McCain/Kennedy fame? And who also voted for Amnesty for illegal aliens? That gang of 14 John McCain?

The same John McCain who tenderly re-assured us during the 2008 campaign: "Barack Obama is a good man...If he's elected President you don't have anything to worry about." That John McCain?

Yes, indeed Sarah Palin is supporting that same John McCain who sided with Bill Clinton against the Republicans and voted for the tobacco tax in the 90's that led to trial lawyers raking in millions at the expense of Americans.

The same John McCain who voted in favor of campaign finance reform, and FDA regulation of vitamin supplements, the Patriot Act, and more.

Sarah Palin spent Friday campaigning for John McCain against the true conservative and former Arizona Congressman J.D. Hayworth who has a true conservative record, and is campaigning on true constitutional values.

Nothing conservative about that.

Then she spent Saturday spouting conservative talking points like some kind of right wing warrior with Tea Partyers screaming like 12 year old girls at a Jonas Brothers concert.

Nothing especially objective about that, or conservative as far as I'm concerned.

I realized long ago that you can't listen to what politicians say, you have to watch what they do, and Sarah Palin's actions do not match her words.

I never thought the Tea Party crowd could be so easily manipulated by the main-stream establishment machine. I only wish they would stick to true conservative values and consider the other candidates before they hitch their wagons to the apron strings of pretty ms. Palin.

As I made my way through the crowd voicing my dis-approval of their irrational and exuberant support for Sarah Palin, I was yelled at and ridiculed by Tea Party attendees. I was subjected to near violence in one instance. I was told to "Get the hell out of here." and "You don't belong here boy." "Go back to Obama where you belong you commie." and other select less than flattering remarks about my looks and my political beliefs, and my sexual preferences.

Striking behavior when you consider we are all conservative adults. The thought that was going through my head was: "Obama Zombies" only worse..."Palin Zombies!" It was the exact same group-think mentality with absolutey zero tolerance for my opinion. I was actually told that "I am the reason this country is so screwed up, and if I knew what was good for me I'd get the hell out of here..."

I realized I was dealing with a group-think mentality who had already drunk the Koolaid. There was no reasoning with them. Apparently, Conservatives are so desperate for leadership, they'll line up behind the first pied-piper who comes along, regardless the consequences to the country. Sound at all familiar? The same machine that was behind the election of obama is hard at work drilling the brains of the Tea Partyers. Maybe not the exact same people, just the exact same political establishment machine...

What did I take away from today's Tea Party rally in Searchlight?

There's another "Hoodwink" coming in 2012 and it scares the hell out of me.

Brian K. Shoemake
Pahrump, NV

[rob777]

"He is right about the dangers of investing so much emotion in one person, and he is wrong about denouncing Palin for the loyalty she owes to McCain."


Agreed.

[FreeReign]

What contrary positions?

Endorsing a non-conservative instead of a conservative, for one. But I suppose I should be more precise: McCain has supported and authored a significant number of Liberty destroying measures in the Senate over the years. Yet he is the one Palin decided to endorse, rather than the conservative candidate. Endorsing a Liberty grabber is contrary to the beliefs of many, perhaps most, TEA Party supporters. Do you disagree with me about that?

I agree that Sarah endorsing McCain is the wrong position. I believe that endorsing JD is the correct position.

Okay so that's one position Sarah holds that is contrarty to conservatives.

Do you think there are any others or is that it?

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Go back and read my comments you lazy bum.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

“...pretend to think for independent thinkers.”

Let me guess. You are from the think-group mentality.

[rob777]

"This rally was about taking out Harry Reid in November. Why the heck would any Tea Partier go to an anti-Harry Reid, anti-0bamcare rally, just so they can trash Palin?"


Good point. Some people fail to realize that we need to come together this year to remove Democrats from office before we focus on vetting the potential 2012 Presidential candidates. At this point we do not even know who those candidates will be. I think that the time for a critique of Sarah Palin as a possible leader should wait until after 2010 and only take place if she decides to run for President. She just may decide to pursue a media career as a way to promote the conservative cause. (When she stepped down as Governor of Alaska she did say that one does not need to hold a political office to promote the cause)

[savedbygrace]

Her position on illegal immigration is confusing, to say the least. She says she’s in favor of a ‘pathway to citizenship’, but admits it would be impossible to force all illegals to leave the U. S.

So, taken together, she seems to be agreeing with pro-amnesty advocates, that we create a way for all the millions of illegals to stay here and file some paperwork, maybe pay a fine, and be declared citizens.

Either that, or she is way confused about what she believes.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

“Either that, or she is way confused about what she believes.”

Thank you.

My best regards to you.

[FreeReign]

You should speak for yourself Gatun and not pretend to think for independent thinkers.

Let me guess. You are from the think-group mentality.

So then if I disagree with you speaking for all "independent thinkers", that makes you question me as a "group thinker"?

LOL!

As I said, you should speak for yourself Gatun and not pretend to think for independent thinkers.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Okay, I really don’t understand the point you are trying to make.

Did I send my reply the the wrong person? If so, I apologize and please forgive me. I’m so dang tired and warm in this tropical climate to go back and review.

Again, my apologies if I was wrong.

[rob777]

"Being a person of integrity, and grateful for the fact that he presented her on the world stage, she kept her promise."


This is how I see it. I have some questions about some of her past positions on a few issues and will bring them up should she decide to run. Her decision to stick with the person who helped paved the way for her does not disqualify her in my eyes.

[FreeReign]

Her position on illegal immigration is confusing, to say the least. She says she’s in favor of a ‘pathway to citizenship’, but admits it would be impossible to force all illegals to leave the U. S. So, taken together, she seems to be agreeing with pro-amnesty advocates, that we create a way for all the millions of illegals to stay here and file some paperwork, maybe pay a fine, and be declared citizens. Either that, or she is way confused about what she believes.

It's not clear what she meant when she (last year?) said that there should be a pathway to citizenship. You do realize that if one uses the literal meaning of the phrase "pathway to citizenship", then everybody in the world who has the potential to get in back of the quota line has a pathway to citizenship.

Last weekend, right before she went down to see McNut, Sarah specifically warned us on FOX news that the Democrats would try amnesty next. That would suggest to me that she is taking the "no amnesty" position, but of course further clarification is always good.

Anyway, Sarah's positions seem to be in line with tea party positions, at least all of her positions except the McCain endorsement position. So don't you agree that Sarah makes a good tea party speaker??

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

P.S.

If I said “we,” “we” are independent thinkers and follow our own INDIVDUAL thinking. Individual thinkers think on their own as individuals and not as a group.

But then, group-think mentality would never be able to understand this “novelty.”

[savedbygrace]

No, I don’t.

But I don’t understand how you can take her two specific responses (pathway to citizenship, and can’t remove them from the U. S.) and conclude she’s lined up with the TEA Party movement on that issue. Please explain.

[ejdrapes]

Oh, ok so then she's a fraud. Supporting McCain in the primary, even though she really would rather see Hayworth win. All I hear on talk radio and on conservative websites/blogs is that we need to get behind the most conservative candidates in the primaries. If Palin owes her fame and fortune to McCain then those who support her do to? Or were they supporters of her long before McCain picked her as his running mate?

[ejdrapes]

So you are suggesting that this guy is a troll which the American Thinker didn't spot.

Isn't it possible that there are conservatives who are unhappy Palin put her support behind McCain? If we follow the logic that she owes McCain, then I guess all of her supporters do too? And so they should be publically supporting McCain (while privately hoping Hayworth prevails)?

[FreeReign]

If I said “we,” “we” are independent thinkers and follow our own INDIVDUAL thinking. Individual thinkers think on their own as individuals and not as a group. But then, group-think mentality would never be able to understand this “novelty.”

You didn't say "we".

You said...

"ejdrapes, I sent you a copy of my reply to MNJohnnie for your perusal. I thought it tad insulting for those who are not herd followers and can independently think for ourselves."

It was that comment that I disagree with, which is why I said that you should speak for yourself Gatun and not try to speak for all independent thinkers.

Never-mind the irony of one who tries to speak for a group of "independent thinkers".

[FreeReign]

Last weekend, right before she went down to see McNut, Sarah specifically warned us on FOX news that the Democrats would try amnesty next. That would suggest to me that she is taking the "no amnesty" position, but of course further clarification is always good. Anyway, Sarah's positions seem to be in line with tea party positions, at least all of her positions except the McCain endorsement position. So don't you agree that Sarah makes a good tea party speaker??

No, I don’t. But I don’t understand how you can take her two specific responses (pathway to citizenship, and can’t remove them from the U. S.) and conclude she’s lined up with the TEA Party movement on that issue. Please explain.

I believe she didn't say that we can't remove them. I believe she said that it would be impossible to deport them all.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

From what I know of her and her family, from someone who knows Sarah & her family personally, Sarah is a Patriot. She loves our military, which in my heart and mind, is MOST important criteria for ANYONE in public office. I think if Sarah would have her way, she would cut herself from the public arena to live a quiet family life in Alaska.

However, more than the desires of Sarah & her family are in play, which I believe is why she continues marching forward. She is a woman of God & prayer. She seeks His desires for her life, which is beyond comprehension of the left. And in my opinion, she prays for His protection for herself and her family, while she answers His call to help Him with His plan. If her prayers have lead her to take the stage to help rally people to help save our Christian heritage, then, onward Christian soldier!

Sarah herself probably prays in her funny sort of humor - Lord, I’m sure You know what You’re doing, so I won’t ask if You are sure about using ME for such an important task. I’m sure you can find millions of others to serve You in this capacity, many who are smarter, a better, yadda yadda...
BUT, if I’m who You want, I will faithfully comply. Just please protect my family...

Sarah is a simple Christian lady - just like most Americans. But keeping her promises seems to be a big thing to her. And I think, it’s a good reflection of her integrity. Same thing with her promise to campaign for Gov. Perry.

Remember, it’s the left making her out to be a big 57 state buffoon. Sarah’s no dummy, and she remains crystal clearly, one of us.

[Brugmansian]

So you are suggesting that this guy is a troll which the American Thinker didn't spot.

What is that rephrasing and distorting of what I posted? I said the publication would spot a troll and perhaps he really believes what he writes. The constant reiteration of the same "Palin endorsed McCain!" stuff makes no sense to me unless someone is a leftist but conservatives sometimes make no sense either. Everyone got the point the first 999 times. And yes, everyone wishes Palin came to national attention in another way so there would be no MORAL OBLIGATION to endorse McCain.

And yes again, I don't think it will make a whit of difference. Doesn't with me. I'm posting on a dozen forums in favor of Hayworth. There are "purists" (you know who they are) attacking him for not being conservative enough. That is absolute bunk. J.D. got a 100% rating from the ACU one year and has a lifetime rating almost as good.

[AuntB]

“Last weekend, right before she went down to see McNut, Sarah specifically warned us on FOX news that the Democrats would try amnesty next.”

Do you have a link for that? Thanks.

“I believe she didn’t say that we can’t remove them. I believe she said that it would be impossible to deport them all.”

Here’s what she said...she’s against workplace enforcement and deportation...she says it’s NOT humane..

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2480857/posts?page=583#583

PALIN: “. We - our policy - John McCain has been so clear with his policy and it makes a lot of sense too. We secure our borders first. But then with a comprehensive approach we must deal humanely with those who are here, and we must allow the steps to be taken to protect the families of those who are here, maybe as illegal immigrants today.....”

UNIVISION: “Talking about - still with immigration - ICE has arrested and deported almost five thousand undocumented immigrants in the last year, separated many Hispanic families. Would you support stopping these raids until comprehensive immigration reform could be passed in Congress?”

Palin: “Well, the unfortunate thing of course about the raids is that it does affect the families involved here. Parents and children are separated and that’s tragic.”

“Univision: To clarify, so you support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants?
Sarah Palin: I do because I understand why people would want to be in America.”
Univision: As governor, how do you deal with them? Do you think they all should be deported?
Sarah Palin: There is no way that in the US we would roundup every illegal immigrant - there are about 12 million of the illegal immigrants - not only economically is that just an impossibility but that’s not a humane way anyway to deal with the issue that we face with illegal immigration.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2312247/posts