Is retaking the GOP the real goal of the Tea Party Movement?

http://thefroginthekettle.com/ ^ | 11/9/09 | The Frog in the Kettle

[LS]

Baloney. But thanks for trying to perpetuate the myth that "there's no difference between them." Throughout American history, both parties (Whigs and Dems, Federalists and Jeffersonians) have always had many things in common, and differed drastically on many things.

The Whigs and Dems both shared the view that the economy would "tie the nation together," although they had slightly (and I emphasize SLIGHTLY) different views of how to do it. But most Whigs differed ENTIRELY on the issue of slavery: all Dems were for it, most Whigs, against.

In the late 1800s, both parties agreed on the "spoils system," one of the biggest issues. They differed on whether the nation should have a gold-backed or silver-baced economy.

In the 1900s/19teens, both parties substantially agreed on the "progressive view"---Coolidge and Harding were exceptions, not the rule.

In the 1950s, both agreed on most New Deal legislation, as Ike didn't seek to roll back much. Both accepted communism as an evil that needed to be defeated. JFK and Nixon both strongly opposed communism.

In the 1800s, the Republicans and Whigs were the party of high taxes and government-supported industry, but the Dems hated banks and virtually all corporations.

JEFFERSON proposed the largest single spending program in American history up to that point, "internal improvements" greater than the entire annual federal budget.

While there are great similarities at times between the parties, ONLY the Republicans stood against slavery; ONLY the Republicans (save Grover Cleveland) stood for "sound money"; ONLY the Republicans stood for lower taxes in the 1920s; ONLY the Republicans called for the expulsion of communists from government (save for Bobby Kennedy); and ONLY the Republicans after 1970 stood strong against communism.

[Man50D]

But most Whigs differed ENTIRELY on the issue of slavery: all Dems were for it, most Whigs, against.

BS! The Whig party was sharply divided on the slavery issue. A schism developed between the northern anti slavery Whigs and the southern pro slavery Whigs. The northern Whigs decided not to try and retake the party. Instead they chose to bypass the southern Whigs by forming the Republican party in Wisconsin in 1854. Thanks for nothing.

Conservatives can employ the same strategy by uniting in a Conservative party.

[LS]

"A schism developed between the northern anti slavery Whigs and the southern pro slavery Whigs."

Precisely my point. By 1852, there WERE no "pro-slavery Whigs," because the party overwhelmingly was anti-slavery. I fail to see how a sectional party can win anything today but good luck and thanks, yourself, for nothing.

[antisocial]

“Conservatives can employ the same strategy by uniting in a Conservative party.”

The trouble with that is, it will give the dims a victory to consolidate their power. Then we will have effectively lost our country, if we haven’t already.

[deport]

It would be relatively easy, if everyone involved in the T Party movement would find out who their Precinct Committeeman and Precinct Committeewoman are -—

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Interesting as that is one easy way to become invovled and have input into the processes of your local GOP group. I was looking at some counties in Texas the other night and there were counties that had a high percentage, maybe 50%, of the precinct chairman post vacant in the county organization. All it takes is for someone to step up and they could have that position. Just a guess, but I suspect vacancies exist like that in numbers in other states.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

It doesn’t happen often enough to matter. There are no lessons to be learned from NY as it was a very rare event.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

You are so mistaken. The goal of the Tea Partiers had better be to take over the Republican party or they are only letting off steam and will accomplish nothing.

The truth is we have a two party system. Another truth is that human nature is human nature. Can we yank it back to the right? I have no idea but I do know we only have so many people with which to work.

The idea of some kind of pure "third party" is ridiculous. If you like electing Dims, go ahead and keep your head in the sand but by doing so you're ignoring the wonderful work being done in DC right now by our very excellent core of conservative Republicans. They deserve huge pats on the backs for their hard work. Be thankful we have this solid core. Now, let's get to work to send them reinforcements.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Conservatives can employ the same strategy by uniting in a Conservative party.

Where are you going to get the people?

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

All it takes is for someone to step up and they could have that position. Just a guess, but I suspect vacancies exist like that in numbers in other states.

You are absolutely correct about our area. It is simple to take it over. Some people think they have to reinvent the wheel and it's right there in front of them.

Let me show you how simple it is.

I think most Freepers agree that Congressman Steve King is one of the finest congressmen in DC. Well, he got there in a very unusual way.

In Iowa in order for a candidate to win the party's nomination, they must get 35% of the vote in the primary.

When it became apparent that we had 4 people wanting to become the party's candidate for congress from this district. It was caucus time. I knew I wanted to support King and I also knew that unless he got 35% of the vote in the primary, it would be left up to the district convention to choose the candidate.

All I had to do was go to the caucus, get myself appointed as a delegate to the convention and I was ready to go. It was not at all difficult to get myself appointed a delegate.

Sure enough, King did not have quite the required 35% in the primary so it went to convention. King prevailed at the convention and because we live in a heavy Republican district, the race was over. That was all there was to it. No big deal and lo and behold just because of a little advance planning we have one of the finest congressment in the country.

[Man50D]

You are so mistaken. The goal of the Tea Partiers had better be to take over the Republican party or they are only letting off steam and will accomplish nothing.

You better tell that to all the tea party goers at the all the rallies I attended. They are disgusted with both wings of the OP(formerly the GOP).

The truth is we have a two party system.

The truth it is a two party system in name only. You need to look past the party names.

The idea of some kind of pure "third party" is ridiculous.

No more than thinking we have a two party system.

If you like electing Dims, go ahead and keep your head in the sand but by doing so you're ignoring the wonderful work being done in DC right now by our very excellent core of conservative Republicans. They deserve huge pats on the backs for their hard work. Be thankful we have this solid core.

They are following, not leading. They are spurred on by the grassroots movement.

Now, let's get to work to send them reinforcements.

I prefer to reinforce Conservatism, not Republicanism.

[Man50D]

Where are you going to get the people?

Where did the Republican party get people when they left the Whig party?