This anti incumbent group is much more than just the GOP conservative base. They come from across the political specturm of the two main parties but also a lot of independents and 3rd parties. Will these joint together when voting time comes to replace the incumbents? I truly doubt it as many will go back to their party and support that candidate which will dilute the vote across many different ones giving the establishment the win most likely. I’m not sure what the answer is other than to take back the largest party and not splinter into multiple factions.
A few tidbits from the poll:
** Republican voters, 39% say theyd vote for the GOP candidate, but 33% favor the Tea Party option
**55% of conservatives nationwide consider themselves Republicans [thus 45% are something else]
**not affiliated with either major party, (33%) prefer the Tea Party candidate, and 30% are undecided. (25%) would vote for a Democrat, 12% prefer the GOP.
The mood of the nation is in a state of flux but hopefully it will come together and get some conservatives elected in 2010.
The mood of the nation is in a state of flux but hopefully it will come together and get some conservatives elected in 2010.
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That’s not good enough. “Hopefully”. With all due respect. ConservativeGreatGrandma has a point that we need a strategy. imho, the strategy must be to purge the RINOs in the primaries and elect principled conservatives (generally on the R ticket.) But there will be occasions (like in NY 23, which was SO close to succeeding) where we need to take a stand and eschew the R even in the general election.
Our strategy cannot be to simply ‘sink’ the bastuds in the GOP. Stupid strategy that gets us 4 more years of socialism/communism.
Want that?
Yeah, but herein lies the problem. If the Tea Partiers just decide to run candidates willy nilly, even against solidly conservative Republicans, that 55% of conservatives who ARE Republicans will see no need to vote for the Tea Partyist. Ergo, split the vote and lose.
Run Tea Party candidates where the GOP has hand-picked a clear RINO, or better yet, do the grunt work of beating the RINO in the primary with a Tea Party candidate. Force local Party leadership to hold a primary, if they're trying to avoid it.
Again, this is not heaven.