Michael Steele Brews A New GOP: The Party Of Tea (Salutes Tea Partiers)

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com ^ | December 16, 2009, | Evan McMorris-Santoro

[Maelstorm]

Two hundred and thirty-six years after a group of angry Bostonians dressed up as Native Americans so they wouldn't get caught taking on the establishment, the Republican Party donned the mantle of the Tea Party movement, in hopes that they won't get caught next year looking like Dede Scozzafava.

"Never has there been a moment like this in our history," RNC chair Michael Steele told Hill staffers and Republican party activists munching pizza and sipping iced tea (without irony) at the RNC headquarters today. "Except one time before," he added before telling the tale of the Boston Tea Party.

Steele raised his own cup of tea before promising to "stand in solidarity" with the tea partiers on health care reform. "I salute you," he said.

Though it lacked the size, enthusiasm and racially-questionable signage of its real-life counterpart, Steele's "RNC Tea Party" was all about embracing the ideals of a growing conservative movement that's often been as focused on slamming the GOP as it has on attacking Democrats. There were even official GOP tea bags given out with "Listen to Me!" signs stapled to them. Interestingly, though, the party lacked most of the big Republican names the tea partiers usually turn to at their rallies. Michele Bachmann and Jim DeMint were nowhere to be found.

The event was focused on health care reform, which Steele said Democrats have moved forward in the "dead of night," over the objections of his new friends, the tea partiers. Much of the rhetoric was similiar to Steele's "Listen To Me" press conference Tuesday, but this time there was little talk of Democrats. It was all about praising the tea partiers.

"It's time for you to fight," he said to the gathered Republicans, referring to the Democratic reforms. "It's time for you to push back."

But after the speech, Steele told TPMDC that the effort goes beyond health care and that tea partiers should know their friends are in the GOP.

"I think we are a natural home," Steele said. He acknowledged the tea partier's complaints with the Republicans and he promised that the party would work hard to keep its loudest constituents happy. Steele said he offered a "mea culpa" to tea partiers since the beginning of this term, agreeing with them that the party had abandoned its conservative "principles."

But that's all over now, Steele said. Tea is the party's drink now. "We are moving back, head first, in that direction," he said. "Because that's where we should be."

[presently no screen name]

to fool the conservatives into voting for corrupt RINOS again

The tea party movement explicitly shows conservatives can't be fooled.

[Catsrus]

I’m willing to give Steele more time to prove himself. People gave obammy nearly a year and I’m willing to do the same for Michael.

[nomad]

You believe those spineless sacks of sh*t?I sure don`t!They finally pulled their collective ist lite heads out of their @$$e$ and saw the pile of crap they`re in,thats all.

[Bad Jack Bauer]

I have to hope this is a move in the right direction because the alternative, destroying our own chances of a majority with a third party, are frightening at best. We need to get this gang out of Washington and we won’t get it done by eating our own.

There was an episode of Battlestar Galactica where Admiral Adama is relieved of command by mutineers who then send him off to be executed along with his XO. He is being escorted by two Marines and one is killed and one is disarmed when the Admiral's son and his CAG, Starbuck, show up to rescue him. He asks the remaining Marine if he wants to join him in taking his command back. Starbuck objects saying, "They are not your men anymore. They are either with you or against you."

That is the way I feel about electing RINOs. A Republican Majority means nothing if they are going to be voting with the Democrats on everything.

[Windflier]

Steele said he offered a "mea culpa" to tea partiers since the beginning of this term, agreeing with them that the party had abandoned its conservative "principles."

But that's all over now, Steele said. Tea is the party's drink now. "We are moving back, head first, in that direction," he said. "Because that's where we should be."

That's a might big promise, Michael, and one that tea partiers and patriots will not let you forget.

Hope you're prepared to stiffen your spine and start kicking some RINO ass, because that's exactly what you just signed up for.

[AFreeBird]

I'm not against pushing Steel to "do the right thing", but I'm also weary of the upper echelons of the party. I DO see this as an attempt to co-op the movement for their own gains. And by that I mean: To make sure that they can keep control and keep pushing the same old tired RINO candidates repackaged.

The Tea Party has caught them completely off guard. They're in scramble mode.

They're latching onto the style, but not the substance. It will take more than a few platitudes from Steel and others to convince me, and a whole lot of others, of their sincere desire to repent and come out from the dark side of wanting to be a part of "The Political Class looking down on The People as their betters.

[mad_as_he$$]

We do not have that much time and so far Steele appears to be a slow learner.

[catnipman]

The Tea Partiers should flood into the Republican Party and take it over! Attend every caucus and precinct meeting in mass, outvote the RINOs, get their candidates nominated no matter what it takes, and then get out and pound the pavements and donate money and get them elected.

Attending protests doesn’t really get anything changed, but attending Party meetings does!

[presently no screen name]

I’m w/you, Uncle Miltie. They are either for us or against us - there is no middle ground. And we’ll hold the purse.

[presently no screen name]

Now that’s a post I’d like Steele to see (and Newt). Newt’s been quiet - wonder if they gagged him and/or hoping we will forget Newt’s romance w/Dede’s values and his ‘Reagan era is over’ mantra.

[ohioWfan]

AMEN, ohiogrammy!

Repeat in BOLD....

THIRD PARTIES NEVER WIN ELECTIONS

[CincyRichieRich]

Nobody is saying they aren’t going to vote for the next pub candidate. Nobody is saying that they will. But if they pull another Rudy McRino, they just might get another four of this mess. Business as usual is not an option.

---

Absolutely agree!!!

[ohioWfan]

The Tea Partiers should flood into the Republican Party and take it over!

A lot of the Tea Partiers already are Republicans, and I think this is exactly what's beginning to happen.

[Maelstorm]

Yes it does.

[Eagle Eye]

Poser.

[catarac]

If the republicrat party will adhere to purity— I’m in , otherwise it is the Palin third party.

[Ronbo1948]

We need a Radical Republican Party - out with the RINOS and professional politicians and in with REVOLUTIONISTS who have as goal the complete destruction of the Left and its removal from American life.

[ImpBill]

I never get requests from Dimocans and I am not quite sure why I still do from Republicats. I haven't been associated with the GOP for almost 12 years now. I guess as I have signed up for the Heritage Foundation a couple of times and been on some of Newt Gingrich's mailing lists they just figure I will donate to the GOP.

Doesn't matter though, as all the requests hit the trash the minute they hit the house.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Don't be naieve, the RNC recognizes the power of the Tea Party Movement. I haven't heard any of them disavow their "moderate" actions. Have you? Have you heard any of them admit their deviation from republican principles?

The RNC would love to steer the movement, they haven't given up the belief that they are the anointed, and destined to lead.

[verity]

It has been said that there are only two political parties that are viable in the General elections. If so, it would seem that the GOP can move to the right much more quickly than the Dems.