Absolutely.
Posted on 12/16/2009 1:33:09 PM PST by 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."
We don't have to "invade" the Republican party. We've owned it from the get-go, but we went to sleep at the wheel, and let a bunch of elitist, non-conservative, unprincipled, self-aggrandizers slowly infiltrate the management and the executive ranks.
We now have to roll up our sleeves and start cleaning our own house. RINO crap all over the floors has made a real mess of the place. Time to go to work.
Absolutely.
Steele is quoted as admitting that very thing in the article:
"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."
“racially-questionable signage”
Just what the hell is that supposed to mean?
That tea-partiers were toting racist slogans?
“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.”
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Good grief! His idea of embracing the Tea Party movement is to talk about it with his own minions rather than actually show up at an event.
Steele doesn’t give a damn about conservatism; he just wants your money.
And to be aware that there are conservatives within the Republican party is not to be "naive." However, to make the statement that the entire party is "moderate" is to indicate a lack of information. Even if you write them off as merely politicians, many Republicans are at least paying attention to the mood of the American people, and have seen the poll where Tea Partiers beat Republicans. Again, even if all they want to do is stay in office, most Republicans are smart enough to start listening. OBVIOUSLY not the RINOS, but the entire party is not made of RINOs (a strange, yet recurring error made by some on this forum).
There is a conservative re-awakening, and many in Congress will be part of it. If they're not, they won't be re-elected.
I want to see their true colors before I vote for them. Running conservative and then legislating liberally needs to end!
Absolutely NO argument from me on that. I was just at a Republican fund raiser and the group I was with was bemoaning the same issue. We elect Conservatives and they go to Washington and turn to much.
It really, really has to stop.
This thread needs the “Smells like Bullsh#t” graphic.
Never invalidate an increase in any statistic which you'd like to see rise. Listening is a very good first step for the professional class of politicians, and that they finally seem to be hearing us is something that I won't denigrate. An up statistic is an up statistic, I say.
Naturally, they've got a long way to walk before they stand squarely with the patriotic right. I suggest that they give us their full attention, and begin the process of gaining a full and complete understanding of how we got to where we are, where the people would like for us to be, and how the people intend for us to get there.
In the process, all of them will need to examine their own personal beliefs and core values (where they have any), and make a conscious choice whether to lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way.
The old, reliable business model will no longer be tolerated. They will not be able to get away with simply mouthing some soothing platitudes and expect to get our votes. It won't happen. Those who truly haven't gotten the message will be sorely disappointed when we hand them their heads.
For all the understandable skepticism, this is good news. Steele isn’t saying the RNC wants to take over the Tea Parties. He’s acknowlidging that the GOP has lost hundreds of thousands of members, if not millions to the Tea Parties and pandering to the left will not bring us back.
By Steele acknowledging the base has a big place at the GOP table, it puts country club republicans and the old guard on notice - accept us or we take you down.
This is a good first move - let’s see if Steele means what he says and understands exactly what the Tea Party Movement is about.
He has a chance, all be it a small one to make good on this - let us wait and see what his next move is.
I believe you are right Brytani at least that is what I’m hoping. The polls have been telling the GOP a long time that they were bleeding conservatives who can no longer find it in them to identify as Republicans. If the GOP can stop the hand-wringing and just be proud of what they say they believe and be willing to educate not equivocate the party will not only be revitalized it will also be unbeatable.
That's what it means. They weren't, but the leftist media narrative is that the Tea Partiers are racist, extremist rednecks, remember? :0/
The party you envision would be you, a couple of cat ladies and at most 3 other assorted nutballs. You couldn't field a candidate for a school board with your drivel about executions and revolutions.
He has a chance, all be it a small one to make good on this - let us wait and see what his next move is.”
I will definitely be watching! He will either go along with the RINO elites or make the right choice! I want to see the “Drill Baby Drill” Michael Steele back again! Time will tell.
Thank you!
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