Posted on 02/05/2010 3:44:32 PM PST by Justaham
In a bid to advance the tea party movement from holding rallies to holding office, the leaders of the anti-establishment groups announced a new political organization Friday that they say will “endorse, support and elect” conservatives across the country.
Mark Skoda, chairman of The Memphis TEA Party, made the announcement at a news conference in the middle of the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville. Though he said the group -- Ensuring Liberty Corporation and an affiliated political action committee -- is "distinct and separate" from other parts of the tea party movement, including convention organizer Tea Party Nation, the announcement was the closest thing so far to a national organizing strategy for the upcoming 2010 midterm elections.
"Let us not be naive here. The notion of us holding up signs ... does not get people elected," said Skoda, who is poised to become president of the new group. Skoda said the organization would take in small donations as well as corporate donations.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Here’s the NYTimes take on it. I like what I’m reading.
“endorse, support and elect” conservatives”
NOT start a third party.
Brilliant move!
Defund the RNC! Donate direct to conservatives! Make sure your money goes to Rubios, not “scuzzyfavas”!
Just as long as they don’t attempt to make this new organization into a third political party, I’m in support of it.
I actually saw Mark Skoda being interviewed on Pajamas TV today, and he said that going third party would be a huge mistake, and that no one at this convention will attempt to do that.
He went on to say that the basic strategy is to wrest control of the Republican party back from the establishment RINOs and political hacks (in so many words).
He also made sure to mention that the Tea Party is open to Democrats and Independents.
Excellent.
This is a good strategy.
For the first time since Reagan I am both impressed and excited.
“Defund the RNC! Donate direct to conservatives! Make sure your money goes to Rubios, not “scuzzyfavas”!”
And it’s working!
Cash on hand 9 million
Cash on hand last year 22 million.
Starve the beast!
I don’t mind direct funding and deprivation of funding to the RNC until their hearts and minds are ‘proven’ changed. I am, however, NOT in favor of creating or heavily supporting a third party, period. Let’s save that nonsense for the other side of the spectrum (e.g., the Democrat Party and its brushes with THE GREEN PARTY).
As an independent conservative, I completely agree with this strategy.
Third parties only help the Party Of Evil.
The Tea Party can act as a big conservative boot to kick the GOP’s ass when it gets out of line.
Mark Skoda, chairman of The Memphis TEA Party, made the announcement at a news conference in the middle of the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville. Though he said the group -- Ensuring Liberty Corporation and an affiliated political action committee -- is "distinct and separate" from other parts of the tea party movement, including convention organizer Tea Party Nation, the announcement was the closest thing so far to a national organizing strategy for the upcoming 2010 midterm elections.Thanks Justaham.
In my opinion the idea of helping run campaigns is also a step too far. The Tea Party movement should simply be (via modest donations) a central repository for info on the best candidates that live up to the "first principals" and encourage sending money directly to the candidates. Polls could be made, forum for/against candidates etc. But this idea of sending money to them and then they will help run campaigns is sorta of like sending money to DC and then having block grants sent back to the state of origin.
It's best to have zero intermediaries; just keep scorecards and allow Tea Partiers the ability to make an informed choice and then send money directly to candidates.
AMEN! We all remember the crazy little man of 1992 with the bad haircut and a third party who gave us eight years of Bill Clinton.
A third party in 2010 would be a huge, huge, HUGE mistake.
BTW, what was the nutburger’s name? Ross Parrot? Something goofy like that....
Ditto.
The Tea Party is a great idea for making candidates toe the conseravtive line, but not to run candidates itself. The division of the conservative vote can only lead to defeat.
REMEMBER 1992!
btt
Agree completely. Only way to do this.
Burn the tent!
I think I liked it better being a rather nebulous, true bipartisan mass ticked off at Uncle Sam for pretty much the same reason. Political organization implies leadership and I think I’ve had enough selfish narcissistic “leaders” to last a multitude of lifetimes. Politicians needs to start following our lead instead of having that air of arrogance about them, that “Let them eat cake” attitude. I’d hate to see such a wonderful thing be spoiled by it.
It’s time to unify, and to do so effectively requires leadership.
If the leadership turns the wrong way such as did the RNC, then jump their bones, and redirect.
It has very broad agreement, and for good reason. We've seen the third party movie before, and we got killed at the end.
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