POLITICO poll exposes a Ron Paul vs. Sarah Palin split in the Tea Party movement

Examiner ^ | 4/19/10 | Ryan Witt

[pissant]

The Tea Party is still in the infanct stage of development, and as such we are still learning exactly what the movement looks like. A recent poll by POLITICO/TargetPoint confirmed what many already thought about the Tea Party demographics.

First, what unites the Tea Party is an intense anger against the growth of government and policies of the Obama administration. Three-quarters of Tea Party members believe that President Obama is driving a "socialist agenda." The bad news for Republicans is that this anger extends to them as well. Three-fourths of Tea Party members said they wished to send a message to both parties in the next election.

The bad news for the Tea Party itself is that, like every party, they are beginning to experience the pains of growth. As any political movement grows it will begin to struggle with divisions within the group over certain issues. For Democrats this split emerged in the health care debate as more conservatives Democrats and the progressive caucus struggled to find a middle ground on reform.

[pissant]

None of the above.

Hunter/DeMint 2012

[Scythian]

I’m not trying to be mean spirited here but how can you actually thing Hunter is going to be on the ticket? Do any freepers really feel this unknown is going to on the ticket?

[BulletBobCo]

Hunter/DeMint 2012....I like it.

[highlander_UW]

None of the above. Hunter/DeMint 2012

I'm with you on that one. Ron Paul is insane and I just don't think Palin is electable as president...the libs have been too successful in trashing her rep along with her resigning from governorship adding to it.

[dirtboy]

C’mon, pissant - Duncan Hunter got no traction in 2008, what makes you think anything is going to be different in 2012? We hear nothing about him nowadays, which is not a good thing if he wants to make noise next time around.

[capydick]

Do any freepers really feel this unknown is going to on the ticket?

I sure as hell hope so and will work my butt off for him if he is.

[Gen. Burkhalter]

With all due respect, has anyone made note of the fact that Cong. Ron Paul will be 77 in 2012?

[pissant]

Let’s settle for ‘well-knowns’ again, by gum. Bush-Quayle, Dole-Kemp, McCain-Palin, Newt-Rudy, Perry-Pawlenty, Romney-Huckabee!!

[chrisser]

For the Tea Party, this inner-split seems to be occurring along social issues. 42% of the Tea Party members identify with Sarah Palin as someone who represents their values. These people argue that government does too much but also claim that government should play a role in promoting traditional values.

I don't presume to speak for all TEA partiers, but considering that the government is the biggest proponent of liberal values, I think most would be happy if the government stopped pomoting ANY values at all and focused solely on those powers documented in the Consitution - leaving other questions to the States.

When we get to that point, we can splinter over whether or not the pendulum should start swinging the other way.

[dirtboy]

Uh, pissant, you do have to be well-known to win a national election.

[lormand]

Ron Paul for President.....of Iran.

[maddog55]

Seems to me this would be a good way to get Congress thinking:

[unspun]

In the 1850’s the Republican Party had to deal with the unfortunate “Know Nothings” in their midst.

In 2010, principled Americans have to deal with eccentric Libertarians and with Paulites.

[rob777]

"I just don't think Palin is electable as president...the libs have been too successful in trashing her rep along with her resigning from governorship adding to it."


That may very well be the case, but my bigger concern is that she has been rather inconsistent on issues related to the role of government.

[Bratch]

Irony: Duncan Hunter supporters calling Sarah Palin unelectable.

This is in no way meant to be disparaging toward Congressman Hunter.

[MeSpikeLibs]

I would agree with your Hunter comments. I would be behind Senator Demint in 2012 if he runs.

[GoCards]

I really wish Paul Ryan would come out more often. I like him alot, although very young. Herman Cain could be interesting. We need to think outside the box. Who would have ever guessed Obama was going to be the next pres. really.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

I’m not trying to be mean spirited here but how can you actually thing Hunter is going to be on the ticket? Do any freepers really feel this unknown is going to on the ticket?

Yes. There are about six Freepers, max, who believe Hunter will/should be on the ticket. About 65% think Sarah should be on the ticket. The other 35% is evenly divided between Romney, Huckabee etc.

[presently no screen name]

the libs have been too successful in trashing her rep along with her resigning from governorship adding to it.

LOL! How could you think they have been successful when the total opposite is true? You think resigning as governor has hurt her? The Opposite is true.

Something isn't true because you think it or ate the propaganda - something is true because of facts! Even the MSM knows she is the most powerful - one reason why they come against her (unsuccessfully) and hang unto her every word. Imagine that, even the MSM knows more than you.

[rob777]

"Duncan Hunter got no traction in 2008, what makes you think anything is going to be different in 2012?"


He also went along with almost all of the Bush big government spending spree. I would like to see someone who opposed big government overspending even when it came from the GOP. DeMint would be good, as would someone like Mike Pence, or a current Governor.