Posted on 04/21/2011 6:18:36 PM PDT by RobinMasters
For a loosely organized coalition, the tea party has displayed remarkable unity since it emerged in early 2010. But that discipline is being tested in the run-up to the 2012 GOP presidential primary as three top Republicans aggressively court the conservative movement.
Those Republicans – former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Rep. Michele Bachmann and billionaire developer Donald Trump – are motivated by distinct agendas that may or may not include a presidential campaign. But all three would-be candidates are forcing tea party activists to make some important decisions as they try to grow into a more enduring force in American politics.
“In 2010, the tea party was trying to prove itself. In 2012, it may be suffering from an excess of success,” said Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia. “You have multiple candidates taking all the positions your activists agree with. Who do you pick? Splintering is inevitable.”
Early polls suggest that Trump is dominating the GOP field – among Tea Party activists and more mainstream Republican voters. A new PPP poll showed Trump leading his nearest GOP competitor by 9 points. (That’s likely a result of Trump’s towering name recognition; according to a Pew Research Center survey released Wednesday, 39 percent of Republicans named him as the potential candidate they’ve heard the most about lately. That was more than all other candidates – combined).
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Trump, right, is busy doing the hard work necessary to launch a national campaign.
Palin, at left, is still actively courting the tea party but GOP strategists see little evidence that she’s planning to mount a presidential campaign in 2012.
Bachmann, center, may be the trio’s most serious candidate – at least, her recent fund raising suggests she is. (AP Photo)
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
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“Trump, Palin, Bachmann”
Of the three; Bachmann please.
Trump donated money to candidates to defeat tea partiers for 2010 election, stop drinking the trump cool-aid
Still can't figure out what the hell happened in 2008; he seemed to me the perfect candidate.
Can you imagine him in a televised debate with "uh, er..." the incumbent?
Google Rep. Allen West. You’d *pay* to see him debate Obumma.
fred’s too lazy or lack energy. I supported him for 2008 as well, but since then, I rather pick someone else
I could deal with Trump/West.
Trump to go in, clean out the place, put China in their place, and slash the Dept. of Education.
VP West to follow as President in 4 or 8 years to polish it up, pass some more conservative legislation, and finish the job.
Novak: "Fred Thompson drop-out rumors traced to Romney campaign"
IMO, he didn't want to make his wife a political target.
Sorry, what is Trump’s record? He’s endorsed liberal stances...don’t fall for the *razzle dazzle*...he’s pure theater. I understand the RNC doesn’t have many exciting candidates who are quite as colorful. We’ll see. If we get another *lessor-of-two-evils* choice I’m going to go-galt!
TRUMP IS NOT “TEA PARTY” FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!
He doesn’t have a stinking clue what the tea party is all about.
Forget kingmaker.
Take over the GOP. It’s useless as is. Take it.
I certainly hope so!
Oh...forgot to mention...conservative credentials.
I’ve been a conservative all my life, and despite Trump’s recent sallies against Obama, he’s a bit like a durian fruit to me; I just can’t get past the smell to experience the taste.
I don’t know what I would do if Trump turned out to be the nominee. It would make voting a complete waste of time and effort.
Three Legged-Stool Bachmann? Please.
Heard Trump on Greta. Bleck!
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