[Mariner]

""The Tea Party's generals may say their overriding concern is a smaller government," conclude political scientists David Campbell and Robert Putnam, "but not their rank and file, who are more concerned about putting God into government.""

That's a damn lie.

Social Conservatives are, in fact, upset with the Tea Party for their refusal to adopt social issues...or even allow their advocacy at organized rallies.

Let there be no doubt, the goal of the left is to associate the "Tea Party" with the Evangelical Right, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann.

It is also their goal to drive a wedge between Rick Perry and the GOP base on the immigration issue (thus the amnesty announcement yesterday).

The Progressive Left wants to run against Romney...because they know the energized right will not turn out for him.

Their greatest fear is Palin and Perry.

To counter, Palin MUST get in the race over the next two weeks. And, Perry must disavow his amnesty positions and become a very strong "secure the border and throw them all out" advocate.

[smokingfrog]

agreed

Hard to tell what Palin is going to do though. I have the feeling that Perry thinks or knows that Palin is not going to throw her hat in the ring. We shall see.