Posted on 01/25/2010 12:07:14 AM PST by rabscuttle385
Gov. Mark Sanford was back in the national headlines Thursday after CNN spotted him on Capitol Hill. And a day after making a final apology for his conduct, it looks as if the governor was turning the page.
Sanford, a former congressman, was in Washington, D.C., on official business. But he took some time to go see old friends on the hill.
According to media reports, Sanford spent some time with U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, the Texas Republican who ran for president in 2008 and its credited with helping start the so-called Tea Party movement.
Sanford's political career has been damaged, if not ended, by his June disappearance. But among libertarian-leaning Republicans, Sanford and Paul are heroes.
Paul is expected to run for president again in 2012. So The Buzz wonders, is Sanford sowing the seeds for 2012? Stranger things have happened.
fyi
When I read that sentence I thought it was just me having a whiskey tango foxtrot moment! Huh?!? Ron Paul?!? TEA Party founder?? Wha...??
Indeed so. His Liberty Caucus did make notable contributions to the Tea Party movement, along with FR and many other groups and individuals. Did you expect Dr. Paul to IGNORE the movement toward liberty? Like the “establishment” pubbies did until they decided to try to co-opt it?
Yes he IS a founder, one of a number of people who inspired and encouraged others to get involved. You have a problem giving credit where it’s due? That would be like leaving FR off the same list of founders.
Evidence, please.
Paul is definitely a hero, but Sanford??? After cheating on his wife, lying to her & the American people, then shuttling off to Argentina like he did?
You gotta be kidding!!!!!!!
The large grass-roots movement that surrounded his campaign isn't enough? The "Ron Paul Revolution" had alot of people excited about politics and while not formally called the "Tea Party Movement" at that time it did contribute significantly to the explosive rise of grassroots movements in American Politics.
Since his "Campaign for Liberty" got going Paul has started to distance himself from the mainstream teapartiers but has maintained his beliefs and positions. He continues to be a Republican in name but is far more Libertarian in his views, which says something about how American Politics has changed in just 10 years and the large steps to the left that have occured even under Bush.
The man has to be given credit (along with a great many other people) for boosting the movement along and showing what ordinary citizens can do to change the tide in modern politics.
My vote for prime motivator goes to CNBC’s Rick Santelli.
No he didn't. More revisionist misinformation.
Here's a Ron Paul Tea Party for 12/16/07
What happened was that Ron Paul's campaign had a mass campaign fund raising day called "A Tea Party" that was immensely successful. Then Santelli did his bit saying that we should have a Tea Party that takes to the streets.
I went to two Tea Parties on 4/15/09, one completely organized by Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty and another organized by Liberty (read libertarian) Republicans -- but I can't vouch for the organization of every Tea Party around the country although I suspect a similar theme.
On the other hand, I can't understand why people would be so shocked that RP would have been a Tea Party motivator. When was the last time you saw Republicans & Conservatives take to the streets with protest signs? Try "never".
“When was the last time you saw Republicans & Conservatives take to the streets with protest signs? Try “never”. “
Try the Senate race in MA.
Honestly I don’t have time to march on the streets with protest signs.
I support candidates in ways that I can.
I meant before the Tea Parties.
Honestly I dont have time to march on the streets with protest signs. I support candidates in ways that I can.
Which is great. But, the Tea Parties were a way of motivating people to do something -- and it let politicians know that we are "a movement" to be reckoned with, not just some scattered, powerless individuals. It was a way to say that we are against what they are doing.
But while Tea Parties were the "yin" negative side, telling DC what we say "No!" to, there also has to be a "yang", what and who we say "Yes!" to and for -- those candidates who support what we believe in. The best thing you can do for this movement is contribute to electing candidates with your money and your time.
Tea Party marching isn't the antithesis of supporting candidates, it is complimentary. They balance each other -no to this, yes to that. One without the other is pretty useless.
Look up the Liberty Caucus. It’s there. I’m on my BlackBerry and cannot do much research. Would you suppose that someone so dedicated to original intent WOULDN’T support and encourage the Tea Parties?
Oh, I don’t know. The TEA partiers SUPPORT the war and the military, and Mr. Paul doesn’t?
I have participated in a few of the TEA parties. When I think of TEA parties and leadership I think of Glenn Beck and 9/12. I think of Mark Levin. I think of Sean Hannity. I think of Sarah Palin. I think of JimRob and the TEA Party Express.
Ron Paul? Not so much. I know he is dedicated to fiscal responsibility, etc. I know he HATES the wars and wants the military home. That’s his privilege. I don’t think he’s a bad guy. I understand a lot of TEA party notions are based on some of his work. But I’ve never seen him out in the front lines promoting and participating in TEA parties. Not saying he doesn’t, I’ve just never seen it myself. Bygones.
Yes, mine too. I consider Rick Santelli the “Father of the Modern America TEA Party”. :-) I remember watching his rant that day, and thinking, OOOOOOOoooooo, what a great idea! That’s something *I* can participate in!! :-)
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