“Are they legitimately able to claim the mantle of leadership of the national tea party movement?”
I’d say “No.” It was/is grass-roots, with no tangible leadership. Sounds like they’re jumping on a successful bandwagon.
Hello Fellow Freepers!
I understand your reluctance to have any centralized organization speaking for you.
Let me tell you what I know about Michael Leahy. He is a servant-leader who has spent a lot of his own time volunteering to help coordinate fledgling tea party organizers around the country. He’s done nothing but help our movement by lending his organizational skills through weekly teleconferences open to anyone who wants to become part of this growing movement.
I have interviewed Leahy on my radio program a couple of times, along with Eric Odom of the Don’t Go movement and TaxDayTeaParty.com, and if I may suggest that before you jump to any conclusions about him or his intentions, you listen to the podcast.
Casting judgment without all the facts does no one any good. Your efforts as tea party leaders is commendable. You are under no pressure or obligation to join up with Leahy, but he and others are there to help if you think you need it. I’m just asking you to not be so quick to cast judgement, to keep your options open and to get the facts.
You can listen to Leahy here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/HeadingRight/ASKShow/2009/04/25/Eric-Odom-Michael-P-Leahy
and here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/HeadingRight/ASKShow/2009/03/05/The-Andrea-Shea-King-Show
and/or you can watch him explain his involvement by going to Pajamas TV where he hosts a tv show - TCOT on PJTV.
He doesn’t presume to speak for you. He speaks for himself and those tea party planners who have sought him for advice and coordination with other tea party planners and have formed a coalition of sorts.
Remember, united we stand. In numbers there is strength. Many tea party planners see the value in banding together in an informal way. If you don’t, that’s cool. But don’t throw bricks at Leahy or others who are stepping up to the plate. After all, it’s what you planner/leaders did too.
Andrea