Posted on 01/23/2010 8:43:20 AM PST by Kartographer
The more important question for the populist movement may be whether this loosely organized political phenomenon can remain intact long enough to challenge a two-party system that has dominated American politics since George Washington rode off to Mount Vernon to live out his final years. If history is any guide, the prospects of long-term success are as unlikely as a Republican winning a Senate seat in Massachusetts.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
You have spoken my feelings.
Who wants a new party? What is that good for?
We want representation in Washington. The tea party movement seems to me to be a movement within both parties. However, there are few Democrats with conservative values and there are more Republicans.
Right now the major impact of the tea party folks is to select Republican candidates who hold values closer to our own.
Well, if we are to follow Sarahs’ lead.....?
If Sarah backs out of supporting McCain in the primary, I would not hold it against her one little bit. All she has to do is put out a twitter saying that “on second thought, getting involved in a primary battle is not the right thing to do, not for Sarah Palin and not for the RNC.”
I think every red-blooded, McCain hating conservative in the nation would eat that up.
Don’t know...sounds like someone deciding to try and make some $. Whatever. Doesn’t make the sentiment behind the tea party any less real...or still relevant.
I cannot afford the Nashville get together. But kudos to those who can.
Yeah but it doesn’t make them the “Leaders of the movement” in Nashville..! Those that can go and get something done: Great, but they do not lead our movement, only those who have voluntarily sighned on to the “Tea Party Convention” and then these influenced by ideas discussed inside, afterword will be effected! I hope the reach is far and wide, but they are most certainly not LEADERS of the whole tea party movement (nor is one group or set of individuals)!~ J.S.
Oh, absolutely.
I don’t think we disagree. :)
The author of that piece is, IMO, dead wrong.
1) He sees the movement as a political party. It is not. But were it to become one, it is finished.
2) I’ve been registered as an independent voter for 44 years and there’s nothing “mushy” about me. I’ve lived in two states, NY (NYC) and WV. The GOP in both states are beyond all hope. Corruption and cronyism have robbed them of ever getting me on their rolls.
3) His idea that without leadership, we can’t get the message out is bogus. We’ve already proven that.
A SCUZZYesque RINO.
The Tea Party Patriot organization came together nationally to formally craft their mission and objectives. TPP rejected a move from orlando to create a political party and I can tell you from recent meetings that any effort for TPP to become or endorse a particular political party would invite immediate investigations from the FEC and IRS. It is being secured to be non-partisan based on a certain list of values and principles, one of which is defending the U.S. Constitution.
I think the Tea Party Convention is a big mistake. Once this grass-roots movement becomes just another big machine it will most certainly lose many, myself included. The only convention important to this movement is marching on Washington and keeping the pressure on Congress to stop the corruption and spending.
I fully support Sarah Palin and if she chooses to campaign for McCain she is free to do so. She is not my leader or the leader of Tea Parties - the people are. Once people forget that it is done.
AMEN!
TPP is not investing in a leader but only in principled ideas that will always win in the marketplace of ideas with the power of the movement to be at the local level groups that communicate with each other. Visit their web site to learn more. http://www.teapartypatriots.org
Agreed.
Been there. Will NOT join.
Want to do something positive, go here
http://www.nationalprecinctalliance.org/
The convention is not a mistake as long as it is used to disseminate information between the local groups in a format that allows face to face exchanges on policy and goals. Only then does it provide the immediate strategy planning for a cohesive message so we define the narrative instead of letting the media and leftist groups free reign to define it for us in the court of public opinion.
If the convention organizers agenda is to become a big machine, there will not be another one but only the best organized groups dedicated to consitutional principles will survive. Lets face the facts that this movement is less than a year old so what comes out of the convention will be the beginning of a new and greater phase or the best efforts of those truely committed to finding the combination that works while keeping the movement alive.
Leadership does not have to be in an individual, but individuals are needed to lead the group to a cohesive and coherent agenda true to the foundings, just as the founding of our nation was.
That’s exactly it. No need for a leader, currently. A leader for a specific need will emerge as the time is right. Right now, We the People are sharpening our swords, re-reading our Constitutions, preparing to fight for our country. Best to have many, many folks from all walks of life stepping forward.
Dims NEED leaders; they cannot think for themselves.
Money is the lifeblood of a movement or a candidate but the price does sound steep given the economic times we’re presently enjoying.
It is hard to hope for success on this, no doubt. Look on the bright side, maybe Arizona will just get fed up with him and he’ll decide to retire before she has to invest herself in his effort.
I agree with that 100% and would welcome it.
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