[Jim Robinson]

Bob, I just don't think the grassroots tea party movement much cares about your criticism or apprehensions. They're going to do what they're going to do and there's little you or I or anyone else can do about it. FR is not the leader or even a leader in this movement. I'm just a follower and promoter. And as long as I like where they're going, I'll keep following and promoting. Our local chapters are not as formal as they once were but they're out there and they spring to action whenever the need or opportunity presents itself.

[Bob J]

“Bob, I just don’t think the grassroots tea party movement much cares about your criticism or apprehensions.”

I never said they did. I also don’t believe anything I say here has one iota of influence on Palin. Frankly I don’t care.

It’s a public bulletin board, people post info and others respond and discuss. People get their politics-freak on here and satisfy their need for news. (I’m not calling people here a freak, it’s a figure of speech)

Why the obsession that I’m trying to influence events outside this website? My activism days are over. I took arrows for you, FR and conservatism for 8 years, I’ve got enough holes in me for one lifetime.

[Bob J]

Everything that we wanted and worked for at FR and in the Network is being fulfilled in the Tea Party movement. For that I more happy than you know. I do harbor concerns that this movement may go astray, get hijacked or dissolve in petty bickering and rivalries. Don’t misconstrue positive criticism for disdain or a desire to see it fail.

What is going on with the TP right now was experienced in a very small microcosm at the Network. I saw how the bickering, petty rivalries and possibly a lack of leadership, vision and commitment from areas at the top helped it dissassemble.

I don’t want to see it happen again. The TP movement is the best chance we have to establish a conservative ascendancy in this country. But there a hundred ways it might fail and the leaders need to be cognizant of them all. I can see some of it happening right now but I am confident as a movement it will have the resilience to succeed.