Posted on 01/30/2012 6:38:36 PM PST by neverdem
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Newt Gingrich's fast Florida fade is the latest indication that the Tea Party is losing its grip on the GOP, with the establishment poised to triumph once again.
An official endorsement Saturday night from last year's Tea Party standout, Herman Cain; an all-but-official backing from longtime Tea Party darling Sarah Palin; and the support of an increasing number of Tea Party officials around the country have not lifted Gingrich back over Mitt Romney in the Florida polls. That weakened clout has been accompanied by the Republican establishment's full-throttle charge at Gingrich's past -- to great effect with the primary here just one day away.
It’s a stunning twist of fate for the GOP, which just 18 months ago was mired in intraparty battles that gave rise to the grass-roots movement, and which had been desperately seeking anyone but Mitt Romney in the presidential race to satisfy its hard-right turn. Still, if Romney wins here on Tuesday and goes on to clinch the nomination in the coming weeks or months, it may not settle the question of whether he has quieted the Tea Party faithful heading toward the general election.
Its various favorites have failed to take hold. Michele Bachmann was ultimately not seen as credible, Cain was forced out of the race over charges of sexual harassment, and Rick Perry couldn’t pass muster through the debates.
Though Gingrich has embraced the Tea Party -- and many of its leaders have hugged him back -- he doesn’t fit the movement’s mold. The Romney campaign knows this and has had no qualms about highlighting that fact.
From former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, the GOP presidential nominee in 1996, to Sen. John McCain, the standard bearer in 2008, a growing number of Republican “insiders” have blasted...
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
No. The GOP-e is shooting its self in the head!!
We are the resistance!!
Rebellion is ON!!
Join, or die!!
Last poll I seen had Newt down by less than 5. They had Newt up 6 in SC and he won by 14. What are they talking about?
Do they realize if they set Romney up for a double digit win and it’s 5 points or less that’s going to stop Romney’s train cold?
They wish LOL.
What they don’t understand is that the Tea Party is just
beginning to get a grip on the GOP, it’s a matter of
demographics, the more young Tea party reps we put in
place the sooner they will be the majority of the party.
That day IS coming.
They’d better hope not. Without the tea party the GOP would be smaller then the Green Party.
Without the Tea Party the GOP would certainly be
less relevant than the Greens.
Pffft. An article destined for the Drudge Report!
LOL!
I think it’s the other way around.
Ode to the Grand Olde Party, and their BFF, the Obamanator.
When Newt or Paul rocks the Establishment Boat,
The GOP oarsmen pull knives from their boots.
The hacking and slashing puts extreme fighting to shame,
Never, no NEVER rock the Establishment Boat!
They cannot win elections, by choice of their suits,
A RINO Nominee is a Democrat, - - - - one and the same.
Two Party as One Party is what they adore.
Never give voters a choice, or politicians
Are out of life-time jobs, forever more.
As we pay our bills,
And hold our noses
As we vote,
The Obamanator holds
His cold, steel knife
To America’s throat - - - - .
The tea party is dead.
It was a once in a lifetime phenomenon, and it served its purpose in 2010, but, it’s disorganized and leaderless and basically useless.
At a time when it’s needed to the most, it’s nowhere to be found.
Got a feeling Erin McPike who wrote this article is not a Tea Party person. Probably hates those of us who are. The whole article sounds like only wishful thinking. Who ever she is, she’s not on our side.....she should be ignored.
IT IS ABOUT ESTABLISHMENT MONEY, NOTHING TO DO WITH
THE TEA PARTY!!!!!!!! I HATE THESE PEOPLE!!!!!!
They would prefer just to take our vote for granted but if we push them they’ll label us bat shit crazy and kick us out (if they can).
No, the GOP is losing it’s grip on the TEA Party.
The GOP took the Tea Party for granted. They assumed that we would fall for the cliche of it being acceptable to be the lesser of two evils. Well, the GOP can go to hell - We’re taking over or leaving. There is no in between, there is no common ground to be found on diametrically opposed philosophies. Join us, or we’ll make you look like the fools you have been. The line in the sand has been drawn!
If Newt is denied the nomination by the establishment, and they force Mittens on us, Newt should run as the Tea Party candidate third party.
What is there to lose? There is virtually no difference in the policies of Mittens or Obozo.
What is required to get on the ballot nationwide for a third party candidate?
For their sake, the GOP better hope that they don’t lose their grip on the TEA Party. Without they TEA Party, the GOP is toast.
Tea Party never had or was supposed to have a “leader”.
It’s an ideal.
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