Posted on 08/01/2012 5:34:41 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
WASHINGTON - Ted Cruz's stunning come-from-behind victory over David Dewhurst in Tuesday's Republican Senate runoff sends an unmistakable message to the political establishment in Washington that the next U.S. Senate, like the Republican-controlled House, is going to be more conservative and less willing to compromise with President Barack Obama or even a possible President Mitt Romney.
"This is going to reverberate around the Capitol in Washington and around the country," said Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak. "If you can do this in Texas, you can do it anywhere. This is a hell of a wake-up call for the establishment."
The decisive win by Cruz, a first-time office-seeker, over one of the Texas' most powerful officeholders underscores the growing clout of tea party conservatives in Republican nominating contests and the struggles that both moderate and conservative establishment figures are facing in the current political climate of grass-roots fury at the status quo.
"People perceive a crisis," said Clemson University political scientist David James Woodard, a specialist in conservative politics. "They want leadership, not experience. They're open to ideological appeals more than a résumé."
[SNIP]
GOP strategist Mackowiak said Cruz's success "is going to convince outside groups to get involved in more races" against prominent establishment figures.
Tea party leaders were quick to claim credit for Cruz's victory after he trailed Dewhurst in the May 29 primary - warning other establishment figures that they faced extinction in future purges.
Tea Party Express chair Amy Kremer said Dewhurst's defeat "comes at the hands of the Tea Party" and no "anointed Austin politician" should expect to prevail in primary contests.
And the threats, it seems, should be taken seriously....
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
They are there for life. I wish they would leave tomorrow. However, I have no control over such matters.
We have been saying it all along, but they didn’t listen. THEY need us. WE don’t need them...and we have proven it over and over.
No surfer here, but the saying “catch a wave” applies.
The Tea Party does great grassroots work, but what causes victories like this, bottomline, is that the PEOPLE themselves are rising up.
Think how many in the LSM still misunderstand the Tea Party.
The TP is a reflection of what is happening with the people, not the other way around.
As a texan that voted for Cruz is was as much a statement to Washington as anything. Many times I thought Dewhurst ahs built a business - we could use a few mroe business guys in washington, but Delay had that story and he was part of the problem...spending. STOP IT. Stop the spending, the regulations the new taxes.
Watch out OBama! We are the Tea Party and we’re pissed!
Watch out OBama! We are the Tea Party and we’re pissed!
Does anyone know who Dan Patrick supported in the end? I know on the radio he slammed Cruz and Dewhurst used it in a negative ad. Did he turn into a republican elitist after just a few years in office?
People know the presidency is a lost cause, and that the only way to save the country is through Congress.
Solent majority is speaking loud and clear! Can’t wait for November!!! NBC weep in what you have sown! MSM is dead!
Conservatives are storming the Hill (with every intention of taking it).
Americans are coming forward to stand and again be counted in this growing grassroots movement.
America isn’t down and out!
Millions living under oppression around the world are cheering tea party patriotism and its growing strength; it will embolden people to resist their tyrants.
First time I declared Republican in order to vote for Mr. Cruz since 1998. It is a shame the GOP doesn’t have a conservative at the top of their ticket.
That needed to be said twice!
This Texan is absolutely thrilled that Mr. Cruz won! We supported him all the way.
Dan Patrick is being appointed to committees; he is building a power base that will bump him up the leadership ladder — so in the end he had to do “the right thing.” But he couldn’t help but look like a two-faced politician in the process.
“Patrick added: “Cruz is a bright and talented lawyer who is also a fiery orator. I respect those who see it differently. I’m not going to be critical of Cruz. He may well win and if he does we will rally around him in November. Since both Cruz and Dewhurst have said they differ only slightly on the issues in the end it’s a matter of style and background.”
The RINO owner of the company where I work was a big Dewhurst supporter. He hated Cruz because “those Tea Partiers don’t know how to compromise!” LOL. I wish I’d seen his crocodile tears and sputtering rage as the results came in.
Maybe they're planning on pulling another Murkowski?
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