Thread: Tea Party Less Effective than they had Hoped

Politico

From its loud and highly visible protests at summer congressional town hall meetings to its September march on the streets of Washington, the tea party movement has left a profound mark on the American political landscape since it burst onto the scene a year ago.



But as spirited political movements have shown in the past, translating passion and activist fury into votes can be difficult. And so far, success at the ballot box has been elusive for these grass-roots conservative activists — if not entirely nonexistent.



From Texas to Illinois to upstate New York, a string of lackluster showings for tea party-linked candidates have highlighted a central question about the group’s future: Can an organic and fledgling movement that lacks the institutional grounding and top-down organizational strength of either major political party transfer protest-oriented grass-roots energy into tangible success at the polls?

Political Movements are all about the grassroots, but getting people elected is all about the money. If the Tea Party wants to be an effective instrument in American Politics, then it needs to learn a lesson the Libertarian Party has stubbornly refused to learn over the last forty years. Before you can push unknown and untested leaders into American Politics, you must first establish a monster fiscal machine. You have to put in years of work to establish connection inside thousands of communities across the nation, form relationships with businesses, political action committees, and special interests, and to present yourself to the American People as a serious and pragmatic organization with actual plans (not just bumper stickers).



It would appear that the Tea Party movement is fundamentally green when it comes to navigating the political environment, which could very well leave it shipwrecked in November. If the Tea Party wants any real political influence, they will have to accept the role as aids in the reformation of the Republican Party, as opposed to leaders. Sarah Palin would be wise to keep this in mind.



If Palin goes out on the road for Tea Party candidates who fail to get elected, she will destroy any hope of future elections for herself. Why? Because people invest their money in candidates with a record of success, not failure. Mitt Romney is keenly aware of this and is already doing everything in his power to portray himself as "Successful". The media is firmly on Romney's side. I hear "Successful Businessman", "Successful Governor", "Succeeding in organizing the Salt Lake Olympics", over and over again on the television and in print.



If the Tea Party lets their notoriety go to their heads, if they become arrogant and stubborn, they will succeed only in becoming as influential as the Libertarian Party in American Politics.

[quote name='Burning Giraffe' date='08 March 2010 - 06:16 AM' timestamp='1268047005' post='126246']

If Palin goes out on the road for Tea Party candidates who fail to get elected, she will destroy any hope of future elections for herself. Why? Because people invest their money in candidates with a record of success, not failure. Mitt Romney is keenly aware of this and is already doing everything in his power to portray himself as "Successful". The media is firmly on Romney's side. I hear "Successful Businessman", "Successful Governor", "Succeeding in organizing the Salt Lake Olympics", over and over again on the television and in print.



[/quote]



That's true, sure as hell can't use the word successful and Palin in the same sentence if talking about her political career! "Successful" governors certainly aren't the ones who quit half way through their first term. Especially when her primary reason was so she could save her state money, they would not have to investigate or prosecute any of her transgressions.



I really don't need to make this point though, I'm sure the Mitt Romney's in the repub party will do a fine job of bringing this out in the primaries.

[quote name='Pragmatist' date='08 March 2010 - 06:34 AM' timestamp='1268048044' post='126250']

That's true, sure as hell can't use the word successful and Palin in the same sentence if talking about her political career! "Successful" governors certainly aren't the ones who quit half way through their first term. Especially when her primary reason was so she could save her state money, they would not have to investigate or prosecute any of her transgressions.



I really don't need to make this point though, I'm sure the Mitt Romney's in the repub party will do a fine job of bringing this out in the primaries.

[/quote]



Agreed. Which is a bit disappointing because I actually prefer Palin to Romney, however, Sarah Palin may have to decide that she's better at being a media hog, than a political candidate. Her problem is, that when it comes to Responsible, reform-oriented candidates, she's not the best choice. Her popularity could help her, but not in Iowa, New Hampshire, or South Carolina. Romney and Pawlenty will thrive in those conditions. Pawlenty, if he runs, could very well win the Iowa caucus, unless he splits votes with Huckabee, and if that happens, Romney most likely will be the selection.

[quote name='Devil505' date='08 March 2010 - 06:43 AM' timestamp='1268048581' post='126252']

Since Romney has never quit a job he started & Palin has never finished one, I'd ask what you see in Palin that makes you prefer her? (are you talking about preferring her as a candidate or a President?)

[/quote]



I think Palin would promote a more fiscally responsible and less politically compromised agenda. I think her politics are better. I also think she would attract a better cabinet. Furthermore, I worry that Romney would end up losing the election on the basis of his religious beliefs and his history of flip-flopping. I feel like the more that people attack Palin, the more popular she becomes - so if the campaign turned nasty, it would work in Palin's favor. Whereas with Romney, I don't feel that many people would be sympathetic to him at all.



Obviously these are mostly practical considerations having to do with the current composition of the Republican Base, but I really am quite focused on seeing Obama voted out of office. Paul Ryan, Ron Paul, and Tim Pawlenty would all be better choices than Palin, but again, I remain skeptical concerning the intellectual depth of the Republican Party. Fox News could very well choose the Republican Nominee.

[quote name='Burning Giraffe' date='08 March 2010 - 06:48 AM' timestamp='1268048924' post='126255']

I think Palin would promote a more fiscally responsible and less politically compromised agenda. I think her politics are better. I also think she would attract a better cabinet. Furthermore, I worry that Romney would end up losing the election on the basis of his religious beliefs and his history of flip-flopping. I feel like the more that people attack Palin, the more popular she becomes - so if the campaign turned nasty, it would work in Palin's favor. Whereas with Romney, I don't feel that many people would be sympathetic to him at all.



Obviously these are mostly practical considerations having to do with the current composition of the Republican Base, but I really am quite focused on seeing Obama voted out of office. Paul Ryan, Ron Paul, and Tim Pawlenty would all be better choices than Palin, but again, I remain skeptical concerning the intellectual depth of the Republican Party. Fox News could very well choose the Republican Nominee.

[/quote]



All Palin has to do is make a few more ridiculously stupid comments and I'm sure they will come. You know, like if the conversation is foreign policy and the subject is Georgia and she says I really love their peaches.

[quote name='Burning Giraffe' date='08 March 2010 - 06:48 AM' timestamp='1268048924' post='126255']

I think Palin would promote a more fiscally responsible and less politically compromised agenda. [/quote]



Ya mean with things kinda like the bridge to nowhere? I'm sure every repub running will bring that one up too.

Here are some Tea Pary quotes and protest sign idea's. They seem to be communicating a bit better these days.......







If you habe time t' read my sign, tryigg readigg some legislashun.

Fiscal Consehbatibe 'n Fablous

De More Webuh Make, uh uh uh, De More Dey Take

De on pehson ENTITLED t' my money is my wife! Huh huh!

Kigg George at least READ his tax bills! Huh huh!

My famly libes on a bujet, uh, so shudd Uncle Sam! Doihh, COOL!

Nebeh send a commuty organizeh t' do a President’s dgob

Don’t Tax Me Bro! Doihh, COOL!

Next Time, uh uh uh, Read De Bill

I Likid My Uncle Sam Betteh Dan My Big Brodeh

Citizens Not Subbuhjecks

It’s de Spendigg Sputid! Doihh, COOL!

Stop de Sky High Spendigg! Doihh, COOL! Change Is All Webuh Habe Left Webuh Came Unarmid … Dis Time Amehica’s Botehs Habe Come Home T' Roost

Eben as a Democrat, uh, dis is more change dan I dought I was botigg f' Webuh

De Peoble Will Bote 2010