The Politico has an article out today on tea party activists getting involved in their local political parties. I’ve been preaching on this for a while.
The reporter, Alex Isenstadt, interviewed me for his article and gave me the last word. I’m partial to my quote:
For some, supporting insurgent campaigns or waging primary bids just isn’t a strong enough signal to send to a Republican Party that has abandoned core conservative policies.
Erick Erickson, founder and editor of the influential conservative blog RedState, has urged Tea Party activists to “put down the protest signs” and stage takeovers of local Republican parties.
“Grassroots activists need to start infiltrating the party,” said Erickson. “The only way to start getting [the establishment] back is to start pounding them with every fist we have.”
Of note, as I have been writing about this, I’m emphasized the bipartisan nature of the advice. For Democratic and Republican grassroots activists, if you feel your party has left you, get involved. Frankly, I don’t care what your political leanings are. There are two political parties in this country that can affect broad national policy. Get involved with one of them. Pull it left or pull it right, it doesn’t matter. But get involved.
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LOL!
Let me hazard a guess: you liked the phrase “There are two political parties in this country that can affect broad national policy”?
“put down the protest signs” and stage takeovers of local Republican parties— Says the guy who kick all the Ron Paul supporters off of Red State.
EE has his finger up in the political winds and notices an Anti-Establishment storm-a-brewing… now, he wants to be seen as “anti-establiment.” EE the new Newt Gingrinch.
There are two political parties in this country that can affect broad national policy. Get involved with one of them. Pull it left or pull it right, it doesn’t matter. But get involved.
“Yes, please, please keep playing the right vs. left game…” The “Establishment” controls you better as long as you are kept divided this way.
If Individual Liberty and Financial Freedom is what you want… you do have a choice… and R-right party or D-leftist party is not it… for those are the paths to more government involvement in your lives… they have a track record that proves it.
But hey, keep playing the game if you want… we’ll be here, when you’re ready to take your Country, State and Lives back. Til then, here is a great site to get you to start thinking about a different direction than right or left.
LOL, I thought I was the only one who thought that right away when I read it!
My first thought too! Too bad for him, we’re still around, AND, like elephants, we too have very good memories
Was in Atlanta at the Marriot Marquis for a couple days at the end of the week.
The coffee maker box had a folder, “An invitation to fine tea”.
Seems like everybody is into tea parties these days………..
Funny. This time last year, “Teabaggers” were called “Ron Paulistas”
I’ve seen these guys in their organization meeting. Scary how serious and knowledgeable they are about the local precinct structures.
What Eric suggests above has been in the works for 15 months already.
“Scary”… to some people!
Of course as Bill Greene knows there’s many more of us out here (ornery folks who don’t even get along with fellow C4L members, and who don’t know squat about precinct structures, ect…)
Erick has pretty much laid out the plans that were used by the religious right to switch from party servant to party master. However, having used this method to gain power, they’re more likely to see others trying to do it and implement counter measures. Just like ballot access laws make it hard for anyone not part of the two major parties to get in front of the voters on election day, party rules down at the local level can be changed to preserve the power of those currently in control.
Lee Atwater and friends didn’t see this possibility because that’s not how they came into power but the religious right will. Expect quite a fight inside the Republican Party if the tea party folks try to take over the GOP from the bottom up.
It think you all over estimate the power of a county GOP.
Mark Taylor could walk into his local county office and qualify as a Republican and there wouldn’t be a damn thing the GOP could do about it. In fact, several counties (Gwinnett for example) have rules that would prevent the county chairman from saying “Talyor is a democrat, vote for his opponent”.
At best, the members of the GOP “leadership” have influence in their communities they can use on behalf of candidates they support. That influence comes not from their position in the GOP, but from everything they do outside of the GOP.
I’m involved in my local GOP for a few reasons. 1) I learn stuff going to their meetings. Gary Purcell is by far the most knowledgeable person about matters affecting the insurance commissioner’s office, and has details plans to work for the consumer, not for AFLAC or the other insurance companies. 2) I’m involved in the local GOP because I meet people there who are active in the community, are active in the business world, and through making contacts I can better myself professionally and 3) it is a chance to meet the elected officials and learn their side of the story in a more one-on-one fashion.
Taking over the local GOP isn’t going to replace your RINO state senator. Taking over the Georgia Republican Party isn’t going to replace Johnny Isakson with a states-rights constitutionalists.
Au contraire Chris,
The local party Chairman can intervene, but to a limited extent. You are correct that we could not label one candidate that real Republican and the other as really a Democrat running as a Republican. We would have to take his money and qualify him. We might make him sign a fealty oath, but that’s just words on paper with no teeth. We even take party switchers when they really mean it. However, if Mark Taylor would to move to my county and run against my county commissioner, it would be perfectly fine for my county party Chairman to write a letter to the editor and state that he is not endorsing or condemning anyone in the race. He could then add that my current commissioner has written checks and attended many county GOP meetings and events. This other guy, has never attended a single GOP meeting. He could point out that Taylor was Lt. Gov.
I know you didn’t mean Taylor spherically, but the fleas can be pointed out on any dog.
I meant to say specifically instead of spherically, but my auto spell checker changed it. I hope the big guy is doing well and didn’t mean to say anything about his weight. I don’t have a lot of room to talk in that area.
Truly, nothing will change in this country until the so-called “third” parties rise.
And while I would obviously prefer that the LP take a large share of that rise, if the LP is the only “third” party that rises to power, I fear nothing will change even then. The math will change slightly, but no fundamental change will occur.
No, what must happen is the rise of MANY “third” parties, including the Constitutionals, Greens, and Roy Barnes’new party, the Modern Whigs, among others.
Party fracture is another possibility. If the GOP keeps shooting itself in the foot and cleansing itself of the squishy center and anyone else who doesn’t agree 100% with the most hard core partisans, the Democratic Party will continue to grow. That can’t go on for very long before the there is a battle royal for control. If it happens fast enough, you could end up with a left wing break away faction that forms a viable and good sized third party. If it develops slowly, you’d just get the middle moving back to the GOP as the Republicans get over the idea of purges being the path to success.
Sure it could be the Republican Party that fractures but I don’t think there is enough power or membership there currently for the break away party to be viable. Likely it would be similar to the green faction that causes havoc for the Democrats in 2000 but didn’t end up with any lasting power or organization.
Chris; How do you suggest people go about replacing thier RINO state senator or US Senator?
Allow me to answer that question…
…People can replace their RINO state Senator or United States Senator by voting for the Democratic nominee.
Andre. why would they want to replace one Democrat with another?
Jeff,
I don’t know. I was just offering a suggestion.
VeryFast:
Don’t know about Chris, but I would suggest putting your name on a ballot yourself. Even the the Big Government Party, I’m pretty sure all comers are allowed on at least the Primary ballot.
BTW: Early voting starts Monday, so I’d def start looking at who is running locally…
Very Fast,
Jeff’s solution is a good one if you want to make a fool of yourself and piss away $4k in qualifying fees.
Most of the folks looking to replace RINOs are neither qualified nor capable of winning against an establishment politician, short of a Mark Foleyesque scandal unfolding.
If you want to replace your RINO US Senator, you need to find someone who is serving in the state legislature who has an established track record you like, who has support within the party. For example – Tom Graves or Chip Rogers.
I was actually thinking more of the State Rep/ MAYBE State Senator level – and even that depends on quite a bit of factors as to whether you may or may not be successful.
But qualifying fees are as low as $15 in some races – not necessarily $4K.
In other words, I’m vaguely echoing Erick here:
How do you change your Party/elected officials?
Start locally. In your local Party or with your local elected officials.
That I can agree with. I could easily support someone like Allen Buckley for a state house seat. He is no where near qualified for the Lt. Governor or US Senate.
Same with Monds. Monds might make an excellent state rep. But there is no way I’d trust him with supreme executive power in this state. s/Monds/McBerry/ too
Supreme executive power?
Where can I get some of that?
Supreme executive power is derived from a mandate from the masses.
I agree with Chris that candidates should be viable and electable…but make that decision on your own… don’t let “them” tell you who’s worthy.
However, I don’t agree with Chris that you have to limit your search to current elected officials or proven status-quo political parties or even “someone” else.
Once discovered… give them much needed time and money to support those (non-establishment/non status-quo candidates) that do run against them… find the area or path that you think you can make the biggest impact and never give in or give up… even if it does mean throwing your own hat in the ring.
I could support Graves or Rogers against Isakson.
The trick is to get these guys to risk challenging a sitting incumbent. Graves probably hasn’t been ready to run for Congress till now (building a track record is important). Rogers would make a better US Senator than Isakson or Chambliss, but is it worth it for him to risk is position as majority leader? Is it worth it for us to risk his position as majority leader? Does he do more good here in GA than he would in DC as a freshman minority Senator?
Things to consider………
That was my point… as to why you can’t just rely on current elected officails… Also, I’d take John Monds over Socialist Bush/Perdoofus/Shameless/ any day, for any office.
Chris,
Get Chip Rogers and Tom Graves to lead this coming up session with a bill to remove the ballot access barriers for all local intra-state level offices and I’ll give you Allen Buckley(and many like him) on the ballot for 2010. Tell them to give the people a choice and I’ll give them anything I have to offer.
Many viable/electable potential candidates have principled/ideological differences with the D and R parties and should not be forced to become hypocrites to run for office…. even though many of the current elected officials have no problem being hypocrites (power is apparently more important to them than principles).
If only someone would have challenged Chambliss in the Republican primary last year…. I still recall the fly around begging for mercy for piling on $700 billion of unnecessary debt and bailouts. The only satisfaction is that we don’t have a Sen. Martin.
It seems many people clamor about the establishment, and want something to be done about it. I agree with the article, although, I would not call it taking “over” the party, but rather, taking “back” the party.
However, do people really want the Republican party back? I almost think no. I am the candidate that most people describe they wish would run, but yet, many people discount me as not having a chance. That may be true, but I certainly believe I can win, or I would not be in the race.
So I ask those of you that want someone not tied down to political friends, not “tainted” by a corrupt system, help me, or someone like me get elected.
My opponents are going to release disclosures soon that, if rumors are true, are going to put the total amount raised for this seat near the one million dollar mark to date. I am still under the required amount to file a personal financial disclosure.
So, while someone like me is trying to take the Republican party back to it’s values, back to it’s stated principles, I find it so odd that many people who wish “someone” would do something, are so silent in helping a campaign like mine.
Am I not smart enough? Not according to several reports and other candidates. Am I not experienced enough? Matter of opinion, no one running has ever held a US House seat, so I would say we are near equal, most have legislative experience, which many claim to be the experience needed. I have not heard many current US Representatives espouse how similar the US House is to the State House. Are my thoughts and principles not acceptable? I would put mine up against any Republican candidate’s and believe I would win every time. (surprise)
So why the lack of contributions, why the lack of volunteers from experienced political operatives? I believe it is because they want to attach themselves to who they think WILL win instead of who they WANT to win.
This would deter a lesser person, or maybe a smarter person, but I am in this race because I know the Republican values are what this country needs, and what the Party needs, are more candidates like me, who will uphold these values.
Thanks for allowing me the rant!
Jeremy Jones
http://www.JonesForUs.com
Politics in a democracy is very much about compromise. If you cast any opponents of you as a”murderer” it leaves little room for political progress. Unless you could represent an ideological constituency. But of course, you can’t. You get elected by a geographical constituency.
Jeremy, congratulations on running. Politics is a crap shoot. You have to work hard, identify your base, target the voters and sell yourself to them.
Looking at your race, you’ve got an uphill climb as there are a good number of notables who have done just that. That says nothing wrong against you.
My favored candidate is Tom Graves. He has a track record of espousing limited government and attending to the needs of his district. Having the knowledge and skill to draft and amend legislation and listen to your constituency is something he has consistently done.
One nugget of advice, never complain. Never put it out that you’re the underdog. You’ll open yourself up for unnecessary criticism and plant the seed of doubt in the electorate. Simply work harder, meet more people, conduct more press conferences and obtain more vote commitments than your competitors.
Interesting that in 4 hours nobody responded to Jeremy’s post?
Erick’s correct, however, from what I’ve seen that isn’t necessarily happening. However, that is the same scenario that brought the Christian Coalition to prominence in the 90′s. They got organized and attended every local and statewide convention.
I would hope there were/are sign up sheets and plenty of voter registration forms handed out. The tea parties have a unique opportunity to undo what ACORN did for Obama. Make no mistake about it, while Obama was well organized, it was ACORN who delivered the prime rib. The campaign had hype and $$$ but ACORN had organized foot soldiers. When the two combined you had unstoppable chaos.
We’ll see what organized patriotic individuals will do this time around. We had better get working.
that is the same scenario that brought the Christian Coalition to prominence in the 90’s
Yes, and look how well that’s turned out for the now-marginalized GOP….
Hey, The Religious Right did a lot with their 8 years of hegemony.
Our overseas enemies have been cowed, abortion is outlawed, Gays have been persecuted out of existence, and all the Damn Dirty Mexicans have been driven back south of the border.
So, I suppose you want to continue to lose elections???? Rag on every candidate that doesn’t meet your expectations. I love it. Tolerance…hmmm???
It was Falwell’s Moral Majority that brought Ronald Reagan over the top of the status quo. After its course had run it was Pat Robertson with the aid of Ralph Reed that revived and brought the conservative movement back to the forefront.
Like it or not, it will be the faith based community that moves the 2010 electorate.
Corruption has no brand preference. Pimps evolve whether it be the Foley’s of Florida, the Abramoff’s of K Street or the Duke Cunninghams of California. An informed mobilized electorate will evolve and it will be through the faith based organizations. If you recall, the CC was largely disbanded in 1997…..
While I hammered Ralph Reed in 2006 over the Abramoff scandal, I would be more than happy to support his endeavors to revive and remobilize the Christian Right.
You gave us John McCain…yawn… enough said.
so a person who doesn’t share your exact religious beliefs is immoral?
How about we keep religion out of government and government out of religion- you know, the way the Founding Fathers REALLY envisioned things?
Note: Not discussing this any further, so don’t bother. Not trying to start a threadjack here.
Never said I would support someone who didn’t share my religious beliefs. However, we all believe in something….. I’m more concerned that we’ve elected leaders that have a significant disdain for the Capitalistic Free Enterprise System. We see the Country Club Republicans scurrying around trying to keep their relevence and getting a piece of the power, instead of embracing core principles.
MA,
One day, I hope you get it… The Country Club Republicans and Country Club Democrats are the ones that are “relevent” and in control… they just use their respective bases of socialist conservatives and socialist librals to keep it that way.
… that’s not to say all librals and all conservatives are socialist… the ones that aren’t are the ones that seem to be finally waking up.
Moral majority? You can’t legislate morality in people. Ralph Reed is a hack who only wants to have a seat of importance and power.
“Like it or not, it will be the faith based community that moves the 2010 electorate…You gave us John McCain…yawn…enough said.” According to this statement, one would assume that the “faith based community” holds powers over the election cycle. Pray tell where were you during the 2008 elections? Barack Obama is pro-choice, not a very “faith based” candidate if you ask me.
We legislate morality in many ways, both in our individual lives and corporately through public policy.
The 2008 election was won based on the hard work and determination of a bloc of voters that have never been involved in the process before. Their view of history was simply the last 8 years and the consistnet bantering of the right funded by an uncompromising left (i.e. George Soros et al). 2008 was statistically impossible to win, as it was on the heals of the corruption of the Republicans who divorced themselves of a limited government agenda. Couple that with high oil, an unpopular war and the inability to seal their message with the base.
McCain, while probably not a bad guy, did not have the ability to inspire. create trust and connect with the base.
IF, the Republicans in congress and on the state level harness themselves to an agenda, similar to what Newt brought in ’94 and competent individuals step up to the challenge and connect to their respective bases, then 2010 could hold a quite different picture. (hows that for a runon sentence) What I am seeing, is a frustrated public that have used their voices to protest, but haven’t established what Newt and Ralph did in ’94. Like it or not, Ralph was Newt’s leverage. The policies that followed brought a vast amount of economic prosperity and sound fiscal policy. EVERYTHING cycles. When it ended, the corruption brewed and they got busted. In the 80′s and early 90′s it was Rostenkowski of Illinois, the House banking scandal…
We’re at a pivitol crossroads. I favor what works and wins. We’ve seen what losing does… My 401(k) is still in the tank. It’s sad to see the only growth coming from Emerging Market funds and International funds. That’s a direct result of incompetent fiscal policy and the apparent disdain for the Free Enterprise System.
I would argue it was the Ralph Reeds of the world who brought us George W. Bush and the trashing of true conservative principles for the sake of saving the country from “immorality”. Big government is immoral; it stamps on liberty and seeks to control the populace. Newt turned his back on the principles he held during the 90s; he is now seeking to come back with a re-hash of the good ones, though I’m unsure if people want to or can trust him.
Indeed we are at a pivotal crossroads. But if you favor the true Free Enterprise System then I would advise you look more for fiscal conservatives than social conservatives. I’m currently more concerned over the National Debt than I am two homosexuals getting married, for example.
You know, now that I’ve had a chance to really read the headline, I’m wondering why the GOP leadership is turned on by this.
It doesn’t do anything for you? LOL
Ha Ha Ha! Give me Liberty or give me… Lindsey?
Erick,
Aparently Lindsey didn’t get the memo…
He was at it again on Monday night as he faced down an angry town hall crowd in Greenville packed with libertarians and Tea Party activists who accused at the Republican senator of ditching conservative principles by working with Democrats on issues like climate change and voting to send Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.
My favorite parts:
“I’m not going to leave the Republican Party,” Graham said when one questioned asked him why he hasn’t yet joined the Democrats. “I’m going to grow it. We’re not going to be the party of angry white guys.”
His comments were met with a salvo of boos and shouts of “Ron Paul!”
“I love this party,” he responded. “I’m not going to be let it be hijacked by Ron Paul.”
“I’m going to find people in Maine, Delaware, Illinois and other places that can win,” he said. “And I’m going to help them, and we’re going to move this party and this country forward. If you don’t like it, you can leave.”
Go Lindsey!
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