The Tea Party: good or bad for Republicans?

[ugabuga]

Tea Party Caucus Puts Republicans in the Hot Seat

A lot of Republicans have been paying lip service to the Tea Party movement, but with November on the horizon, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann says that it's time to get more serious. Without warning top GOP brass, last week Bachmann set up the Tea Party caucus?the movement's first congressional institution. Now, the Tea Party darling wants to know who's going to join it. Indiana Rep. Mike Pence is in, Politico says, but Minority Leader John Boehner doesn't want anything to do with it, and Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor is still on the fence. The caucus, Politico speculates, threatens to put GOPers in a tricky situation. By forcing Republicans to formalize their relationship to the controversial movement, the caucus could alienate moderate voters and become a "loaded political weapon for Republicans heading into the midterm elections." This, perhaps, is why Democratic leaders congratulated Bachmann on the move. With the help of Sarah Palin, Bachmann has become one of the movement's rising stars and is helping it gain credibility in the eyes of the public. According to a new Politico poll, thanks in part to Bachmann, nearly a quarter of the public thinks that the movement "will become a viable third party in American politics."

The most important news and commentary to read right now. - The Slatest - Slate Magazine

 

[Yzarctoo]

Tea Party Caucus Puts Republicans in the Hot Seat

A lot of Republicans have been paying lip service to the Tea Party movement, but with November on the horizon, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann says that it's time to get more serious. Without warning top GOP brass, last week Bachmann set up the Tea Party caucus?the movement's first congressional institution. Now, the Tea Party darling wants to know who's going to join it. Indiana Rep. Mike Pence is in, Politico says, but Minority Leader John Boehner doesn't want anything to do with it, and Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor is still on the fence. The caucus, Politico speculates, threatens to put GOPers in a tricky situation. By forcing Republicans to formalize their relationship to the controversial movement, the caucus could alienate moderate voters and become a "loaded political weapon for Republicans heading into the midterm elections." This, perhaps, is why Democratic leaders congratulated Bachmann on the move. With the help of Sarah Palin, Bachmann has become one of the movement's rising stars and is helping it gain credibility in the eyes of the public. According to a new Politico poll, thanks in part to Bachmann, nearly a quarter of the public thinks that the movement "will become a viable third party in American politics."

The most important news and commentary to read right now. - The Slatest - Slate Magazine

Not only have Republicans taking notice of the Tea Party but finally instead of the left shooting them down, trying to ignore them, implying through the media all kinds of nasty things about them..they finally have realized...Whoops...I might have stepped in some poo with this group. I would be so happy if they could take down Harry and Nancy...especially Nancy, who did her little fake crying number when she discussed that they were a threating group and perhaps there would be rumbles in the street. The only rumbles I would like to hear are the moving vans moving her butt out of Washington along with Harry and then in 2012 helping Obama return to his Chicago roots .

 

[LuciferSam]

Speaking of just the presidential election, the TPers water down the field of Republican candidates, helping to insure that an electable Republican candidate is not nominated. A successful Republican has to appeal to democrats and win some so-called purple states. In fact, I would say he has to win all of the swing states such as Ohio and Florida. The red states aren't populous enough and don't provide sufficient electors. The TPers do not appeal to Democrats for the most part. Whatever mojo they may have once had, it's long gone. I don't see how they could help the Republicans.

 

[Geo]

Won't it basically be like two republicans splitting the vote vs. one dem?

 

[ugabuga]

Won't it basically be like two republicans splitting the vote vs. one dem?

Yeah, Wacky & Wackier.

 

[futurebeachbum]

I think it all depends on how successful they are at separating the candidates from the big money guys. I don't see much hope of anything separating the Dems from (pretty much the same) big money guys.

 

[30ashopper]

Speaking of just the presidential election, the TPers water down the field of Republican candidates, helping to insure that an electable Republican candidate is not nominated. A successful Republican has to appeal to democrats and win some so-called purple states. In fact, I would say he has to win all of the swing states such as Ohio and Florida. The red states aren't populous enough and don't provide sufficient electors. The TPers do not appeal to Democrats for the most part. Whatever mojo they may have once had, it's long gone. I don't see how they could help the Republicans.

I think the TPers would have been quite happy with a man like Reagan, as were independents and Reagan democrats. Heck, they'd probably play a critical role in getting someone like Reagan nominated.

 

[Edgy Grammy]

Speaking of just the presidential election, the TPers water down the field of Republican candidates, helping to insure that an electable Republican candidate is not nominated. A successful Republican has to appeal to democrats and win some so-called purple states. In fact, I would say he has to win all of the swing states such as Ohio and Florida. The red states aren't populous enough and don't provide sufficient electors. The TPers do not appeal to Democrats for the most part. Whatever mojo they may have once had, it's long gone. I don't see how they could help the Republicans.

Mr. Lucifer, I believe because of the President's actions, there are going to be lots of Democrats jumping ship and joining Sarah and her gang and voting Republicans....after watching their pocketbooks shrink, their jobs disappear, their health care go to the dogs, and their children and unborn grand kids having to pay off debts they didn't create, they are going to take their concerns to the voting booth. Also many have realized that Obama and "his Congress" are not doing right by the American People. The 2010 election should give us the preview..of things to come.
PS. Lost MoJo, what planet are you hanging out on?

 

[Edgy Grammy]

I think the TPers would have been quite happy with a man like Reagan, as were independents and Reagan democrats. Heck, they'd probably play a critical role in getting someone like Reagan nominated.

I think right now high on their list of "wants" is honesty.

 

[Edgy Grammy]

Yeah, Wacky & Wackier.

We will see who is the Wacky, the Wackier, and the Wackiest...laugh now...whine in 2010 as you tear up in your beer...and weep in 2012...when we return and turn this country around and start repairing all those (so call necessary "fixes ???) that Obama tried and failed at.