Today’s poll from Rasmussen is very telling in many ways. The poll, released this morning, suggest that the GOP base IS the liberty movement. And right now, that base has left the party.
In a three-way Generic Ballot test, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds Democrats attracting 36% of the vote. The Tea Party candidate picks up 23%, and Republicans finish third at 18%. Another 22% are undecided.
Among voters not affiliated with either major party, the Tea Party comes out on top. Thirty-three percent (33%) prefer the Tea Party candidate, and 30% are undecided. Twenty-five percent (25%) would vote for a Democrat, and just 12% prefer the GOP.
Among Republican voters, 39% say they’d vote for the GOP candidate, but 33% favor the Tea Party option.
This is good for our movement because it proves what we’ve been saying all along… the two major parties have been courting the wrong crowd. Especially the Republican Party.
I mean, recent polls make it clear that the dominating ideology in America is conservatism. This poll makes it clear that the dominating part of the Republican base is the liberty movement, not the moderates.
Many within the movement are not Republican and never have been, but I think it’s safe to say that the majority of the movement strongly opposes efforts by Democrats to destroy our country.
This was the major problem with John McCain, in my opinion. McCain is a moderate. And while many claimed it was for different reasons, I believe he lost because he had nothing significant to offer the liberty movement. Obama on the other hand promised his base a free ride in life.
It’s wild that Republicans can’t seem to grasp the simplicity of the situation. We’re not asking for freebies, we’re not asking for handouts… we’re instead just asking for our right to be free. We’re asking for representation that will protect our liberty, not trample it.
So, I think this poll makes a few things clear for us. First, Republicans can’t win without the movement. Second, the movement can’t win without the party. At least not in the short term.
If this polling data is correct, then we fail the second we split the vote that opposes Democrats.
This is only my opinion, of course. And I would certainly love to hear yours.
NOTE: In 2010 we need to remain focused. And our focus needs to be on removing big government thugs from office. Starting with those who support healthcare, cap and trade, bailouts and other dangerous legislation.
I love that you state “we’re instead just asking for our right to be free. We’re asking for representation that will protect our liberty, not trample it.”
How do you reconcile that with the Tea Party’s want to trample on gay men and women, and prevent them from having the same rights. Leave homosexuals alone — they are just asking for their right to be free.
WE NEED TO MANAGE THOSE WE PUT IN OFFICE. Any politician will be wooed by the special interests. Even ours. Here is how you control our leaders.
IT’S SIMPLE
1) Create small groups with a leader
2) Create an agenda (Just like the unions do)
3) Negotiate with the politicians
4) Track their performance
5) If the politicians get off track
Re-negotiate or recall them
This works for private schools, school boards, the Secretary of State, local or national politicians.
Even union leaders can be recalled
(Yes-SEIU has recall provisions - BYE BYE STERN)
GO TO http://www.RecallNow.org for more info
My Dear Friends–those who struggle to save our nation’s ideals:
We need to focus on sound candidates who are not part of the political machine. We are the everyman’s voice and we need to resonate with the non-Harvard/Yale crew. We need to resonate with America and the call that she has always represented to the world.
Good laws, fairly enforced–no advantage for the super rich or well conected. Equality under the law–the Constitution needs to be restored. Eminent Domain CANNOT BE USED to deprive a citizen of his property for the benefit of any enterprise…only for very necessary GOVERNMENT requirements. (roads etc)
We need to reduce government involvement in the daily lives of the people. We NEED to insist of personal accountability among our “leaders” and our fellow citizens.
Flood the conventions in your home state. We need to strategicly place our people on the floors of ALL conventions. We need to organize like an Army with sworn allegience to the Constitution not the highest bidder.
Third parties split one or other of the two mainstream parties. TR in 1912 split the Republicans and gave the election Woodrow Wilson; Ross Perot split the Republicans in 1992 and gave the election to Bill Clinton. We shouldn’t make the mistake again. A Republican Party majority in the House could be effective even with a minority of its Republican members being moderates and the rest Tea Party style independent-conservatives. The main agenda will be to undo as many of Obama/Democratic victories of 2009 and 2010 as possible. Moderates can help on many issues, if they feel the gravity of the GOP is conservative.
I don’t think a third party is ready yet…but if sarha gets on the stick thing will change. then get 3/4 at least of the states to amend the constitution and abolish the federal income tax to starve big government back down and give the power back to the people. after all they work for us!!!!
A Tea Party candidate is THE ONLY WAY TO GO, at this time the Republicans are not much better than the dems.
“In a time of universal deceit,
telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
George Orwell
“What luck for rulers that men do not think.”
adolf hitler
I add the following
Look how easily the blind sheep go to slaughter.
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible
will make violent revolution inevitable.”
John F. Kennedy
Those that may be interested visit my site:
takingamericaback.shutterfly.com
The problem with pushing for a third part in today’s ecomomic and political conditions is that we may not have five to ten years. We are on the brink of ecomomic collapse and in the midst of a political agenda that is committed to moving our country toward a more socialist level of government involvement. Of course the two,ecomomic collaps and larger government are not separate. So I think we are better off holding the conservative candidates and current elected officials to a standard that the Tea Party movement supports. Seven more years of the current agenda will leave us with years of work to overcome. A third part (which is what most of the current Republican elected officials deserve) would do just as has been mentioned, split the vote and leave the current agenda in power.
Can anybody reading this give me some advice as to how one can pursue employment related to politics and/or this movement.
I have over thirty years of cross-functional leadership and would like to get involved at a level more than a volunteer. We need honest experienced leadership (I guess that is the biggest understatement of this young century!).
I can be found via the LinkedIn network.
It’s time to take BACK the GOP. I have stopped sending any money to the GOP, which loves to finance the Dede Scozzava and Olympia Snow types. My money is now carefully targeted only to candidates I support. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with them on every issue, but it does mean that I have to agree with them on MOST.
I want a candidate on the ballot that I can support enthusiastically, not one I have to vote for while holding my nose.
[...] course the Tea Party jerk-offs are all over this new information. I mean, recent polls make it clear that the dominating ideology in America is conservatism. This [...]
There is no 2 party system. wake up people, what is differnt from George Bush and Barack Obama excpet Bush has a legitmitate BC. The Republicans Democrats and 2 sides of the same coin drowing this country in debt. I am a life long Republican and voted for Bush twice. I have had it with the Republican Party, which is controlled by the same special interest that control the Democratic party. They are out to destroy our wealth and sovereignty
The lone exception might be Ron Paul, he uses the Republican party to have credibility. The problem is, we will get Sara Palin crammed down our throat whether we like it or not. Please educate yourself on the 14th amendment and the rest of the Constitution.
Let Michael Steele know we will not automatically vote Republican. Republicans will have to sign a pledge not to raise taxes, but will balance the budget by reducing government spending and will abolish all laws that are Unconstitutional.
Short term; Force the GOP towards the right by supporting true conservatives within the party, and independents where the GOP won’t hold primaries or wants to run RINOs as they did in NY 23. I believe a very simple platform for the movement should be adopted. TERM LIMITS/FLAT TAX. I think most of our troubles turn on these two. It’s attainable if we stay simple and focused. Any one within the movement who wants to take a shot at running a race must be married to these two goals. Though the idea of a third party is attractive, it would secure victory for the left for years to come and should only be entertained if all has been tried to wrestle control of the GOP from the establishment Repubs.
In the short-term, the Tea Party movement should be strategic in ousting liberal/moderate Republicans. Republican house and senate lawmakers should be ranked based on their voting records and then systematically targeted by the Tea Party for defeat!
While the numbers are a bit low, there are true conservative house and senate members who can help lead a conservative movement among republicans in the legislature with the help of the Tea Party. Mike Pense, Jim DeMint, and Tom Coburn are the first three that come to mind, but I know there are more.
It also seems to me that the RNC needs a jolt of conservatism. The Rasmussen poll clearly shows where the populace stands on conservatism and, it seems to me, that the RNC has no choice but to embrace the Tea Party movement…it’s not going away. In fact, with the EPA ruling today on CO2, the movement will only get stronger.
Let’s face it, the combination of the Tea Party, a cooperative RNC, and existing conservative legislators could usher in a radical upheaval of the balance of power in both the house and the senate.
Let’s not forget about the governor races across the country as well. Being in Ohio, it is my opinion that Kasich, a proven budget balancer and social conservative, could trounce Strickland in the gov race with Tea Party support.
Let’s not debate this topic for too long. Let’s get ‘er going!
With the power of the Tea Party movement, we can apply great influence and change the direction of the Republican Party. kick all the Democratic out of office. And take back are house. Right now, as quickly as possible, I would be getting together the viable candidates the Tea Party can endorse and start promoting them before January 1. Otherwise, you are getting too close to primary time in most states and will lose time to introduce them or to give them a chance to gain support.
Revamping the GOP is our best bet… get rid of the RINO’s and fence sitters our job is to find the candidates that truly represent what the GOP once was and support them to beat the band! In my mind this is our only shot at recovering our freedom and independence!
We need to establish an organization like the NRC, NRCC, and NRCC. When I donate to political campaigns I want to know the money is being used to support candidates that will stand for our agreed principles. I don’t want my contributions supporting the likes of the RINO that ran in New York State (Dede Scozzafava). Money talks. This organization could agree to work with Republicanss or independents if necessary to accomplish our united goals.
The two-party system is a natural result of the structure of our form of government. Getting control of the GOP is the only viable option.
There is a much bigger problem, however. There is a deeply-entrenched spending industry in Washington, D.C. The tentacles of this industry are tightly woven around our tax dollars. We could elect 535 ardent conservatives to Congress but not dislodge this industry, UNLESS we cut off its source of survival, namely money.
To find out how to do this, and still provide for Constitutionally authorized Federal spending, please go to the Tax Day Tea Party home page. Select State Groups. All but a few states have a discussion point called REAL FEDERAL TAX REFORM WORTHY OF THE PEA PARTY/TOWNHALL MOVEMENT. What is outlined here is the starting point for getting control of government back in the hands of the People.
Lets keep the goal in mind. Stopping Socialism and returning our country to what it once was. I would love to be able to kick all incumbents out and replace them with a third party. Unfortunately, thats not feasible right now, given the speed that the Socialist Dems are moving. Time is of the essence!
Vote Republican and let them know we expect them NOT to compromise with Socialists. At the same time lets build a viable third party base for the future.
We are planning a Town Hall style meeting in Skokie IL in late January for the benefit of Joel Pollack who is running for Congress against Jan Schakowsky. He is a sharp young attorney from Harvard who embarrassed Barney Frank at a Harvard meeting. All are invited gvhparkridge@yahoo.com this is a way to take back the GOP.
Support only Republicans who sign a pledge of conservative principals including repeal of all government programs that are not authorized by the constitution.
First of all I want to congratulate the way you are handling this organization in such an even-handed and straightforward manner.
We cannot win with a third party and so the alternative is to get it going in the Republican party on the local level, promoting conservative candidates. Stay active, make your voice heard and get involved. Tax Day Tea Party is a great organization and I hope it stays true to its original goals…less government, more freedom!
I think that for now we need to work with the GOP to get the Dems out but I think the greatest help for both parties is term limits. If they can’t make a career of it they are less likely to be influenced by greed.
I agree with all the statements before me. We have to let the Republican Party (local, state & federal levels) know that “we’re mad as hell and are not going to take it anymore”.
GOP = Constitutional Conservatives
Precinct organization and grassroots activity is the only viable peaceful option
and taking back this country one precinct at a time. HOw do you do that see wagthedog2010.org and natrionalprecinctorganization/ go to google and find them also I Caucus
Keep up rallies for attention and media coverage But it is time to quit the bitching and the blogging and go out and get WE THE People INvolved. Get your side regisytered < support good candidates ad replace the whole 535 non-representative representatives with
conservative right thinking people who have read the constitution and will abide by it.It got to be about a retutn to our founding principle NOW or we stand to lose all of our freedoms
We can mail and fax and bitch and scream ad infinitum They are NOT listening to US Time to boot them ALL out
We need to get rid of the old baggage. I’m thinking of McCain, Hatch and those who pretend to speak for us but don’t represent us. We need to operate within the Republican Party. That’s smart politics.
@John Smith I find your comment to be rather offensive and off mark. To debate best tactics for 2010 does not make anyone a shill for anything.
To not debate tactics would be rather ignorant and dangerous.
The Tea Party movement needs to coalesce aroung a core set of statements that communicate the essensce of the constituional principles of limited government and the principles of the Declaration of Independence. These would be the litmus test for measuring all candidates. We need to stay away from arguing/supporting policy matters, except to measure their propriety based upon how well these specific proposals are informed by the aforementioned principles. For example, the current argument about so-called health care reform can be put down is simply by showing how intrusive the government will become, how much more government spending will be increased, how much choice will be removed from the current somewhat “free market” system we now have(if you think we have a free market now, then just try to acquire a major-medical policy for anyone over the age of 65!!!).
The Tea Party should remain non-partisan, but be the voice of the conservative population to which the Republican Party must listen to inform them about candidates for them to support.
You should correct your poll wording. The movement doesn’t need to take OVER the GOP, it needs to take BACK the GOP … from the mushy centrists driving us off the cliff. There was a time the GOP stood for something, it’s past time it did so again.
Couldn’t agree more with Andrew, “Focusing on taxes and deficit and smaller government WILL win in the next elections. Ignore the social issues.”
Very practical advice from Greyledge Gal, “We need to get the Congress back in right-leaning hands and then work on moving farther right in 2012 and beyond if necessary.”
Its easy to get caught up in a fever to throw-the-bums-out, but a strategy of working within the GOP is more likely to bring results.
The base of the Tea Party movement is also the base of the GOP. Just get to work!
I think some of you are jettisoning the third party option prematurely; I’m not necessarly sold on it either. However, there have been (by most accounts) five major realignments in American political history. If you presumed that the Republicans instantaneously achieved “major” party status overnight with the election of 1860 you’re mistaken. It was a 6-7 year process. For those wringing their hands about only having a year before the next elections, thus not enough time to get candidates on the ballot, I don’t think you’re looking at this long term. The question is, is our culture so geared toward instant gratification that we couldn’t accomplish such a major realignment in the political landscape again?
While a third party is not necessarily viable at this time, I believe that may need to be the long term goal. The Republicans have proven to be conservative on some social issues, but they have abandoned fiscal responsibility.
In addition, they have proven that, when in control of Congress and the White House, there is little difference between them and the Democrats. We need a group of representatives that will represent the people and uphold the Constitution. This demands a smaller Federal Government and more responsibility in handling the billions of dollars that they collect through taxes and fees.
To paraphrase Senator Lieberman “I didn’t leave the Republican Party, the Republican Party left me”
I want to take it back.
I do not understand the emphasis on being “moderate”…to walk in the middle of the road is just an invitation to be run over.
I also do not understand the constant call for “bi-partisanship” as if it is a good thing. The founders wanted hard debate and for it to be hard for things to pass. If it is easy to pass (as in one party or bi-partisanship)then we have a totalitarian oligarchy as opposed to a Republic.
Which reminds me, when did Republic become a dirty word? We need to stop referring to the US as a democracy and again refer to it as a Republic and do it with pride.
Third Party? de jevu Ross Perot. Ross Perot split the Republican vote just enough so that Bill Clinton got elected in 1992. I’d like to see a viable third party but it’s just not the right time yet. Maybe in 2016 but not now.
We need to combine our forces with the Republicans but we also need to emphasize the fact that we are a conservative group, not a progressive group and the Republicans need to understand that fact. I was accused of being “far right” by my Democratic Congressman. I indeed plan on proving him correct in his assessment.
I have refrained from voting in the poll because I do not understand the first two questions and I’m against the last two at this time. I am not for “taking over” the Republican party and I don’t think we can do that with the Democrats. By “taking over” the Democrats, we would have to convert every member of that party to a conservative and I don’t think that would happen. It would be nice to bring the Democrats back to where they were back in the ’50’s when they were the conservative party instead of the Republicans.
I do like the idea “Greyledge Gal” has. Combine our forces with the Republican party for this election and “endorse” the vetted conservative candidate. No, Snowe’s or Olympia’s in our candidate pool. We need solid conservatives, not wishy washy quasi-progressives like these or John McCain. Personally, I like Sarah Palin. She doesn’t take any crap off either party judging from the way she did while in Alaska.
It was a coin toss for me on 1) Take over the GOP and 2) Avoid a 3rd party at all costs.
Both are equally important, because in order to do one, you have to do the other.
agree w/ Idahoser–HIJACK THE GOP
We need to be helping correct the 2 party system. We need to get Congress on both sides of the Capitol to listen to their constituents instead of voting party line. Creating a third or fourth party is only going to divide us more and create further chaos.
The Democrats are not the real problem, the Republicans are and have been for decades. Only by shaking the leadership to the ground can the party’s philosophy be changed. Only by voting for 3rd party and independent candidates will this happen; anything less simply rewards these people and will result of more of the current nonsense. What did the Contract with America get us? It got us to where we are today. Our nation’s decline will continue until the Republicans adopt an objective understanding of rights, freedom, and the legitimate role of government.
Personally, I’m quite willing to lose a few more elections to the progressives than to hand our country over to unprincipled, compromising “conservatives” who will take us slowly to the same destination.
Better to have the heat turned up and rally the troops than to slowly simmer to death.
Eric is absolutely right. As rough as it is to admit there are too many people still connected to the GOP through old fashion values and will vote GOP no matter what…
Rather than voting against the GOP we need to continue outing people like Skazafava (spelling?) and turning the GOP into the American party. We desperately need one party representing this country, its values, history and conservative beliefs.
It is unrealistic to expect a third party victory in 2010 as nice as that would be.
I thought we were an independent movement - what happened to that? Eric I didn’t know you’d become a shill for the Republican Party which is just as bad as the spendocrats.
There is no use in having this group. It is an exercise in energy.
The Democratic Party has rolled over the US and has taken over every part of government. By Wednesday we will have wiped out American health care as it has been known.
We will now have Obama health care which will cover everyone and get rid of all the old medicare hangerson. Time for them to leave and start being a loss that is common to this non productive age group. Everyone over 65 should be given the option to death by doctor or they can live on but with no health care for any reason. This will make us solvent. It will also help thin out the population at the same time.
kiltyon@dslextreme.com
We also need to take over state Secretaries of State positions. The far left (Soros, MoveOn) has targeted these offices so they can cheat during every election and they are taking them. We need to unseat the Dem SOS’s and replace them with people who won’t cheat.
Right now we need the GOP to help take back our country. Let’s do that first then look at culling the herd.
Third parties simply propel the opposing side into office. Pointless and totally destructive!
I agree with the approach suggested by another poll responder - identify GOP candidates as “Tea Party Certified” to show who the Tea Party Patriots are backing. Republicans need to get back to their conservative basics, we don’t need another party.
With the power of the Tea Party movement, we can apply great influence and change the direction of the Republican Party. Move it’s agenda back to Constitutional values. The current leadership is useless and misguided. It is time to vote out as many of the current polititions in Washington DC as we can. We must show that “they work for us”, not the other way around.
Hijack the GOP? I think it was ours to begin with - we take it back. Burn the big tent and let’s get the Conservative platform back as the foundation. Moderates and RINO’s are not welcome.
With the general public Republicans are recognized as being a viable, well funded party. The advent of the Tea Party movement and ever growing popularity, as true conservatives, we need to reclaim the Republican party. Quickly and with resolve.
Yes, I think taking over the GOP or making sure they are our spokespersons is the best route here. This is EXACTLY what the “progressives” did to the Democratic Party. Their success has been the rise of the Tea Party movement. They are who must be stopped as they can’t do math. Focusing on taxes and deficit and smaller government WILL win in the next elections. Ignore the social issues.
At this point, it is not logistically or legally possible to get the Tea Party registered and running as a third party in all 50 states.
As an alternative, I would suggest negotiations with the GOP from the local level on up about vetting candidates that meet fiscal conservative requirements and a reasonable amount of social conservative requirements.
In my opinion, there could be tremendous benefits to a candidate running under GOP who receives the label “Tea Party Certified” or “Tea Party Approved”.
I would definitely be very wary of running 3rd party against any viable Republican candidate in a Blue State/District.
Right now, as quickly as possible, I would be getting together the viable candidates the Tea Party can endorse and start promoting them before January 1. Otherwise, you are getting too close to primary time in most states and will lose time to introduce them or to give them a chance to gain support.
Finally, I would leave anyone who is a definite Republican winner unchallenged in 2010. We need to get the Congress back in right-leaning hands and then work on moving farther right in 2012 and beyond if necessary.
Don’t make the same mistake that the Dem Progressives have and think a complete shift can be completed in one election. But don’t take your eyes off the prize either — saving our country is our primary goal.
duh. Listen carefully, cause you’re only going to hear this from EVERYBODY who has a brain: Third party WILL NOT WIN you don’t need to take my word for it. How many Tea Party representatives and Senators are there? Thought so. Stop the masturbation and hijack the GOP.