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.
Third Parties are NEW Parties. If the Libertarian Party with ballot access in more states than any other party cannot reach the voters after 38 years, what makes anyone think a new party will fare any better. The media leads the voters to the polls to elect and re-elect the likely winners based on money and power.
I see a real reluctance to leave your personal party ID behind to preserve Liberty. Meanwhile more and more individuals are saying they are Libertarian or Libertarian leaning without ever saying Vote Libertarian. After all the voter is required to pick a winner, not vote his beliefs. An LP candidate is a long shot to win and election. Meanwhile few, if any, Dem/Rep politians will restore America because once they are elected they won’t want to return to private life. The adulation and drive to ‘do something’ overwhelms them and they make politics a life long career. No Libertarian wants than. If they do, they are no better than any other politician.
It really does not matter what party label a candidate wears, the key is how average Joe or Jane they are and if their home is more importans than becoming a career politician.
If the candidate thinks they know best, the voters wishes will be cast aside as the experts convince the elected official there is a govt solution to every problem.
We need individuals who understand that We The People can solve problems without being controlled by govt edicts.
I think it’s obvious that the Banking/Internationalists cartel control both major parties… so I say the time has come to build a new “party”… but not in the traditional sense… instead, let’s create a COALITION.
We are at a crisis point! The globalists have bankrupted us! We must ACT NOW! There is not time to wait!
I wish we could gather the key patriot leaders all in one place (at the largest stadium in the country!)… and identify the issues that we ALL CAN AGREE ON!
Someone tell the national talk-show hosts to quit bad-mouthing each other and being so worried about “ratings”… and accept the fact that we MUST UNITE AND SAVE OUR REPUBLIC!
On topics where we all WON’T agree (ie: abortion, gay marriage, drug legalization, etc.)… set those issues aside for the time being.
What we MUST DO is appeal to all freedom loving Americans to ACT NOW, to join hands, we must identify candidates that TRULEY have our nation’s interests at heart, and then we use all the muscle we have to get those candidates elected.
If we combine the forces of all the following groups, we can succeed: Disaffected Republicans and Democrats, Talk Show Host’s audiences, Constitution Party, Libertarian Party, American Independant Party, John Birch Society members (small group, but very effective!), Pat Buchanon’s followers, the Christian Social Conservatives… PLUS there are many on the left who follow people like Ralph Nader and Dennis Casinich (sp?) that would join with us.
I know of no other way to root out the corruption.
Supporting a third party is a self defeating proposal. We all should vote
Vote Against the incombent. Every polition in Washington is to blame for what we have now. Most if not all will become dishonest in their second term.
Vote For the most conservitive canadate regardless of their party.
These two simple test will give us the power to return our government to one to serve the masses and not the special interest,
[...] much as I do respect Eric Odom, I’ve got to disagree with him on this. It’s not some sort of “Liberty [...]
A GOP “litmus test” is in order: that candidates MUST swear an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States.
And this oath would mean something!!!
Kilty is an idiot. How is he going to feel when he gets to 65 and they want to eliminate him. Better to get rid of him now and save the trouble later. I would venture to say that he is a punk kid who has never earned a living in his life. Probably living with his parents. What will he do when they reach 65. Probably look forward to living off what they have earned in their lives.
Your poll doesn’t have the only option I’d choose … vote for the most conservative candidate in any election, regardless of party.
I agree with Chris. I think we have a far better chance of supporting conservatives to elect them into the GOP. Here in FL for instance, and many other states, we we don’t have an independent party, and we must register either Repub or DM if you want to vote. Here, we independents we have to register GOP and then vote GOP in the primaries hoping your guy wins and then vote for the more conservative of the two in the General election whether it is Dem or Repub. I think we should support our best tea party conservatives for the GOP ticket. I think we will get more TP’turning GPO than we will GOP’s turning TPs’ We just need to put the right conservative GOP people into office, and that means grass roots. i.e. We need a GOP (conservative) ACORN. We could think about forming a conservative type ACORN and then support the most conservative candidate regardless of party.
This is a good question. I’m glad we’re exploring it now.
We have two choices but the Republican must understand that leaving the party is a viable option. For years the words of President Reagan about splitting the vote have allowed RINOS to take over the Republican Party. The Tea Party Patriots were awakened and revived this spring and ever since to no longer be a puppet for either party. The return to a foundation of ONE NATION UNDER GOD. This is the surety of supporting life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Having the freedoms protected by the framers of the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Life include those in the womb, liberty include the right of self proection and having the choice of owning guns. The pursuit of happiness is not deviancy but the opportunity to be self employeed or to work for the employer willing to hire you for the wages you both agree upon. The Republican Party must understand they can be inclusive as they choose to be but it will cost them Christian Conservatives. I have written to Texas Republican Chairwoman Cathy Adams, my opinion of what it will take for conservatives to return to the polls and vote Republican.
As a disgusted fiscally conservative Republican there needs to be a clean sweep of Democrats in the house and senate. There also is a great need to hold every Republican’s feet to to the fire. Direct question, demanding direct answers! Big government needs a big downsizing, term limits, tough choices made regarding debt, budgets, entitlement choices, STOP being intimidated by the ACLU and all other secular groups! We need God back in focus in our platform. Moral values have been pushed aside for too long. It’s time we fought back!!! No matter what party affiliation they are, if this is not acceptable, it’s time to vote them out. Issues are everything now, and we all must know the consequences our votes.
I agree with Idahoser a 3rd party will only water down the GOP and basically get us more of we’ve been fighting this year. Idahoser, recommended us taking hijacking the GOP. Not sure how we do this, but one thing is clear, whoever is running the show in the GOP headquarters has lost their way. Although the GOP does not have as many “career politicians” as the Democrats, there are some, but at the same time a concerted effort needs to be made to back more citizen politicians and move away from the career politicians. Greyledge Gal and Idahoser correctly point out, we cannot, as the new kids on the block, become a viable 3rd party. Until we have a following as a political party, we need to rely on the GOP’s infrastructure to help us move our cause forward. As was noted in NY’s 23rd district, if we go it alone, we lose and the GOP loses. We started late in NY, I believe a better way would have been to recognize her faults earlier, and get the local GOP to back away from Dede Scozzafava and pick Mr. Hoffman as the GOP choice instead. After all, with Mr. Hoffman trailing by only 3,026 votes, how would the election have turned out if it had only been a 2-way races between Hoffman and Owens? Possibly some of the people voting for Ms Scozzafava voting early felt there was no real choice. In any event, the movement needs to be more involved with GOP politics in order to bring about change in the GOP and the country.
At this juncture I think it is critical not to introduce a third party. The only way I would support that is on a case by case basis where there were no chance of “splitting the vote”! I believe that if we want to run a candidate….. and I certainly hope there are many…… we should make the run as a “conservative republican” and win in the PRIMARY ELECTION. If we do that until there is enough change in the body of the House of Representatives and the Senate. And if those whom we have supported will commit to supporting term limits…… THEN………. we can call “Our Party” whatever we want. Until then we must unite around the name of the party that USED TO BE CONSERVATIVE. The name makes little difference. It’s the philosophy and particularly the behavior that makes all the difference.
Please let us be wise enough to do the right things in order to be able to force change through the political process.
Don
Since the Revolution we’ve had 2 major parties….I feel it should stay that way. However, I feel that our Tea Party Movement needs to become stronger within the Republican Party and the Republican Party needs to adhere to stricter
Conservativism….less government, less
spending…etc. We need to defeat the
Democratic/Liberal ideology to get back to the country of 200 years ago. We need to push for term limits to clean house in the Congress.
It is time to finish off the GOP while they are down. They are no better than the DEMS. Since the tea party movement claims to be a “Grass-Roots Movement” should not the candidates the movement supports be “Grass-Roots Candidates”?
To destroy the tyranny that reigns through politics the starting point must be at the City, County, and, State level governments.
I sometimes fear this movement has no solution, but, will only lead to another form of tyranny against common man in America if it is successful. Get back to the U.S. Constitution, that is the key.
Think what the term RINO means. It is the Republicans In Name Only who have taken the party - the brand name - for themselves.
The GOP is in its origin dedicated to preserving the Constitutional Republic. That’s what the current leaders have taken away from us! The GOP belongs to true Republicans: those who stand for the Constitutional Republic, for our laws to be obeyed in Washington DC in the context of the Tenth Amendment.
It is the DNC under FDR that took the Constitutional Republic away from us by, chiefly among other things, packing the Supreme Court in 1936 and ruling U.S. v Carolene Products: the Congress shall have “Presumptive Constitutionality” in deciding the limits of its own powers when passing any law not directly in violation of Constitutional text. (therefore, the Tenth Amendment does not apply to anything they do)
FDR and the packed court in effect over-ruled the Tenth Amendment.
Our GOP should simplify its vision as the party of the Bill of Rights as its platform - to restore the Tenth Amendment, restore the Founders’ vision, and cast off the lawlessness of the last 80-plus years.
To be complete, the agenda should include casting off the Wilsonian income tax and national bank (federal reserve) too.
If this is not the time for a third party, then we should at least become one of the two parties. Let the movement take over the GOP. There is hardly a dimes bit of difference between the two anyway. If the Tea Party movement does a “corporate” takeover of the GOP we could really make the changes needed to bring this country back on track.
It is not the time to try another party. It has never worked in the past,and the Dems would use it any way they could. The conservative party is the Republican Party. We have let it get dilluted and moved to the left. If we can take this back and forever be vigilant to keep this from happening again. There is much more to this than than is easily discussed, and that includes the way culture plays into it, which it does. We must ans cannot fall asleep and trust people to handle power without answering to us. We a have been too kind with creeps, my goodness, we send people off for crimes for fifty years and tell people we are punishing them. The hell,you say, we are punishing ourselves, so we can keep million of slugs up for god knows how long and constantly spend ourselves into virtually slavery. All these are issues that we need to check and put an end to. The list goes on and on. We will awaken.
I heard a brief mention on my local news today about Copenhagen. Then the newsman said that Obama has asked the EPA to dictate to us the plan that he is having a hard time getting Congress to pass. They said the Executive Branch has the authority (given by Congress) to regulate the EPA. Now the dictator (Maobama) is getting his Cap-and-Trade without Congress even voting on it! This is so outrageous that it’s hard to imagine it even happening in America!
We MUST band together, talk with our friends and neighbors, regardless of political party, and BOTH PARTIES need to vote OUT every congressman and senator who has voted to support Maobama’s agenda. This is the only way we can reclaim our country. The current bunch in Washington wouldn’t even impeach BO if he committed high treason! He has already (obviously) committed high crimes and misdemeanors.
The middle class of America will be wiped out with hyperinflation. And that is exactly where the liberals are taking us.
Plead with everyone you know to help save America for our children and grandchildren. Get them to PAY ATTENTION to what is going on. Apathy has long been our citizens’ worst attribute. We have had it too good for too long.
I hope you all have a peaceful and loving Christmas.
I say that kilty is a real dimwit. If he had a brain he would take it out and play with it like he does other parts of his body. I’ve heard that this can cause you to go blind, and go completely nuts. Is that what happened to you? He should put himself in the category to be eliminated, as people like that do breed. As for Obamacare, it is an abomination on the people of this country.
What needs to be provided in the near term is support for the most conservative of candidates we can get to participate in every Republican primary, regardless of what label is put on that candidate. Any member or candidate of the Democrat party has to be defeated, no matter what positions that individual professes to support. Once in office, the Democrat leadership will bend or bribe their direction.
Jason Singleton,
I love it!
What an apt term: “Dual Monarchy” thanks, I’ll be using that description of our two party system from now on.
Dun
Patriots! We all want to see America survive. We all want to see our children grow up in the America of our youth. Today, we find ourselves faced with difficult decisions many of which are poisoned by partisan politics and the aspirations of vain men in power. It is our duty to educate the public on what is really happening, and the goals of the political elites, and to not allow our movement to be hijacked by any political party. I have been saying for some time now that the Democrats and Republicans are the left and right heads of a two-headed snake that are leading us down the same hole into socialism. Unless and until we see some real action to the contrary, my opinion is that our course is to important to place the rudder back into the hands of the Republicans. They have proven nothing especially in light of what they did to Hoffman in NY23.. too little too late, and only as a last resort (polling data showing Dede was losing) did they back Hoffman. Our movement should be focused on the candidates, and to that end, the GOOOH (go) http://www.goooh.com cause will have my support for it seeks to ensure accountability, campaign finance reform and platforms by district, and not nationally. No one wanted to see it come to this with the Republicans. We faithfully voted for them and gave them the stewardship of our government for years only to have them lead us to where we are now.
Stay strong, Patriots! and God bless America!
In liberty,
Jim
Your poll needed one more option–
We need a NEW party–NOT a third party.
Third parties are doomed to failure–just study the history of them. This new party will take time—it won’t happen in the next 4 years but we should work toward this goal.
I believe Michael Steele has already stated that “we’re going to let the people pick the primary candidates.” That show that we have instilled a degree of wisdom in the GOP. I have stated to Senators, Representatives, and Party leaders alike, that if they want us to vote for their candidates, they had best choose the candidates we are going to vote for. It’s as simple as that!
I have had quite some time to ponder this question myself. I have talked to several other members of my family who are from the Democratic side of the house. It is my view that we should be careful to not swing or sway to readily in these times. I cast my vote to take over the GOP. It seems this is where the core of conservatism currently exists and would lend it’s self to our beliefs and principals far better than the current liberally controlled Democatic party platform. My Dad’s female partner has voted democratic since she was a young girl. Her comments during the dinner table discussion were astounding to hear. She stated that this is no longer the Democratic party she remembered from times long past, nor is it the party of JFK, it’s changed into something else. Something bad, like a rabid dog and it needs to be put down by the vet. She just turned 81 years old and like my dad whom has turned 80 last month he has been a strong GOP male figure all his adult life. Ran his own company for most of his adult life and has watched things erode horribly over the last twenty years through a what he calls a twelve step program to socialism.
To many in America have become dependant on the government to do things for them and have gotten it bread into their children to do the same rather than take the reins and do for them selves.
Their vote is to take over the GOP as well, due to their weakened state with in the government halls they are far more apt to conceed too. We must not falter, far to much is at stake.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are the keys to this country.
Loose this war with the roge government now and we will be fighting in the trenches for decades to come.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Is it time once again after 233 years for another American revolution?
One word YES
If we try to start a 3rd party we will only weaken the GOP and as a 3rd party we won’t have enough support to overcome the Democrats “liberals”. The best strategy is to reform the GOP by forcing them to support the candidates that we choose. And once we have our selected candidates in the GOP start changing the GOP from the inside into the Teaparty movement beliefs. We have to go full force. It’s now or never.
While I think in the near future the best chance is to take over the Republican Party, if not successful I would support a 3rd party. It may help the tea party and get the attention of both parties if a form letter like the one below were sent to all solications for political contributions by TEA PARTY members:
THIS FORM LETTER IS IN RESPONSE TO YOUR FORM LETTER
Of which I receive 5 to 10 similar letters per week soliciting contributions. All want me to help you fight Obama, Pelosi, Reid, or the liberal agenda of bigger and bigger government. I have made contributions in the past to most of you and the only result I see is that it gets me added to another solicitation list.
I have decided that any political contribution I make in the foreseeable future will be made to the TEA PARTY movement. I get communications in an economical manner (e-mail) of what they are specifically doing to get your attention and will support their efforts, as almost all comments or letters I have sent you get no response, or at best another form letter.
While you claim to be for smaller government, I have not seen in the past 20 or more years any efforts to reduce government programs, entitlements, departments, or agencies, or even the budgets of the various agencies. At one time I remember there being a SUNSET clause in most programs where the program had an exit strategy. Somewhere along the line this must have been eliminated.
Many departments and programs seem to actually conflict with one another. I cannot imagine the EPA program that makes wasteland of tens of thousands of acres of the most productive farmland in Calif. to protect a 2” minnow would not be in conflict with some Agriculture Department program. If the Energy Department’s goal is to make us less dependent on foreign oil, I can’t imagine why we cannot develop all of our natural resources including oil, gas, coal, etc… I can’t believe any government would spend taxpayer $ to try to effect global climate change. We spend more per pupil on education than virtually any other nation and get less for it. Virtually everyone acknowledges that the Teachers Union is a major reason, but laws continue to be passed to provide easier growth and more power to various unions. It appears that you must understandably respond to the various lobbies that provide you with the largest contributions.
This is one reason I have decided to support the TEA PARTY movement as I believe it is made up of ordinary citizens who have come to realize that the government is the biggest problem not the solution.
If you want to convince me to support you financially here are some things you can do:
1. Show me you can cut costs by establishing 2 way communications via e-mail.
2. Stop sending me stupid yes/no or agree/disagree surveys and start sending me what you would specifically do if you regained power:
a. what specifically would you do to win war on terror?
b. What specifically would you do to stop illegal immigration and cut off funding for illegals?
c. Which government programs would you eliminate?
d. What would you do to cut waste, and fraud in all areas of government?
e. What regulations would you eliminate that would help business create jobs?
f. What would you do to establish a National Right to Work law?
g. What would you do to reward success and not subsidize failure?
h. What would you do to change the tax system and what would you propose?
I. What would you do to protect private property rights from government (either EPS or eminent domain)?
j. What laws would you pass to make sure right to bear arms is protected from judges who can’t seem to understand the constitution?
k. What would you do to eliminate earmarks?
l. What would you do to make sure all bills will be read before legislators are allowed to vote on them?
j.What would you do to resolve the social security PONZI scheme?
k. What would you do to resolve the Medi-care shortfall? The fraud & waste?
l. What would you do to make sure ACORN is prosecuted and that no additional tax payer funds are paid to them?
j. What would you do to make sure nominees support the conservative principles the Republican Party claims to stand for, and that party funds do not go to elect people like Senator Snow, or Arleen Spector in the future? Other RINO’s should be included.
k.What would you do to eliminate double taxation in such areas as business taxes, capital gains taxes, and inheritance taxes?
l. What will you do to make sure that Congress receives no special laws, taxes, and benefits applied to them that are not available to all citizens? This should include some of the retirement and health benefit packages Congress has provided itself. Will you repeal them?
m. Will you initiate tort reform and a loser pays legal system?
This will give you an idea of what I need to hear from you if you expect my support at any future date. You can expand it by taking some of the yes/no questions in your various surveys and giving me specific answers as to what you would do?
Sincerely,
Edward M. Preston
11 St. Augustine Sq.
Greensboro, NC 27408
e-mail: ep22932@earthlink.net
The best approach is to take over the Republican Party. The Republicans are much closer in philosophy to the Tea Partiers. There is no time to build a third party. We could wind up out of power for a generation. We need to get involved early and make sure the RINOs are driven out in the primaries. We can vote them out in our own states and districts or support out of state candidates (like Rubio in Florida) with funding.
The Republicans can read the polls too. Many are our natural allies and the rest want to win so they will be with us.
After we take over Congress we will have to keep their feet to the fire. Republicans get captured by the inside the beltway mentality. We will have to remind them of who put them in power and what they are there to do.
I think it’s time to make room for a new party-the Libertarian Party. Libertarian ideals take the best from both platforms-fiscally conservative and socially unrestricted. While I’m pretty socially conservative as well, I support the freedom of gov’t regulation over society both conservative and liberal. This is the time to make this happen. We may have to sacrifice another election cycle in order to have time to gain support for a 3rd party but it needs to be done. This is our only hope for true political reform. Well, that and term limits.
Stay the coarse. So much has been done in a short time. More will join the movement as time goes on and the politians continue as they will. We need people that are not career politians. People who understand what is good for the people.
We The People are waking up to the understanding that it is time to remove the politians and special interest.
The movement should target people from
both parties and make them prove their Constitutional values. The legislators that espouse compromise should be dumped. As it has been said “throw the bums out”
If the GOP had really lived up to their principles we would not be in this mess.
There are far too many RINO’s.
We need to push for conservative canidates in the Republican Party. I think there is no longer in hope for doing so with the Democratic Party. There may be some isolated cases where we could support a conservative independent, but in most cases it would just be a wasted vote.
WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS IN THIS COUNTRY-THE MOST FRIGHTENING TIME IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. WE NEED TO VOTE THE DEMOCRATS OUT AT ANY COST-WE NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE OF AS MANY IN POWER AS POSSIBLE AND FINISH THE JOB AT THE ELECTTION AFTER THAT UNTIL WE HAVE ALL NEW FACES IN THE GOVERNMENT. WE SHOULD NEVER GIVE THIS MUCH POWER TO ELECTED OFFICIALS EVER AGAIN-WE MUST HAVE TERM LIMITS.
IT IS POSSIBLE WHEN WE STOP THE LOONS THAT ARE IN POWER NOW THAT WE CAN HAVE ANOTHER PARTY-WE HAVE FAR TOO MUCH AT STAKE RIGHT NOW TO RISK VOTING FOR ANOTHER PARTY RISKING THE DEMOCRATS STAYING IN POWER-THAT WOULD BE DISASTROUS. IT WILL TAKE YEARS TO OVERCOME WHAT THEY WILL DO BEFORE 2010 ELECTIONS. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I WANT OUR COUNTRY TO SURVIVE WHAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY DOING TO OUR NATION.
FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE WOKE UP AND HOPEFULLY NEVER FALL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL EVER AGAIN. IF PEOPLE HAD RESEARCHED OR EVEN LISTENED TO BARACK OBAMA -HE WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ELECTED. IF McCAIN HAD ACTUALLY PUT OUT THERE THE TRUTH ABOUT BARACK WITHOUT LETUP, BARACK WOULD NOT HAVE WON. IF THE PEOPLE OF AMERICAN HAD RESEARCHED HIM ON THE INTERNET, HE WOULD NOT HAVE WON IF WE DON’T STOP ACORN, HE COULD BE ELECTED AGAIN. WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT WE ALL MUST DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE SINCE THE MAIN STREAM MEDICA AND THE BARACK CHANNELS WON’T BE TELLING THE AWFUL TRUTH.
Norine H says:
December 7, 2009 at 3:15 pm
“2) We have NO CLUE how this poll was worded, slanted etc.”
————————————-
Norine - Go the link for this Rasmussen Poll or access it from the front page of http://www.rasmussenreports.com — then scroll to the bottom of the article and click on the link that takes you to see the actual questions and breakdown of answers by percentage. Rasmussen is a top-notch polling firm and they have done several polls over the past 6 months on the tea party movement.
Hope that helps!
The progressives have been turning both parties into one socialist party by converting both the republicans and democrats into progressives (using money), we should turn both parties eventually into a third party that’s based on the founding principles of this country –using common working (wo)man’s sense. One of these common senses is ONE government for ALL The People by THE People -not all people for one government by all the governmentS… we pay the gov’t, it don’t pay us (single payer is like the swine flu, multi-payer spreads the wealth).
It is clear that we need to avoid a NY23 repeat. The answer is that we need to become active in the Republican party. The Rasmussen poll finally reveals what we have known all along - that the party left its conservative, limited government, strong national defense, pro-small business roots.
Crank it up!
if we vote with the republicans, we sell out. we will then stand for nothing and i will be suspicious of the leadership in this initiative.
I am not alone in this. the majority of my vfw buds feel this way.
Let’s keep our backbone.
As a registered Independent, I advise all Democrats and Republicans to change their registration to Independent. Our founding fathers warned that parties are poison to our democracy. If we all were Independent, then issues would have to succeed or fail on merit only for what’s best for the country that actually works, and not party ideology. As an Independent, I will vote for whomever I think will best serve America, regardless of what their political label is.
We need to push conservatives into the
Reagrding supporting candidates, anyone who will accept a statement of conservative principles, as those that are espoused in most Tea Party mission statements, will get my vote, and then my very watchful eye. The most important part is to make sure that actions are congruent with goals!! Actions/votes have to support statements and PRINCIPLES!! Not one of us, nor even a large group can influence the way congress works..deals/compromises, etc, but we can inlfuence the principles that congressmen adhere to.
How about:
1)Term limits,2) No lobbyists or PAC’s and 3)a Bill that states Congress can’t introduce a bill that excludes themselves…. any law applies to them as well as us….. no more special perks for them……i.e. special healthcare or pay check for life after serving.
As far as the GOP give them a mandate….. Tow the line or you lose. If they don’t cooperate in 2010; support third parties or those willing to see reason….. by 2012 we might hear them whistling a different tune. (Personally I think both parties a from the same body just with two heads; two roads leading to the same house on the hill…. you get the idea)
If we try to start a 3rd party we will only weaken the GOP and we won’t have enough support to overcome the Democrats “liberals”. The best strategy is to reform the GOP by forcing them to support the candidates that we choose. And once we have our selected candidates in the GOP start changing the GOP from the inside into the Teaparty movement beliefs. We have to go full force. It’s now or never.
The Tea Party / 9-12 Movement should come out with a list of all currently in Congress now that are with the patriot movement so we can start supporting them now and vote for them in 2010.
Then, the GOP should run patriot candidates for all of the other positions!
I am fearful the Republicans will do a bait and switch. The problem is we did not start the Tea Parties while Bush was in office. We stopped a few things like amnesty and the Dubai ports deal but we did not fight the spending and fighting two liberal wars. We need to establish more than a 3rd party and give the democrats an alternative that leans fiscally conservative and appeals to some of their social ideology. We need to engage the public and force them to educate themselves. Ultimately we ALL want the same thing: Freedom to make our own choices and the Dual Monarchy we currently live in is stripping that away! The GOP has lost it’s way and only wants to WIN. I gave Bush 2 shots to change and did not vote for McCain b/c I was fooled twice. I refuse to vote for a Republican until there are multiple candidate choices. I will not watch a debate between 2 people b/c we don’t have 2 sets of ideologies in America we have many. I am OK with a majority winner of 35% b/c at least it means there was competition and the votes were accross the board. Third party can win! Yes we can!! We have been through multiple party movements. Remember the Whigs! The time has come again to destroy both of the power hungry parties b/c 80% of the country does not want to become socialist and we will take them down. Unfortunately it is going to come with the crash of the american dollar and very high unemployment for the democrats to wake up. But they will!!
I’ve tried, God knows, I’ve tried to believe the GOP was on the site of good. But I’m tired of voting for the “lesser or two evils” and finally realized I was supporting what I dislike.
The fact is, folks, we really DO NOT HAVE A TWO PARTY SYSTEM!! Can this be any more clear? Both parties are taking us to the same place. I expect that from the dems but feel completely abandoned by the GOP. What we really have is one party with two different PR departments.
This country was NOT created by the republicans and the democrats. Parties change and it is REALLY time for some BIG change. I personally do not believe the kind of mind-blowing, back-to-the-Constitution change we need is possible within the present system. It’s time to stand up a new party. It’s been done many times in our country’s history.
Only a change of that magnitude will accurately convey the depth of change which is needed in our government.
This is a tough question and it finally addresses a point I’ve been trying to make since the Tea Party movement began - if this movement remains neutral, we will have more Perot-Bush-Clinton and NY-23 elections where the conservative vote is split just enough (or quite a bit) for us to lose. On the other hand, we can’t back an entire party because we are electing individuals - not a party. For example, many of our elected Republicans have proven they don’t favor small government, but some still do. To address this issue, the movement must get more granular than the party level. We must pick candidates and back them - and get started on this ASAP. There is no other way to win.
I truly believe the solution is at the candidate level. I have no problem with voting for a Libertarian, Constitution, Conservative, or even Tea Party (if it becomes a true party) candidate, but only as long as that candidate has the best chance of winning a conservative seat and intends to act in the interests of smaller government once elected.
The devil is in the details, and the details are found by examining a candidate’s history, his or her voting records, and his or her stances on the issues. Let’s get moving on this pronto! As we’ve seen with moderate and liberal Republicans, a candidate’s party is just a label. In my mind, the biggest reason why we are where we are today with the Republican party is that voters did not take the time to educate themselves on candidates - they just went to the polls and voted straight ticket.
I believe the choices of taking over the GOP and avoiding a third party by all means should go together. They point to each other.
I would like for us to push for an information campaign where we target the different demo groups. Say we target 18-30 year olds and we do it through radio PSA’s and those commercials they play before movies. Address freedom. Show how in other countries that are heavily government controlled their lifestyle is not appreciated and people like them are punished. Show infomercials about opening up our energy resources and how many jobs will be created. When you sit and think about there are a lot of jobs both in the energy sector and outside.
We will need to communicate and educate to create a ground swell.
Idaholoser, when was the last time the GOP actually governed conservatively? Bush supported TARP, auto bailouts and gave us the Patriot Act. If you want a police state, vote Republican. The GOP is the other side of the same coin. The Bankers control the GOP and the Dems. Look what Bush did, he gave us a Federal Tax cuts, only to see the state, county and local taxes go up. Wake up America, the Bankers are winning the war. The Bankers fund the special interest groups which control both partys.
I will gladly let the Communist wing continue to take away eveything until you sheeple wake up and figure this out. If you think you will regain control of the GOP, you are crazy. The Bankers have and will control the GOP and they will get everything they want.
Lots of great comments here — Travis, I wasn’t hand-wringing. I agree that there is a possibility of The Tea Party Movement making Republicans go the way of the Whigs in the next few years. I say that with some sadness but with resolve that we must move back to the principles of Reagan.
This Rasmussen Poll shows that the Tea Party has gotten a better toe hold than most of us could have imagined.
You glean a couple of things from the Rasmussen report — I think it is amazing that a third of Republicans would choose the TEA candidate over someone from their own party. Impressive!
The other bad news for the Rep party is that unaffiliated voters would far prefer TEA candidates to Reps (I think only 12% would vote for Reps while 25% would go for a Dem). This may reveal an even bigger problem in that these unaffiliated voters (and definitely Dem voters) have so many hard feelings for the Republican “brand” that it will be hard to get them to vote Republican? That’s what years of fiscal insanty from the supposed party of fiscal responsibility has gotten us.
I also think that Tea Party must make a concerted effort to work with not just Reps but also those in the Conservative and Libertarian parties. There are some differences with Libertarians on drug and other government intervention policies; however, our interests are all aligned in that we certainly don’t want to see the U.S. of A. we love go the way of the Dodo.
BTW, whoever thought that Dems were the conservatives in the 1950s needs a gentle correction. The Dixiecrats (who walked out of the Dem party) were more socially conservative but the majority of Dems in Congress were still left-leaning tax and spenders. Bing or Google the political idealogies of Hubert Humphrey and Adlai Stevenson for some insight.
I don’t want to insult anyone here, but exactly why should we look at a single generic ballot poll and give it any validity at all? I do agree, however, that this is something we all need to work together on. My thoughts are based on these points:
1) Our citizenry is not yet as awakened as they should/will be as soon as we do a better job of mobilizing and things begin to directly affect them
2) We have NO CLUE how this poll was worded, slanted etc.
3) We have no coordinated effort to create “tea party candidates” and exactly what does “tea party candidate” mean?
4) We have been trying as a movement to ensure that those in DC and the media recognize us as a non-monolitic white, GOP, middle aged or senior, middle and upper class movement. Why would we try to make ourselves back into what we have tried so hard to avoid by affiliating ourselves with one side or the other?
We The People are many things, to many people, and the only thing we agree on is liberty and the Constitution. We infight (ex: teaparty vs grassroots/patriotic resistence issues). We argue. We duplicate efforts. We have too many people worried about credit when it is the Constitution that is important and not who did what. However, we have spirit, a deep love for the US and liberty, and a sincere drive to restore the founders view of the Constitution.
If we fall for the age old threat of the GOP that the left will win out, what have we gained? NOTHING!! They will then have proven their point perfectly. The GOP will have us right back where we were before Obama. That’s not acceptable to me, even with the threat of socialism. Our choice there is corruption and socialism at light speed vs corruption and incremental socialism. We must do this and do this now. We will not have a better chance again.
People more intellegent than myself in the VA TeaParty Federation have realized that this is our best time, and that we can’t be affiliated with any party. Hence, it seems they will be working toward creating a PAC which will only donate/support candidates of any persuasion who will work toward our Consitutional ends.
There are all too many trolls from both parties ready to swoop down and co-opt the tea party movement to their own ends and suck us back into party politics as usual, or those who are very sincere, but fall for promises as usual.
Stay out of either side of politics. Make them bid between them for our support and our dollars. Be vigilant that we are supporting those who PROVE their Constitutional values, and not just those who give lip service as usual.
Just my 2 cents, comments appreciated.