Comments on: Tea Party Patriots release statement against third party

By: Thom S.

2010-01-24T19:41:24Z

If the Democratic Party keeps on its current path, keeping socialist radicals like Pelosi and Reed in positions of power, I expect moderate Democrats and Independents might end up being the group to form a third party. Unlike the Republicans they will have little to loose, as hurting the current Democratic Party in favor of Republican wins would be in their favor.

Clearly there is a group, particularly those in urban places that are thriving and revitalizing, who believe great well planned cities with streetcars, transit and inter-city rail, can both be great for development, energy independence, business, as well as the environment. This group is not represented by the Republicans or the Libertarians who tend to favor government subsidy of suburban sprawl to the detriment of our cities.

So as a large segment of the Tea Party Movement moves to reform the Republican Party, I expect there will be a remaining group who just does not see a home there and will be seeking an alternative, and yet they do not favor the radical solutions of the Democratic Party to the issues of their concern.

Such a third party destroying the Democratic Party, as it now exists would not be seen as necessarily a negative thing to fiscal conservatives who no longer see that party as caring anything at all of this issue in favor of large federal government takeover of party of our economy.

I predict there will be a significant number of Independents elected to office this fall, and this group, although caucausing with the major parties on an issue by issue basis, will likely divide into three parties with significant voices and forcing the major parties to consider their policy issues.

At some point one or two of them will grow stronger, either forcing one of the two parties to fundamentally change, or possibly be displaced in the next couple of elections.

I expect this will occur as there will be candidates that simply can not win in historically Democratic districts as Republicans and vice versa. This will result in a lot of Independent candidates, who might even run in the primaries of the majors in districts where this is necessary.

I do not expect either party to respond to this group of Americans who although having in common fiscally conservative views and wanting less federal control, still believe in a variety of solutions at the state level beyond what are represented by either party. You see these plans and solutions regularly at the city level, many being implemented and successful, and yet the Federal government seems oblivious to these changes of real people in real places.

By: Jon

2010-01-21T03:20:23Z

I hope posting here is appropriate, please forgive me if it’s not. I’m not affiliated with any of your member groups. I am assisting four different TP groups spread across two counties and four districts in my State.

One group is asking for input regarding the possibility of supporting the GOOOH.com third party initiative.

If some of you could comment on my thoughts I would appreciate your perspective.

I am opposed to an effort to develop a third party at this time. My conclusion is based on the prioritization of what I see as critial threats, especially where likely achievable goals exist to address those threats.

Our countries fiscal liabilities (debt) strike me as a critical threat (See David Walker - P. G. Peterson Foundation). The following recommendation is intended to restore some “check and balance” to begin to address this problem. It is not an end game solution but rather an achievable start.

The 2010 election cycle is our chance to break one party rule at the Federal level (Brown’s win was a start). I would direct a great deal of effort and resource at the Senate. From a numbers point of view plus all of the ill will the Senate has fostered it’s made itself quite vulnerable and the goal more achievable.

If we accomplish this I assume the parties will do what comes natural and oppose each other. It shouldn’t be too hard to further reinforce that fiscal responsibility is the clear intent of “the people”.

I think we have a secondary opportunity which merits consideration. I believe there are a lot of professional party types watching to see if we can organize and sustain ourselves. I don’t believe Scott Brown’s win is enough to convince either party we had an effect. I suspect we will have to provide a continued stream of “surprises” to drive home the reality that we are here to stay. Again on that note my tactic guards against overreaching and potential failure.

Choose which battles to fight, win the war. Huza!

Again I appreciate your thoughts.

By: Chad

2010-01-21T01:08:28Z

The movement has started, and I am excited. However, in order to bring stability back to our government, we must be delicate in our process of converting government powers back to the people. First lets talk about the whole talk about the left and the right. There are both conservative democrats and republicans, the issue here is the PROGRESSIVES(Obama, Reid, Poloski). They have consumed the left, and I predict that they will start trying to consume the right as well due to the recent blow to the democratic party. First we must vote on principles, starting with the conservatives. Our message(third party) is starting to take notice in congress, and politicians, scared of losing their seats, are starting to take notice of our cries. We all wish we could just vote independent and get em in, but, we must retain common sense, this process will take 10 years before we can start getting top seats filled with die hard, liberty fighting, mad as hell politicians. I think it must start with the conservatives, both democrat and republicans, and slowly transcend toward the third party as education spreads. The third party will rise, but the process must be taken delicately to insure a proper upbringing of the third party. Remember, in order for this to work, we must be patient. Start with the conservatives that share our views, and as more and more people start jumping on board, then it will be easier to insure third party victories. We don’t want to split votes, and end up with more progressive liberals in the process. We must slowly join the conservatives with the third party, and then it will be time to make our move in Washington. This theory I’m discussing here might be essential, or it may be a crop of guano, I just wanted put my thoughts out there. Either way, the revolution is coming, whether they want it or not. Fight on my brothers and sisters, tell your politicians to repent or be removed! See ya on 9/12

By: Daniel Gaita

2010-01-19T15:04:31Z

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result….

If the TEA Party movement simply endorses one political party over another, it will have proved its insanity…

It’s about giving the country back to the people…vetting and selecting candidates that are not owned by lobbyist or unions or healthcare…

If that “best candidate” is a republican than he gets the nomination….If it is a conservative Democrat with a sensible and intelligent non-partisan voting record than he/she gets the nomination….

The TEA PARTY Movement isn’t a Republican campaign platform….it is the peoples platform!

So now the question becomes….If we run a slate of republicans….will the republicans nominate them too….or will the republicans split the vote?

By: Jordon

2010-01-19T06:30:44Z

Note however I am NOT in favor of creating a third party out of the Tea Party, as I think several third parties already would create good homes for those involved in the Tea Party movement, without having to use a more so big tent philosophy to include everyone. Those current third parties are those such as the Constitution Party and the Libertarian Party!!!!

By: Jordon

2010-01-19T06:28:36Z

The above article quotes the Tea Party movement as saying “Additionally, we believe that such efforts are unproductive and unwise at this time. The history of third party movements in this country is one of division and defeat. We believe that it is instead time for all Americans to rise up and demand appropriate reform within their own parties. The mechanisms exist for citizens to participate in their parties, and to drive their parties in the right direction.” This is an absurd comment!! Third Parties in US history have been those of active change and providing a voice for those who have minority views and even for creating a majority view. You can thank third parties for the woman’s right to vote abolishment of slavery and the curtailment of child labor. Third parties are necessary checks and balances to the two major parties. Yes we have a two party system, and it will probably always tend toward such, but it is not natural the way it is now. The only reason third parties seem unproductive now, unlike they were before the late 1880’s up to the early 1930’s is because of the restrictive and unconstitutional ballot access laws that plague most states and deprive voters of their right to vote for third parties, or to vote their conscience. In all reality, third parties may be the most worthwhile vote that there is. Read my review of the book “Third Parties in America” at http://www.NCFPE.com to learn more!!!

By: Simon Jester

2010-01-18T05:20:41Z

What happened in Nevada, needs to be repeated nationwide.

First the GOP, as it will be easier.

If you have not become active at your local level, please do so. There are many unfilled precinct chairs out there. Go fill them.

The entrenched progressives in the democrat party will prove much harder to dislodge.

At this time in our history, a 3rd party would mean the destruction of our great nation.

By: Thom S.

2010-01-17T17:56:14Z

@MilleniumPatriot

Good Comments. While I think many online discussions might be fractured, I don’t think you will find this among the real groups doing the real work at the city and state level.

This is where the leaders will come from and I expect as coalitions of successful city or state focused organizations continue to work together national leaders or spokespersons will emerge.

By: Rob

2010-01-17T17:15:24Z

Chuck-
I disagree that “we have time” Once this obama agenda becomes entrenched there would be hell to pay dislodging them.
Especially if obama front loads the Supreme Court.
What’s happening in Mass. is very significant, I’ve heard pundits say “even if it close it’s victory” non-sense! Brown could be the 41st vote.
Like it or not we need each other, Conservatives and Republicans. My opinion
We move this government to gridlock and stop the bleeding, fine tune the rest of it later.
I’ve Emailed Joe Kennedy and very respectfully asked him to withdraw and have his supporters cast their votes for Brown. The 2 or 3% could make the difference. If you like this idea pls. e mail him @ joekennedyforsenate.com
Rob

By: MilleniumPatriot

2010-01-16T21:03:09Z

This is the first I have read the posts from this forum and I can see that there are fractures beginning to form. Not that I am necessarily right, but here is how I see it:
As far as parties go I understand the concept of not wanting to let DEMS complete control by handing over elections via TP spoiler condidates. The best way to elevate true conservative/constitutionilist influence is to form a broader more rigid coalition of TP support. This does not mean ALL TP supporters’ views will get supported. This means generating a general “consensus”, for lack of a better word on the movement’s principles and running with them solidly. This will require some form of leadership. There can be only one head of the snake. Winners focus, and losers spray. The reason for this is important is we need to be petitioning, and in some districts/races demanding the REP party start playing ball with us, rather than the other way around. We can not do this wwith out a more rigid organization. The REP and the DEM can just destroy us one group at a time, but together it makes it so much more diffficult. Simply put, the DEMS have no interest in sympathizing with the TP movement, in fact they have ostrisized it. The REP’s know that the conservative base is the seat of their power. Right now REP’s have the power, but the TP has a voice. At least for a while. Timing, as they say is everything. Getting the REP’s to get in bed and get on our page will lend greater influence to the movement. This way, down the road the REP party can not simply cast TP suppporters aside, because it will damage their own party too. This may be a hard pill to swallow, but sometimes in order to win a war, you need to surrender a few battles strategically in order to get where you want.
I propose to inform/petition the REP’s that if they want to guarantee defeat and cede power to the DEMS for a long while, they should not support the movement. They lose more than we do. When their pride/stubborness get in the way we simply run spoiler condidates in every potential race until they get the message. The clock is ticking on this as eventually with no influence and no leadership, the movement will die, and soon. Significant losses should get the job done over the next couple election cycles. At one point, the REP Party will BE the Tea Party, or only the Tea Party will survive, one of them will have to happen.

By: Thom S.

2010-01-16T17:45:37Z

@VJay: As I described in posts below, there are districts that make sense for third party candiates, particularly those with run-off or Instant-Run-Off elections or those where there is no opposition by the other big party.

I expect there will be more than expected independent candidates who win ( who can caucus together ). I expect there will also be a lot of candidates who win thru the Republican primary system in places where they would otherwise be spoliers.

In the 112th Congress that is likely to be rather balanced, such small Caucuses will still have substantial power to push for reform.

A third party can start quietly and gain momentum if the majors remain clueless. And to say again the smartest decisions made by such a third party, no matter how informally it might be organized, is when not to run.

If a third party wins a few seats, but avoids helping their obvious opposition to win by not running/supporting spoiler candidates, it can quickly gain influence and respect of the people.

Massachusetts is a great example of where not to run/support a third party candidate if you believe in fiscal conservatism.

By: Dan Rockwell

2010-01-16T17:02:17Z

I feel that we should look to a article 5 convention. One always gets the answer that it would put the pelosi”s in charge. Not likely with the mood in this country as it is now. Term Limits/ loser pays/ balanced budget/ tort reform / take the power back from the fed and give it to the states and the people..

By: VJay912

2010-01-15T09:47:35Z

Any gratification that comes from a 3rd party will quickly disappear after the first resounding defeat at the next election. And then you’ll have Democrats running the country for the rest of your life.

Your average person is not going to care about a 3rd party. Keep the tea party movement as a driving force but not as a formal party.

By: Charles Johnson

2010-01-15T00:38:15Z

I believe like some of the others that the Tea Party movement should not be about Republicans or Democrats and should absolutely not be turned into a third party. We should be about educating voters and demand that the constitution be followed by our representatives in congress.

By: Publius

2010-01-14T17:41:25Z

@Coriann, the topic ‘whether a third party is a viable solution, and whether the so-called ‘tea-party people’ are it is most certainly relevant here.

According to this article, the GOP has already BECOME that third party:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/01/some_advice_for_the_republican.html

“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.”

So apparently, it should not be US begging for help from the GOP, only the other way around. The only catch is, it takes real leadership to keep the momentum going and pull it off, and so far, that’s no where to be found.