The tea party’s second act: Was 2010 a steppingstone or a high-water mark?

by KCurtis Posted 2012/05/05 01:17:12

Related Topics: Tea Party, Auto, Midterm Elections, Supreme Court, Obama, Stimulus, Republican Party, Elections, Senate, Republican, Conservative, Model, Cycle, Election, Costumes, Party, Republicans

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	The Tea Party is getting officially organized	11 votes	24%
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The 2010 midterm elections were
marked by ubiquitous images of voters waving Gadsen flags in the sun,
women with tea bags hanging from their hat brims, and determined men in
Paul Revere costumes shouting proclamations.

What happened to those people?

If you ask the people who helped
organize the tea party into a movement, they'll readily concede that tea
party rallies this election cycle are not as prolific as they were in
2010. But they say they're doing one better this year: Instead of simply
rallying, they're organized and on the ground (and on the phone, in
your mailbox and on your radio and television) in select states to try
to elect tea party candidates to office and effect what they say is
"real change."

"The movement has matured … and
we're now tea party 2.0," Amy Kremer, chairwoman of Tea Party Express,
told Yahoo News. Kremer and other tea party leaders say that while the
tea party rose to fame in 2010, that cycle was just a learning period
for the movement.

"In 2010, we didn't have our feet
under us," Brendan Steinhauser, the federal and state campaigns
director of FreedomWorks, told Yahoo News. Instead of a "haphazard"
plan, as he described it, 2012 will bring a "much more sophisticated
approach."

The tea party in 2010 made
headlines for its rallies, its anger and its energy. But its most
lasting changes came in the form of getting tea party candidates elected
to office, sometimes at the peril of establishment Republicans. The
movement's leaders say they plan to do the same this cycle.

"Some folks think the tea party has gone away because they're not out
seeing 5,000 at a time waving 'Don't Tread on Me' flags," Indiana
Senate challenger and tea party candidate Richard Mourdock told Yahoo News last week. "But where they are, are working as volunteers in campaigns like this campaign."

If Mourdock, the state treasurer, defeats Sen. Dick Lugar on May 5, he will largely have the tea party to thank.

His campaign fits the tea party narrative: The 36-year Senate veteran
Lugar is being portrayed as too moderate for his state, having voted
for the bailouts, for President Obama's stimulus bill, and to confirm
Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Mourdock, who sued
over the auto bailout, casts himself as a limited-government fiscal
conservative.

Two years ago, tea party supporters in Indiana split between two
candidates in the state's Senate Republican primary. In an example of
how 2010 was a learning period for the movement, an umbrella
organization called Hoosiers for a Conservative Senate was created to
unify the tea party behind a single candidate.

Late last year, the new organization brought together 55 tea party groups across the state to endorse Mourdock.

"We were learning the process in
2010," Monica Boyer, who helped found the group, told Yahoo News of the
tea party in general. "We were angry about what was going on, but we
didn't know what to do about it."

She added, "Now we've gone into a working mode."

People from 47 tea party groups
are expected to travel to Indianapolis on Saturday, according to Boyer,
for an event to get out the vote for Mourdock ahead of Tuesday's vote.

A loss by Lugar would prove the
strength of Hoosiers for a Conservative Senate to the state
establishment as well as to the nation.

"It would be a victory for conservatism," Boyer said. "And for the heart and soul of the Republican party."

Their model for tea-party unity is being replicated in states like Michigan, Oregon and Iowa, Boyer said.

The leaders of national tea party
groups, such as Tea Party Express and FreedomWorks, both of which
endorsed Mourdock, believe a Lugar loss would immediately "send shock
waves" across the country, to use Steinhauser's words.

Amid the "media narrative: Is the
tea party alive? This will put a temporary end to that discussion,"
Steinhauser said. "The tea party is alive and well."

+14

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rdmatheny 2012/05/05 01:59:56

The Tea Party is getting officially organized

+27
"The movement has matured … and
we're now tea party 2.0," Amy Kremer, chairwoman of Tea Party Express,
told Yahoo News. Kremer and other tea party leaders say that while the
tea party rose to fame in 2010, that cycle was just a learning period
for the movement."

Ron & Rand Paul to Hold Major Tea Party Rally in Austin, Texas
Texas Congressman, intellectual godfather of the tea party movement and his U.S. Senator son--elected with its backing--to appear with Ted Cruz

LAKE JACKSON, Texas, Apr 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul announced today that he and his son, U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, will hold a major tea party rally in Austin, Texas.

The rally, which is free and open to the public, will take place on the South Steps of the Texas State Capitol on Sunday, May 6th beginning at 2:00 p.m. To RSVP for the event, please click here.

Ron Paul's tea party rally is being sponsored by the Tea Party Express, a national organization whose six simple principles the Drs. Paul support. Also speaking at the rally will be special guests Ted Cruz, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, and Tea Party Express Chair Amy Kremer.

Ron and Rand Paul both are by trade physicians, with the younger Paul an accomplished eye surgeon and his f...

&

"The movement has matured … and
we're now tea party 2.0," Amy Kremer, chairwoman of Tea Party Express,
told Yahoo News. Kremer and other tea party leaders say that while the
tea party rose to fame in 2010, that cycle was just a learning period
for the movement."

Ron & Rand Paul to Hold Major Tea Party Rally in Austin, Texas
Texas Congressman, intellectual godfather of the tea party movement and his U.S. Senator son--elected with its backing--to appear with Ted Cruz

LAKE JACKSON, Texas, Apr 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul announced today that he and his son, U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, will hold a major tea party rally in Austin, Texas.

The rally, which is free and open to the public, will take place on the South Steps of the Texas State Capitol on Sunday, May 6th beginning at 2:00 p.m. To RSVP for the event, please click here.

Ron Paul's tea party rally is being sponsored by the Tea Party Express, a national organization whose six simple principles the Drs. Paul support. Also speaking at the rally will be special guests Ted Cruz, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, and Tea Party Express Chair Amy Kremer.

Ron and Rand Paul both are by trade physicians, with the younger Paul an accomplished eye surgeon and his father a retired prolife OB/GYN who personally delivered more than 4,000 babies. In 2010, the 12-term Congressman from Texas' son Rand was elected to the Senate in an upset, tea party-led victory in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Today both Drs. Paul are the nation's premier advocates for Washington reform consistent with the vision of our founders, who cautioned against the dangers of a federal government run amok.

"The nation already witnessed history twice when a sitting U.S. Senator -- Rand Paul -- campaigned for his father -- Ron Paul -- for the presidency. It occurred ahead of the Ames Straw Poll where Ron Paul was statistically tied for first place, and again during a daylong whistle-stop tour the Pauls held prior to the Iowa Caucus," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

"One day this rally will occupy a special place in our history books when the Paul family and tea party are credited with restoring American government to its constitutional limits. How soon this recognition comes is up to voters," added Mr. Benton.

Event details are as follows. Time is Central.

Sunday, May 6, 2012
-----------------------------...
2:00 p.m.
Rep. Ron Paul & Sen. Rand Paul
Tea Party Rally sponsored by Tea Party Express
Texas State Capitol - South Steps
1100 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(more)
>> See Replies

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abubincrazy 2012/05/05 02:02:35

The democrats haven't seen anything yet

+10
We're still here, and they're still socialist traitors.

reply
rdmatheny 2012/05/05 01:59:56

The Tea Party is getting officially organized

+27
"The movement has matured … and
we're now tea party 2.0," Amy Kremer, chairwoman of Tea Party Express,
told Yahoo News. Kremer and other tea party leaders say that while the
tea party rose to fame in 2010, that cycle was just a learning period
for the movement."

Ron & Rand Paul to Hold Major Tea Party Rally in Austin, Texas
Texas Congressman, intellectual godfather of the tea party movement and his U.S. Senator son--elected with its backing--to appear with Ted Cruz

LAKE JACKSON, Texas, Apr 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul announced today that he and his son, U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, will hold a major tea party rally in Austin, Texas.

The rally, which is free and open to the public, will take place on the South Steps of the Texas State Capitol on Sunday, May 6th beginning at 2:00 p.m. To RSVP for the event, please click here.

Ron Paul's tea party rally is being sponsored by the Tea Party Express, a national organization whose six simple principles the Drs. Paul support. Also speaking at the rally will be special guests Ted Cruz, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, and Tea Party Express Chair Amy Kremer.

Ron and Rand Paul both are by trade physicians, with the younger Paul an accomplished eye surgeon and his f...

&

"The movement has matured … and
we're now tea party 2.0," Amy Kremer, chairwoman of Tea Party Express,
told Yahoo News. Kremer and other tea party leaders say that while the
tea party rose to fame in 2010, that cycle was just a learning period
for the movement."

Ron & Rand Paul to Hold Major Tea Party Rally in Austin, Texas
Texas Congressman, intellectual godfather of the tea party movement and his U.S. Senator son--elected with its backing--to appear with Ted Cruz

LAKE JACKSON, Texas, Apr 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul announced today that he and his son, U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, will hold a major tea party rally in Austin, Texas.

The rally, which is free and open to the public, will take place on the South Steps of the Texas State Capitol on Sunday, May 6th beginning at 2:00 p.m. To RSVP for the event, please click here.

Ron Paul's tea party rally is being sponsored by the Tea Party Express, a national organization whose six simple principles the Drs. Paul support. Also speaking at the rally will be special guests Ted Cruz, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, and Tea Party Express Chair Amy Kremer.

Ron and Rand Paul both are by trade physicians, with the younger Paul an accomplished eye surgeon and his father a retired prolife OB/GYN who personally delivered more than 4,000 babies. In 2010, the 12-term Congressman from Texas' son Rand was elected to the Senate in an upset, tea party-led victory in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Today both Drs. Paul are the nation's premier advocates for Washington reform consistent with the vision of our founders, who cautioned against the dangers of a federal government run amok.

"The nation already witnessed history twice when a sitting U.S. Senator -- Rand Paul -- campaigned for his father -- Ron Paul -- for the presidency. It occurred ahead of the Ames Straw Poll where Ron Paul was statistically tied for first place, and again during a daylong whistle-stop tour the Pauls held prior to the Iowa Caucus," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

"One day this rally will occupy a special place in our history books when the Paul family and tea party are credited with restoring American government to its constitutional limits. How soon this recognition comes is up to voters," added Mr. Benton.

Event details are as follows. Time is Central.

Sunday, May 6, 2012
-----------------------------...
2:00 p.m.
Rep. Ron Paul & Sen. Rand Paul
Tea Party Rally sponsored by Tea Party Express
Texas State Capitol - South Steps
1100 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(more)

reply
DDogbreath to rdmatheny 2012/05/05 07:17:58

+9
The "Tea Party" either needs to awaken "self proclaimed conservatives" or kick the ones that are OK with "the government has the right to take our liberty" to the curb. There had better not be a home for these phony's within the "Tea Party" period.

reply
Z to DDogbreath 2012/05/05 10:31:12

+3
Like it or not, to force them out would be just as much a restriction of their rights. I don't like these conservatives that advocate anti-marriage equality policies and support the drug war or actual wars, but keeping them close at hand to those of us who understand reality gives them a chance to wake up, and they bolster our numbers and helped get people like Rand Paul elected. Even the parasite that they can be from time to time, those self-proclaimed conservatives are still offer more positives than negatives, for the time being.

reply
rdmatheny to Z 2012/05/05 10:42:58

+7
I would hope what he meant is the "politicians" that try to align themselves with the Tea Party and use them, abuse them and pander to them for their votes. As much as the Tea Party tried in 2010 to "screen" candidates who "claimed" they carried the same beliefs and principles for which the Tea Party was founded upon in 2007, some fooled us and are now showing their "true colors". Those are the ones that need to be extracted.

reply
DDogbreath to rdmatheny 2012/05/06 17:47:44

+5
That's what I was trying to convey but you said it better, thanks.

reply
Stryder to rdmatheny 2012/05/09 23:22:55

+5
Scott Brown comes to mind.

reply
rdmatheny to Stryder 2012/05/09 23:26:52

+5
Yep, he's one.

reply
rdmatheny to rdmatheny 2012/05/07 05:13:47

+3
Here is the newscast report of the Tea Party Express Rally in Austin, Tx.

reply
goatman112003 2012/05/05 01:39:43

The democrats haven't seen anything yet

+6
When the dems supporters get a real look at what the dems have in store for them then the TEA party will be mild. They don't realize yet they are getting fleeced and have nothing to show for their wool.

reply
pbunny 2012/05/05 01:32:27 (edited)

The Tea Party is getting officially organized

+12
How many liberal news commentators have you heard asking the question, "Where did the tea Party go?"

We didn't go anywhere you fools. ; )

reply
Stryder to pbunny 2012/05/05 01:38:57 (edited)

+8
Let them think it. One of the first rules of engagement you never break is to underestimate your opponent. That's exactly what the Left is doing regarding the Tea Party.

reply
pbunny to Stryder 2012/05/05 01:41:46

+6
I know. Silence is golden. They'll never see it coming. The Tea Party is evolving very nicely.

reply
KCurtis to pbunny 2012/05/05 01:41:11

+5
She is such a tool and she is sooooo right. LMAO

reply
pbunny to KCurtis 2012/05/05 01:52:08

+5
Yes she is correct. This one has a surprise on the way:

Double talk is all a liberal is capable of. They feel intimidated then say someone else can do to Hell.

reply
abubinc... to pbunny 2012/05/05 02:07:23

+5
She's a semi-literate moron.
And yet she keeps getting elected.
What does that tell you about her voters?

reply
pbunny to abubinc... 2012/05/05 02:11:29

+5
Nothing good.

reply
Uranos7 to abubinc... 2012/05/05 02:49:33

+2
She does have one good attribute she has gotten in Obama's face about his broken promises a few times.
As a black woman she is one of the few democrats that can out race card him.
lol
Downside she continues to support him that is unforgivable though.

reply
Aqua Surf to abubinc... 2012/05/05 03:15:48

+3
Her district is all black liberals. That is a district that definitely needs redrawing.

reply
AL to pbunny 2012/05/05 07:39:05

+3
I just hope these liberal dummys keep shooting themselves in the foot like this!

reply
AL to KCurtis 2012/05/05 07:37:39

+3
There is nothing better then watching the far left shot themselves in the foot

reply
Yankee ... to pbunny 2012/05/05 10:26:59

+3
a real conservative is in my opinion conscientious observers. Watch, listen, plan, apply.

reply
KCurtis 2012/05/05 01:23:15

The Tea Party is getting officially organized

+9
Quietly underground we've moved from rallies to meet and greets. We've earned respect from candidates with Conservative values who know that we as a whole can make them or not. We check their backgrounds, their careers, their family life. We get to know them and when they meet the requirements we work to get them elected. We are the Tea Party. A new way to change... from the ground up. This year while many have been concentrating on one single office we have been working behind the scenes selecting candidates, holding fund raisers and campaigning. There are 3 branches of government Executive | Legislative | Judicial, the silent majority has been silently working to move them all to the right.

reply
pbunny to KCurtis 2012/05/05 01:34:24

+6
The beauty of being silent?

reply