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What's Next for the Tea Party; Monument or Tombstone?
In a few days, Americans could carve out a monument to the Tea Party's power -- or etch out the movement's political tombstone.
The outcome of the midterm elections will either validate the Tea Party as a national force or cause both Democrats and Republicans to second-guess the movement's impact. But dead or alive after Election Day, the Tea Party has earned a place in history.
If the Tea Party is able to elect its candidates, it will likely hold even more sway over the Republican Party, threaten the Democratic Party, wield even more influence over the electorate and possibly play king- or queen-maker for the 2012 presidential election.
But outgoing Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter senses danger in the Tea Party.
| Especially since the Tea Party folks helped run him out of the Senate, for which I say 'thank you!' |
"I think it is really problem-some for democracy when the fringes of the parties gain control," Specter told CNN.
| Yet he had no problem joining up with the Democrats who went hard-left. Notice that it's only when the Republicans move ever so slightly to the right that Snarlin' Arlin has a problem. |
"And to have a Republican Party go so far to the right is a real problem. I think the only answer is for Middle America to take some greater interest in the political process so that you have the real will of the people as opposed to the people on the extremes."
| The good Tea Party folks would reply that they ARE Middle America ... |
If Tea Party-backed candidates mostly fail on Election Day, the only success the Tea Party may be able to count is, simply, splitting the Republican Party in two -- between moderates and conservatives.
| Or, the various factions of the Republican party would recognize the wisdom of focusing on things you can fix, like our economy, and saving the divisive social issues for later. |
Tea Party favorite Sarah Palin recently told CNN, "You know, I don't think that it will, because I think more of the machine within the GOP is going to understand that this 'We the people' message is rising, and it's resonating throughout with the Independents, with hardcore conservatives, with moderates, because it's just so full of common sense and time-tested truths that can put the economy on the right track."
Then Palin warned, "Heaven forbid that the GOP machine strays from this message. If so, the GOP is through."
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC 2010-10-27 |
