New Hampshire Tea Party Could Make Big Difference in GOP Primary
- Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:23am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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CONCORD, N.H. (The Blaze/AP) — The tea party movement is mixing a strange political brew in famously independent New Hampshire, complicating the first-in-the-nation primary strategy for the growing number of potential Republican presidential hopefuls.
Tea party activists have made significant inroads in a state that typically prefers GOP moderates and establishment candidates when choosing White House nominees. The grass-roots movement has claimed leadership posts at the local and county level, and in a stunning development last month, tea party-backed Jack Kimball edged out businesswoman Juliana Bergeron for state party chairman.
Would-be White House contenders like Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani, who as recently as four years ago would have focused on wooing GOP establishment figures, now are making quiet overtures to activists in this early voting state. Tea partiers are ready to push presidential contenders to embrace their outsider rhetoric and punish candidates who espouse moderate policies. Scores of new voters have become engaged in politics and they could rewrite the traditional rules of the primary, which in past cycles rewarded early groundwork and establishment support.
“The conservative base is sowing its oats,” said Fergus Cullen, a former state GOP chairman. “They feel empowered in a way they didn’t feel before. And they will have strong opinions about what they want. That’s not everybody running for president.”
At this stage, the primary stands as a wide-open contest that hinges on whether the new tea party voters unify behind one candidate or remain splintered.
“A frontrunner? It’s hard to predict,” said Maureen Mooney, a Merrimack activist who was often at Sen. John McCain’s side as he won the primary in 2008 en route to the Republican nomination. “It’s still early, and we have some serious candidates who deserve a look.”
Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who came in a close second in the 2008 primary, enjoys high name identification and benefits from the remnants of his previous campaign operation and a political action committee that has been busy spreading dollars and earning chits in early voting states.
“Gov. Romney has a lot support from his last campaign,” said Franklin Mayor Ken Merrifield. “But we’ve seen in past years where the person ahead at the beginning is not the winner.”
Four years ago, Giuliani was the national frontrunner. That luster fizzled as Giuliani campaigned in fits and starts in the early states then abandoned them for Florida, his make-or-break primary. It broke him.
In recent weeks, Giuliani and his allies have quietly been talking to activists to see just how much damage he dealt himself among the political class who view their first-in-the-nation role as sacred. Giuliani has scheduled a visit to New Hampshire in March and has hinted he may seek the nomination again if his party appears poised to nominate someone he views as too extreme, such as Sarah Palin or Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota.
Independents are the largest voting bloc in New Hampshire — for either party primary. In 2000 and 2008, McCain won the Republican primary after George W. Bush in ‘00 and Mike Huckabee in ’08 energized conservatives to prevail in Iowa.
New Hampshire voters seldom ratify national trends and the ascendant tea party leaders are looking for an outsider who will heed their orthodoxy. If they sustain their enthusiasm, tea party-style activists could completely reshape who is showing up at the polls for the primary, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 14 of next year.
Pawlenty has set up an aggressive political operation in the state, building goodwill among activists, both new and veteran. His political action committee dispatched six staffers to the state to help the state party during its September primary and funneled cash into state races, helping gain 124 new seats for the party in the New Hampshire state House.
But the old playbook may not yield a victory if the tea party has its say.
“It‘s anybody’s bag,” said state Rep. Fran Wendelboe, a conservative activist and former state legislator. “Pawlenty is one of the strongest. But some of the names we talk about haven’t even visited yet.”
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has not made the introductory contacts needed in the state. Others are looking for Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, a national tea party leader. Newt Gingrich and Huckabee also have been invited as they eye the White House.
An ally to Sen. John Thune of South Dakota has been making phone calls from his Upper Valley home to court activists, but the senator hasn’t made a public trip here and his aides are trying to manage the presidential chatter.
The biggest uncertainty for the field is Palin, her party’s vice presidential nominee in 2008 and a potent political personality. Palin endorsed Kelly Ayotte in last year’s GOP Senate primary and riled some conservatives in the state, who were unified in backing another candidate.
Activists say they’d like Palin to visit — she last was in the state during the final days of the 2008 presidential campaign — and are eager to question her at house parties and town hall-style meetings. Yet there are doubts she would do the hard work the early states require instead of favoring a Facebook, Twitter and Fox News Channel path.
“New Hampshire voters deserve to check you out, check your record,” said Cullen, the former state GOP chairman. “No one wins here without the work.”
Former Sen. Rick Santorum, who lost his 2006 re-election bid in Pennsylvania, has been the most aggressive in visits to the state. He hired Mike Biundo, a veteran of Pat Buchanan’s winning 1996 primary effort, as an adviser. He also picked up the backing of Claira Monier, a Romney backer from 2008. Monier‘s departure from Romney’s circle has given other conservative activists pause and some see it as giving permission for other defections.
Santorum‘s social conservative message isn’t a natural fit for New Hampshire, where the “Live Free or Die” state motto emphasizes individual rights and tends to eschew issues such as abortion or gay marriage, which is legal in the libertarian-leaning state. But with the tea party and empowered activists, the conservative wing may find a punch that Huckabee or Sam Brownback were unable to harness in 2008.
While the behind-the-scenes positioning is well under way for activists, hiring is not. At this point in 2007, McCain had already hired a dozen operatives for a sprawling headquarters in the Manchester Mill Yard. Those aides were already placing hundreds of calls a day to activists and rank-and-file voters.
This year, no one has opened offices and only a handful of strategists are drawing paychecks.
“There was a full-court press at this point four years ago,” said Wendelboe, the conservative activist. “They’re going to get going, and soon. They’ve got to.”
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Comments (77)
swimmer1940
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 11:28amWE need a “dark horse” candidate. One who has not yet declared to be in the running.
Report Post »Remember P-BO was a junior Senator in Illinois because he managed to eliminate his opposition through illegal methods. Two years later he was P-BO of the United States.
Surely the GOP can find someone who hasn’t yet come into the limelight, and who is also honest and non-Marxist.
olgamax
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 11:18amWe still own this country and if you want the truth than elect Sarah Palin
Report Post »Dandylyon
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 10:57amThe Tea Party proved who they are with the loss in Nevada by installing a nutjob like Angle.Then the sign’s “anyone but Reid”.Well you saw what happened.
Report Post »The TP are being controlled just like all large political party’s and will do what they are told.We as the voting public will be handed someone that THEY want and that‘s it folk’s.It has always been that way and will always be that way,there is nobody to fix it.
I look for the same thing to happening in the presidental race that happened in Nevada and Obama for another 4 year’s…………crazy????? watch how it unfolds,it will be a site to behold and a reason to seek shelter els’whear in the world.
GrannyATL
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 11:31amDandy, you forgot to look at the voting pattern in Nevada and who was behind the election of Reid. That was a rigged election based on the unions located in the casino cities. Go back and look at some of the earlier articles that showed the strong-arm tactics that were applied to unions. They actually had managers reporting on which employees went to vote early and who they voted for!
We need to aggressively short-circuit the Liberal agenda to corrupt the voting process. Early voting. Computer voting. No ID needed to vote. All of them help to dilute the process and make it much easier to manipulate the results.
Report Post »PoorRichard2
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 4:00pmDandylyon, what makes you say the Tea Parties are being controlled? Sure, the Tea Party Patriots are connected to Americans for Prosperity, but both of those organizations have openly common goals. I have been to Tea Party meetings and they are just a bunch of normal people organizing to restore limited government. They don’t take orders from anyone.
Report Post »Uber
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 10:49amI would not trust anything from NH as long as Snow gets elected from that state. It just shows how crazy their conservative views are. Snow doesn’t even qualify to be called RINO, she is a liberal democrat!
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 10:52amSnow is from Maine….not NH
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 10:45amI think that Romney and Palin and Guliani should step down and come out publically and loudly and say they WILL NOT RUN!.
here is what would be perfect…
Romney as Secretary of the Treasury
Palin as Secretary of the Interior or Energy
Guliani as Attorney General
Huckabee – dump him and his Little Rock band…
Petraeus as Secretary of Defense
Jeb Bush (even though I would rather scrap the whole department) as Secretary of Education (he did a good job in Florida)
Gary Johnson as FED Chairman
Newt Gingrich as Secretary of State
John Bolton back as UN Ambassabor
doesn’t leave many left to be Pres and VP…but the old dogs have to bail…Barbour, Thune..Bachmann as a VP out rock
Jindal needs a second term as governor…so should Cristie..and the VA guy…we have lots of up and comers that just need to season at least one FULL term in their current position…like Rubio and Rand Paul…
Report Post »Angelacw
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 3:01pmOhh, I have been wanting to put together a fantasy cabinet game, sort of like fantasy football. I think I would work Paul Ryan at the Treasury. I like Gary Johnson at the Fed. Bolton at the UN is fine for now, but I would like the US out of the UN and I too would like to see the Dept of Ed go.
For president have you thought about Herman Cain? I have issue with the Fiar Tax system he proposes, but I am willing to listen and see if he is willing to compromise if somebody makes a good enough argument. I have to admit, Barbour has some appeal but I need to learn more.
Report Post »tbeachhead
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 9:45amThe problem we have in New Hampshire is that even when we, who are truly conservative, don’t speak with angry, strident voices, we’re depicted as angry and strident. Pray that a reasoned spokesman can stand out, and make sense. How long has it been since a true statesman spoke? The progressive press in the state’s capital is not averse to printing a well-written, lucid conservative piece…But so little is well-written and lucid, that it is not difficult to make a mockery of the writer without acknowledging the principles being addressed.
Report Post »Mack truck
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 9:54amTouché.
Report Post »Templar Knight
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 12:55pmJack Kimball had a good strong voice and was one of the best options for NH. He narrowly missed winning the election with only the Tea Party backing him in the primary’s. But another truly conservative candidate Kelly Ayotte took the ballet and was a second choice for the Tea Party I believe.
To be honest I don‘t think the progressive media of NH doesn’t have much say on the politics of our state. More so the conservative paper “The Union Leader” probably has a greater influence, and is usually the paper I buy.
Report Post »Angelacw
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 2:54pmJack Kimball is also a good man and the furthest thing from a career politician. Like myself and so many others, he never really paid attention to politics until this president hit the national scene. It scared him and he he has done something about it. Obviously I like Jack but I also have faith in him becuase he is a true patriot and constitutionalist. He dove head first into it with his run for Govenor and he was put through the ringer with his campaign for GOP Chair, but he has stuck with it and I applaud him for it.
He is also a Pease Greeter, which I have so much respect for. No matter time or weather, Pease Greeters go to Pease International Airport in Portsmouth, NH to meet our troops who are passing on through on their way home from overseas missions or heading out. http://www.peasegreeters.org/about.htm
I think it’s absoultely wonderful that ordinary citizens do this. They aren’t required to, they do it out of respect and appreciation for our troops and the love of their country. Jack was doing this before he ran for Gov., there was nothing political about it, and I think that alone puts him on a different level than most politial players.
NH IS doing great things. Just keep watching.
Report Post »Angelacw
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 3:07pmOh and a true statesmen, hmmm…. Gov. Meldrim Thomson? Daniel Webster?
Report Post »farmerdel
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 9:42amHows about Christie/Cain?
Report Post »Mack truck
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 9:20amWe all know very well how you folks in New Hampshire vote. We will be praying for a different out come. SQUAM LAKE I MISS YOU!!!
Report Post »sparkynamvet
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 9:20amWe must put pressureon Cris Cristie to run. Take a year off from social issues and get the economics in place for a bright future for us all. He has had the courage to fight the unions over pension obligations that are destroying our economy. I also believe he has the guts to take on entitlements. By the way, i draw 100% disability from va aquired by having done 47 months inVietnama and , as much as it wouldhurt, i would gladly accept a modest cut in my benefits to insue that there will be benefits available for futre vets.
Report Post »Jerrico
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 11:29amChris Christie cant run yet. He said that he wouldnt, so if he ran this time he would prove himself a liar. I believe that we have enough liars in office. I cant wait till the day that we see him as president. Keep in mind, that every man and woman should be held accountable for what they say. If a mans words mean nothing, than the man means nothing.
Report Post »thorn54
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 12:58pmChristie is anti-gun, pro-illegal immigration, lukewarm on global warming -need I say more?
Report Post »PoorRichard2
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 3:51pmSparky, I was enamored with Christie too when I first heard of his efforts to get the unions in line, but I quickly soured on him when I heard about his position on tother critical issues such as those THORN54 mentioned. Please do your homework on him. Some pluses including courage, but some serious negatives too, at least if you’re a Conservative.
Report Post »RedeyeBlind
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 9:19amThey fear Sarah its why the beat her up so bad, She will do her best role as fundraiser and supporter of our choice. Who ever it might be must be ready for the fallout from the media who is gonna hammer him/her even harder than Palin. God please watch over us and guide us into the light of truth, for we live in dangerous times and the wolves are at the door.
Report Post »Jim
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 11:27pmIf Sarah runs I will be voting for her.
Report Post »conservativeinnewhampshire
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 9:12amRomney is not the Reagan that this country needs…Pawlenty of a shot, Palin is a solid Reagan Conservative, and Ms. Bachmann is a solid Conservative as well….Establishment be damned, we need someone who truly believes what the Greatest Modern Day President Mr. Reagan believed, a Reagan Conservative will save america!
Report Post »Mack truck
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 9:45amVoting history for your beloved state of New Hampshire is not a good one. The nation is holding it’s breath. DON’T LET US DOWN!!!
Report Post »tbeachhead
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 9:49amReagan’s conservatism was pragmatic to the point where the Bushes were able to short-circuit much good that Reagan did. One step forward two backward is still backward. There must be a voice that is easy to hear, and consistent…and uncompromisingly principled.
Report Post »Angelacw
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 3:11pm@Mack truck – I promise, we’ll try not to.
Report Post »Mack truck
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 9:00amRick santorum is a neo con.
Report Post »psst
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:48amMebbe these folks in NH will convince any real conservative to drop out the race and support Husssein the Moslem marxist.
Methunks Hussein is a perfect fit for that state.
Santorum‘s social conservative message isn’t a natural fit for New Hampshire, where the “Live Free or Die” state motto emphasizes individual rights and tends to“ ESCHEW” issues such as abortion or gay marriage, which is legal in the libertarian-leaning state
If real republicans CONS wannabe wants to send a message, They should “ESCHEW ”going to a state like this to start off their campaign.
Report Post »Angelacw
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 2:32pmOur state social laws are not federal issues. I am not offering my opinion either way on abortion or gay marriage, but both are state issues, passed into law under the previous state legislator. NH went overwhelmingly republican this past November and we now have a veto proof majority in Concord (our capital). With that handy tool they have introduced and passed a flurry of legislation to repeal an extrodinary number of laws that were adopted during the last couple of sessions of our state legislator.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:38amThe Tea Party is doing a lot of good already, and since they are just barely started. But they will get stronger as time goes by. Hopefully they will stay on course and not get sidetracked by rhetoric that’s being heaped upon them.
Report Post »wodiej
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:32amActivists think Palin won’t do the hard work?? Yikes…Palin has worked hard her entire life. I’m sure if she decides to jump in she knows the importance of visiting and talking with voters. However, don’t people in NH and Iowa have the internet? This is a simple, inexpensive way for views to get out to the largest number of people with relatively little expense.
Personally, I am sick and tired of these 2 states building the momentum for the nominee when they don’t even have enough sense to get voting machines. I mean, really. I could not believe my eyes the first time I seen a caucus.
Report Post »martnee777
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:31amPalin 2012. Live Free or Die!
Report Post »GrannyATL
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 10:32amI was a huge Palin fan and even contributed to her PAC. But, in reading her novels and watching her recent TV series, I’ve seen some serious flaws which make me pull back.
In her books, there was a vindictive streak that was unnecessary. It showed an immaturity. The same thing in her TV show. How many times did she have to bring up the unwanted neighbor and what she and Todd have done to avoid him? Really immature. That show could have stood on its own as an unabashed tribute to what Alaska has to offer. Instead, she turned it into an Ozzie and Harriet type sitcom.
How many times did her children totally disrespect her? The eye-rolling from Bristol; the boyfriend going upstairs in front of Sarah to go and visit Willow; Piper’s consistent mouthiness when Sarah challenged her. This shows me that Sarah can’t earn the respect of her own family. How could we expect her to earn the respect of the world?
Nope, she’s off my list as a Presidential candidate. She is an excellent sidelines cheerleader. She speaks to the topics and gets the reactions that cause debate. That’s her niche. Let her stay there.
Report Post »Mack truck
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:30amJim Demint is the only “ROCK SOLID” conservative out of that group. Every one else are simply “POSERS”
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 10:33amhooyah to that….DeMint…but I want him to stay in the Senate…next Senate Majority Leader..2012.. Jim DeMint….then boot Boehner in the House and get a true, real conservative there too…and even if the apocalypse happens and Obama is re-elected…he will face true conservative, Constitution driven Congress in both houses….
Report Post »emertz8413
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:23amJust read somewhere this morning that Jeb Bush was thinking of entering, even though I‘d heard he wasn’t. I won’t vote for another Bush!!! I’m not thrilled with anyone yet. Romney’s like milk-toast, I don’t see passion for the job in him. I’d vote for Sarah Palin in a heartbeat, but she’s been so slammed in the media, I don’t think she could get elected. Is there anyone who‘s impressed with what’s out there?
Report Post »TheAmericanRifleman
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:17amIf Obummer’s next two years are anything like his last two years, finding someone to beat him will not be that hard. what we need is someone who is not only fearless of but willing to butt heads with the status qoue. If our nation is going to be saved, the left wing establishment needs to be removed like the cancer that it is.
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:03am.
Report Post »Anybody been to Maine? What a Hell Hole, besides pretty trees, they talk funny the food sucks does everybody have an ulcer and they give us Collins and Snow
streetrodder
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:48amThe T Party is here to stay, and we have alot to say in upcoming elections.
Report Post »virtualpres
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:46amIf NH gives us another McCain they should lose statehood or something. Seriously, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! Of the 10 or so candidates he was last on my list. It is soooo frustrating being from a late primary state.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:54amWhy should we have to accept anything they give us? The system is flawed.
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:35amIt’s a start. Good to see the tea party is thriving in NH.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 2:09pmIt’s good to see that the TEA Party is THRIVING period!!!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:33amI’m sick of an insignificant, liberal state having so much to say about who the Republican candidate is. Same goes for Iowa.
Report Post »wodiej
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:26amAmen to that.
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 10:28amwe need a national primary/caucus day….and a limit to the campaign cycle….
Report Post »say a 6 month cycle….campaign starts in May….
national primary day end of June….
conventions end of August….
election in November…
short, sweet, hard hitting, to the point…
no drawn out…who has the most money to survive…let the MSM slander and influence and babble endlessly about who is the favorite and who has no chance…
get in…get dirty..get it done….move on….
Templar Knight
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 12:45pmI don’t believe we are insignificant. Nor are we Liberal. I am from the Concord NH Tea Party and believe you me we have some strong individuals who respect and uphold the values of the Constitution. Our state went all Conservative Republican aside from the Governorship last election and we wont be silent in 2012. So expect big things from this “small insignificant state” soon.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 2:08pmThey are showing that there is “hope” in “change” and are leading by example. When a liberal state elects a conservative, it gets EVERYBODY’s attention! And, it scares the dog mess out of Progressives!
Report Post »Angelacw
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 2:15pmI’m in NH, and all I can say is please give us a chance; we are working to take back our state, for the good of ourselves and the country. In November we took back our state legislator in a big way and they are writing legislation right now to launch our own challenge to the Health Care Law and working on a myriad of other reforms for limited government. Also, less than 3 weeks ago we got Tea Party candidate Jack Kimball (thinks Glenn Beck is a great American) elected as our State GOP Chair, beating out the establishment candidates. Jack is more than a Tea Party supporter though; he is a constitutionalist as are most of our state legislators. I spent the summer campaigning for the state candidates who were most committed to our founding principles and I most of them were elected. The results will soon be clear to everyone that we do take our state motto very seriously, but we got complacent and let all of the liberal transplants from ME, MA and VT trample over our principles and values. Shame on us, but we’re awake now and we’re in the driver’s seat (to borrow from Barry’s many car references).
Don’t pay attention to the early straw polls, they mean nothing. Right now people are voting on name recognition, and the lists aren’t all inclusive.
Report Post »PoorRichard2
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 3:40pmI have acquaintances who have been to recent Tea Party meetings in New Hampshire. I can assure you the NH Tea Parties are extremely energized and becoming more and more organized in a healthy grass-roots way. Their brief dance with liberalism is over.
Report Post »Angelacw
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:57pmLawmaker Calls for End to Mandated Kindergarten – http://www.wmur.com/education/26794853/detail.html
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:31amYou mean the Tea Party/Muslim Brotherhood don’t you?
For all the mountains of slander heaped on the Tea Party it just gets stronger thanks to the Marxists running the country. I only hope that the Tea Party has learned to vet candidates better than in the last election.
Don’t let the MSM chose our next candidate.
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:33amWell said Nick. I think we all saw what a difference the Tea Party can make in the mid-term elections. Unlike what they say in the mainstream media, the Tea Party is not going away anytime soon. If promises are broken I think they will become even stronger. They will definitely have an impact on the 2012 election.
http://www.donsmithshow.com – Great site for Tea Party news
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:38amEven s called conservatives on the east Coast are left of center. They get first influence of who our Candidate is…We will get a Mitt Romney this year probably…another stinkin’ RINO.
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 7:46amI hope not Dusty. I think someone will emerge later down the road. Not sure who it will be but I just can’t see Romney getting the nomination. Should be interesting.
Report Post »manassasmom
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:42amI’d like to see Donald Trump run & win with Rudi Giuliani on his ticket for VP!!!
Report Post »nothingbuthetruth
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:45amNo Romney, No Newt, No Huckabee, we are all informed of their records and how they do things, No Newt, dont forget he was a Dede Scazafava supporter, and said the era of Regan is dead, along with the other boobs
Report Post »GrannyATL
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 10:18am“There was a full-court press at this point four years ago,…they’re going to get going,, and soon. They’ve got to.”
The Tea Party movement has shown that we will not support the standard GOP candidates. Guiliani, Romney, McCain, Gingrich — they’re all professional politicians. We want someone who will stick to the promise of limited government and each one of these has already shown their inability to do so.
What the Tea Party did in 2010 was show that the big-money backing that the Parties gave to their pet candidates was not enough to overcome the mom-and-pop candidate that was able to bring in tens of thousands of $25 contributions.
We can’t be bought.
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 10:35amWe Tea Partiers will not accept anyone who does not unashamedly back Constitutional government. No apologist’s for American!
Report Post »When I read the article, I got angry when I read the part where it said; “push contenders to embrace outsider rhetoric” when referring to the Tea Party. Since when is defending the Constitution and demanding that our elected representatives follow it to the letter considered ‘outsider rhetoric’?
And, what is a ‘moderate’, anyway.?…….. Is it someone who believes in our Constitution some of the time, and in what is popular the rest of the time?
We shouldn’t even be having a debate over this. New Hampshire’ites should wake up and demand specifics with regards to candidates policy.
Showtime
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 2:02pmI get the distinct feeling that it’s not all “TEA Party” as such. My feeling is that it is a ground-swell of outraged conservatives who have taken the umbrella of TEA Party because there is no other way to get our point across to this regime, and these people gather under the umbrella to show unity of purpose. There is a TEA Party organization that is out to make money, but that’s a taboo for the genuine people.
Also, it is amusing to me how Obama didn’t get the message but Pelosi did, when she called the TEA Partiers “Astroturf” and accused Glenn Beck of being our leader. There are organized groups now across the country because it became clear that they were NEEDED. Obama just kept chopping away at our freedoms…and the TEA Parties just kept gathering and being covered on TV.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 2:05pm@manassasmom
Report Post »Posted on February 8, 2011 at 8:42am
I’d like to see Donald Trump run & win with Rudi Giuliani on his ticket for VP!!!
——————–
I’d like to see Rudi RETIRE from politics!
GrannyATL
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 3:10pmRusty, the deck is most definitely stacked against Conservatives getting through the primaries due to the states that kick the season off. Both Iowa and New Hampshire are known hotbeds of liberalism. To be a Republican in those states automatically means moderate to left-of-center.
We have to show that our individual voices, shouting collectively, will squelch their plans. The problem is finding ONE candidate that stands out as a true Conservative to put our collective power behind.
So far, I haven’t seen any.
Report Post »taebaggranny
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 6:12pm@ NICKDERINGER The TeaParty wasn’t active during the last Presidential race or you surely would have had some hard questions asked about Obama..I think He’s going to have to unseal his personal records this time…
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