Is the Tea Party Dead?

 

In an article for the Altlanta Journal-Constitution, Cynthia Tucker alleges that the Tea Party movement is dying, citing an ABC-Washington post poll reporting that "50 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of the movement, compared with 39 percent in March."



She then goes on to quote a Washington post article stating that the movement's lack of organization is at fault for its failure to have real political clout at the polls. The cited article additionally accuses the Tea Party of being another fairy dust grassroots flare up with no staying power:

“No one owns the tea party brand, and that’s kind of the problem,” said Brendan Steinhauser, grass-roots director for FreedomWorks, which organizes tea party groups. “In Virginia — it breaks my heart. You’ve got six self-appointed tea party candidates and one establishment guy. You’re not going to beat the establishment guy in that situation” . . .

This wouldn’t be the first time an American political movement began to fade soon after an energetic, even sizzling, beginning. And other movements — think Ross Perot — had the advantage of a charismatic leader. To survive, the tea party movement has an even steeper hill to climb because there is no central, guiding force.

Tucker then asserts that the Tea Party was a weak brew to begin with-- a movement that doesn't reflect popular sentiment or draw wide support from the American electorate, that's more about histrionic, fringe shenanigans than substance:

But the truth is, the tea party was never a strong or widespread movement. Only 18 percent of voters identify themselves as tea party supporters. But its loud, publicity-oriented antics draw news media attention, giving it more an appearance of clout than actual influence.

If you are reading this blog then you likely have the same hope that I do: That ordinary citizens, empowered by the Constitution, can enact change through grassroots association, organization, and voting power-- the way that our Founding Fathers intended. For us, the Tea Party is the vehicle that will roll us into the future that we envision: the return of America to fiscal responsibility, limited government and personal freedom. Now, if the poll numbers above are accurate, then respondents with an unfavorable view of the Tea Party (although of an unknown sample set) may have increased in the last few months. HOWEVER, that still means that 50 percent-- half of the country does NOT hold an unfavorable view of the Tea Party. That is significant.

However, an increase in unfavorability is definitely due to bad press. Although there is little most of us can do about liberal media pundits like Chris Matthews and his upcoming fear mongering and skewed portrayal of our movement on the far-left media outlet MSNBC, we still have the power to shape our image.

At a Tea Party 365 volunteer meeting last night in midtown New York, the group's founder, David Webb, urged us to stick to communicating our core principles. He cited a few of what he called "teachable moments" during which members of the Party had done it a disservice by straying from those principles in their portayal of our movement, to the detriment of the Party as a whole. This is an important point. We must reemphasize what our Tea Party (not personal) principles are whether we are communicating with the media or merely friends, family and neighbors. Solidarity and unity of message are key to any successful grassroots movement.

That said, looking back at the recent primaries in Nevada and Virginia, it is necessary to ask some questions concerning our unity.

1) Is disorganization hurting our cause?
2) Should there be central leadership at the State level?
3) How can we advance our agenda of constitutionalism through viable candidates behind whom we throw mass support for their election?

The liberal media bias that we will inevitably face aside, it is up to us to spread our message and exercise our political power through the greatest political system on Earth. That will require getting people elected. Therefore, we need an agenda. It is imperative that we have discussions about what that agenda is, and how we can accomplish it-- before it is too late.

Do we want it to be 2012 with all the incumbents having won the midterms and Nobama Odrama back in the Blight House?

No.

Let's start a discussion. Leave comments! Sound off! Let's maximize our American potential!

Stand Tall Patriots,

SP