Posted on 08/04/2013 10:26:09 AM PDT by Mozilla
This wasn't the revolution the Tea Party had in mind.
Four years ago, the movement and its potent mix of anger and populism persuaded thousands of costumed and sign-waving conservatives to protest the ballooning deficit and President Obama's health care law. It swept a crop of no-compromise lawmakers into Congress and governor's offices and transformed political up-and-comers, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, into household names.
But as many Tea Party stars seek re-election next year and Rubio considers a 2016 presidential run, conservative activists are finding themselves at a crossroads. Many of their standard-bearers have embraced more moderate positions on bedrock issues such as immigration and health care, broadening their appeal in swing states but dampening grass-roots passion.
"They keep sticking their finger in the eyes of the guys who got them elected," said Ralph King, a co-founder of the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots. "A lot of people are feeling betrayed."
The Tea Party is a loosely knit web of activists, and some are hoping to rekindle the fire with 2014 primary challenges to wayward Republicans. But many more say they plan to sit out high-profile races in some important swing states next year, a move that GOP leaders fear could imperil the re-election prospects of former tea party luminaries, including the governors of Florida and Ohio.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
What there was couldn't have lasted long anyway. I knew this "movement" was more or less over when they, the movement against big, intrusive government decided to protest big intrusive government by going to said big government and begging for permission (permits for protests) and favors (special tax treatment). Here's a hint...if you're asking for permission, it's not a protest.
Then you get throngs of "tea party" people getting behind the likes of michelle bachman. Really...? Michelle f-ing bachman? The career IRS auditor who made a "small government" name for herself by voting for the patriot act and against cutting off funding for obama's NSA program that records all of our phone calls and emails. Yeah, didn't see the collapse of this movement coming, did we?
when Palin wouldn't get on the debate stage with that bunch of palookas.
I went to a number of Tea Party rallies here in WA state. I told the spousal unit, after the second one, they seems to be a platform for rino republicans to gain street cred with us protestors. Many long winded speeches, none inspiring nor credible.
And I also noticed that so many people at the rallies would come up to one another and say “cool sign” and so forth. It was too social and not angry enough. (speaks to your comments)
I think for there to be real protest against the liberals that will affect change, old fashioned civil disobedience - for starters - need to happen.
The TEA Party sees NO leadership in the RINO Congress.
For example, there is a sinister nature to the Benghazi Massacre and the on-going Coverup.
Why has Speaker John “Cave In” Boehner opposed forming a Benghazi House Special Committee or appointing a Special Prosecutor, both with subpoena powers?
John “Cave-In” Boehner has proven for 4 + YEARS to be a failure as a REPUBLICAN Speaker of The House.
B. Hussein Obama has used Boehner as a “discussion” doormat, EVERY time!
This also calls into question why the Republican Members of The House have chosen to face the upcoming 3 week “Budget” Battle with a proven loser as their Speaker.
Has the desire by House Republicans to lose become insatiable?
Why should ANY voter vote ever again for a Bi-Partisan, Cave-In, Welfare Republican, commonly called the disgusting name of RINO?
The Tea Party’s greatest victory so far: pushing an Amnesty Bill through the Senate.
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