'It's time to take control,' say 'tea party' groups

[liberal N proud]

For conservatives, a political surge
NEW PACS AND FUNDRAISING

The energized "tea party" movement, which upended this year's political debate with noisy anti-government protests, is preparing to shake up the 2010 elections by channeling money and supporters to conservative candidates set to challenge both Democrats and Republicans.

Buoyed by their success in capsizing a moderate Republican candidate this fall in Upstate New York, tea party activists and affiliated groups are unveiling new political action committees and tactics aimed at capitalizing on conservative opposition to health-care reform, financial bailouts and other Obama administration policies. The goal is to harness the anger that led to hundreds of protests around the country from spring to fall, including a gathering of tens of thousands of protesters on the Mall in September.

The strategy poses both an opportunity and a risk for the beleaguered Republican Party, which is seeking to take advantage of conservative discontent while still fielding candidates who appeal to independent voters. Fundraising efforts are just beginning, but tea party activists have already inspired serious challenges to establishment GOP Senate candidates Carly Fiorina in California and Charlie Crist in Florida; a similar insurgency in last month's House race in New York splintered local Republicans, leading to a Democratic victory.

"It's time to take control," conservative activist Eric Odom declares on the Web site of his new political action committee, Liberty First PAC, which will "support fellow patriots looking defend our liberty." Odom, who played a central role in organizing the first tea party protests this spring, says the PAC will not support incumbents of either party.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/09/AR2009120904637.html?wprss=rss_politics

[NJmaverick]

1. Unfortunately there are more than a few so called liberals that are more

than willing to help them.

[tblue]

9. Really? Who? nt

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[derby378]

11. I'm Democrat 'til I'm dead...

...but there are smarter ways to spend your cash. Like donating directly to Democratic candidates instead of through the DSCC.

[NJmaverick]

16. That's a reasonable postion, the ones that simple demand that donations to the Dems

should stop on the other hand, are deliberately working to push the Dems out of office.

[rudy23]

48. No, it's donation requests from the DNC, titled, "We won't back down" that upset people.

But you have your usual array of strawmen and ad hominems to try and push today's meme.

[NJmaverick]

67. The title doesn't matter, what matters is the lack of funds

will help the right wingers. So you can take your false and entirely self serving accusations and shove it. I am not going to justify or enable your deliberate attempts to bring down the Democratic party. shame on you!

[rudy23]

72. OH NOES, BLUE DOGS ARE SHORT ON FUNDS! I give directly to Progressive candidates.

That way you get to give to actual Democrats instead of New Democrats who are trying to bring down the Democratic Party from within.

[aquart]

18. Hey, it's good that someone can make a living in these hard times.

It ain't that hard to get 1000 posts.

[tblue]

20. Well, instead of insisting that no one criticize Obama's policies,

which only makes people more frustrated, maybe we need to show support for people's concerns. Let's take healthcare. Some of us wanted Obama to take a much more explicit role in driving legislation toward something closer to single payer. Now, admonishing people to shut up about those concerns is to tell them to either 1) lower their expectations of the president or 2) keep silent about them. That will never win anyone over and it won't help anything. It might be more more beneficial to acknowlege the frustrations others feel and come up with ways to address those particular concerns. You can't make people like something they don't like. And you can't really silence anybody but yourself.

I don't look at criticism of what Obama does as helping the Teanaggers. Not at all. I look at it as putting pressure on him to live up to our ideals so that more of us can counter the Teabaggers and wholeheartedly support him. I truly, truly worry that the base won't show up, not just to vote, but to volunteer in '10 an '12. You gotta have passion in great numbers, and Obama has it in his power to inspire that again. But enforced silence on DU and telling people to suck it up will not breed any inspiration. It will demoralize people who once voted for him and make them angry, and turn them off. None if us want that. Like them or not, we need them. Obama needs them.

People have high expectations and ideals, and that is a good thing, I think. How is it possible to make anyone lower their standards? The president is the first to say he wants to hear all sides. I think he's adult enough to take it. We should be, too.

[NJmaverick]

22. Strawman alert! Sorry but I think CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is not only good

but the heart of democracy. I am specifically addressing the DESTRUCTIVE criticism like my examples illustrate.

[anonymous171]

25. Not voting and not giving money are legitimate ways to bring about political change

We live in a representative democracy after all. I vote for whoever represents my views.

[NJmaverick]

26. OH those ways will bring change all right. The Tea Baggers are counting on it

[liberal_at_heart]

32. I'm more afraid of our party becoming just like the repuclicans more than I am afraid of republicans

You can bash me all you want. My vote is my vote and I will vote for someone who represents my views. Most of the time the democrats have represented my views but I feel they are too corportist now and I cannot support that. The moment they decided not to fight for single payer healthcare they lost me. Go ahead bash away.

[NJmaverick]

34. That was the fear that allowed George Bush in the White House

and the repukes to control Congress. It also lead to a Supreme Court that is now packed with civil liberty hating conservatives.

So while your vote is your vote, the consequences of your mistakes are paid by all.

[liberal_at_heart]

36. The same can be said about your vote but I would never tell you how to vote

Maybe people voting party lines have allowed the parties to feel like they can do whatever they want. Maybe it has made them think they are no longer accountable to us. But you know what I would never insult you that way. If you want to vote democrat no matter who it is then that is up to you. I have no problem with you voting for whomever you want to vote for. I respect your right to vote too much to try to bully you into voting my way.

[NJmaverick]

37. They could say it, but they would be wrong.

Obama first nominee to the Supreme Court was head and shoulders better than the last two.

Obama's first year in office has gone a long way towards cleaning up the mess left by your vote. So you can say the same, but you wouldn't have the facts to back up the statement.

[liberal_at_heart]

39. You can think whatever you like.

I have my opinion, my vote, and no amount of you insulting me is going to change that.

[NJmaverick]

41. I have not insulted you, I am just stating my fact based opinion

My comments are not make to insult, but in hopes of preventing a left wing meltdown that opens the way for the return of the right wing nuts. I don't know about you, but President Palin is a pretty scary thought.

[liberal_at_heart]

42. You are entitled to your opinion and your vote and so am I

We will just have to agree to disagree. I'm moving on to another thread now. Have a good day.

[NJmaverick]

46. Yes good day and I hope when you vote you remember that

every vote has consquences

[reggie the dog]

54. as does your vote

you vote Democrat even if they are shitty, right wing, and do not vote as would be best for the people because they are the least shitty of the 2 choices. I can respect that but I would just as soon vote for people who represent my views even if they lose.

[NJmaverick]

57. I can say everyone of my votes were to prevent right wingers from ruining this nation

can you say the same?

[reggie the dog]

65. no I can't

I will not prevent a right winger most of the time. I will vote for a liberal, be they Green or Democrat. In many respects "right wingers" are still running the nation. The Democrats, by making compromises with the minority party (why???? the Republicans never made compromises with us even when the Democrats had the Senate) the Democratic party line is center right compared to what it was in the days of Carter.

[NJmaverick]

66. How can you have lived through the hell of 8 years of bush/GOP rule...

how can you have watched bush/GOP pack the court with liberty hating judges... How can you have almost witnessed the near total destruction of our nation, under Bush's watch...

and tell me you are not doing everything you can to keep that from ever happening again?!?!

[reggie the dog]

69. Clinton gave us NAFTA

he also did jack shit to legalize the same ganja he blazed in his youth. What do right wing dems do to stop the destruction of our nation?

[reggie the dog]

53. tough shit for the Democrats

I will vote for candidates that actually represent the people, the majority of Americans want a public option after all. I will not vote for candidates who take bribes from the corporations and vote for the corporations. If Democratic politicians want to keep voting farther to the right than the people who vote for them want to then it is their own damn fault if they lose an election. Do people on the far right have a problem getting Republican politicians to vote on the far right, no they do not, so why do moderately left wing positions seem so difficult to find support for amongst the Democratic politicians?

[NJmaverick]

56. If the Democrats give way to the Republican, it will be tough shit for all of us

[reggie the dog]

63. In the long run we are fucked if we keep getting corporate dems

so if making them lose is the only way to get an actual liberal eleceted again then so be it.

[NJmaverick]

68. It's funny the Republicans would like me to believe the same thing

why do you suppose that is.

[reggie the dog]

70. easy, corporate dems through a few bones to us

the Republicans do not. As they all take bribes from the same companies, the Republicans have to argue out that they are the best. Remember most of the politicians from the 2 parties take bribes from the same companies.

[seeinfweggos]

64. uh huh. progressives NOT voting will make the world MORE progressive.

got it.

[tblue]

45. Okay. But in politics, money talks. And who's gonna give money

to a party that acts weak and a president who caters to or sides with the opposition time and time again? Who's fault is it if people opt not to support with $$$ what the presidrnt does?

Really, I appreciate having this frank and adult discussion with you. I want to solve this as badly as you do.

[27inCali]

38. we should be amazed that anything is being done at all on HCR

Obama didn't take the lead because that's what Clinton tried and it didn't work.

I think people need to remind themselves that the Repugs are totally united in opposition and that most of what Obama is trying to will be detrimental to the bottom line of a lot of powerful people.

we shouldn't be surprised that it's so hard to get done, that there are so many stalls an disappointments.

instead of blaming Obama let's blame ourselves for sleeping through the take over of our country at the hands of corporations.

[anonymous171]

40. The GOP will oppose anything to the left of Ronald Reagan. Conflict is inevitable

Appeasement never works when you face an opponent who is determined to win at all costs.

[reggie the dog]

59. why not just tell the Republicans to go fuck themselves

the VP did that on the floor of congress, but it was a Repbulican telling a Democrat to go fuck themselves. There wasnt even any bad press over it. We have the majority and we should tell the Repbulicans, really, in these words "go fuck yourselves, losers!". Average Americans would love it and it would fire up the base, but to do this you need Democrats who fight for the people, not corporate interests.

[Sebastian Doyle]

43. As long as the DLC controls the DNC they get nothing from me.

Didn't give money to Terry McUseless, won't give it to Tim Kaine. That doesn't mean I wouldn't contribute to actual Democrats, probably in local races. (that is, if I had any money, which I don't)

In either case it damn sure doesn't make me a teabagger.

You should try listening to Thom Hartmann some time. He was addressing the growing populist anger in this country earlier today, and it ain't just the teabag crowd.

[rudy23]

49. The DLC's long term plan from the getgo was to compare Progressives to teabaggers.

They think we're just like dittoheads and stupid enough to fall for it. They don't realize how it makes them look worse, and worse, with each day they ramp up the attacks on the left from the Message Discipline team.

[reggie the dog]

51. I am pissed off that there is no public option

and no single payer national health care plan. I am to the left of most Democratic politicians, why in the hell would I work with teabaggers who are to the right of W and the like?

[cliffordu]

71. Yep, perfect.

Just because some ass claims to be progressive doesn't mean a fucking thing.

Some who claim to be progressives repeat Con talking points with a fresh coat of paint and a little bondo to hide the bullshit and hate.

[WeDidIt]

58. Dennis Kucinich is at the head of the pack. n/t

[rudy23]

73. Thanks for proving my point about the Kuch bashing. nt

[rudy23]

47. Wow, this is the fifth time today I've seen the left wing teabagger/troll meme against Progressives.

You guys are playing the Rove card---accusing the other side of doing exactly what you're doing.

Sure--it's the Progressives who are upset with Obama's Reagan-lite presidency who are doing the trolling. :saracasm:

Who would pay us--George Soros? We don't have a Message Discipline team like Rahm Emanuel does, we're just that pissed off!

[bluestateguy]

2. Congressman Doug Hoffman can serve as a model for the success they hope to emulate

Yes that was a joke.

[sharp_stick]

3. Go Teabagging Whackjobs Go!

Don't forget to run third party candidates in every district and State where you are unable to snatch the GOP nomination from a less crazy asshole.

[tblue]

13. Man, there has to be a way we can have some fun with this Fleabagger thing.

How about Teabaggers (the testicle ones) for Teabaggers?

[struggle4progress]

29. Yep. W sent the party drivin up the interstate the wrong way, and now all the folk

still in the car has got thems hands on the wheel with various stompin the gas or brake. Also they is arguin about what radio station to play, and the power winders is goin up and down and up and down ...

[rudy23]

55. Was this on today's memo? I've seen it repeated exactly many, many times today.

And as opposed to the criticisms of Obama's rightward tack, these are coming from an alternate reality.

[sharp_stick]

75. Wha?

How is hoping that the teabagging assholes split the GOP vote opposed to criticisms of .... oh never mind. I think you may be looking for something that isn't here.

[derby378]

4. Perhaps we should be doing the same thing on our side of the fence

Start replacing obstinate ConservaDems with those who are ready to take America down a more progressive road. We could start by tossing out Blanche Lincoln.

[sharp_stick]

5. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be very happy.

Lincoln will be replaced by a GOP Senator in the next election quite handily unless the teabaggers manage to fuck it up by running a third party candidate.

[derby378]

8. Maybe you should check out Drew Pritt

http://www.prittforarkansas.com/

Looks like Arkansas' next Senator won't be from the GOP, after all.

[sinkingfeeling]

17. OMG, all the prayers in the world won't get him in office. Read a little about Mr. Pritt.

Drew Pritt is an Internet celebrity due to his frequent attempts to run for office, which result in vast amounts of hilarity. He has tried to run for office at least as often as Lyndon LaRouche but has been far less successful, garnering just single-digit poll numbers in the two occasions he has actually made it onto the ballot (for a city council position in Warren, AR and a county supervisor position in Bradley County, AR.) This doesn't deter him from announcing for virtually every office he can in multiple states.


http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Drew_Pritt

[sharp_stick]

19. If Drew Pritt wins the Senate seat in Arkansas

I'll donate $100 to the next Dennis Kucinich for President bid. This guy IMO doesn't stand a chance of getting elected in that State.

on edit: I added this reply to my journal as a reminder to myself in case hell freezes over.

[sinkingfeeling]

14. Lincoln will go in 2010. But if Bill Halter doesn't run, there will be one more GOP Senator.

[rudy23]

60. self delete nt

[Botany]

6. Good idea

you go guys!

[KansDem]

7. Well, as Molly Ivins once observed, "Republicans don't want to govern...

...they want to rule."

The same can be said for the GOP splinter group, the Tea Baggers: "controlling" is "ruling."

[anonymous171]

28. I think that is a pretty good policy.

Just look at how Obama "governs" and compare that to how Bush "ruled." Bush never compromised and got whatever he wanted, even when he had a 28% approval rating. Obama, on the other hand, is always wimping out and conceding his positions to the GOP even though he is significantly more popular than them.

[EnlightenedOne]

31. Well Bush/Cheney acted and ruled as Dictators

and when that didn't work, the threats they lobbied usually did. As much as it pains me - I'm glad obama abides by the law and doesn't resort to those evil tactics.

[anonymous171]

35. I'm not.

Morally/legally ambiguous tactics are not necessarily bad as long if they are used to achieve good ends. I don't care what laws politicians have to bend in order to get leftist policy written into law. Good politicians know how to wield state power effectively. Bad ones try to force compromise or play both sides. Obama is not Lincoln, he is James Buchanan.

[reggie the dog]

61. How can you fight an enemy if you do not use the same tactics they use?

[anonymous171]

74. You chide them on their lack of morals while they pummel the shit out of you

Then after they tire of mauling you, you console yourself by saying "at least I stuck to my principles."

[sinkingfeeling]

12. Oh, goody!! I'll be so happy to have these idiots split the GOP vote up.

[loyalkydem]

15. This pleases my one good eye

Now, we just need to find progressive candidates that won't cave into conserva dems.

[Democrats_win]

21. After 8 years of Bush's extremism, we sure need more of their failed ideas.

The right-wing extremists are like alcoholics who drink to forget their problems. Instead, the drinking makes their problems worse. Take war for example. The extremists thought America going to war would make us stronger. It ended up making us much weaker. Conclusion: extremism doesn't work. It will take moderation, good sense and hard work to get our country back on track.

[reggie the dog]

62. extremeism works, just not extreme right wingism

war for profit of corporations, tax laws favoring the wealthy, religious extreme laws do not work, national health insurance, a social welfare system, and government controlled utilities work in other countries and could work in the USA. These are "extreme" left wing ideas in the USA.

[Roland99]

23. To a teabagger, Liberty = Lower Taxes. That's it.

Well, as long as the taxes are going to the military, though, that's ok. Or to fund some religious organizations.

[Monk06]

24. They'll end up fighting each other and splitting off into bitter self defeating factions just like

The Minutemen. The problem with these wacka-a-doodles
is that they are consumed by anger and suspicion and
they don't know how to share the sand box.

[Posteritatis]

27. Splitting the Republican vote? More power to them. (nt)

[FarLeftFist]

30. But conservatism is a myth...n/t

[NeedleCast]

33. Good! The "Conservative" Party will destory any chance of Republican win.

[pinto]

44. LOL. From the same article -

"The tea party movement is splintered into hundreds of local and state-level groups that have differing rules and goals and for the most part have not participated in big-money politics. Many of the groups have been torn apart by personal feuds in recent months; one major umbrella organization, the Tea Party Patriots, has filed a lawsuit against a founding board member who signed on with a rival, the Tea Party Express."

(and I love this 'game plan')

"Odom...says the PAC will not support incumbents of either party."

Fracture at will, TeaParty! You aren't going to support any Dem's anyway, yet you'll definitely help further the splintering of the Repub party. Get to it!

:rofl:

[tridim]

50. FAIL just wasn't enough, they're going for EPIC FAIL now.

Bring it on fucksticks.

[spanone]

52. as your mentally challenged former leader would say...'bring it on'