Where does Senator Saxby Chambliss stand in regard to the Tea Party movement and the Senate Caucus? Gallup released a poll on Monday Jan 31st citing how Americans feel toward the Tea Party and the GOP leadership in Washington. The poll clearly shows Americans believe that the Republicans in congress had better consider the Tea Party agenda and its ideals.
The state of Georgia holds a large number of self proclaimed Tea Party members. The actual numbers are unclear; however, Georgia is a red state and is now in republican hands. It was clear during the fall leading up to the November elections that both the Democrat and republican parties had their problems with the movement.
Democrats sought to proclaim the movement, as a whole, racist and bigoted; the Republicans, on the other hand, tried walking the political tight rope between rejection and support of the movement. The Tea Party continues to be a force which demands to be heard; their message has resonated with the American electorate according to the polls.
The House in Washington clearly intends to fulfill its strong conservative promises while the Senate seems to continue a grasp for the middle. The Senate Tea Party caucus was said to “be able to fit in the backseat of a cab” in a recent Politico article. This article, and the recent poll by Gallup, prompted me to inquire where Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) stood on the issue.
I must say, the Senators office was very friendly, cooperative, and prompt. I asked for a press release or statement from the Senator on this issue and received one within two hours of my request. While in phone and E-mail conversations with the Senators Washington office, I told them of the resent poll and asked about the Senators stance, if any, with the Tea Party. This is the response I was given via E-mail:
“The Tea Party and its many members in Georgia and across the nation have ignited a renewal that is vital and important to the nation’s future, its politics, and its government. The result has been a more open and sensitive Congress to issues that are important to all Americans. Tea Party folks in Georgia have been important leaders in this effort. Whatever the issue, from government spending to respect for our Constitution, their interest and advocacy as a part of our process often leads the reform.
“I am grateful that our republic is stronger and more responsive today because of the efforts of Tea Party Georgians and Americans.” (Senator Saxby Chambliss)
I found this to be a really strong statement of support in my opinion; however, I wonder where he stands on joining the Senate caucus? I have sent an e-mail request to the Senator asking this very question and will report his answer here at the Examiner.
A final point I would like to bring up; in researching news reports for this article I ran across this quoted statement from Senator Chambliss speaking in reference to the Tea Party Senate caucus and their agenda:
“I would hope what they would do is just think about the fact that they are brand-new to the Senate and we got a Republican Conference and they need to see how the conference works before you jump out and start saying, ‘Well the tea party position says this,’” Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) told POLITICO. “The Republican Conference has historically been pretty conservative and will be going forward. I would hope they would try to exert their influence here and not through some independent group.” (Politico,2011)
I hope the Senator would be willing to expound on his statements as they seem to contradict one another. It seems if the Senator made such a bold statement of support in his email today, he would be more than happy to join the Senate caucus? I will be glad to report back as soon as I hear from his office on this matter. Thanks, Scott
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