Since the release of the Gallup poll results on Monday of this week, the question of Republican support for the Tea Party and its agenda needs to be addressed. This poll shows the very strong support of the Tea Party from the American people. Once the National Republican Party became aware that Tea Party members intended to hold them accountable, as well as Democrats, it appears to have soured the relationship.
In yesterday`s article I was able to quote Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) about his stance with the Tea Party. The quote I received from his press office was quite supportive; in fact, I would call it an endorsement of the Tea Party. The problem comes when you ask Republican Senators about the Tea Party Caucus in the Senate; that is when you see what appears to be the same old Washington shuffle the voters are so tired of seeing. It would be nice to see representatives give a straight yes or no answer to the question.
I contacted Senator Chambliss` office today and asked a follow up question addressing his support, if any, for the Tea Party Caucus in the Senate. I must say, once again his staff is very friendly and quite responsive; again I had an answer within hours of the call. This is the kind of response the voters should expect from their representatives in Washington. My direct question to the Senator was this, “Do you plan to join and/or support the Tea Party Caucus in the Senate.” The response I received was not from the Senator himself but from his spokesperson:
“Sen. Chambliss understands that Sens. Lee and Paul are forming the Senate Tea Party Caucus and he looks forward to working with them as Congress addresses the challenges facing our nation.
“Since Sen. Chambliss’ election to the Senate in 2002, he has been a member of the Senate Steering Committee currently chaired by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. Chambliss is on its executive committee that helps review and determine policy initiatives for the Republican Caucus.
“The Steering Committee has long supported conservative ideals and Sen. Chambliss believes all conservative members should work together to advocate and implement strong, conservative legislation.”
I want to thank Senator Chambliss` office for their cooperation in this matter, and their very quick response to this question. I can only take this answer as a yes in regard to his support of the Tea Party Caucus. I do not believe he plans to join the caucus from his answer.
The Tea Party agenda has resonated with the voters and their representatives should understand they will not be ignored. This grass roots conservative organization had an enormous impact on the November elections. The Republican Party has found itself between the proverbial rock and a hard place with the Tea Party and its supporters. The Republicans seem to still be caught in the political correctness game of the so called mainstream media.
During the years the Republicans held the majority in the house and Senate they fell prey to every threat leveled on them by the Democrats. The media would then magnify the template of the day without regard to its truth. The Tea Party no doubt put the republicans back in power in November and the republicans will make a huge mistake in underestimating their resolve to get Government to listen to them.
I have contacted Senator Johnny Isakson`s office as well and his press office did return my call this afternoon. I have posed the same question to Senator Isakson and will report on his answer in a later article. His press office promised to call me back tomorrow with his response.
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