Tea parties across the US are starting to learn the realities of political life after the primaries. In this grassroots conundrum they have to suffer the sight of their tea party favorites appearing with many of the politicians that they set out to cull. Now that these candidates have gotten the nomination they become part of the party “establishment” and business as usual returns.
In Maine on the 4th of July, those who attended the parade in Eastport witnessed the sight of Paul LePage, the winning gubernatorial candidate who was one of the tea party favorites in the seven way race, and Olympia Snowe together. Now if a poll were taken of the tea party movement in Maine the vast majority would view Snowe as part of the problem. politi.co/dwblC7
Call her a RINO, a moderate or whatever you wish, but it’s a hard case to make that she holds any values whatsoever with the tea party movement.
Then again this move should not surprise anyone because earlier in the week not only LePage, but US Representative Republican candidates in Maine, got the backing of Mitt Romney. Romney is certainly not a conservative Republican and is seen as a moderate by many in the movement. bit.ly/cXZAO4
Of course, party loyalists merely point out that at this point its about “Party unity” and those on the right should forget their differences. It remains unclear if the tea party movement will see it that way, considering it is, at its core, a non-partisan movement that seeks to unseat all politicians that are not fiscally conservative.
Then again this could be seen merely a case of a candidate “tacking to the middle” after being on the right in the primaries. In states like Maine where independents are the “largest party”, its almost inevitable that a candidate will do this if they wish to get elected. Just how far is too far is yet to be determined.
Supporters of LePage claim that all the other candidates for governor are so far to the left that the “only choice” is LePage. As one can see from some of the past columns here, there are two independent candidates for governor who could be seen as fiscally aware. bit.ly/cq8n2L
LePage, the Republicans and his supporters no doubt hope that the tea party movement in Maine falls into line behind their candidate. It remains to be seen if the tea party movement will do so and if there is a line that LePage must not cross. If such a line exists what form does it take?
The tea party movement in Maine, as it is in the rest of the country, is not a monolithic group that moves in lock-step. It is looking like some Republican candidates across the US are unaware of this fact.
Comments
Great insight!!
With the tea party movement, I've found that most are careful to state that their movement isn't overtly democrat or republican - both parties have problems.
What I see are political opportunists that latch on to the Teaparty talking points; perhaps even organizing a tea party event in order to tap into the powerful grass root organizing power of the Tea Party.
Some have even convinced prominent bloggers who identify with the tea party movement to cover their primary campaign.
That is the weakness of this movement - some tend to latch on to any candidate who mouths teaparty talking points without peeking into the candidates closet.
Totally agree Tania
There are those that want to use the Movement for their own purpose.
Tania, I call it "the bright lights" problem. Some activists just melt when a candidate starts paying attention to them. A healthy dose of cynicism is necessary when it comes to nominees and their attention to tea party values.
Thoughts on LePage in Maine:
LePage has a history that demonstrates an authentic value system based upon the rights of the individual while his life circumstances in his formative years allowed some insight as to where and how his character was built. It's about the evidence here. Folks I have spoken with regarding "party unity" and such topics have a pretty good grip on "political realities" of which one particular important factor is an educated populace that looks at a candidate specifically on their own merits while keeping a keen eye on what may appear as compromising. Taking the Blaine House will depend on a number of factors and while Senator Snowe is a source of angst and anger, walking in a parade isn't equating to compromise or "business as usual". The movement on the ground is still alive and kicking while we continue to reach deeper into our own communities to connect, educate, engage more people in the political process. A renaissance of civic engagement is the best hope
Thoughts on LePage in Maine:
LePage has a history that demonstrates an authentic value system based upon the rights of the individual while his life circumstances in his formative years allowed some insight as to where and how his character was built. It's about the evidence here. Folks I have spoken with regarding "party unity" and such topics have a pretty good grip on "political realities" of which one particular important factor is an educated populace that looks at a candidate specifically on their own merits while keeping a keen eye on what may appear as compromising. Taking the Blaine House will depend on a number of factors and while Senator Snowe is a source of angst and anger, walking in a parade isn't equating to compromise or "business as usual". The movement on the ground is still alive and kicking while we continue to reach deeper into our own communities to connect, educate, engage more people in the political process. A renaissance of civic engagement is the best hope
Cynthia he also took money from Mitt "Romneycare" Romney hardly a tea party favorite either. Others have been opining that now LePage has the nomination he drifting away from the grassroots and fully embracing the Republican establishment of Maine.
Its far more than just walking in a parade. And surely he could have found parades in Maine where he wasn't sharing it with Snowe. Its not like there are only a few in the entire state.
Oh yes and one more thing... people have done research and claim that LePage had little control over the Waterville budget (its the Town Manager's job). Did Waterville receive any help from the Feds with their money problems?
Have any of the LePage supporters read the City Charter of Waterville? Because it is very clear that the mayor of that city, no matter who it is, has little power. The city manager sets the budget, hires and fires staff, deals with the day-to-day running of things.
The mayor, as the city website says, "does not keep regular office hours."
LePage cuts ribbons, not taxes.
It may be that RINO Snowe wanted to be seen with Tea Party supported LePage, so that she would be perceived as more conservative.
I say lets get Glenn Beck to run for president, kick all of the ones out and start fresh!
Contrary to what the left would have you believe, nearly all tea party members, let's call them patriots, can think for themselves and think on their feet. If a candidate can talk the talk, but can't walk the walk, the result will be roadkill.
This is a political movement (I laugh when I hear the left refer to the Tea Party as if it were a political party) which is running very, very deep. The left doesn't get it, and by the time they do, it'll be too late; they'll be crushed.
This movement consists of groups that start out as ten or twelve very serious and very concerned folks, coming together with other small groups until you have a million of us marching on Washington. We are activists and we will be getting out the vote unlike any existing political party or group.
Hold on to your butts, it's going to be an interesting election, and an interesting movement. Hope LePage is real. There may be opportunists, but do not think (as the left does) that we're a bunch of rube
The tea party is not a politcal party, but a movement, a state of mind and it should stay that way!
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