October 06, 2010
What did we keep hearing for the past year and a half as the Tea Party movement grew and showed itself to be far more formidable than Democratic or Republican politicians ever could have imagined?
“Gee, ” Republican pundits were saying, “I sure hope the Tea Party remains a grass roots movement. Yeah, sure, go ahead and hold our feet to the fire but for Pete’s sake, don’t become a real honest to goodness third party called Tea Party. If you do that, it will be Ross Perot all over again. You”ll split the vote right when we have Democrats on the run, right when we’re ready to take back the House and possibly even the Senate. Come on, you tea dudes. Use your heads!”
Well, they did use their heads. They didn’t start a third party. They ran as Republicans and how did our “sensible, more balanced,” mainstream Republicans react?
In Alaska, Senator Lisa Murkowski has decided to launch a write-in campaign, rather than support Joe Miller, the Tea Party backed REPUBLICAN candidate who beat her fair and square in the primary. Had the situation been reversed, had Miller thrown a little hissy fit of his own and chosen to write himself in, the Republican establishment would be offering firm, parental admonitions. I guess it’s different if you’ve been in power for a long time, having spawned from a time honored, well known political family. Perhaps Senator Murkowski considers herself heir apparent to the throne. Or maybe her career is simply more important than the possibility of reclaiming our country from the socialistic crocodiles waiting down stream with smiley mouths wide open.
Lest you think I’m picking on poor Alaska, don’t worry, we won’t forget Delaware. Christine O’Donnell (also backed by the Tea Party; also running as a Republican) beats a fellow Republican (Mike Castle) who won’t even call to congratulate her. He too, flirted with the idea of a write in campaign but had an eleventh hour moment of decency. What’s not so decent is the way conservative talking heads lament Miss O’Donnell’s lack of experience. Yes, a person must be qualified, but just what kind of experience are we expecting? Hasn’t our smooth flowing Republican machine noticed that the winds are changing? Will it ever sink into their thick skulls that people are tired of career politicians? O’Donnell’s Democratic opponent, Chris Coons, has experience coming out of his ears. Unfortunately his better baked cake has Marxist icing on top.
Our forefathers did not envision life long career politicians. They wanted people who were professionals at a trade in the private sector, unselfishly taking on a brief term of servant leadership for their country, much the way people today break their regular routine for jury duty. (Ironically, there is talk about creating professional jurors as well. Won’t that be a hoot? Just imagine the fair, impartial verdicts from career jurors elected to office and beholding to special interest groups or families that put them in power.)
In any event, my Republican friends, please stop, take a deep breath, and notice who’s splitting the vote now. I’ll give you a hint: It’s not the Tea Party.
Share this on
