Published by Communities At Washington Times, 11-4-10
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. Most of the viable ones ran as Republicans and how did our “sensible, more balanced,” mainstream Republicans react?
In Alaska, Senator Lisa Murkowski 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 have offered 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) beat a fellow Republican (Mike Castle) who publicly stated that he would not endorse her. He too, flirted with the idea of a write in campaign but had an eleventh hour moment of decency. What wasn’t so decent? The microscopic amount of funding from her own “Republican” party.
But Miss O’Donnell did get treated to generous helpings of criticism from certain conservative talking heads lamenting her lack of experience. Yes, a person must be qualified, but just what kind of experience were 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 victorious Democratic opponent, Chris Coons, has experience coming out of his ears. Unfortunately, this better-baked cake has Obama rubber stamps decorating the icing.
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.)
Florida also provided more adventure than Disney World itself, but we’ll mercifully forget Charlie Crist’s melt down. Charming Charlie’s chosen chance to champion himself above the cause has had its way with him and it did not stop Tea Party backed Mark Rubio, so, justice having been done, we can leave Charlie in peace to lick his wounds.
In any event, my Republican friends, now that November 2, 2010 has come and gone, please stop, take a deep breath, and notice who threatened three key senate races; Florida, Delaware and Alaska. I’ll give you a hint: It wasn’t the Tea Party.
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