Tea Party Future

Like more than a million other Americans, yesterday [April 15th] I attended a local Tea Party rally. The weather was perfect and the site of this particular rally was a beautiful lake-side park. However, the attendance was disappointing and the content of the presentations was uninspiring.

With this experience fresh in my mind, today's article by conservative commentator, Erick Erickson made me think that he could be correct in his observations. To be fair, I have not in the past been pro-Erickson but this animosity appeared to be fading.

Erickson wrote, "The tea parties have served an honorable and good purpose. But we have to move to Tea Party 2.0, which involves embracing the tea party legacy while moving beyond it." He also stated that, "Move beyond protesting to fighting in primaries, ballot boxes and becoming more effective activists." He has hit the nail on the head. Just what are the Tea Party goals and how should the Tea Party be developed as primaries approach; the 2010 general elections approach; and the 2012 opportunity to electorally remove Obama approaches?

There is a political move being promoted by some pundits which urges that Sarah Palin take over the Tea Party; turn it into a real national political party; and begin at once to run for President in 2012 on a third party [Tea Party] ticket. This sounds exactly what Ross Perot did in 1992 which resulted not only in his defeat but also allowed the victory of liberal Democrat Bill Clinton.

To this conservative, Republican, Tea Party activist I have decided that I do not want to see the Tea Party become an organization that names and advances the future of candidates that run for public office from the Tea Party. Rather, the Tea Party must remain a strong, active organization that helps educate America voters as to what is really happening in our nation; promotes the fundamental ideals of our Constitution; and works to secure the election of candidates who honestly embrace the traditional values of the United States.

Erick Erickson has expressed an interesting thought, but the Tea Party must remain an independent organization. It should promote only what it deems appropriate and this includes candidates from any political party who not only express "correct" political views but have a history of practicing those views.

Erickson's thoughts will be monitored but I am not, as of today, yet one of his loyal fans.