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Last call for Tea Party in 2012?

Last call for Tea Party in 2012?

It’s not looking good in Florida.

The polls show Romney surging as a result of the Romney plan exposed by The NY Times to overwhelm Newt via Romney’s close ties to Drudge and a collective effort of the Republican establishment to go after Newt in what The Wall Street Journal reported as “unlike anything the party has seen in decades.”

With ad buys three times Newt, and tons of biased free media, Newt may be seeing Iowa II.

Newt has gained widespread Tea Party support in the past few days, but it may be too little too late.  And trust me on this one, if the Romney establishment is holding grudges from the 1980s and 1990s against Newt, they will remember that in 2011-2012 the Tea Party movement was against them.

Palin says “Vote Newt.”  Hopefully more people do than the polls indicate.

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Comments

It is difficult to express exactly how I feel about this and the situation that Tea Partiers find themselves in. I am outraged, sort of depressed, and wondering if there is any chance to beat the establishment. I feel like I am being pushed away by Romney and the Republican Party.

    JRD in reply to Rick. | January 29, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    Congratulations, that is exactly how the totalitarian Republican oppressive elites want you to feel, overwhelmed.

    I’m down here in Ground Central, Allen West’s Fl-22. We are enraged and never had more enthusiasm to throw out the entrench “Bush Florida Machine.” We don’t intimidate too easily down here. There is NO difference between Obama and Romney.
    It is also extremely apparent that the Bush Machine is still smarting from their loss in 1980 to the Gipper.

    Florida went total Tea Party in 2010. It is the Mittbama-bots who are in a panic. They told you Willard was winning in South Carolina too, duh!

    Long live the Reagan Revolution!

      wodiej in reply to JRD. | January 29, 2012 at 1:32 pm

      thanks for the encouragement. I find it more than a little odd that Gingrich would be drawing thousands at rallies vs Romney’s few hundred. I am guessing Palin and Cain’s endorsements haven’t figured into these polls yet. Allen West even said he felt Gingrich would be the best candidate to help the black community. Someone has some major power if they are keeping Romney afloat as weak as he is.

        JRD in reply to wodiej. | January 29, 2012 at 1:40 pm

        It’s a full court press to intimidate the conservative base. They bought off Drudge. The bought off Pam Bondi, and Rubio. The natives are enraged. Word is that former AG Bill McCollum is talking this personally.

        You haven’t heard the last from Mittbama-bots despicable minions. They will come out all guns blazing these next 2 days.

        Bring it gentlemen. The gloves are off. Game on!

      Say_What in reply to JRD. | January 29, 2012 at 1:39 pm

      That’s the spirit JRD!

      Tamminator in reply to JRD. | January 29, 2012 at 1:51 pm

      That’s the attitude I like to hear! And if there’s anyone down in Florida who will lead the way, it’s JRD.
      Keep it up, tea party compatriot.

      I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m tired of the media and the cocktail Republicans choosing my nominee for me.

      Fight on, JRD!

      raven in reply to JRD. | January 29, 2012 at 1:52 pm

      Fascinating to me that these people can hold 30-year grudges against conservatives but have never managed to say “boo” to the Left. What sickness is that?

    JackRussellTerrierist in reply to Rick. | January 29, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    It is depressing, but that doesn’t mean you have to fall into that trap and be depressed. Don’t let them control you. they want you to be depressed, demoralized and discouraged.

    Keep fighting. Turn an iron chin to them full-on instead of a glass jaw.

    The GOP establishment took an ass whuppin’ in ’10. they weren’t prepared. Now they are, and they’ve pulled out all the stops, whips, mace, pikes, quarterstaves, axes, swords, scimitars, daggers, battering rams, shields, torches, lances, chainmail and chain mail they can muster against us.

    Forge ahead, and never let them shut you up though demoralization. Tell everyone you know, over and over, how important this is to them and their family, what to watch for, how the underhanded GOP masters’ (and ‘rats’) machinations operate, and send money to the good guys when you can.

    Just some friendly advice.

    AmandaFitz in reply to Rick. | January 29, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    Rick’s comment has summed up my own feelings. Apparently, the ruling class in the GOP doesn’t WANT to defeat Obama- because Romney can’t. They’d rather make sure that the established order isn’t challenged. As long as it’s Obama or Romney, they benefit- Soros said it the other day.

What is truly outrageous is that if Romney wins Florida the race will be over…with only four states having weighed in.

    scooterjay in reply to creeper. | January 29, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    I’m thinking it is about time for a huge TEA part rally in each state at the state capitol

    Windy City Commentary in reply to creeper. | January 29, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    The race wasn’t over when Newt won South Carolina, and it won’t be over if Romney wins Florida. Hot Air had a summary of the internals for the latest Rasmussen Poll. Looks like most Florida voters are completely voting based on one thing only: They think Romney can beat Obama and Newt can’t. Wonder where they got that idea?

    From Hot Air- “On the critical issue of electability, Romney has prevailed mightily. He gets the nod over Gingrich as the best opponent to Obama by almost 2-1, 53/29. He also has a double-digit lead on the question of which would be more likely to keep campaign promises, 38/21, perhaps a backfire from Gingrich’s moon-base promises to Floridians — a case where pandering fell victim to reality.”

    In other words, Floridians have completely bought in to the “only Romney can beat Obama” BS, and they also have given up on NASA. OK, Florida, a Newt administration will just launch shuttles from another state once he rebuilds NASA. He gave you first dibs, and you decided to vote for the creator of socialized medicine in the U.S. instead.

    Did we really expect Florida voters to make a wise choice?

      Hot Air had a summary of the internals for the latest Rasmussen Poll. Looks like most Florida voters are completely voting based on one thing only: They think Romney can beat Obama and Newt can’t. Wonder where they got that idea?

      This is 1980 Redux. I remember the mantra 32 years ago when Reagan was considered reckless and a warmonger. His economic plan was called “voodoo economics”. It was posited that Reagan can’t win the general election because he was too polarizing. That argument came not from the Democrats but the GOP Establishment.
      Back then, the Conservative Movement was vibrant. Today, there are many who want a place at the Establishment table. They look down on the Tea Party as upstarts in the same manner the GOP Establishment looked down on the Conservative Movement led by Goldwater. A Romney win is the death knell for the Tea Party. It is time to realize that.
      To quote Reagan: “If not us, who? If not now, when?”

        CalMark in reply to spartan. | January 29, 2012 at 1:45 pm

        “A Romney win is the death knell for the Tea Party. It is time to realize that.”

        How dare you, sir. How dare you surrender like that. Even more, HOW DARE YOU voice such defeatism. Are you a concern troll?

        It is NOT the end. You think we’re just gonna roll over and play dead?

        Tea Partiers don’t just QUIT. We’ll go down fightin’.

        And if you don’t believe that, you know NOTHING about the Tea Parties.

          spartan in reply to CalMark. | January 29, 2012 at 2:11 pm

          Please do not misunderstand that statement. When I say “death knell”, it is meant that all the gains made in the 2010 election cycle will go for naught. It means the concerns of the Tea Party will be ignored. It means the media (MSM and Conservative) will treat us as the vocal minority when the exact opposite is true.

          What Obama began, Romney will finish. What Obama is unable or unwilling to do, Romney will complete. The rank-and-file GOP will march along with Romney; just like they did with Bush. The Tea Party should target for defeat any legislator who backs Romney. The Tea Party will retrench; just as the Conservatives did after Goldwater’s defeat. As long as the Tea Party thinks long term over short term; it will survive.

Well, Rick, don’t feel lonely. The Democrats threw me out, with Joe Lieberman. And, if you know anybody in Florida, give them a call, or drop them an email.

We can do this.

If Mitt’s the nominee, then it’s time to consider forming a third party. The status quo isn’t acceptable. I wrote about it here:

http://www.letfreedomringblog.com/?p=12349

    tory4glory in reply to LFRGary. | January 29, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    There’s a third party that has existed for many years that mirrors Tea Party beliefs and that is the Constitution Party. While I hate to “waste my vote” as the Repulicrats will tell me, I think it’s finally time to vote my conscience and not the lesser of two evils. Romney has disgusted me with his tactics against his fellow Republicans because you know he would never do this to Obama (dare he get called a racist by Rachel Maddow & Chris Matthews). Sorry but I am just done with the Republicans and until there is an official Tea Party formed I will vote Constitution Party so that I don’t have to leave a polling booth feeling like I need a bath.

@creeper: But, will the party be over. Because if the party is over, then truly that Grand Old Party will be over, it’s just that the funeral will be planned for 2016 and beyond.

Either the people are listened to and not follow the “elites” or this country will dry up and be blown away, and maybe not by Iran or our other enemies.

Read some of the early American histories by Pauline Maier, especially about the decade leading up to our wonderful revolution. She describes behaviors back then very much like the current day Tea Party movement. The end result was of course to change our history and the world’s too.

If now the Tea Party movement does not change the course of the GOP, our world will be changed once again, for the worse this time, while our Constitution will be rolled up and stored in a musty, closely secured safe.

The Republican Party is on an offensive to eliminate the influence of the TEA Party folks. We invaded their turf and got into their “smoke-filled rooms”. If they think we are leaving with our tails between our legs, they are sadly mistaken. If this continues, plan on another summer of exciting town-hall meetings the Republicans will…not…like.

Speaking of holding grudges, the Florida GOP legislature is already re-districting Allen West out of his seat in Congress.

On the other hand, there are long-held grudges on both sides:

Mitt Romney, who unabashedly ran away from the Reagan legacy and conservative principles in his 1994 Senate campaign and 2002 gubernatorial campaign.

https://legalinsurrection.com/2012/01/nancy-reagan-1995-ronnie-turned-that-torch-over-to-newt/

Dear God, what a mess.

Notice the enormous disrespect displayed toward Sarah Palin: as she talks, the plastic-babe keeps rattling her papers and even whispering.

    wodiej in reply to CalMark. | January 29, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    I was NOT happy about the way Gov. Palin was treated. It was rude and disrespectful!

      CalMark in reply to wodiej. | January 29, 2012 at 1:49 pm

      They do these things, thinking that we don’t notice. THAT defines arrogance: they don’t care.

      First rule of warfare (and this IS war, including by FOX and Drudge): NEVER underestimate your opponent.

      P.S. Reagan was supposed to lose by double digits in 1980. The Republicans were supposed to lose, AGAIN, in 1994. The polls do not seem to jibe with reality: Gingrich polls, SC: +6 at most, many said “toss-up.” Result: Gingrich, +12.

      P.P.S. Santorum needs to get out. Otherwise, he proves that he’s just a self-serving Establishment-lite weasel. I know people prefer him to Newt, but he’s drawing no water. Sometimes, you have to give in for the good of the cause.

        Tamminator in reply to CalMark. | January 29, 2012 at 1:56 pm

        I agree. As much as I like Santorum, he is never polling high enough to be a contender. He should pull out before the Tuesday primary.

RexGrossmanSpiral | January 29, 2012 at 12:58 pm

3..2…The Republican party is about to implode…

Windy City Commentary | January 29, 2012 at 1:00 pm

Where is Red State? When Perry dropped out of the race Red State.com backed Newt, but they are doing nothing to promote him. If Rick Perry had gone through what Newt has gone through this past week, Red State and Erik Erickson would be going ballistic 24/7 defending Perry. When it comes to Newt; they just sit on the sidelines.

    Newt is not exactly a TEA Party type, either.

    This is not only a battle for the heart and soul of the GOP, it is a battle for the heart and soul of America. Do we want two Big Government parties? Or do we want someone, somewhere advocating for smaller federal government and more power to the states?

    GAWD, I am now thinking my best choice is ….Ron Paul? Has it really come to that?

      Windy City Commentary in reply to Deekaman. | January 29, 2012 at 2:05 pm

      Did Newt balance the budget and pass welfare reform in the 1990s or not? I’m getting tired of so many people thinking that Newt is just as big govt. as Romney, the man who signed socialized medicine into law. I suppose I’ll hear next that Gingrich supported the individual mandate and somehow this exonorates Romney from creating socialized medicine in America. Gingrich is not as liberal as Romney, Gingrich is more conservative than most Republicans in Congress. Look at the records when the candidates were actually in office. That is what matters.

      Hmmmmm. Dirty, smelly left sneaker or Obama. The sneaker gets my vote.

The Tea Party is a threat to the Republican establishment they won’t let go of their castles easily. Don’t give up Prof. this FL voter will vote Newt in the primary and I know many that will. It is frustrating, FL is a difficult state for all candidates and Newt needed to score well in the debates with Romney spending avalanche in place. My issue is we have to get the Santorum voters to go with Newt down here not sure if they will as Newt isn’t the perfect Tea Party candidate and with Beck railing against him day after day many do not want to risk a Newt vote. Perhaps a vote for Romney is a vote for Obamacare slogan will work down the line after florida. I know it would have worked here but Newt needed to start that mantra early.

    JRD in reply to lions. | January 29, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    I don’t know ONE person who is voting for Mittbama, not ONE!

    Midwest Rhino in reply to lions. | January 29, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    seems like Beck was losing conservatives, and started marketing more to Ron Paul folks. He didn’t want to be company with Newt voters, so I guess is effectively promoting Romney.

      Tamminator in reply to Midwest Rhino. | January 29, 2012 at 1:58 pm

      Beck can kiss my assterisk. After hearing his rant on the radio before the South Carolina primary, I’ve lost a lot of faith in him.
      For a guy who demands truth, he certainly is spouting a lot of bull.

I am close to deciding that I don’t care whether Mitt or BO win. The GOP is making it pretty clear they have little interest in conservatives and that they feel they can win by appealing to moderate Republicans and Independents. Perhaps they can I will still vote down ticket but if Romney is the GOP candidate I’ll be leaving that line blank. It’s become a Hobson’s choice.

    RexGrossmanSpiral in reply to katiejane. | January 29, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    I’m seeing the same thing. I won’t make any special effort to get out and vote for romney. Maybe the real way for the R establishment to go down is with an Obama win that makes them look undeniably foolish.

      Jusuchin (Military Otaku) in reply to RexGrossmanSpiral. | January 29, 2012 at 2:07 pm

      I fancy myself somewhat middle of the road, but I know damn well back when Cain had a strong showing that Romney wasn’t the answer. Keep it up Tea Party! We have to show these asswipes who is boss.

Sorry Professor, this is not the last stand of the Tea Party.

Much of the Tea party’s planks cannot be enacted without a president willing to sign all that into law, and for that strong fiscal limited govt folks are needed in Congress. And as I said before, without a republican president, even one who’s flip flopped all over the place, but at least now is willing to say he will support those policies, well, without that said president, nothing will be able to be signed into law.

As for the flip flopping, I’ll only describe my political journey, I was a Hillary supporter, campaigned for her in 2008. I consider myself a moderate/conservative, conservative on fiscal limited govt issues, socially more liberatarian, left leaning. The party I was a member of for years is now overun with socialists and marxists, 2006 with the ousting of Liberman was the first salvo, then the full turn to the hard left was in 2008. There is no place for moderate/conservative dems (ex-dems) like me in that lunatic party.

I supported “Universal health care”, since I’m guessing most of you are not dems, and didn’t follow the dem primaries in 2008, this was a huge thing for the demonRat party, I 100% supported “Universal health care”. And I will freely admit I did not get the whole thing, back then I believed in a govt run healthcare program, thought that would take care of everyone.

Then marxist barry came along, and more imporantly the tea party came along, they focused predominatly on fiscal issues, I attended a few TP events, and I started learning just how “free” Free universal healthcare was. I started listening to Ron Paul’s fiscal speeches, and was embarassed as to how much I didn’t know, and how much I believed the lies I was told by the lefty media and the dems.

Now, I consider myself a staunch opponent of it, I want as many people to be able to afford healthcare, and good medicine, for that to happen, a free market approach is needed, and more imporantantly, very limited federal govt intervention.

So, the flip-flopping thing, I can overlook, because I know I supported many liberal policies until the TP people started articulating why those policies are bad. And this transition takes time, this eye opening takes time.

And again, as much as people here seem to hate Romney, I don’t, I’ll support whoever the nominee is, I plan on using my vacation time campaigning for them. It deeply troubles me that so many repubs are willing to sit at home if their said candidate doesn’t win.

But as for the TP’s “last stand”, no professor, while there are many independents like me who don’t really consider ourselves “tea partiers”, I support many of their stances, its because of them I voted republican in 2010.

The tea party is not going away, especially with the Internet, where independent minded voters like me can listen and read views without the liberal establishment filter.

–just my humble opinion.

    Dynamism in reply to alex. | January 29, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    The TP will be heavily demoralized if this election cycle plays out the way it’s looking like it’s going to.

    Sorry, but when you’ve got a GOP nominee who’s basically pledged to implement ObamneyCare in all 50 states now, that’s not something the TP is going to rally behind.

    Apathy and disinterest will soar between 2012-2016, and probably beyond, as activists resign themselves to the reality that the establishment political class truly owns this country.

      CalMark in reply to Dynamism. | January 29, 2012 at 1:26 pm

      I despise negativity like yours.

      “Activists” don’t simply dry up and blow away. They find another means toward their end.

      Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

        Dynamism in reply to CalMark. | January 29, 2012 at 2:42 pm

        And I admire your optimistic tenacity.

        But realistically—the socioeconomic demographics of this country and its political climate are simply not in the TP’s long-term favor. We’re nigh on a tipping point where over 50% will pay no income tax. If the country’s present course isn’t altered now in a fundamental way, it will be too late later.

        Read your Toynbee. What we’re looking at now is the precipice on which civilizations die. The US is contracting inwards in an appeal to address its internal decay—turning away from innovation, exploration, and expansion, as dying civilizations are apt to do. Look at how many are scathingly criticizing the lunar colony idea. This is absurdly myopic, and ultimately symptomatic of a weak and pathetic society that’s lost its will.

        This decline isn’t inevitable, but the historical trends are what they are.

          While your arguement is sound on the face of it, I don’t recall ever reading that Toynbee made an admission that this Rebublic of the United States is incomparible to any other society that has ever been….or perhaps he just didn’t notice the words of Patrick Henry.

      I don’t think it will be demoralised, not with great blogs like this keeping the spotlight on it, also close to now 30% of americans get their news from the Internet, so the LSM is losing influence massively, when an entity like the MSM is no longer seen as an impartial entity, they’re opinions are not as relevant.

      So, I have no doubt Romney will disspoint, however for congress, an effort has to be kept up to bring in strong fiscal conservatives, whenever the professor highlights a candidate, I email that to everyone I know and we all donate to that person.

      and with approaching 16 trillion in debt, this country is now approaching a debt death spiral. There is no way around it, hard decisions will have to be made, so the TP will continue to grow as more people like me will continue have their blinders taken off on the lies they have been told.

      I wish people understood, this is not an all-or-nothing thing, as long as the ball is being moved to get to a smaller govt, less spending, that’s a good thing, and as the debt gets even bigger and the interst on it even bigger this ball will be moving even faster, and the TP is imperative to making sure people understand why a small limited govt is necessary for future prosperity.

        Tamminator in reply to alex. | January 29, 2012 at 2:02 pm

        So true, Alex.
        We have to win the House and Senate, and then, if Romney is the President(even though he’s a flip flopping kiss-up) he will be hard pressed not to pass the legislation before him.

          Dynamism in reply to Tamminator. | January 29, 2012 at 4:59 pm

          Winning the House and Senate won’t make any difference. It could arguably make things worse, considering you’ve got hacks like Boehner and McConnell who will just be complicit with Romney in managing the US’s decline.

          Tamminator in reply to Tamminator. | January 29, 2012 at 6:29 pm

          Maybe. But if it comes to voting for Romney(gag) or Obama next fall, I will not hesitate to vote for Romney, even though he disgusts me.

          OBAMA MUST GO.

    delicountessa in reply to alex. | January 29, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    Alex, while I understand your sentiment, that phrase “so many will stay home if their candidate doesn’t win” starts to look a little disingenuous when so many people have had their candidates drop out and have dutifully chosen another. The only ones I know of who have said that they won’t vote the nominee from the very beginning are the Ron Paul supporters. I do know that up until now, my candidate was ABO but watching this play out, I am disgusted with the establishment GOP and Rommey. The establishment GOP had hoped by now that, by picking off Tea Party candidates one by one, the only one left would be Romney. Santorum and Newt both surprised them and Newt is seen as far more of a threat so, of course, he must be destroyed by the very people who, two years ago (or less), spoke of him in glowing terms. I’ve had enough. ABO is no longer my candidate. ABE is (anyone but Establishment). If I were in Virginia, I’d vote Paul. Scare the crap out of the elites and watch how fast they change. IF they give us a brokered convention and we have Christie, Bush or Romney, I’m writing in DeMint. My mind is made up.

If Newt can be taken out by “friendly fire”, how would he fare against the DNC/MSM complex going head to head with an incumbent President and all their resources?

    JDmyrm in reply to Anchovy. | January 29, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    I would dispute ‘friendly fire’. He’s taking the GOP on as much as he’s taking on the Dems.

    It is NOT friendly fire. The Tea Party has realized that the true enemy is the Republican elites. Beat them and beating Obama will be like taking candy from a baby. Reagan proved that in 1980 when he beat the Republican elite Bush. The race against Carter was a walkover. Carter conceded at 8:00PM.
    The Republican elites are trying to rewrite history.

    Mittbama never had more than 28% of the base. You can’t spin that fact.

      Anchovy in reply to JRD. | January 29, 2012 at 2:00 pm

      What makes you think I am spinning anything? Just because someone disagrees with you does not make them your enemy. That is mindless FreeRepublic lockstep crap.

      It is friendly fire because it is coming from Republicans and is small change compared to what the Dems are going to do no matter who runs.

      All this blood letting just helps Obama. These idiots (all of them) are turning people off, at best, and against them at worst.

        I didn’t accuse you of spinning anything. I accused the Republican elites of spinning. Romney is the one losing this war not us. It is not friendly fire. The Republican elites are our enemy not our friend.

        JackRussellTerrierist in reply to Anchovy. | January 29, 2012 at 2:26 pm

        Anchovy, you’ve been in the can too long. You seem to have missed what the GOP has displayed about itself for the last two weeks – or you support it.

        There has been nothing “friendly” about their fire, tactics and vulgar display of disdain against conservatives and the supposed principles of the party.

        Anchovy, you may or may not be spinning for Mitt, but there’s something fishy about your “friendly fire” admonition.

          Henry Hawkins in reply to JackRussellTerrierist. | January 29, 2012 at 2:44 pm

          There’s a huge difference eluding anchovy. In the primaries, it’s Romney the liberal vs three types, or grades if you will, of conservatives: Gingrich, Santorum, and Paul, obviously. The anti-Romney vote is split three ways. Romney still cannot muster a majority of his own party. Were Santorum and Paul to drop out, how much of their support would switch to Romney? 10% tops is my guess, and the rest to Gingrich.

          In the general, the GOP nominee will not be splitting Republican/conservative support. It’s a two candidate race. As for taking fire in the general after taking fire in the primaries – that which does not kill me makes me stronger.

          Actually I am pretty well fed up with all of them. I think many are.

          I used to think I was a political junky, but I am moving over to the pox on all of them side. There is no one among this group I would walk across the street to vote for.

          It isn’t even February and I am fed up with politics and politicians. Maybe we should start the FUP (Fed Up Party).

    JackRussellTerrierist in reply to Anchovy. | January 29, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    The difference is the blindsiding aspect of the GOP’s plays. We expect the slimiest of tactics writ large by the ‘rats, but we don’t expect full-bore cannon fire from our left flank during primary season. This is not a typical primary battle that we’re watching. This is a full-out Fifth Column sneak attack from within. It’s like coming home from work and finding your formerly loving spouse standing in the kitchen doorway blasting you with a shotgun. Your last thought as you check out is, “WTF?”

“if the Romney establishment is holding grudges from the 1980s and 1990s against Newt, they will remember that in 2011-2012 the Tea Party movement was against them.”

Good. We’re going to remember too. Let them fear us.

I’m a registered Independent in California ever since I realized that California Republicans didn’t care about conservatives with their nominations of Schwarzenegger and Whitman.

Since my vote no longer counts due to California having become solidly blue, I won’t be voting for Romney or Obama.

Tea Party endorsed? Last I read 300 self proclaimed Tea Party leaders endorsed him which equals 300 individuals I have not noticed a leader among the Tea Party, Palin might have been but she abdicated and went for the money. Right now I strongly feel if a true leader showed up we would have a strong 3rd party.

    JackRussellTerrierist in reply to hwill. | January 29, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Sarah and Todd Palin have a family to support and legal bills to pay because of ginned-up lawsuits from leftist cranks. She raises a lot of money for a lot of TP candidates and her endorsement carries weight. She’s done more to organize conservatives than any person since Newt in ’94 and Reagan before him.

    Or should she and her family be living on beans every night and driving a hooptie?

In Virginia, my choice is no-choice. I can vote for the establishment candidate, Romney, or I can vote for Ron Paul. The establishment Republicans in Virginia are doing this to protect Romney and to ensure his victory.

How does someone who changes his values based on political expediency deserve to be the Republican nominee, let alone President? Romney has described himself as a “moderate progressive.” That’s what we have, in effect, in President Obama. Romney will not work to repeal the ACA – he does not have the heart to do it. He can’t challenge Obama on it because he defends his own RomneyCare in MA.

Anyone, even an orange juice can, can beat Obama. But only if that person is a conservative, not a “moderate progressive,” or an establishment Republican. Ann Coulter, and other so-called “conservatives” who defend Romney and his non-conservatisim with their verbal gymnastics, have it exactly wrong: A vote for Newt does not hand victory to Obama. A vote for Romney does.

As the great Reagan said, “This is freedom’s last stand on earth.”

    JackRussellTerrierist in reply to burntmtnman. | January 29, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    Were I in VA, I’d vote for Paul. He’s a nutburger, for the most part, and isn’t going to get the nomination anyway. But a vote for him would at least lower the enthusiasm number for Mitt going forward. That seems like the best you can do, or write in Newt.

It ain’t over, so don’t give up the ship. After Watergate they told us we were finished as a party, but we just worked harder and by 1980 we elected Reagan. Seems to me the RINOs are trying to do the same thing to the Conservatives now. But I’ve long ago ceased to let the opposition demoralize me, whether they are libs or RINOs doing the attacking – it is all the same to me. And whether we win or lose in FL, there are 46 more states to go and the red states have not spoken yet.
Press on conservatives, we have a country to save!

OK setting aside Florida? I remain confused with national polls. RCP average shows Newt losing a point since yesterday. OK fine..I get that….maybe folks see the Florida situation and change minds.
But how so we explain this? Nationally. Romney is losing ground to Obama (see r/h column) yet Newt maintains against Obama.
Anyway…lets not throw in the towel yet. Still enough time between now and Tuesday for a change.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/election.aspx

    That’s because of the fight between newt and romney, its bringing both their negatives on a national scale much higher.

    And making it seem like romney is losing to that marxist barry.

    All that will matter is about 10 swing states. The rest will fall into red or blue. and in 4 years, if the debt is not controlled, we’re all screwed anyway.

    I hope romney can beat that marxist fraud, and then the fiscal limited folks in congress keep romney in check. Or else its time for a third party, fiscal conservatives, from dems, repubs independents.

[…] Last call for Tea Party in 2012? […]

The fat lady hasn’t sung. Remember McCain didn’t get the nomination until after several more primaries 4 years ago. Romney took some of the early ones back then.

The Estab, wow it fits, they sure like to stab the tea party in the back, want us to feel dejected, I’ve only grown more angry. Lose Florida? So what. Certo! Fight!

As the line in The Thirteenth Warrior, when one of the Viking’s said of the enemy. “Don’t worry little brother, there are more.”

More to fight and thus more to win!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_presidential_primaries,_2008

I like neither Newt nor Romney. Palin should be saying, Vote Palin. #totallydon’tcareanymore

We here in Florida have been inundated with negative commercials from Romney and his PAC. Most of those are lies and half truths. Romney is despicable. I will never vote for him for anything. If Romney is the nominee, I will vote libertarian.

    kobayashi in reply to RickCaird. | January 29, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    Concurr. I’m more heated than I’ve been in a long time. Ive heard some Ideas from some Virginia voters.
    They are faced with the proposition of two and only two candidates, Romney and Ron Paul.

    The suggestions [for the primaries] include voting for their choice candidates for down ticket races all the way down to dog-catcher.

    My Typo/spellchecker has run for cover today……I’m *$$*$## but let’s see what the vote in the Primary is.

I’m not giving up. I’m sure the GOP establishment is going to fight tooth and nail to keep their power. We are going to have to do a Patrick Henry on them:

“It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace– but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775

TryingToBeHopeful | January 29, 2012 at 1:47 pm

Had a family member last night telling me Newt (“he wants a moon base, for crying out loud!”) couldn’t beat BHO, Mitt was the only decent candidate, and furthermore, “the Tea Party needs to learn how to compromise; it’s the ONLY way you get things done!”

My question is: why do conservatives always have to compromise? Why doesn’t anyone ever ask progs to compromise? We have given up inch by constitutional inch by “compromising,” and look where it’s gotten us.

They say “compromise,” I hear spineless cowards, wimps who have sold their country down the drain for power and a sweet life for themselves and their families.

I fear we have all gotten too soft and comfy to do the hard things required to get our country back. I pray we are willing, and that we realize very soon how little time we have left to do them.

    Midwest Rhino in reply to TryingToBeHopeful. | January 29, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    The far left didn’t take hold of the Democrat party by compromising. The applied subversive tactics with promises to steal from the evil rich and give to the poor victims.

    The Tea party is the average honest working American. They are trying to be honest and finally say enough is enough. For that they get smeared by major media AND the Republican elite. It’s not a fair fight … in the end, that is probably why we have to make sure they don’t take our guns. But maybe internet organizing can stem the tide.

    JackRussellTerrierist in reply to TryingToBeHopeful. | January 29, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    So, did you straighten out the family member?

Windy City Commentary | January 29, 2012 at 2:12 pm

At the end of the day on Tuesday, the worst thing that will have happened is that Romney won Florida. In 2008, the 1st 4 states resulted in Iowa= Huckabee, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida = McCain. I don’t remember the race being over after Florida in 2008 do you?

This year after Tuesday, the worst case scenario will be
Iowa= Santorum, New Hampshire, Florida = Romney, South Carolina = Newt. Romney won’t be in any better position to win the nomination then McCain was is 2008.

Plus, why should we underestimate Newt? The soonest this nomination will be over is Super Tuesday in March.

Whatever Palin says to do I will pretty much do the opposite since she is directly responsible for the Barack Obama presidency.

for anyone who’s demoralized… please cheer yourselves up… this is the idiot the liberal establishment media is protecting and who we’re up against.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZCsfyaOGdw

I think it’s re;avant to this thread to [also] ask what’s going on with the Florida redistricting and the Florida 22nd District??

[Since I’m not in the forlorn state of Virginia] My vote is guaranteed to be Republican in this years primary.

I can also say with at least 99% assurance it will never ever be for a (D).

Since the Soros Romney endorsement alone…

2008 was the year I heald my nose and voted for the (R) candidate in Spite of the “What are you going to do, Abstain and let Obama win?” threats.

Obviously there were plenty of conservatives who did just that in 2008.

For maybe 7 years I’ve been more and more reactive about polling and provided deceptive and contrare answers to polls and ‘exit interviews”

South Carolina saw many voters who were upset about the establishment vote for Gingerich.

2012 seems more and more like the 1912 Election redone –
55% of registered republicans broke out third party under “The Progressive Party”.

2012 seems like a mirror (reverse) image.

It was the 1912 Election that got us where we are today –

1901 – 2010 Federal Debt as a percent of GDP by Congress and Administration
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Federal_Debt_1901-2010_.jpg

I want 2012 to come out like the 1920 Election not the 1912 Election. …!!!

I’ve thought about this nomination and I think it is important to realize there is also a big Congressional election taking place.

If Romney is the nominee I was going to stay home, I will now vote for Obama if it will help stop Romney.

The shock of the Presidential loss in the GOP will change the leadership in Congress. Someone’s head has to roll after a think like that.

I think if Romney gets in, we have 8 years of him and nothing really gets done-then what?

I think the mere nomination of Romney is going to seal the GOP’s fate and spark a formation of a 3rd party for 2016. It will be a lot harder to do with Romney in, and a lot easier under an obama 2nd term.

All the people who complain about this have to realize that if Congress did their damn job obama couldn’t get away with 1/2 of what he’s doing, they are just letting him do it.

It is better to lose to obama with a Romney nominee in 2012 and I think he’s been pissing all over Conservatives long enough to make his loss that much easier. Between his lousy record, the Obama machine, and lack of Conservative support, Romney is going down should he be nominated.

    Joy in reply to M_J_S. | January 29, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    Do what you will but I would rather have 8 years of “nothing really gets done” that 4 more years of Obama doing what he has accomplished.

Subotai Bahadur | January 29, 2012 at 4:08 pm

“Last call for Tea Party in 2012?” is an incomplete formulation. It should be more accurately phrased, “Last call for Tea Party in 2012 AS PART OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?”. We are about done with the Institutional Republicans, I suspect, regardless of who gets the nomination.

Doug Wright @ January 29, 2012 at 12:54 pm mentioned the works of historian Pauline Maier. I second the motion. I am somewhat of a historian, and I tend to take the view that the moment when we became a nation was on April 19, 1775 and not on July 4, 1776. Not at Lexington Green, not at Concord Bridge; but at a place called Merriam’s Corner. As the British retreated, it was at Merriam’s Corner where the militias of the surrounding villages [which had not been attacked] arrived to join the fight. They had decided that an attack on one of us, was an attack on all. We were “Americans” and not British. Everything else after that day just ratified the facts on the ground.

On March 20, 1854, the Republican Party was born in a schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin out of the debris of the Whig Party. Maybe, just maybe, it would be appropriate if there was a meeting on April 19, 2013 at a crossroads called Merriam’s Corner outside of Concord, Massachusetts. And out of that meeting, a Patriot Party arose from the cesspit that is the Institutional Republican Party.

Lives, Fortunes, Sacred Honor.

Subotai Bahadur

huskers-for-palin | January 29, 2012 at 4:28 pm

This will be such a tragic comedy if Mitt gets the GOP nomination. The same people who did the “scorched earth” policy will then try to sweet talk us into unity. When the Obama/MSM goes into full kill mode the GOP will beg, cajole, plead and make countless excuses.

The GOP surrogates (Beck, Drudge, Coulter, Ingraham, etc) will attempt to rally the flag and whore themselves out again. In the end, when MITT DOES LOSE, they will make excuse after excuse and blame the conservative base, the Tea Parties and Palin.

To the folks who bought into the “Romney is the most electable” myth, I’ll just sit back and watch them squirm as they justify their vote. I’ll just laugh and call them a bunch of gullible suckers (there are several in my area that come to mind). It’s a TEACHABLE MOMENT.

Then I’ll mentally pound them as I dissect their pitiful reasoning and tell them that they got PAWNED by another MSM/GOP establishment propaganda campaign.

The GOP hacks will simply not learn. After 2012, they’ll just reload with Jeb Bush or Mitch Daniells.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so dismayed with a primary contest as I am with this one. The truly disgusting thing is that Romney will never treat Obama like he treats Gingrich because he will be trying to play suck-face with the commies over at MSNBC. I can just see Romney giving Rachel Maddow the eye when he appears on her show in search of a few votes from the looney-left (that will be the first Rachel Maddow has had a man give her the eye for a long time). Unless the Tea Party can form a third party and find a viable candidate I’m jumping ship and voting Constitution Party. I can’t bear one more election where I leave a voting booth and feel so dirty I have to go home and jump in the shower.

My goodness, Judge Jeanine is in the tank for someone, probably Obama. But, then she’s always appeared to be a very swallow person certainly not too aware of current affairs or politics. Quite often, she’s not ready to talk about what’s going on; yet she’s really quite cute, in a kind of country club way. Lastly, in her appearances on air, she’s really all about herself and not ever about anything else; she’s a female version of Geraldo.

Minnesota’s precinct caucuses are in early February and it’ll be interesting to see what the official party line will be. IMHO, we’re facing a Hobson’s Choice this year, support our current elected GOP representatives or else watch the Dhimmis take over everything.

We really don’t have a realistic option of not voting for people like John Kline yet that’s the only way the GOP elites are going to get a message; we doomed if we do and doomed if we don’t; maybe keep our powder dry and our stash and supplies secured.

Proposed strategy:

If (when?) Romney gets nominated, Tea Party organizations break from the GOP and very loudly form a party for 2012 and nominate…Romney (surprise! But wait–before you blow a gasket, read on.)

Make it clear that:
a) We despise Romney, the GOP Establishment, and their tactics, but we will work hard to get him elected, because:
b) As much as we hate Romney, we MUST stop Obama from becoming a dictator;
c) Win or lose, we go our own way forever on November 7. Then we work tirelessly to become a coalition lynchpin in 2014 elections, majority 2016 and beyond. If the GOP caucuses with Democrats, they’re done, and we become the second party. If the GOP caucuses with us, we make them toe the line.

Don’t scoff. This is kind of how the GOP came into being 160 years ago. Does anyone honestly still believe we can take over the GOP?

Risky? Yes. Very. Lots could go wrong. Tea Party people could be corrupted and bought off by the Establishment.

But George Washington took huge risks and gambled at the end of 1776. We need to do the same. Our times are just as desperate.