will the Tea Party affect November mid term elections?

[cityboi]

Here is my take on the Tea Party. I think its a combination of sour grapes over the 2008 election and people who are in an uproar because Obama is black. Race is clearly a part of it based on a lot of the signs being waved at many of these tea party meetings not to mention some tea party members spitting on black coungressman and using the "N" word. I say all this because where were these people when George Bush was getting this country into debt FOR 8 YEARS? These people first started showing up soon after Obama got elected and before he really even did anything. The vast majority of tea party supporters are republican btw. But I think Obama will counteract this group with his own call to action using the internet getting college students to the polls in November. Expect to see groups such as the NAACP encourage African-American turn out. African-Americans are the largest voting block for the democratic party but historically African-American turnout has been low at mid term elections. But some of the hate that is being spewed at some of these rallies may encourage a higher black turn out in November. Seniors are also a major voting block in mid term elections and many seniors support healthcare reform for obvious reasons.

[krazeeboi]

Concerns about the national deficit are legitimate, but you're spot on that it's quite "interesting" that this group was nowhere to be found while Bush was increasing the deficit and this movement started before Obama really even had a chance to do anything. As far as the November elections, I think it is too loosely formed to really have an impact at the polls as a movement. Some believe in endorsing candidates, others don't. There's divergence on a wide array of issues outside of spending, but even then, they aren't aligned in terms of priorities even when it comes to that. One thing's for sure: Novemeber is a long ways away, especially in politics.

[cloudship]

The Tea Party is as much a reaction against the republican base as it is against the democrats. One of the problems with the Tea Party is that they are very divided themselves. Some are more libertarian oriented - in fact I think the original movement is really based on conservative libertarianism. But there is also a growing amount of extreme right-wing conservatism. This in some way reflects a change in the Republican party - some of the far right is abandoning it.

I think it is too early to tell how it will fare. I don't see many true tea party candidates yet, and since most of the party is really made up of the right wing, I don't see there being a huge draw from the republican party - in the end if a tea party member has to vote either democrat or republican, most likely it is going to be republican. I could see them drawing, though, the more conservative aspects of the Democratic party. So it might in the end hurt the Democrats more than the republicans.

The real test is going to be the national infrastructure. Problem is it is crumbling, and low taxes means no money to fix it. If something big fails, I think you will see a sudden change in attitude.

[Gard]

but you're spot on that it's quite "interesting" that this group was nowhere to be found while Bush was increasing the deficit and this movement started before Obama really even had a chance to do anything.

I dare say that much of it probably has something to do with the fact that Americans were still drunk on credit at the time that Bush was spending endless amounts of money, making his spending appear normal because that's how they operated their lives themselves. It was only towards the end of Bush's term that people started to come to financial ruin themselves and got the rude awakening that you can't live that way in a sustainable manner. This now makes the spending more apparent and Obama come into office right as people were waking up to this reality, from the loss of their job and inability to find a new one and so forth, so he is taking the brunt of it. We had become a nation addicted to a drug called cheap credit and we are now experiencing a major hangover after waking up from that. People appear to be MUCH more aware of the value of a dollar now and far more thrifty (with trends showing an increase in savings, coupon usage and falling debt balances, among other things) and are increasingly expecting the government to do the same with tax dollars.

[cityboi]

the irony as that while the Tea Party is complaining about paying more taxes, Obama passed 25 different tax cuts last year to help working families and small businesses. So what is the real motive of the Tea Party? Its all political and some extreme right wing racism.

[cloudship]

Honestly? The real motive of the Tea Party right now is a pop movement around two rock stars - Sara Palin and Scott Brown. That's why it was so invisible previously - it wasn't until Palin got involved that it really took off. Then again, I think it was a completely different movement before then. It will be interesting to see how long this lasts, whether it can outlive the the two of them. It will also be interesting to see how Scott Brown fares in this - in some ways the Tea Party is shanghaiing him away from the Republicans. Will he and Sara turn the Tea Party into a true political party, or will it just remain an interest group?

[krazeeboi]

I dare say that much of it probably has something to do with the fact that Americans were still drunk on credit at the time that Bush was spending endless amounts of money, making his spending appear normal because that's how they operated their lives themselves. It was only towards the end of Bush's term that people started to come to financial ruin themselves and got the rude awakening that you can't live that way in a sustainable manner. This now makes the spending more apparent and Obama come into office right as people were waking up to this reality, from the loss of their job and inability to find a new one and so forth, so he is taking the brunt of it. We had become a nation addicted to a drug called cheap credit and we are now experiencing a major hangover after waking up from that. People appear to be MUCH more aware of the value of a dollar now and far more thrifty (with trends showing an increase in savings, coupon usage and falling debt balances, among other things) and are increasingly expecting the government to do the same with tax dollars.

That's a way of looking at it that I hadn't considered before and it makes a lot of sense, although I think other concerns abound as well. A recent poll showed that the average Tea Partier was more financially secure and more educated (as well as over 45, White, and Republican); I think the concern is that their particular way of life is going to be threatened. Most said they would rather have lower taxes and a higher deficit than higher taxes and a lower deficit. So, to me, it seems that a big part of their message is that they are entitled to entitlements (Medicare, Social Security) but not anyone else. You want to see these folks freak out even more than they already are, start seriously overhauling Medicare and Social Security as a way of reducing the deficit.

[cityboi]

its the "haves" vs the "have nots" and the haves are saying to hell with the have nots.

they are basically saying to hell with the little girl who is dying of cancer and has no healthcare for treatment. They just care about their own little world. The irony is that some of these religious nut cases who are part of the tea party movement preach helping thy neighbor but when it comes down to actually doing it they call it socialism and its a bad thing.

[John E]

The Tea Party is not about race or political parties. There is no evidence that Tea Party Patriots called anybody the N word or spit on them. NO PROOF. Tea Party Patriots do not conduct themselves in that manner.

The Tea Party movement has grown from the Ron Paul Revolution that was very vocal against the policies of the Bush Administration. We just didn't get publicized by the Corporate Media much. The Corporate Media only started publicizing the Tea Party (In a negative light, mind you.) after it was shown to be effective. The election of Scott Brown was about the beginning.

The Tea Party is just about Restoring Our American Republic - ROAR. The Government has become Fascist and is on the verge of becoming tyrannical. The Tea Party is working to return this country to the Constitutional Republic that it was founded on. We are working to destroy the evil democracy of this government. Democracy is gang rule. A Democracy is about group rights where as a Republic is about individual rights. The jury system is a Republic method to carry out the rule of law. If one person apposes the rest, it is a hung jury.

Tea Party Patriots (TPP) are Toilet Paper People working to wipe up the crap that the government is dumping on us.

Yes, the Tea Party will have a huge impact on the November elections. The Tea Party Patriots are not a part of the Republican Party. The TPP is not about a person but rather about the policy of that person. The Tea Party is working to restore OUR Constitution. TPP just want a government that operates under the constraints of OUR Constitution!

It's not about a black President, it's not about conservatives or republicans, it's not about taxes, it's not about gun rights, it's about OUR Constitution and personal liberties.

The Tea Party is about OUR Constitution!

~John

Get US out of the U.N.

End the Fed

Restore Our American Republic - ROAR

[cityboi]

The Tea Party is not about race or political parties. There is no evidence that Tea Party Patriots called anybody the N word or spit on them. NO PROOF. Tea Party Patriots do not conduct themselves in that manner.

The Tea Party movement has grown from the Ron Paul Revolution that was very vocal against the policies of the Bush Administration. We just didn't get publicized by the Corporate Media much. The Corporate Media only started publicizing the Tea Party (In a negative light, mind you.) after it was shown to be effective. The election of Scott Brown was about the beginning.

The Tea Party is just about Restoring Our American Republic - ROAR. The Government has become Fascist and is on the verge of becoming tyrannical. The Tea Party is working to return this country to the Constitutional Republic that it was founded on. We are working to destroy the evil democracy of this government. Democracy is gang rule. A Democracy is about group rights where as a Republic is about individual rights. The jury system is a Republic method to carry out the rule of law. If one person apposes the rest, it is a hung jury.

Tea Party Patriots (TPP) are Toilet Paper People working to wipe up the crap that the government is dumping on us.

Yes, the Tea Party will have a huge impact on the November elections. The Tea Party Patriots are not a part of the Republican Party. The TPP is not about a person but rather about the policy of that person. The Tea Party is working to restore OUR Constitution. TPP just want a government that operates under the constraints of OUR Constitution!

It's not about a black President, it's not about conservatives or republicans, it's not about taxes, it's not about gun rights, it's about OUR Constitution and personal liberties.

The Tea Party is about OUR Constitution!

~John

Get US out of the U.N.

End the Fed

Restore Our American Republic - ROAR

It may not be about race to many but it is to some. Its really a mixed bag. There are some who are legitimately concerned about their way of life then there are those who are part of the movement for purely political reasons. They just want the democrats out of office. Finally there are the right wing racists who are using the tea party as an excuse. Racism can't be ignored because it still exists even in the 21st century

[dpbaker]

its the "haves" vs the "have nots" and the haves are saying to hell with the have nots.

they are basically saying to hell with the little girl who is dying of cancer and has no healthcare for treatment. They just care about their own little world. The irony is that some of these religious nut cases who are part of the tea party movement preach helping thy neighbor but when it comes down to actually doing it they call it socialism and its a bad thing.

Dude, you are completely lost. Stop listening to NPR, watching MSNBC, and getting your sound bites from John Stewart. You're going to have extremists on both sides of any story. Facts are facts - the overwhelming majority of Tea Party activists are NOT racists, religious zealots, haters, Nazis, etc. These are everyday, law-abiding, Americans that appreciate the founding principals of the nation and believe in the Constitution and SMALL government with very few, and limited powers.

Health Care, as thrust upon us by the U.S. Congress and Mr. Obama IS socialist. Yes, health care is a good thing - everybody should have it. But it is not a right as enumerated by the Constitution or Bill of Rights. Life is not fair, we were not all dealt the same hand. So we pursue better avenues. Stop expecting so much from the government, don't be a sheep - be a sheepdog. I will make my own way, I don't want or need the government telling me how to run my life, or forcing me to do anything like buying health insurance.

Are there racists in the Tea Party? Sure!!! Just like there are racists among the protests against Arizona's new law - white haters, pushing their own race-based agenda. NO!! Not the majority. (Though isn't it interesting how aggressive and violent these left-wingers are compared to the Tea Partiers??? I think it is....yet the TP'rs are the Nazis, and the "dangerous" ones.......scary!!!) You think just because the majority in the tea parties are white folks, that they must be racist?? Well, that's what the left hopes you believe! Because it is afraid of the power and influence the tea parties could have in this year's elections. Maybe it will, maybe it won't - but the left will belittle and make evil the movement at every turn, but they can't do it with truths, so they rely on deceit or lies. (Hey, the right does this do, the left just does it better.....)

Hell yes, it's about politics!! If the current regime weren't taking us down the destructive path we're on, it wouldn't be an issue. It's about the politics of removing the idiots from the government, making sure Obama is a one term president, restoring financial conservatism, and weakening the government stranglehold on the Rights of The People before it's too late.

BULL on your racist argument.

[Gusterfell]

These are everyday, law-abiding, Americans that appreciate the founding principals of the nation and believe in the Constitution and SMALL government with very few, and limited powers.

Have you read the constitution? It provides for a government with immense powers. If, as the tea party asserts, the federal government was intended to be almost powerless, why does the Constitution stipulate that federal law trumps state law, and not vice versa? Why don't states have the right to leave the union if they choose?

Most importantly regarding the health care debate, the Commerce Clause provides the federal government with the power to regulate interstate commerce, including local issues that substantially affect interstate commerce. Health care and health insurance both affect and are distributed through interstate commerce, therefore the health care bill is perfectly constitutional under the commerce clause.

Health Care, as thrust upon us by the U.S. Congress and Mr. Obama IS socialist.

How many tea partiers are on social security or medicare? In case you haven't noticed, both programs are FAR more socialist than anything in the Obama health care package,which essentially hands private corporations millions of new customers. This bill is a boon to capitalism.

Hell yes, it's about politics!! If the current regime weren't taking us down the destructive path we're on, it wouldn't be an issue. It's about the politics of removing the idiots from the government, making sure Obama is a one term president, restoring financial conservatism, and weakening the government stranglehold on the Rights of The People before it's too late.

Where were the tea partiers when the last administration was turning record budget surpluses into record deficits, dramatically expanding government intrusion into Americans' private lives, and setting us up for the near financial collapse we just endured? That's right, they were saying "love it or leave it" and calling those who dared speak out against the government traitors and worse. You're right, it is about politics... a recent poll stated that 90% of tea partiers have a negative view of the Democratic party, while only half as many feel the same about the GOP.

Study your recent history. Since the late sixties, both government fiscal responsibility and personal freedom have increased during Democratic administrations and decreased during Republican ones. If you truly believe in those ideals, you should pray the GOP doesn't regain control anytime soon.

The sad thing is I think most tea partiers actually believe in their rhetoric. They are completely blind to how blatantly they're being used by the Republican party to attack the Democratic party.

[Durhamite]

Have you read the constitution? It provides for a government with immense powers. If, as the tea party asserts, the federal government was intended to be almost powerless, why does the Constitution stipulate that federal law trumps state law, and not vice versa? Why don't states have the right to leave the union if they choose?

Most importantly regarding the health care debate, the Commerce Clause provides the federal government with the power to regulate interstate commerce, including local issues that substantially affect interstate commerce. Health care and health insurance both affect and are distributed through interstate commerce, therefore the health care bill is perfectly constitutional under the commerce clause.

How many tea partiers are on social security or medicare? In case you haven't noticed, both programs are FAR more socialist than anything in the Obama health care package,which essentially hands private corporations millions of new customers. This bill is a boon to capitalism.

Where were the tea partiers when the last administration was turning record budget surpluses into record deficits, dramatically expanding government intrusion into Americans' private lives, and setting us up for the near financial collapse we just endured? That's right, they were saying "love it or leave it" and calling those who dared speak out against the government traitors and worse. You're right, it is about politics... a recent poll stated that 90% of tea partiers have a negative view of the Democratic party, while only half as many feel the same about the GOP.

Study your recent history. Since the late sixties, both government fiscal responsibility and personal freedom have increased during Democratic administrations and decreased during Republican ones. If you truly believe in those ideals, you should pray the GOP doesn't regain control anytime soon.

The sad thing is I think most tea partiers actually believe in their rhetoric. They are completely blind to how blatantly they're being used by the Republican party to attack the Democratic party.

Would someone please define "small government" for me? Does it mean a 30% decrease in defense spending or equivalent federal agency? Or should we privatize defense or certain federal agencies? Seems though if the government program doesn't fit one's philosophical beliefs or benefit a specific politician's congressional district, it's deemed government waste.

It's amazing that history continues to repeat itself....late 80s with the GOP in power and laxed regulation that caused the S&L fiasco (Bush and co.). Clintons & Dems clean up mess. 2000s, yet again Busch Jr and co. repeat with the relaxed regs on the banking industry that damn near destroyed the greatest economy the world has ever known...Obama & Dems to clean up mess.

As noted, the two political behemoths (Dems and Repubs) will devour/hijack any group or message that portrays their fundamental party sounding board. Especially the Repubs, start shouting "small government" and lower taxes and it's hook, line and sinker. Whatever the Tea Party began as was gobbled eons ago by the right wing. Who doesn't want limited government intervention (notice I didn't state "small") and low taxes.

Both parties are hypocritical to a degree but the GOP is the worst...abusing the word "conservative", maybe on social issues and programs but not on anything else.

When I hear the term "small government", I just get annoyed and nod my head in agreement. Yep, I want some of that to....but what is it? I'm sure I'll get the CAN response....but how do you measure it? What goes away?... Social Security, etc., what stays?

[cityboi]

I think the Tea Party is backfiring on republicans and it is now looking more bleak for the republicans, at least taking over the U.S. Senate. Tea Party victories in the primaries has led to candidates that can't win in a general election. The Tea Party is too far to the right for moderates and independents. People already have a perception about the tea party. They believe they are racists, wacky, looney people. Christine O'Donnell, a tea party candidate who won a big victory in the primary likely wont win in the general election because of her extremist views. Now it is coming out that she even dabbled in witchcraft. Talk about Voodoo Economics.

"I dabbled into witchcraft. I never joined a coven," she said on the show, a clip of which hit the Internet as O'Donnell canceled Sunday appearances on two national news shows, citing commitments to attend church and the GOP picnic in Delaware.

"I hung around people who were doing these things. I'm not making this stuff up. I know what they told me they do," O'Donnell told Maher.

"One of my first dates with a witch was on a satanic altar, and I didn't know it. I mean, there's little blood there and stuff like that," she said. "We went to a movie and then had a little midnight picnic on a satanic altar."

WOW looks like another Sarah Palin. The Tea Party appears to be backfiring and democrats may keep control of congress after all. Sara Palin for president and O'donelle for VP. works out great. Palin could catch all the animals with her helicopter and O'donelle can sacrifice them on her witch alter. Perfect Match!!!!!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/20/politics/main6883569.shtml?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.5

[sean]

simultaneous tax cuts and foreign wars.... yeah right, how does that work?!

[cloudship]

Dont be so sure. The Tea Party is eroding the far right. That group would never have swung democratic. The mid right is still there, they may not care much for the Tea Party activists, but they dislike the left even more. So in that effect they will not have a huge impact. But what they will gain are the libertarian non-committal voters. Some of them - perhaps enough of them, are going to be willing to just take whatever the consequences are so they can just have change. Another, and perhaps greater impact will be in that it gets the far right out and voting. Just as some of Obama's election was due to people hating Bush, so the Tea Party is going to get conservatives out and voting against Obama.

The real question isn't going to be the effects on the mid term elections, it's going to be on what happens afterward, and what impact it will have on the presidential election.

[cityboi]

Some democrats are pushing for tax cuts across the board. Thats not a good idea because somebody has to pay for the healthcare and stimulus. Again the largest earners should not get a tax cut but at the same time there should be tax cuts for small businesses. Right now its looking like republicans wont gain control of the senate. The house is really up in the air, mainly because there are a lot of people that don't trust republicans or democrats. Republicans got us in to this mess but at the same time people think the democrats aren't making progress fast enough and they think they are spending too much and are not seeing enough results for what they are spending.

But Bill Clinton seems to think that Republicans winning back the house could actually help Obama get re-elected in 2012. Clinton said when Republicans took over the house in 1994, he was able to work with republicans better and got things done on a bipartisan level. Then Bill Clinton got re-elected in 1996.

more bad news for Christine O'Donnell. A watchdog group charges that her campaign funds were used for her personal expenses.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/20/odonnell-campaign-calls-charges-frivolous/

[cityboi]

Everyone is predicting that the republicans will take over the house and the democrats will hang onto the senate by a slim margin. But could democrats surprise everyone? early voting in key states show strong turnout for democrats edging out over republicans. If thats any indication, the democrats could keep control of all of congress......but at the same time its possible that some democrats may vote republican. There is no doubt the republicans will gain seats in both the house and senate but it just might not be enough for them. A democratic victory would surely piss off the tea party and those who don't like the Obama agenda. All those rallies for nothing. I think one reason for a strong democratic turnout in early voting is because of the constant polling saying democrats and Obama are in trouble. Thats scaring a lot of democrats making them realized that they need to get out and vote.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/21/politics/main6977597.shtml?tag=stack

[cityboi]

Democrats continue to outnumber republicans in early voting. North Carolina is reporting early voting figures now with a democratic lead.. So its possible the democrats can keep control of all of congress despite earlier poll numbers. Democrats are also good at getting people to get out and vote on election day. One factor is that the tea party is scaring a lot of people into voting for the democrats. The tea party movement could very well back fire on republicans because the perception of tea party members and candidates are not good at all. Tea party members are often sterotyped as racists or crazy Sarah Palin type individuals and they represent the extreme far right.

[MadVlad]

Now, if we could only get the Tea Party to split off from the Republicans, and get a Democratic version of the Tea Party, we'd have a nice array of ideas and maybe get something accomplished...

[15895]

Democrats continue to outnumber republicans in early voting. North Carolina is reporting early voting figures now with a democratic lead.. So its possible the democrats can keep control of all of congress despite earlier poll numbers. Democrats are also good at getting people to get out and vote on election day. One factor is that the tea party is scaring a lot of people into voting for the democrats. The tea party movement could very well back fire on republicans because the perception of tea party members and candidates are not good at all. Tea party members are often sterotyped as racists or crazy Sarah Palin type individuals and they represent the extreme far right.

Let's pray to God North Carolina is some what good for Democrats! I want the 2012 DNC here in Charlotte.

I'm Gay and support the economic ideas of Republicans, but the way they deal with stuff such as morality is something I can't accept. The problem with the Tea-party is they say things to offend every group of people who are not White Baptist. I will never vote for someone who offends nor values my vote. I 100% support Republicans economically, I think Democrats suck but at least them people don't go around saying things to offend me and look down upon me.

Now Laura Bush and Mitt Romney. Them are two fine folks. Laura even supports abortion.

I think the only people the Tea-party will effect are the Republicans. Not the democrats.

[cityboi]

The infighting among republicans (tea party and conservatives) should help minimize the democratic losses. We know the democrats will lose seats in the house and senate but how many seats? I can't even fathom why people would want the party that caused this economic mess in control of congress. Have the democrats been perfect? no but they are doing a lot better job than conservatives who really have no solutions other than to vote no on every liberal agenda. Before Obama was elected the economy was in a free fall and while it does leave a bad taste in everyones mouth to bail out the banks, it did help stop the free fall and stabilize the economy. We have a long way to go but its going to take a long time to fix what took 8 years to create, I don't care who is in power. The democratic party is well known for supporting social issues (women, gay rights ect) so it will be interesting to see how women vote in the midterms.

[zman9810]

I used the list of Tea Party endorsed candidates to guide my choices for this election - whoever they endorsed I voted for their opponent.

[cityboi]

In the long run the republican party is a dying party because minorities will outnumber whites in this country by 2045 due to the growing hispanic population. Several years ago hispanics surpassed blacks as the largest minority group in the country. The Hispanic population is mainly growing in "red" republican territory (like the south) which is a big danger for republicans. There is a large segment of minorities who are lower class and republican policies don't address the needs of lower class citizens. Republicans will never get the black vote no matter what they do and the reason goes back in history when many republicans supported segregation in the 60s. Ever since then blacks have been staunchly aligned with democrats. The south use to be a democratic (dixiecrats) stronghold until democratic leaders supported the civil rights act. The south turned red over night when that happened. I know people who said their grandparents switched from democrat to republican because of the civil rights act. Republicans will have to try to win over the hispanic vote and thats a tall order too because of their stance on immigration. The only latino republican voting block are Cubans and they make up a small percentage of the entire hispanic population in this country.

In terms of the mid term election, I believe republicans will win back the house based on the latest polls and democrats will hold on to the senate. If there is a larger than normal black and young turn out in these key voting districts the democrats can hold on to the house. 65% of the black vote (level during the 2008 election) would be enough to turn the tide in the favor of the democrats in these toss up districts.

[cityboi]

Republican leadership seems to be worried that Sarah Palin could actually win the GOP nomination in 2012. They have good reason to be scared because Obama would beat her badly in the general election. Meanwhile democrats are hoping Sarah Palin wins the GOP nomination. If the tea party movement proves to be successful in the midterm elections, the tea party could have enough influence to hand her the GOP nomination.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20021350-503544.html?tag=stack