September 3, 2010 at 3:31pm
(Thud.) Pardon my body hitting the floor after reading the results of the Rochester Business Journal's weekly Snap Poll.
The RBJ asked respondents if they support the Tea Party. A shocking 51 percent said they do. And 45 percent said they'd be more likely than not to back a candidate with Tea Party support in November.
Who are RBJ readers? I don't have access to the paper's demographics, obviously, but it's reasonable to presume that many are well-educated, well-connected, and probably well-off - the leaders of our community. The Tea Party stuff - with de facto leaders Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin - just doesn't fit.
The Tea Party folks' big things seem to be less government (or no government, if you're talking about the feds), less taxes, and "taking back" the country. Who's got it? Do you know? Muslims? Mexicans? My mum? (Trade her for some pork ribs. Trust me; she'll do anything for pork ribs.)
Many conservatives would like nothing better than to cut government spending on education, the arts, re-entry programs, etc. So as far as that goes, the aims of the two groups may line up.
But guess what, Tea Partiers? The conservatives won't spare your Social Security and Medicare.
Maybe it's a marriage of convenience. On one side are conservatives trying to ride a powerful populist wave back into power. On the other, Tea Partiers - many of whom have probably felt alienated, ignored, and condescended to until now - are suddenly a force. People are listening to them. They're electing candidates.
Interesting, too, is that term "Tea Party" has become a litmus test, as the RBJ poll shows. Three quarters of Republicans taking the survey said they'd be more likely to vote for a candidate if he or she is backed by the Tea Party. But 81 percent of Democrats said Tea Party membership would make them less likely to vote for that person.
"Our candidate must be someone who can instinctively turn right to constitutional, conservative...
I, too, agree that this diagnosis rings true. Of course, ever medical avenue should be explored,...
Norm I agree with you 100%. It is stupendlously stupid for people to be REQUIRED to buy...
about Supreme Court hearing on health-reform raises concerns
Respectfully Tom, you seem to forget that the President swore an oath to preserve, protect and...
The last line in this page - you don`t make any sense, non what so ever, How many Millions...
about Supreme Court hearing on health-reform raises concerns
Comments for "RBJ readers and the Tea Party " (3)
City Newspaper is not responsible for the content of these reviews. City Newspaper reserves the right to remove reviews at their discretion.
Sal said on Sep. 05, 2010 at 10:44am
I so sick of these whiny Independents on both sides of the political spectrum, Obama this Obama that. What’d you think, the rookie was going to come in the game and win it for us? Politics is a team sport as much as the coming footballs season. The other team is formidable so Obama needs us as much as we need him. Only a LOSER would give up now, RIGHT?
It’s late in the second quarter, it’s a tie game and half time is the November elections. So your gonna have some time to think about the mistakes you made in the past.
Or let me put it to the American PEOPLE another way… you have two choices at this time… revolution or politics. And I don’t think you people have the ciones for revolution so you better get busy in the next few months. Are Liberals and Progressives going to allow a bunch of clueless Glenn Beck/Sarah Palin groupies destroy the USA?
Like I’m ALWAYS telling Democrats, Progressives, Liberals, Independents and even sane Republicans (lol), there’s only ONE issue that matters. That would be to get rid of Republican Party in the next few elections. Kick those vain, greed stricken, power mad, trust fund babies in the GOP to the curb, right?
Really, are Progressives going to just sit back and allow the Conservative wackos to win this November? COME ON! It doesn’t matter what vital issue your heart bleeds for… if Republicans take back our government then your #*~/ed!
Like Tip O’Neil used to say “ALL politics are LOCAL politics…” I got a challenge for your listeners… Find something to USE against Republican candidates in your voting district and destroy their political careers. It easy to find dirt because most Republicans are either stupid or corrupt.
Bill N said on Sep. 06, 2010 at 12:24pm
You buried the lead -- the Tea Party is essentially a new name for the hardcore Republican base (= 3/4 of Republicans would follow a TP endorsement, while 4/5 of Dems would go the other direction). Heavily funded by uber-rich right wingers like the Koch brothers, the TP "movement" is just another vehicle for white Republican outrage that Democrats should ever elect a President or a Senate/House majority. The Dems chickened out on enacting a big enough economic stimulus to offset the Great Recession, so the lame recovery provides fallow ground for Republicans to campaign without a program other than being the "party of no."
icecucumber73 said on Sep. 06, 2010 at 5:10pm
Only the narrow-minded see only Democrats, Republicans and the Tea Party. There are other choices. Though I am not affiliated with any party, I am definitely not voting for any Democrats, any Republicans, any Tea Party-backed candidates or any incumbents.
An alternative exists for progressives--The Green Party.
Leave A Comment
Respond on Your Blog
Create an Account
or
Login
If you have a City Account you can not only post comments, but you can also respond to articles in your own City Blog. It's just another way to make your voice heard.