American Morning
Welcome to the Tea Party: Whose party is it?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://blogs.cnn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2010/02/teaparty-gi-art.jpg caption="Protesters gather on Capitol Hill during the Tea Party Express rally on September 12, 2009 in Washington, DC."]
By Jim Acosta, CNN
Once written off by Democrats as "astroturf" (Washington-speak for faux grassroots) and a word that rhymes with "fleabaggers," tea party activists across the country are proving the skeptics wrong.
Scott Brown's tea party-infused upset in the Massachusetts Senate race stopped health care reform in its tracks. A tea party two-fer.
Still, ask around and many Americans are wondering, "who are these tea party guys?"
So that's what we did. In part one of our series, "Welcome to the Tea Party," we went to some rallies, talked to two of the major tea party outfits and zeroed in on one activist in the movement who's worried it's being co-opted by the Republican Party.
Here's what we've found. The tea party is not astroturf. It's a booming movement of conservatives and independents.
Many of the activists don't like President Obama. But some are just as mad at the GOP. Much of the anger is fueled by the bailouts and runaway deficits. And one thing is clear, the activists are not going away.
As for that activist who is worried Republican Party operatives are circling his movement – that part is true.
On Wednesday's American Morning, we've got a behind-the-scenes look at the Tea Party Express, the popular conservative bus tour that swept the nation. We're not riding the bus. Instead, we visit the group's offices, located – get this – inside a Republican political consulting firm.
Tell us what you think about the Tea Party movement. And don't forget to watch parts two and three on American Morning. Here's a two word preview: Marco Rubio.
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
Tea party are mostly Republicans. Their agenda are of the Republicans. The people in charge are Republicans. Their speaker " SARAH PALIN :" is a Republican. They should stop pretending that they are for this country. That's bull. They want to take over, that's what they want. They had their chance and OBAMA is now fixing the mess they have created. The poor guy is asking us to be united to solve this problem. No matter what he does, they just don't like him. Can they accept for Christ sake, that they have lost in the presidential election?
Tea Party sponsors have found supporters who are unhappy with the government and the fighting, big money interests and unfulfilled promises of political parties. However, I think many of them who say they are independent are easily swayed. It is very frightening when citizens believe what they hear without checking the facts. Politicians and interest groups throughout history have used fear and mistruths to inflame the populace for their own benefit and have touted patriotism and religion to this end, just as they are doing today. History proves radical leaders can gain popularity by using these tactics, and many radicals, when they achieve positions of power, have gone on to ostracize factions of society to the eventual detriment of a country. We need look no further than the French Revolution and Nazi Germany for examples of citizens turning on one another
Tea Party sponsors have found supporters who are unhappy with the government and the fighting, big money interests and unfulfilled promises of political parties. However, I think many of them who say they are independent are easily swayed. It is very frightening when citizens believe what they hear without checking the facts. Politicians and interest groups throughout history have used fear and mistruths to inflame the populace for their own benefit and have touted patriotism and religion to this end, just as they are doing today. History proves radical leaders can gain popularity by using these tactics, and many radicals, when they achieve positions of power, have gone on to ostracize factions of society to the eventual detriment of a country. We need look no further than the French Revolution and Nazi Germany for examples of citizens turning on one another.
At least half of these fools are on Social Security and Medicare or will be receiving one of them soon. This isn’t really about government spending or they would have been freaking during both BUSHES! This is about a well educated black family in the White House. This is about a major cultural change happening in America and these 99% older white folks can’t handle it. This is the same crowed that had issues with desegregation of schools and civil rights. References to the Constitution and The Founding Fathers are code for a white America. Remember that blacks and woman were not created equal under the unamended Constitution. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington owned many slaves as did most southern founding fathers. This is a very rural movement. Most of these fools have only got a high school education if that. They get some twisted American History lesson everyday from Glen Beck. Most of these fools couldn’t tell you anything about Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, George Washington or Thomas Pane.
At least have of these fools are on Social Security and Medicare or will be receiving one of them soon. This isn’t really about government spending or they would have been freaking during both BUSHES! This is about a well educated black family in the White House. This is about a major cultural change happening in America and these 99% older white folks can’t handle it. This is the same crowed that had issues with desegregation of schools and civil rights. References to the Constitution and The Founding Fathers are code for a white America. Remember that blacks and woman were not created equal under the unamended Constitution. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington owned many slaves as did most southern founding fathers. This is a very rural movement. Most of these fools have only got a high school education if that. They get some twisted American History lesson everyday from Glen Beck. Most of these fools couldn’t tell you anything about Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, George Washington or Thomas Pane.
First I would like to say that we all pay big money for health insurance. I worked in law enforcement for the county for 20 yrs, and not that Im retired half of my retirement goes to have my husband on my health care. They pay for most of mine, but $500 a month goes for my husband to be on my health care. Second. Im tired of all government. The tea party is starting to look good to me. We better start standing up for ourselves, or we will have no rights soon. We pay the Washington's salary and we seem to have no say so anymore. They are not listening to us, they are just fighting amoung the two parties. I don't like it, and I thinking about joining the Tea Party......
As has been pointed out frequently, with the demise to the 'moderate wing of the Republican Party, there is currently no good political home for voters who are fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Bill Clinton was the last politician to really recognize the strength of this faction in the country. (Remember budget surpluses?)
Unfortunately, the Tea Party movement is not such a home, and I don't think that it will provide a platform for middle America. While it may have some sound ideas (i.e., deficit reduction), the movement is growing more and more stridently right-wing. It is certainly not a classic populist movement Witness the focus on tax reduction as the major issue, even at the expense of deficit reduction. In addition, the movement has to a large part been hijacked by right wing social conservatives who don't like (to put it mildly) Obama and his policies, even those (e.g., TARP) that are extensions of GOP policies. I think it's noteworthy that the movement first appeared only when Obama took office, although tax rates didn't increase, there was no mention of restricting gun rights, etc. Why else would they be opposed to raising the taxes on people who make more than $250,000 a year (and so can afford the extra taxes).
What we're seeing is that this movement is like many other mass movements in the past, in which the radicals take over and shift the message to even more extreme positions. In addition, the on-going co-opting of the movement by the Republicans is further shifting the focus of the message rightward both fiscally and socially.
What we really need is a movement that will reduce the deficit using all means possible (like in the '90's). Unfortunately, that is going ot require difficult choices that we (the American people) are not yet prepared to make.
Where were these voices of discent when the US govt was spending 10 million per week on the Iraq war. Maybe there slogan should be "Spend it on wars not on your poor"
I am glad the American citizens organized the Tea Party
for a Sound Economy. They did what was right! The
Americans know what they are doing.
This is all very disturbing. Obviously, "The Tea Party" is being used as a platform for many self-serving groups to use as a catalyst. I hadn't heard too much about it for quite some time. It is picking up momentum all over the country. Currently, I do believe that the participation differs according to region.
Not long ago, I read a small article in the local paper where some of the citizens in the area where heading out to join a rally, "Tea Party". I can't say it was racially motivated, frankly, because this is not an issue in the area. The gist I've gotten from talking to people, is the the take on the Tea Party was to unite the traditional Democrates, liberal Republicans and the ever growning Indepentant Party as a means to separate themselves and yet be large enough to make an impact. What made them feel such a measure was needed? Many agree that so many simply voted for Obama simply because he was a rep of the black race, reguardless of his policies....the hard conservitist Republicans voted against him simply because of the same. Since the house stands so avidly divided in extremes, the Tea Party felt perhaps that they would need to be heard and advocate middle America and the causes that affect them reguardless of race or party.
The possibility that the roots of the Tea Party have been mutated to serve special intrest groups is a viable possibility. Many will be re-evaluating their association, some already have.
What has happened to our country? As I read so many of these posts, it saddens me. Why is it "ok" with the American People for our President (not just this one) and his appointed administration to have so many ties to corruptness, to have so many ties to extremism, to have so many contradictions from what they were elected on? To be spending uncontrollably, without any regard to the impact it will have to our nation and future generations. Washington has become arrogant, out of control, better than you and me, above the law; and here comes this man and his following that stood for change, talking a good talk while they campaigned. But I have a hard time believing the citizens of this country who voted for him are seeing the change they thought they were voting for.
You see, most Tea Party goers are normal, middle class Americans, who actually were fed up with many of the policies and actions of the Bush administration. You'll never hear that on mainstream media. It's also amazing to me that so many Americans would bash one of the largest public displays of concern and care for our country, and show disatisfaction in the corruptness, immorality, and lack of character of those we have elected to represent us. The Tea Parties are about, us, We The People who Washington has forgotten they work for. It's also about years of a lack of interest by most Americans of what really has been going on with our elected politicians for many administrations. We now have a President and his administration that virtually has no idea and no experience of how to run a company and what it takes to be successful and what has awakened so many is the accelerated implementation of socialistic and progressive agendas, (which the President and a majority of his appointments admit to implementing) at a speed that has freightened many of us and totally goes against what has made this country so great.
Are all of you really ok with what these people (D & R) are doing in DC?
It's not a racial thing at all. That is one of the most rediculous comments. Get over it. There is just as much discrimination now against white americans as there is against black americans. Every priviledge is given to minority groups and yet they still continue to oppress themselves, then blame it on everyone else. Take advantage of what has been given and do better for yourself and your families. We are ALL Americans, not European, not Asian, not African, not Indian, but AMERICAN.
The other comments about Tea Party goers being evil, racist, redneck, gun toting militia and KKK members is ludicrous as well. Just look at the pictures people. With all these so called "lunies" "crazies" "radicals" "extremists" Why is it that there was not 1 arrest during the event? NOT ONE! Did you see the respect that was shown to the grounds where the Tea Partiers demonstrated? There was no trash. NONE! The only Tea Partiers carrying guns were those that live in States that allow a citizen to carry a gun openly. Exercising a right. Not breaking a law.
Where has the common sense gone? Where is the stand for truth? Where is the stand for what is right for OUR country? Where is the love of country? Where is the respect for one another? Where are the traditional values that are required to maintain a stable social climate?
I'll tell you where...
It's in the Tea Party movement.
I hope as many people as possible read my comment. Many of the previous comments have alluded to the successful bid by Scott Brown for the Massachusetts Senate seat. Let me tell you what I experienced during that campaign.
I was entering a rally for Martha Coakley, and was personally harassed by the crowd with Scott Brown signs. These were not Massachusetts residents....it was clear by their southern accents.
As I was leaving this rally, I and the others had our vehicles charged by this same group of people. Thank God there was a police presence.
I also attended the rally where President Obama appeared. One of these clear headed, representative of the American public (or so they claim) approached an elderly Asian man. He was confronted very close to his face and told to go back to Asia.
I DO NOT WANT ANYBODY TO SAY THESE PEOPLE REPRESENT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE......GOD FORBID.
If only all this negative energy was to be converted to positive, america will move foward easier and faster. One thing is clear though, all this movements can only shout and blame the administration for the next 3 years and get nothing but support and no solutions. So instead of blaming, why dont they support the administration for 3 years. After all, it is all about making America better.
There are so many "groups" in this country that "have the answer" to our problems, but it seems the only thing they can come up with is demonstrations, yelling, accusations, and finger pointing. As with those "Big" Corps., banks, etc. they raise and throw money around to influence others, rarely with any success, and in to many instances it seems that the "bad apples" are the ones that "take charge" and get in the spotlight, draging down any good intentions.
Jim:
Thank you for doing this series on such a very important issue. I am sure that there are some sincere people in the tea party movement who have an honest disagreement with Obama and I do not have a problem with that.
However the many activists in the tea party express who either use or condone the use of Obama/Hitler, Obama/Communist, Obama/Socialist, and other crazy signs like that are mostly a bunch of radicals from the Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, and Jim DeMint wing of the Republican Party in my opinion. To be fair and consistent, I would also apply the exact same standard to those on the far left who either used or condoned Bush/Hitler and other crazy signs like that when Bush was in office.
The tea party crowd (especially the tea party express) are a VERY powerful political force who cannot be underestimated. That is especially true in a non-Presidential election year when primary turn out is usually at its lowest and when they are the activists who will always vote in them. This is the main reason why Charlie Crist is losing to Marco Rubio in Florida, why Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is losing to tea party candidate Gov. Rick Perry in Texas, and why most tea party endorsed candidates will probably win their primaries this year.
Many of the tea party express candidates I have seen so far are also endorsed by The Club for Growth, by Sarah Palin's PAC, and by Jim DeMint's PAC so it is not hard to tell where they are coming from. Marc Williams of the tea party express justified comparing Obama to Hitler and calling Obama a racist (which David Gergen strongly reacted to) on Anderson Cooper 360 back on September 14, 2009.
The power of the tea party express cannot be underestimated in my opinion. If too many tea party express candidates win in November and if they run a serious Presidential candidate of that mindset in 2012 who wins, then picture what things would look like if Dick Cheney had become President. It is my hope that the mainstream Republican candidates who lose to tea party express candidates in Republican primaries run as third party candidates in order to stop the tea party express from possibly taking over the country by 2012!
Mitch Dworkin
Dallas, Texas
how hateful one race of americans can be .. the tea party..whoohoo.. all they are is a bunch of rich or ignorant people who want to see the middle class die off. It is funny when you see the tea party that they mainly consist of one race. I have worked all my life and lost my job in 2007 AND HAPPEN TO LIVE IN THE BACKWARDS STATE OF GEORGIA. I PAID $ 400 a month for cobra to keep my healthcare for 18 months , GOT ROBBED..and I am diabetic. I now cannot get healthcare and cannot afford it and Georgia does not help single people without kids, like some other states get healthcare through medicaid, as I sit and watxh some people who never worked and dont want to or illegal immigrants get medicaid.. I say to myself whom.. who is this country for anyway, not me. No public option.. why not you already have one it's called welfare, not for he people who have worked and lost thier jobs, but for peopl who have kids and don't want to work or have jumped the border to get here. I need healthcare, I am a AMERICAN, who pays taxes, I NEED HEALTHCARE, why would the Republicans want to stop that for me. Because I am a middle class american that they want to steal my 401k and IRA;S , take my house and let me die so I will go away and they can have this country all to themselves, Funny when I look at the tea party and the people who are in it on television, it reminds me of the KKK. i AM GOING INDEPENDENT..
the teaparty may have started out for good but seemingly has morphed into part of the GOP. Don't sound like a good thing to me. Sarah Palin is going to be part of the opening of the next big teaparty gathering. The only thing Palin has is a line of gab and a smile that makes people beleive her. She is a bored woman that knows very little about politics and if this is what the teaparty wants to represent there group God help us. She seemingly is more worried about others actions then her own and that makes her dangerous. What a waste for a political person to look to.
I'm wondering where was the Tea Party when Bush was destroying this country. If it is true that they are composed of people of all walks of life, why were they so silent. It's curious how vocal they are now that we have an African American president. I wonder what truly fuels their agenda.
The Tea Party will ultimately go the way of Lyndon LaRouche and Ross Perot. A lot of fuss for nothing but media attention.
@Bo Games – You are SO on the money! I live in the nations capital here in Washington, DC, and I cannot believe the amount of voter remorse we are seeing here. It is NOT just this Administration. It was the last one as well. These are career and self agenda specific politicians. Term limits and no further utilization of lobbyists, would clearly stop some if not most of the bleeding. I mean really! Who is actually looking out for the American people???
Definitely, I agree that this is a group that gives a platform to violent racists. We were in DC and were appalled at several signs we say saying things like, "This time we came without guns!" and these people were serious. They had hate in their eyes and we were afraid. If they had Muslim sounding names, they would have been rounded up and imprisoned. And...... We saw only white folks.
In all of the pictures of these rallies, there are only token black folks, carefully placed right where people can see them and assume that there are really numbers of black people supporting them.
I know people who want to say that this is a movement that would have happened even if John McCain would have won, but I am dubious.
Give me a break! Lynden LaRouche followers and John Birch Society members??? That's truly hysterical. I'm sure there are those people involved in this movement...radicals to the far right....but the core of the group is average Americans like me...simply wanting to voice our own disgust with corporate bailouts and big government! We don't want CHANGE we want SERIOUS IMPROVEMENTS to what we see is turning the wheels of our precious country.
People can throw out what they will about the Tea Party movement, but thank God our country allows the freedoms of speech to express our angst...whatever that may be.
I personally know many people who attended our local Tea Party. Unfortunately for you, the came away bad mouthing everyone with brown skin – not knowing what the status as US Citizens is. They also said vile and awful things about the President – things that would have been called treason in the past. My big questions is this: Some of these people have been married for over 25 years and miraculously they are now able to buy their first home. Please let me know how many of these people turned down the $8000.00 they received from a government they hate. Thank you.
I have been a life long Democrat and consider myself in support of this movement. I think what we are seeing here, is a move towards the middle. Where being fiscally conservative and socially liberal is where this country is moving. In essence and more the reason why we are seeing more Independents then anytime in US history. These are the voters that the Republicans and Democrats tend to lobby during elections. It would not surprise me to see an Independent President in our lifetime. Scott Brown and the INCREDIBLE upset he performed in Mass, is living proof that the tides are turning. I for one support that. I welcome the Tea Party movement.
Just one suggestion: Follow the money and when you find its source, you'll know what the Tea Party movement is all about and what it's real motivation is. It's not "power to the people" but more like "maintain the existing power structure or send more wealth up to the elite." The "people" are being exploited and played, just like they always are, unwittingly.
Whiners, Losers and Bitter Bigots. That's who the Tea Party is. Neocon rasists and homophobes. Break out the tin foil hats boys, the Tea Party is here. White robes and pointy hoods for everyone!
I'm not sure if it should be the Tea Party but there NEEDs to be a party for those of us that are socially liberal and financially conservative!
Say what you want, the Tea Party IS the Republican party. True Democrats would not want anything to do with those losers.
I am seriously in support of ANY reasonable movement which can initiate and foster ideas, programs, events and action toward changing the pathetic direction that our so-called leaders are moving in our country. I live in the South and it is nearly impossible to find any positive discussion in support of our existing administration. There is a non-evasive civil war going on inside the beltline where the "Blue and Gray" are now Republicans and Democrats; and, yes, their staffs. Replace them all. Do no allow lobbiest to contribute to candidates. Our leaders should not be bought. Limit congressional terms to one four year term. Congress should not consist of individuals who's longivity dictates legislation and po0llicy. I'm not through, but I'll step off my soap box... for now.
The modern Tea Party Movement is the new face of the same old racists this country has had since the times of Abraham Lincoln. These are their children and grandchildren who were brought up with hate for anybody other than "white". They have simply traded their white sheets and crosses for cute little matching camoflage outfits (much more acceptable in public places); and the burning crosses for AK-47's (more compact and much easier to carry), along with the cry that the Government is trying to take away their guns!
:
I know. I grew up in the heart of the South in the days of "White" and "Colored" drinking fountains. These people are my neighbors, and in some cases, sadly, they are my relatives!
It's apparent those of you commenting on the Tea Party movement really have little knowledge what you're talking about. You've bought into the manufactured image of the Tea Partiers being "ordinary" people when that is far from reality.
We have infiltrated several Tea party groups and have found that they are a mix of John Birch Society members, Lynden LaRouche followers, members of different militias and secessionists. But the majority of the members of the Tea Parties we investigated were adherents, in varying degrees, of white supremacists groups.
Certainly, there may be some Tea party groups who represent regular Americans but the groups we are intimately familiar with are primarily extremists. So, we suggest you enlighten yourselves about what you are commenting on.
There is a reason the initials of this group are "TP"...
I saw a man on the report say that Obama is anti-American. Obama IS what American is all about.
Have a little patience – and look to the past 8 years to find the REAL problems with the government.
The Tea Party has been a negative influence because of the division it causes and it gives a paltform to racists, to fringe element groups promoting there supremist agenda, and a platform to boderline extemists. The domestic terrorist would feel very welcome in this tea party group as well.
The tea party is not good for this country.
The Tea Party was organized by "Citizens for a Sound Economy" that later morphed into "Freedomworks", the organization given official credit for founding the Tea Party. A second organization," Americans for Prosperity" has provided the Tea party with media, administrative, organizational, and financial assistance. Both "Citizens for a Sound Economy" and "Americans for Prosperity" were founded and funded by David Koch, a libertarian. Mr. Koch and the Koch Family Foundation have also funded many "Institutes" and think tanks that provide "experts" to the media. For example, CNN this morning, featured a young man, from The Manhattan Institute, that recieves funding from the Koch Family.
If you really want to know why the Tea Party is, check out ekhtemes.wordpress.com for more info.