American Morning
Welcome to the Tea Party: To hug or not to hug?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://blogs.cnn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2010/02/obama-crist-gi-art.jpg caption="Governor Charlie Crist is hugged by President Obama at a town hall meeting February 10, 2009 in Fort Myers, Florida."]
By Jim Acosta, CNN
To hug or not to hug?
That's the question facing Florida's Republican voters. The answer could have national implications for the Tea Party movement.
In the white-hot GOP primary battle between Governor Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio, the hug is the big issue.
In case you haven't heard – last year, the governor briefly hugged President Obama at a stimulus town hall meeting in Florida. Tea Party activists in the state immediately cried foul and began moving in droves to Rubio in the race.
Does Crist regret the hug? Does he still defend his support of the stimulus? Yes. And yes. To the governor, it's all about civility in politics. Tea partiers or no tea partiers.
Would Rubio hug Obama? Watch our second part of "Welcome to the Tea Party" – "Florida showdown," Thursday on American Morning.
We Listen – Your comments 2/3/2010
Editor's Note: Wednesday’s American Morning audience shared varied opinion about the growing Tea Party movement. As the party hosts its convention this weekend, some expressed fear of the new organizers, while others believe the Tea Party would be the third contingent to emerge in our electoral system.
- Susan: The T Party Movement – You will find out if you investigate that these people are racist people who are mad because Obama has gotten in as President. Please investigate these people. Myself, I feel they are an offshoot of the militia and the KKK. They are hiding their identities more so they can penetrate the government. These people are very negative and want to be destructive to the Government and our freedom. Please, please investigate these groups out here that pretend to be for the Government. They are angry mobs who at the chance would try to kill Obama if they could. They are very scarrrrry to our nation. Please DIG DEEPER. I also feel that this is why some of those republicans are against Obama. Underneath they believe in the T party doctrine. It's awful.
- Doug: LOOKS LIKE IN THE FUTURE CANIDATES MAY HAVE A T BESIDE THEIR NAME, INSTEAD OF AN I, OR A D, OR AN R, NOW IT MAY HAVE A T; THE TEA IS BEING TAKEN OVER FOR MONEY, THAT DID NOT TAKE LONG.
- Sandra: I love how you guys can't wait to hop on the Tea Parties (a 3 part series?) but have you reported on the HEAD of the UN Climategate refusing to step down even though his "proof" of melting glaciers in the Himalayans is from hikers? LOL!!! It's no wonder I never watch CNN anymore and only found out about your 3 part series as I accidentally flipped channels past yours. You know...what you fail to realize is the Tea Party movement is not about some guy wanting for profit and others not. It's about things like, oh say, a multi-TRILLION dollar budget while a gazillion people poof out carbon all over the place going to Copenhagen on our tax dollar. Too funny. And how come we never hear about GE's bonuses? When you realize you've made a giant mistake hopping on the Global Warming boat, how are you going to get off and still maintain face? Tea Parties are the least of your worries.
What do you think of the Tea Party movement? Continue the conversation here.
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