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February 4th, 2010
01:00 PM ET
How could the Tea Party change Washington?
As part of our special coverage, "Welcome to the Tea Party," the best political team on television will be tracking the convention in Nashville all this weekend.
What does the Tea Party want to accomplish? Who are its members? And what do they mean for the future of American politics?
Our independent analyst John Avlon joined us on Thursday's American Morning along with our Jim Acosta, who's been covering the Tea Party movement extensively.
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It’s important for people to have an elected official who not only understands their platform, but one who is alsotwitter.com/i/web/status/1…2Zk1
I feel we continue to give this whole movement too much credit and air time. This tea party movement has always been around behind close doors strong as ever. It's just gotten to a point in the lives of those republicans (white america) that can't take it any more and have come from behind those close doors to let us know just how they feel about the rest of face to face Take the comments made from a major supporter of the movement that those that voted for the president can't even spell the word "vote" let alone know what it means. Or the comments maded by the mayor of Las Vegas that the president "was a slow learner". They're just piss off that for the first time in history their party with their support will go down as the one that lost to an African American canidate. They're pissed that their party couldn't put together a legitmate ticket to take on and win the seat they already held againist a total new comer. I;m sorry but I could go on an on about the face of a Tea Party supporter but all you need to do is look at past GOP conventions. My last comment has to be why with only 600 attendees coming to this so called convention of sorts do we even give them such national air time.
update version sorry:O)
feel we continue to give this whole movement too much credit and air time. This tea party movement has always been around behind close doors strong as ever. It's just gotten to a point in the lives of those republicans (white america) that can't take it any more and have come from behind those close doors to let us know just how they feel about the rest of face to face Take the comments made from a major supporter of the movement that those that voted for the president can't even spell the word "vote" let alone know what it means. Or the comments maded by the mayor of Las Vegas that the president "was a slow learner". They're just piss off that for the first time in history their party let alone America were they the pary that lost to a African American for the highest seat in the world. They're pissed that their party couldn't put together a legitmate ticket to take on and win the seat they already held againist a total new comer. I;m sorry but I could go on an on about the face of a Tea Party supporter but all you need to do is look at past GOP conventions. My last comment has to be why with only 600 attendees coming to this so called convention of sorts do we even give them such national air time.
February 4th, 2010 2:07 pm ET
"Mainstream America is losing control of its own country. Something has to be done, and it has to be done now!"
This means "white America" is losing control cause a black man is in the white house, we are not fooled! When people start insisting that their retarded cousin run company instead of the smart guy from out of state look out ;D
Tea Party is scary like Iran! Conservative to the point where only the values and/or opinions of a church or religin will be considered and everything else will be 'shouted down. We just went through a very conservative administration with the expensive drag down in Iraq and New Orleans! We've already committed our children to debt before Obama and the Democrats took control. When did it become fashionable to call a 'President of the United States' a derogatory name. I am sometimes ashamed to be a citizen of this country and mighty proud other times. We need to take control back in Washington I agree, but going the extreme right is not the answer. The Civil War in 1860 started in the same manner and we better start learning to COMPROMISE.
To working class citizen... you write well, but you say a lot of nothing. No one has ask others to take care of people on welfare. Your Blog sign says it all about you. I've got mine, you go out and get yours. That's the American way, right?
Well sir, it may be news to you, but most Americans do work hard and if not employed, would love to have a job. These same people have wives/husbands and kids that can & will get sick. I guess an A-H- like you could care less about that????
National Health Care (That Socialist Curse) will take care of all Americans without them needing to worry about if anyone (people like you) care if they are sick or will die without treatment.
This is about all I have to say to you and people like you because I know it will have no impact on your brain or your heart.
To John...Fox News has to be the most bias news organization on T.V.
Someone like you will love this station, because it's agenda is the same as yours. When they report the news leaning towards the crazies and the far right fringe idiots, you probably giggle like a girl. Telling people like you that the sky is falling and it's all because the "Main Stream" is no longer in control, makes your day, Right? In your crowd, you guys have been saying that all along and along comes this news operation that agrees with idiots like you. I can see how you feel good, and will most likely continue being a "Blocker of Better Things" as well as a "Hater" of our President.
Get a life sir...your world is gone.
Republicans are not Racists.I am a white republican.i support legal immigration.I married a girl from Mexico.Immigrated two Mexican from Mexico 6 years ago.My wife or the children could speak english.They do now.I speak spanish and english.I have lived with the poorest of the Mexican people.I have waited in line with the poor people waiting in line for Geeen Cards to anter the USA.I am not racists to any color.I support fairness hard work and equality for all people of all colors.
It is the free market that frees many people from poverty.The USA is a beacon of hope for many people.Because the opportunities are like no other in the world.
I watched the Black State of the Union on Youtube.It was very racist.White people this or Black people that.Allways color to the democrats.There is allways a sepeation of color in that party.Only there to support the Black Movement not others.And to go against the so called rich white man.
NOBODY CAN SAY I AM A RACIST.
Please. The tea party movement is nothing more than a thinly veiled Republican front group that allows the party fringe to express their racism and hatred in an open forum while distancing themselves from the "official GOP". Who are their supporters and who are their speakers?
Tom Tancredo-Republican
Sarah Palin-Republican
Dick Armey-Republican
Michelle Bachmann-Republican
Marsha Blackburn-Republican
Their over the top backing of Scott Brown who is arguably not even a conservative, demonstrates what this is all about.
A bunch of fools being played like fiddles by their wealthy republican overlords.
Why do the Republic-Goons and the Conserva-Dorks AKA the Tea Baggers take taxes so personally? Don't taxes pay for the sidewalks, parks and streets that they protest on? Or are they just out to rally against illegal aliens – code for Mexican. I sure as heck know that they wouldn't be protesting a blond illegal alien from Sweden who happened to be a Victoria's Secret model.
The application to join the Tea Party should include the following questions:
1. Ever collected unemployment? Y N
2. Ever collected Social Security? Y N
3. Ever received a government loan Y N
4. Anyone in your family ever benefited from a Gov. program. Y N
If you answered yes to any of these question please join the Democratic Party. Otherwise you are considered a hipocrit.
It's no coincidence that the Tea Party's first convention is held in the Deep South where probably most of the attendees ancestors were slave owners. Give me a break, this so-called grass-roots party is rooted primarily in the South and Bible Belt where bigotry and racial prejudice still reign. Not a very "Big-Tent" party.
CNN just reported the Tea Party is a bunch of "average joe's". What? I'm an "average joe" but the Tea Party doesn't offer me enough to support them.
The problem here CNN is your gonna repeat that the tea party is for the average joe every 15mins for days. There are people out there who will start to actually believe that if they hear it enough.
The truth here is the tea party movement is not "average joe's". Who sponsored this convention? Who bankrolls this convention? Who are the primary speakers? What are the primary "talking points" the people you interview are using?
The tea party movement has announced they embrace the tenets of the Republican National Party platform. They carry signs of the president in Hitler attire. They make no bones they are against the Democrats and further they are against Republicans who are not far enough to the right.
So CNN could you explain to me exactly how they are "average joe's " again...I must have missed something. If people on the extreme left formed a teaparty would you say the same thing? That they are "average joe's"?
I do agree with some of their points but in order for me to attend a rally must I be forced to carry hitler signs? Am I required to have a bible in one hand and a gun in the other? Am I required to cheer people like Tancredo when he spouts his racist views? Do I have to get in line and worship Palin?
So again CNN, who exactly, are these "average joe's"?
Inkdog,
I agree with you about the Constitution, but much like other liberals, you want to take a part of it and ignore the rest. Please read about the duties to be retained by Federal Government and those that are relinquished to the States. Our Federal Government is trying to do everything for and to everybody. That is not what the Founding Fathers intended. If the Federal Government focused on the things you mentioned, they wouldn't need to tax the citizens so heavily and we would have better roads, better quality water, MUCH BETTER SCHOOLS and our forces would be protecting the borders to prevent illegals from overrunning our society. The Federal Government is usurping the Powers of the States to benefit themselves and their self-serving Socialist agenda. It hte Founding Fathers were alive today, they would be the first to lead another revolution. They did it to a out of control, taxing counety called England and they would be willing to do it again – no doubt.
NOT Know the Constitution – That is every politician and almost every citizen we have. Illegals that are allowed to vote and the people voting that have come here from other countries (still struggling with our language) do not know the Constitution. Our politicians want a voting constiuentcy that is not educated but votes on "emotion". What can government do for me. John Kennedy once said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". Liberals, Democrats and Republicans alike could all profit from following this advice.If Webster were alive today, his definition of American politicians would be "Greedy individuals with self-serving causes that feed on and uninformed voting public". Destruction of the moral fiber of society is what has brought us to where we are today and changing that is all that will turn it around. Even the liberals that quote the Bible often use the scripture that says "money is the root of all evil" – misquoted as usual. It actually says that the "love of money is the root of all kinds of evil". One look at our politicians and society today and the confirmation of this scripture is quite evident. You may not believe in God, but the Bible and a belief in God was the FOUNDATION for the formation of the United Staes of America. When we allow the foundation to be removed – the structure built on it will not stand for very long.
AND...CNN is as right wing as one can get. It would not suprise me to find out they are on the gov't payroll.
It never ceases to amaze me how ignorant the right wing is. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. So are my tax dollars.
Jeb (in this blog) wants the government to stop spending all his hard earned money on unemployment. Why? Because then businesses would start hiring again. Anyone out there want Jeb for President? Millions of hard working people and their children who through no fault of their own would be homeless and starving on the streets in the dead of winter but Jeb would be happy! Jeb, doesn't realize how unemployment works. Unemployment benefits are funded by employers who pay taxes on wages paid to employees, they are not Jebs hard earned money! It is a system set up just so in a time like this we don't have starving children in the streets. I guess they thought something of the scope of the the Irish potato famine would not be good for our image as a super power.
I am really angry at CNN's coverage of the Tea Party Convention. It seems like you are leaning over backward not to mention the most obvious fact about the people there: they are all white. How you can have a serious discussion about the group without addressing that issue is beyond me. I can't remember seeing such an all-white group in years.
Is it just me or hasn't anyone else noticed (and I make this comment with all sincerity), that a great majority of teabaggers are obese angry white people? I think they may all be FoxLies viewers!....And why is that? Or shouldn’t we ask this question? And by the way, where were all these fruit cakes when Bush was spending more than any other president ever? It's ironic Americans are demanding tax cuts, when we are involved into two different wars. This is the first time ever in American history where we have fought a war without any economic sacrifice from the American populace, I guess everyone is ok with China paying for our war, oddly it is more than likely China is supplying the weapons to the people we are fighting. So who are the fools?
Tea Party = Independent + No change left.
One Texas teabagger had a long list of the taxes he is protesting....and blaming Obama's Federal government for. Almost all listed were LOCAL & STATE taxes! (Vehicle tax, vehicle inspection tax, gas tax, cigarette tax, sales tax, property tax, tollway tax, etc.). Maybe he's not aware that the Federal government has no jurisdiction over these- and he should properly protest to his Texas REPUBLICAN legislators for redress. And for those demanding less federal government- just what are you willing to do without? Clean, safe water, food & air? Safe neighborhoods... decent roads... clean parks.... a safe country..... Do we want to have Nashville look like New Orleans when the big F5 twister hits and NO ONE comes to help? EVER? Will you expect help when your insurance company decides to drop your husband totally just because he now has a heart condition & just because they can? Do you not realize that people are unemployed not because they are lazy- but because their jobs were outsourced to China. Do you not realize that when you lose your job- you are no longer able to pay for a mortgage & therefore lose your house- not because you "bought more house than you could afford"? And- do you people not realize, or don't care, that just because the economy in your neck of the woods is OK- that it might be terribly different in other areas?
It amazes me that SOMEONE in the media does not point out that these people cannot have it both ways. They rail against "Obamas' " big deficits and at the same time demand that he create jobs. Only the Wall Street corporations who outsourced our jobs and caused this whole economic mess can create or bring the jobs back! The President can only create GOVERNMENT jobs, paid for with our taxes........causing more & larger deficits!! Or.......these far right wing Republicans- in- Independent- clothing know that........and Obama will be tarred by them no matter what he does........clever! And the media just helps them. Who are these people who can travel from rally to rally protesting......do they not have jobs? How in this economy can they afford what they are doing? Maybe the real story is finding out who they really are & who funds them. How many are actually at this convention? I read 600. Why are you letting them dominate the political agenda when there are MILLIONS of us out here in the silent majority who don't have the time or money for this?! We elected this President. I would suggest that these sore losers crawl back under their rocks until they have the chance to steal another election.
Oh yeah, for all those Tea Party and Republican "Birthers" who believe President Obama is not a U.S. citizen need to know the law. The fact that his mother was a U.S. citizen at the time of his birth, he's automatically one, even if he was born on the moon. You "Birthers" are really dumb people. Before you espouse any position know your facts first.
What is the clear agenda of this so-called "tea party."
What is their major objective. They seem to be clear as mud with their ranting and raving. I heard they are agiainst the government running healthcare. I don't think they know what they are talking about. The president made it clear that the government doesn't want to run health care. It wants to put controls on high healthcare costs and the high costs of drugs. Everyone will be able to remain with his/her health provider. This group needs to create a clear cut agenda, develop strategy and most of all learn the facts.
Here's the big problem: NO ONE comes out from under their respective rocks EXCEPT when there is a democrat as president. NO challenges when Bush was in office-the poster child for ALL idiots- regarding the wrong war in the wrong place, and billions of dollars spent. The Tea Baggers are simply another set of people otherwise called Ruby Ridge, or Oklahoma City. They are ultra right-wing conservatives who can't stand the fact that there is a democrat as president. I had to suffer through 8 years of their crappy president, and after only a year they, "Just won't take it any longer." BS. These people are sore losers. L-O-S-E-R-S. PERIOD.
So much talk about racism........who is not racist? Stand up all you liars..............The Tea Party is here.....because Republicans and Democrats are out to lunch on the American Public's tab..............wake up America as your new neighbors will be all of the Chinese middle class buying up your homes (with the help of their governments debt dollars)you can't afford because you can't find work that pays above minimum wage............2012 will be the last election for many of you as you will be moving to Mexico to live in tents...............
You will see the tea party in action in 2010 and 2012. Nuff said.
It amazes me how inkdog doesn't know the difference between State governments and federal governments. The federal government has no role in providing free health care, free education, or other nanny state social programs. Unfortunately the fed govt uses monetary blackmail to force cash strapped states to either play by their rules or they eliminate the money. People don't know that if they don't have the money, the fed prints it out of thin air, thus in turn causing inflation to skyrocket.
The tea party wants fiscal conservatism and getting the government out of your personal lives. Basically what the founding fathers wanted. It's easy to do, just follow the greatest document ever written, the Constitution.
I was raised a life long democrat. Last year I reregistered as a republican. Why? The reason is I finally got it. I finally figured out what the constitution says and means and how our republic is supposed to be structured. It's not the role of the Federal government to rule our lives and provide all of our needs. No. Our system guarantees that the invividual is the sacred entity; not the collective. In other words, the Federal government has no business taxing productive people, taking their money away, and then giving it to other people who have not earned it. If I feel sympathy towards someone less fortunate, and I decide to give them some of mine, whatever mine is, then that's charity. But if the Federal government forces me to give it my money, the fruit of my labor, hard work, or even my good fortune, then that's coersion; that's theft and that is morally flawed. You see, all of us are free to determine the outcome of our own lives. If I starve, my problem. If you starve, your problem. I used to run around when I was younger, smoke, drink, peace, love, yah, yah, yah. Then I finished school, got a job, had kids, and grew up. I got real. And the very last thing I want to do now is have to have my money taken from me by threat of jail if I don't allow the Federal Government to take my cash and give it to someone else I don't know, don't want to know, and may not even like. In this country we should dismantle all social programs, Medicare, Social Security, Disabiltiy, etc....they are all unconstitutional. They are redistribution of wealth Ponzi schemes. You people in your 20s and 30s, you are paying into a system that will never be able to pay you back when you hit 65 or 70. A government can't be run on sympathy, it must be run on fiscal soundness and an absolute devotion to the right of the individual person. Equal opportunity, not equal results. You can't have winners if you don't have losers. It is the natural order of things, in nature and in human existence. We are not all the same. Never will be. So you earn yours, I'll earn mine; let's respect each other, and quit believing that the Federal government is going to give you something for free. Nothings free. That's my money they are handing out.
Harry, you are exactly right. I have a job, I have health insurance. I provide for my family and loved ones. I couldnt care less about you and yours. I certainly DON'T want to pay higher taxes so some lazy bum can get a free ride. Its called personal responsibility, how about learn it and get some.
Racists? Are you serious? Have you ever been to a Tea Party rally? Tea Party people are not all Republicans nor are they all Democrats nor are they all Independents nor are they all white nor are they all employed or carry health insurance. THEY/WE are a group of people who believe in the Founding Fathers, who believe in the Constitution and who believe in liberty. We demand a responsible government void of working non-political arenas and a free market. We believe in the Amercian Dream. It is that simple. WE are a group of people who refuse to let this great country go quietly into the night. WE will get politicians into office who follow the same mantra or they will be voted out. It is that simple. Don't like it? Tough. You believe in the European style socialism? Go somewhere else. I, like many many many many others, have had enough of your kind and your insistence of driving this country ever more into deeper and stinkier waters.
I have to say, most of the comments on here are absolutely ridiculous. So the best you lefties can come up with is resorting to name calling (teabaggers and racist.....good ones! Real creative!). Come on people, think! What is "racist" about calling for the government to be fiscally responsible? Do you people actually want bigger government, more spending, huge deficits? Do you not realize there will be a steep price to pay for SPENDING MONEY WE DON'T HAVE? Wake up and start thinking about the long term consequences. Its not about Republican or Democrat. Its about reigning in a government that's gotten too big and controlling, and is starting to hurt our country. More government is NOT the solution to your personal problems!
What I find interesting here is how the left wingers describe the Tea Party movement as right wing nut jobs, racist, intollerant of another viewpoint. They portray the people as angry gun toting mobs that only try to disparage and demean the democrats. Yet, just the use of the vile word "teabagger' tells me who really the rude, obnoxious , condescending people are. These people on the left are disgusting. Trying to make their argument with this type of language is a terrific example of adult behavior. I feel bad that their children are exposed to this and will only perpetuate this lack of respect, courtesy and civility.
One other thing to those who complain about the "last 8 years". Remember that included in the last 8 is the last three which were controlled by the Democrat congress. They controlled the purse strings. The economic downturn began and continues on their watch.
When will they own up the problems they helped to create?
Blame Bush? No. Blame Obama? No. Blame congress where the
numbers are crunched and the decisions are made.
Wisconsin Don
Racine Wi
Having attended numerous Tea Parties I've not seen any of the types referred to in many of these posts. I met the friendliest and most concerned citizens that I've ever met in any other group. Genuine concern for the constitution and the belief in the power of Freedom. I'm proud to be part of this group and I intend to ramp up my involvement this year. The people that I've met in this movement, an I've met many, are extremely concerned about their fellow citizens and would be the first to make sacrifices to help their neighbor. No, supporting a bloated government bureaucracy does not count as helping your neighbor.
What Sammie said.
What the teabaggers have learned is that if they run around waving their arms while screaming a lot someone will pay some attention to them. They are nothing more than pathetic losers who can't figure out how to make a living so throw tantrums in public. And if that doesn't work they get their thrills by wearing unloaded guns on their hips to make themselves feel like they could actually do something. Like I said: pathetic.
The teabaggers can't fix Washington. Only term limits, import restrictions, banking regulation, and a reduction in federal services and functions can fix Washington.
They don't like it and won't admit it, but the teabaggers are coming across to the public as the wing nuts of the Republican party. They'll use their 'purity' tests to let in Beck, Hannity, Rush, and Palin to try and legitimize their movement. Right now though, they are just a bunch of yuppies hanging out in Opryland for an expensive Superbowl weekend!
The Tea Party Movement is as Anti-American as Adolph Hitler was Anti-Jewish!
"Texas Republican et al" It is evident from your "postings" you have NO idea how local, state, and national governments work. I suppose from your "posting" you would be content to have your children educated at home. Read into that no taxes to support your local school district. Would you be prepared to drink untreated water, drive on dirt roads, have NO police protection, obviously; no taxes would go to public works. What about the fact, when natural disasters strike you have NUMEROUS local, state and federal agencies come to your aid, all funded by taxes. Last and not least your nation is protected by the United States Armed Forces, what of the tax levies that subsidize these peoples work.
It never ceases to amaze me when I read “posts” similar to yours the lack of understanding you have of the manner in which the country operates. What is obvious to this author is this, you sir lack compassion for your fellow citizens. I find in my “conversations” with your group that one thread passes among all, I have mine and you shall have nothing. I guess the thought never occurred to you is this, taxes are what we pay to live in a civilized society. Similar to insurance, taxes spread the burden of “general welfare” read the following:
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Tosay that the tea party movement is all right wing nut jobs is to ignore reality. Theeare tens of thousads of angry people or all races and walks of life who are furious at our betrayal by our own govenment. Furious at their failure to respond to our needs rather than their own needs or worse the needs of their corporate owners. Americans have traditinally reacted poorly to being betrayed and ignored by their government. Change is in the air and I'm afraid it will get really unpleasant as the corrupt powers will never willingly give up the power they have slowly but surely been accumulating ove the years. I hope it doesnt break out into violence but that has been the historically prove way these situations are resolved. Luddites, bread riots, tea parties are all the same basic thing, groups of people rising up to reclaim their rights. This isn't an issue of color, its an issue of money and power.
Alright I've had enough of being called names. I am a TEA PARTY member and would like to set the record straight.
1) The Tea Party is NOT about political affiliation OR religious beliefs.
2) It is about ENFORCING the Constitiution.
3)It is about SMALLER government and FEWER taxes
4) It is about allowing AMERICAN citizens to make their own choices free from government intrusion
5) It is about AMERICAN CITIZENS taking RESPONSIBILITY for their own well being - elimination of the "nanny" state
6) It is about STATES RIGHTS - our forefathers designed a system where the STATE trumps the FED. It's called the 10th Amendment.
I have a theory that the reason the Liberals in this country are so threatened by the Tea Party movement is because they might have to get a job and support themselves - soon...very soon!
I find it enormously amusing to hear the Tea Party mantra about a "grass roots" movement. It's more of a bowel movement of right-wing nut jobs who want less government without any loss of services. They are simply more of the same Republican morons who dug this hole we're now in.
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
The problem with American politics is that we have 300 million people but we only have a total of six different opinions on government and its role in society and finances. However, we are usually only given two choices – Republican and Democrat. We are either Fiscal conservative, moderate or liberal; and either Social conservative, moderate or liberal; that's it. Republicans have become the Conservative party and Democrats have become the Liberal party. Moderates have no voice, and most Americans are moderate. We need a viable third party. The Tea Party aint it. That keynote speaker at their 'convention' made sure of that, bashing immigrants for not being able to spell the word VOTE (the audience applauded). Screw him, I bet his great grandparents couldn't spell either when they first came to this country.
I also am disgusted with the way political correctness and incorrectness has become so pervasive. The best the Tea Party can do to push their Florida Senatorial candidate is to bash Charlie Criss for hugging the President? Oy vey! What happened to dealing with the issues?
Let's not underestimate the Teabaggers. They may be uninformed and manipulated by Rush, Beck and Hannity. But they are for real and most important, THEY VOTE!!! TAKE A LESSON FROM THE BROWN ELECTION TO THE SENATE.
We need to answer their mis-informed arguments. I had occasion to talk to a Teabagger who was mouthing all the talking points about Obama-care. She didn't want government managed health care, but benefitted from Medicare/Medicaid. She wanted to be able to choose her own doctors. But refused to admit that by belonging to Oxford Medical Health Care, that her choices were limited to using doctors in the network.
She said Obama was taking away her freedoms. I asked her to name which freedom she had lost.
She said that Obama was taking the country in the wrong direction. I asked which direction is that?
She had no substantive answers.
If you talk to a Teabagger, you'll see they have nothing to say beyond their Beck, Hannity. Limbaugh talking points.
If they want smaller, less intrusive government, let's start with keeping the government out of our bedrooms, out of woman's womb, and out of peoples' love lives.
Ask some of the senior Teabaggers, if they are willing to give up their Social Security or Medicare, to achieve a smaller government and to reduce government spending. Maybe the government should default on paying interest on savings bonds. Maybe we should cut all foreign aid and get rid of the military. That would really reduce the deficit. Ask which one they would be willing to give up?
J. Green
Dix Hills, NY
Cruise for Liberty? I thought Tom Cruise was a Scientologist.
Your kidding me right? Rand Paul is an "outsider"!!! His Father was somehow outside the beltway? Stop insulting our intelligence. The Tea Party propaganda is blatanly racist. And I resent the accusation made by TP leaders that individuals who voted for the Obama administration couldn't even read! (Don't you see the obious racist undertones in that).
For those of you in the TP far right movement; anyone with a modicum of intuition can see you for what you really are. The even angrier party of NO.
The Tea Party is not A group it is several groups of concerned and outraged American Citizens.
thank god for the tea party movement.these are smart american people.i am an independent and im leaning more bk to republican.obama cant blame bush anymore.its time to stop playing the blame game.this is all on obama now.there is to much out of control spending,a wild spending spree. obama is a liberal and a socialist,and hes trying to take this country in a dangerours direction.obama has a very bad agenda for america,the people of america are NOT going to let that happen.we are going to stop him,pelosi,reed and anybody else in his dumb,stupid,iggnorant democratic party that trys.there all going to be defeted this year in the mid terms.and obama in 2Ol2.we and myself are tired of people playing the race card. this is not about race,its about bad choices and stupid policies.we are and are going to take this country back and give it to the right people,and its not obama or the democrats,so people that dont like us,thats to bad,get over it,beacuse its not just all about you.so tea party people go and win,win,win.
After reading CNN's biased report, I'm left wondering if any CNN reporters have been attending any Tea Party rallys? I know they wanted to be the story in the begining, but it seems that all the stories about the Tea Parties are just parroting the original story.
I know, everyone at CNN THINKS they can be a commentator, few can actualy do it.
one more thing. started with the guy who invented the printing press. used in making books. kind of like a home grown thing. you tennesseans like to be home grown right? start with books in the home. oh, and read the books yurselves! amazing what you can find in tomes handed down through out the generations. the tea party is dead with the bimbo head as the front. all you lemmings need to jump off the cliff. please, display some intelligence. ok? oh, and i think the guy's name was gug something. anyone in tennessee know?
so, tennessee folks feel like they're being run over by the sarah palin gang. let's start with, sarah palin is an empty headed moody you-know-what. and from there let me build. perhaps an old, ancient form of education there should start with encyclopedia brittanica. i'm not talking about obama bin laden and his horse-- rhetoric. no need need for an ultra left liberal to pollute the scenery. i'm all giving a kid a book, not a video game. some kids actually learn from reading! let's start with tennessee. funny how you folks use an acronym. tn. old fashion readin',writin',rithmetic'. try it on. might make a difference. wanna be NOT the bottom of the barrel? well, there you have it. my take on things. it's the information age. guess what? it's been the information age for about 1500 years now! holy s-!
If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem. I use to have respect for CNN. You have stooped to a new low by giving these people any air time. I guess your more interested in ratings than social responsibility. What is sad is that you would not think twice about honoring military censorship and editing material deemed classified, yet you give notice to a group of juvenille delinquents that are hell bent on taking the country through domestic terrorism....go figure?
P.S. Perhaps we should bring Ronald Reagan back and do some more trickle down economics....LOL. Need a job? Try shutting up and paying your dues (Taxes). Or do you think it's not your turn to suffer?
Look at these people! This is the anti-abortion crowd, the pro-prayer in school crowd, the anti-gay crowd, the racists, the bigots, the misogynists, the nativists, the uneducated, and those who believe they are blood relatives of the founders.
They have had no success with the Republican Party, so they are jumping on the “WE ARE AMERICA” bandwagon to shove their narrow agenda down our throats. Same crap-different tack.
Are you kidding me? Diverse group? These are a bunch of angry white people that are reaping the seeds of their own destruction. It is a little difficult to feel sorry for wealthy white people that finally feel the pangs of economic woe. Until you are actually homeless you have not one issue to complain about. The man you featured this evening is living in a delusional reality, walking down a clean paved street in a surburban neighborhood. You can call yourselves independent if you like, but your non-verbal messages are obviously contrary to your words. You blame government for your anger, when you enjoy the fruits of government services, like roads, bridges, vehicle safety, housing codes that hold contractors accountable for shoddy workmanship, state universities, public education, parks, trails, etc. Just grow up and take responsibility for allowing the Republicans and the free market for collapsing the economy. This is coming from a white man that has seriously been homeless and did not blame the government for his personal problems, he just accepted the reality and moved on. Think before you vote! I suggest you vote after you stop being angry, or you will only make things worse. Oh, by the way, I have been unemployed more times than I have fingers and toes, NAFTA and GAFTA ring a bell. I have also been working since I was 12 y.o. so let's be real.....Pee Party!
The Tea Party Movement certainly "talks the talk", but ultimately they have to "walk the walk." I doubt they will. Look at Texas ... Both Senators and the multitude of Representatives rail against taxes, government waste, and spending. But when Obama announced he was cutting NASA's return trip to the Moon, they howled and complained.
It seems that tax cuts and reductions in government spending are great, until it affects YOU. Then, everyone complains like hell. Whatever happened to "we all have to make sacrifices?" The biggest item in the deficit is the Medicare entitlement ... How many Tea Partiers are willing to give up their Medicare when they retire for the good of the country? We'll see.
If you can't walk the walk, don't talk the talk.
The tea party movement is the first American movement that I've seen in 40 years. I intend to make every effort to support them. A grassroots group of people that genuinely care about their country and are willing to open themselves to ridicule from the 'cool' people. Imagine a radical group that supports the radical US constitution, limited Federal government, fiscal and personal responsibility. Wow that's radical. As long as they maintain their independence and altruistic posture, I will be right there with them. Those that criticize them don't offer any specifics because they oppose them based on ideology and not substance.
It's not going to change Washington because, as soon as the next Republican become elected President, they are going to put their tea bags away and forget about Government just like they did when Bush was President.
The Tea baggers are the American Taliban, and are mad that Palins daughter had a kid while not married. they were hoping that would have happened to Obamas daughter. It wont because they have too much class , something Palin should look for. They need to read the New Testament and get past the Old Testiment . Listen to Christ and stop telling God what needs to be done.
Fiscal responsibility is not racism.
I just want to stopped being taxed all the time.
Vehicle Registration Tax.Vehicle Inspection Tax.Gasoline Tax.Cigarette Tax.Sales Tax.Property Tax.Federal Witholding Tax.Tollway Tax.And so on and so on.We americans are being taxed beyond beleif.
Every American should come together so we can keep more of what we earn.
It is our right to protest against massive taxation.
Where was the tea Party whem former presidente George Bush was sinking the country???????????
Everyone knows that tea party people are racist.The republicans have really out done there self.
The tea baggers are racist Republicans who are insighting white Americans without jobs to blame the new administration on what is happening to them. Why fear a foreign terrorist when you have so many homegrown terrorist. You will be absolutely terrified at some of the stuff these people say. Advocating violence, that's a way of life for these right wing nut cases. CNN you should be ashamed of showing those horrible racist signs these people are parading.
The angry republican conservatives are less upset with the policies of the President , and more upset with the color of his skin. Where were they when GB and Dick Cheney were skyrocketing the deficity.
You idiots will never get it.There are racists everywhere,but it does not mean the tea parties are based on racism or a goal to gain power for republicans.If everyone found out things on their own instead of being lead blindly by news groups you would realize it is nothing more than a bunch of citizens(more than CNN or MSNBC will tell you) that are sick of an expanding government,growing taxes,and the sense of entitlement like the government implying that healthcare is a right instead of a service provided by private industry.The press and liberals are so quick to discredit the movement they resort to accusing them of being nothing but racists payed off by republicans.This administration was a tipping point with the breaking of promise after promise like lowering earmarks then lying about them,no-bid contracts were given out instead of being demolished,and lied about being able to keep your healthcare plans and doctors then coming out and saying something might have been"snuck in" preventing it.This is a mass movement of people sick of a goverment treading out of its constitutional lines and lying about doing so.This country needs to study our history and realize how imperative it is to preserve the republic and stop moving toward socialism especially when it's been proven in the past to be a FAILURE mainly to the citizens.I am only 22 and already tired of idiots with their ignorant perspective on socialism and stupidity in looking passed the fact that it keeps the power in the hands of the government and slowly strips away the peoples freedoms and sence of independence.Immagrants love this country for a reason and its not because it is just like theirs.Please people wake up before we are stripped of our identity!, if it hasn't already happened.
Could Susan L, Julia please explain why Tea Party supportests are right wing extremists? Just try..to give a coherent explanation for your bigotries...make an effort to argue intelligently. Can you?
Tea baggers are just a bunch of kool aid drinking republican'ts. Half of them don't even know the status of our country. They listen and repeat whatever their 3 stoogies tell them to do...... Beck, Rush and Hannity
It will be a much sadder day when the republican'ts take control again !
Harry in Texas is out to lunch why should I have to pay for the people on welfare of which most of them do not want to work. Show me one place in the Constitution where it says that I have to support someone else's family. Harry in Texas it doesn't exist. By the way Ed Tallahassee the tea party is not a small minority the liberals are.
The Tea baggers cannot accept the fact that America voted Obama as President. They are trying to gain traction by being divisive and appealing to racist whites who hate minorities. Tea baggers have the same mob mentality as Klansmen and have low or limited education. They don't believe in working hard. Most are unemployed or are on welfare. Tea baggers love quitters. That is why their hero is Sarah Palin. They feel that because they are white they are entitled to power and money. When they see hard working minorities get ahead, they use racial epithats as their only way to demean them. They may gain traction for now. But a group that is based on hatred and divisiveness will not last long.
Are you detractors really serious? The Tea Party is for smaller government and lower taxes. How does that run afoul of what America stands for? Civil liberties being detroyed? To the contrary, smaller government is LESS government intrusion.
We should all hope and pray that the Tea Parties shake up Washington(both parties). The sense of entitlement, arrogance, and fiscal mismanagement needs to stop. TERM LIMITS NOW!!
This is the last flame-up before the conservative fire goes out. The Conservative Paradigm doesn't work, it gets us into unnecessary wars, makes us enemies everywhere and it ruins the long term health of our economy. The conservatives can feel themselves being pushed-out by the mainstream and they are mad, because they don't have the power anymore. Hopefully the media will stop focusing on this small minority group and start focusing on what the Majority of Americans need, financial, social, educational and economic security.
When the tea party first got under way I thought it was going to be a great organization, finally a group of americans that are going to stand up with a government to big to hear the people, operating as though they are not for the people by the people. Now I seeing that this group also has become a sale-out.
The tea party members which represented strong amercans have allowed the Republican party to take over it and destroy its core value. Once again Americans were divided and concurred.
When will we learn amercans this is not a Democrat, Republician issue. We have to stand together as Americans and take back our government. They forgot that they were elected to be for the people by the people. The Tea Party was the right organization to make government pay attention to the voices of the Americans.
Want the tea party goers want is a government that works on sound fiscal principles, much as a profit making corporation might work. As an example of governmental naivete was the give away of all that early money to banks without enforceable stipulations on use. How dumb. We need businessmen in Washington. What they don't want are tax and spenders who simply are paying off constitutencies like unions/government workers/welfare recipients and building those consituencies until the leeches on the government dole outweigh the producers. When that happens, and it will if democrats have their way, this country is on a very slippery slope.
A great idea that has gone sour. For the most part they are now in bed with the Republican Party. It's a shame. We, independents need a party of our own. Where the thinking and policies are in the center both fiscally and morally and where the fringe elements of both parties are not welcome.
They seem to be people of average intelligence who hate being powerless. They are a collection of right wing individuals with various gripes. They don't realize that a handful of corporations and wealthy families control the US. Any attempt to change this just won't happen. Tea Baggers seem to support cutting taxes and spending, and their greatest benificaries will be the people in power. Even Mr. Brown from Mass is distancing himself from them.
I don't really see the difference between the Tea Party and the Republican party. Just a matter of right or far right. Both are getting unrealistic and damaging to the US by polarizing as much as possible even though they damage America.
Everyone take a look at the Republican Manifesto...the ten points that all Republicans must agree to in order to get party money. One is absolutely against cap and trade even to control pollution! Are we back to "Silent Spring" times?
Unfortunately, the Tea Party (Republican Extremists) will be ruling politics for a very long time. They are really nothing more than a group of extreme right wing terrorists set on the destruction of the US.
At first they sound good with being concerned with the lowering of the deficit, which I strongly agree with. However if you look closely they are about keeping the unemployment rate very high and shipping our jobs to China (FACT).
Their philosophy is virtually the same as the Taliban, which Tea Party members have told me in numerous discussions.
They are a very dangerous group bent on taking away our civil liberties.
I applaud the Political Activism of the Tea Party. It's got the attention of politicians of all stripes all over the country. That has to be a good thing!
But where was all this activism and anger during the Bush Administration when we went from surplus to deficits in a big way; passed an enormously expensive and unfunded drug program (Medicare Part D) and entered an unnecessary war that was also unfunded?!
What they want is simple. Straight talk. Fiscal responsibility in government. Reduced government interference in every aspect of the lives of Americans. Reduced government control of legal business and the lowering of taxes. An audit of the Fed. Real fair trade between countries.
I thought that CNN had more class than this. The ratings must be low. The news stations are becoming a reality show ..
The tea baggers are racist, just come to Idaho and attend one of their rallies, it is absolutely shocking. Aryan Nations thugs everywhere. Why fear a foreign terrorist when you so many homegrown terrorist. You will be absolutely terrified at some of the stuff these people say. Advocating violence, that's a way of life for these right wing nut cases. CNN you should be ashamed of showing those horrible racist signs these people are parading...
I'm shocked! You've actually been fair and balanced here. For once, you all looked into who these tea "partiers" actually are. It's been blindingly obvious whenever I've seen them out protesting in my area that these are Republicans - extremely activist and VERY far right - who are mad as hell that they didn't win in 2008 AND that the Republicans ran someone who wasn't representative of them; someone who wasn't far right enough. These are the purists of the Republicans.
Most news, including some coverage I've seen by CNN, conflate these people with Independents and Centrists. They aren't. They are extreme right wingers. Listening to the news you'd think that they are the "Silent Majority" since all the news organizations are fawning over them.
If you want to look at something interesting, look at all the Tea Partiers who are suddenly latching onto the Scott Brown Senatorial campaign. They are in love with him (as you in the media are, too) and have projected their beliefs onto him. It'll be fun to watch to see if Scott Brown acts like the RINO he says he is so that he can have a chance to win when he's up for election in 2012 (a Presidential year, so he can't count on Democratic turnout being depressed) or does he suck up to the Tea Partiers who are calling him "America's Senator" and imbuing him with magical powers to single-handedly stop health care reform and impeach President Obama for being a Kenyan Socialist. Look at Scott Brown's Facebook Fan Page. It's an interesting dichotomy of Massachusetts Voters with their actual issues and lots of Texas (and other, but Texas really dominates) Tea Partiers who are already turning off the Massachusetts people with their birtherism and their racism. Fascinating stuff.
The tea baggers are racist, just come to Idaho and attend one of their rallies, it is absolutely shocking. Aryan Nations thugs everywhere. Why fear a foreign terrorist when you so many homegrown terrorist. You will be absolutely terrified at some of the stuff these people say. Advocating violence, that's a way of life for these right wing nut cases. CNN you should be ashamed of showing those horrible racist signs these people are parading.
So again, like the moral (minority) majority the republicans under the guise of independents because the party of no cannot get any traction get the noise.
There is no independants in the Tea Party but frational republicans.
Blasting the current adminsitration is all I hear from them.
The Tea Party Members must not let petty differences divide the group. Members united because they were unhappy with both parties and want the Country to go in a different direction. Do not fall into the "trap" and allow outside influences to detract from the original purpose which is to let the Washington establishment know we are not happy with them.
Stay united to keep America strong.
If the government stopped spending all that money on unemployment businesses could start hiring again! Stop spending our hard earned tax dollars on unemployment!
This whole story is a 100%fabricated made up lie there is no division in the tea party movement we are united and strong beyond belief that is why you lying flying monkey press are creating this divide and conquer strategy a strategy used by leftist progressive leader who take afterr untrue leader, Satin who all there policy's are molded after F off and that is the F word that diane sawyer omitted reporting with her kid gloves you think you lie to the Great American People lead by Their Creator we are individuals united by our hearts and WE shall prevail you lying scum bags!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think the Tea party is a buch of "haves" who still have jobs, health insurance, etc. They could care less about the "have nots" without work or health coverage. As long as they don't get taxed to provide for those less fortunate they will be happy. Seems they are a greedy bunch to me.
These are just a bunch of angry republican conservatives who are less upset with the policies of the President and more upset with the color of his skin. Where were they when GW and Dick Cheney were skyrocketing the deficity. They were in their trailers, that's where.
I think what you are missing in your commentary is the bottom line.... Bottom line, a lot of AMERICANS are tired of all the garbage that is coming out of Washington. The garbage coming from both parties. BOTH PARTIES. People are finally standing up and saying enough. We are not stupid. Washington has tried to confuss us with issues that are not political issues. They are moral issues and should not be discussed in a political setting!!! Lets get back to running a prosperous, loving country, where people cared for their neighbors and communities. I am glad we are finally standing up to be heard. That is being a patriot, that is showing love for your country!
CNN goes on and on about this new phenomenon called the "Tea Party" and how it could change the Republican party, all the while showing pictures of angry white people holding sign after sign slamming Obama with racial slurs and hatred. WHY IS CNN IGNORING THIS!
The Tea Party is the party of hate, bigotry and Racism. That is the real story here. Your coverage only validates the Lynch mob.
Where were these whining babies when George Bush was commiting future generations to paying for his misadventure in Iraq?
Folks.........I am so tired of the liberal left telling everyone that the Tea Party movement is "fractured" or a flash in the pan. If you wish to think that way........go ahead.......the suprize will just be bigger in November. People know what the deal is now and how the media is used to get their way. It will no longer work...........Tell me why CNN and MSNBC ratings are down 39%..............Oh, did I tell ya that Fox News was up that same amount...39%......uummmmmm. Funny how that works.
Mainstream America is losing control of its own country. Something has to be done, and it has to be done now!
why do you even give these idiots any press coverage.
Here's the trouble with Teabaggers; They don't even konw our history.
Organizer Avlon says "Well, imagine if John Hancock was trying to make a buck off the constitutional convention," Problem is, John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence not the Consitution..in fact he wasn't a delegate to the convention.
This is not a small thing. To claim that they stand for the Constitution and traditional American values and be so ignorant of our own history is frightening and reduces the teabaggers to nothing more than the old man chasing neighborhood kids off his lawn.
It won't change 'Washington' at all – they're right wing nutjobs, just like the rest.
This group is about as racially diverse as a Klan Rally. However, Nashville is a very good choice for this convention. Not too long ago, the TN legislature in Nashville, backed by the NRA, decided it would be a good idea to allow people to legally carry weapons into bars and night clubs. They also think Parks are dangerous and people should carry guns there as well. All this was against the wishes of law enforcement, TN Hwy partol and the Governor. But the Governor is a Democrat, so I guess he doesn't count. Here in TN, we're near the bottom of every quality of life catagory, but at least we can carry our guns.