So when did Tea Party activists become the same thing as a social conservatives?

Jermanator

"A tea party activist is challenging U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur) in the 2012 Republican primary...

...Lewis, the father of a 2-year-old girl, says he plans on running on a single issue-- Boehner's support of a federal budget that provides funding to Planned Parenthood, which he calls 'the largest killer of unborn babies in America.'"

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/news/ap/politics/2011/Sep/17/house_speaker_boehner_gets_ohio_primary_challenger.html



I am in no mood to dive into the abortion debate and that has nothing to do with my point. How is this guy a Tea Party activist when his "single issue" has nothing to do with it? Maybe if he said that federal funding of Planned Parenthood is beyond the duties of the federal government so it should be cut, I could see the Tea Party angle, but not from the angle that he is taking.

Has Tea Party activism been hijacked by social conservatives, or have they been mislabeled in an effort to corrupt their cause? Is it both?

NN

mislabeled

Jeeper

Jermanator wrote: »

"A tea party activist is challenging U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur) in the 2012 Republican primary...

...Lewis, the father of a 2-year-old girl, says he plans on running on a single issue-- Boehner's support of a federal budget that provides funding to Planned Parenthood, which he calls 'the largest killer of unborn babies in America.'"

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/news/ap/politics/2011/Sep/17/house_speaker_boehner_gets_ohio_primary_challenger.html



I am in no mood to dive into the abortion debate and that has nothing to do with my point. How is this guy a Tea Party activist when his "single issue" has nothing to do with it? Maybe if he said that federal funding of Planned Parenthood is beyond the duties of the federal government so it should be cut, I could see the Tea Party angle, but not from the angle that he is taking.

Has Tea Party activism been hijacked by social conservatives, or have they been mislabeled in an effort to corrupt their cause? Is it both?

I'm convinced that the media is doing everything they can to discredit the Tea Party movement. They try to make them seem synonymous with the EXTREME right.

Luis

breamfisher

Some of those in the Tea Party ARE social conservatives. They might also be with the Tea Party because they think it'll bring about the social conservativism they desire.

I also wonder if the candidate in question has identified himself with the Tea Party previously.

robert38-55

NN wrote: »

mislabeled

:that::agree:

DCortez

IMHO, the Tea Party is about smaller government, lower taxes, and constitutional conservatism. Social conservatives, who seem to think their agenda is the only agenda that should be funded, need to get off Tea Party coattails and stay with the republican party. With that, I think most social conservatives would call me a libertarian or closet liberal instead of what I know I am. A father, husband, homeowner, small business owner, taxpayer, vet, and concerned citizen.

Big Battery

Jermanator wrote: »

Has Tea Party activism been hijacked by social conservatives, or have they been mislabeled in an effort to corrupt their cause? Is it both?

It has been hijacked by two groups... the Social Conservative Reps who see the popularity of the Tea Party and want that for its own cause and also by the Statists who see the true Tea Party as a threat so they try to label everyone "Tea Partiers" to discredit the group. Each have hijacked the group's name for two opposing reasons. It is like Rick Perry claiming he is a Tea Party member.

The Tea Party can support many different types of candidates though, as long as they support the party's platform which is mainly constitutional governing. IF a candidate supports things like DOM then they really arent Tea Party candidates.

Make_My_Day

I have seen the social conservatives in action on facebook. They are THE most hostile crowd to a candidate like Ron Paul, because Libertarians don't give a crap about their agenda. As far as I know, the TEA Party people are mainly fiscal conservatives...small government, low taxes and spending. Fairly narrow agenda, which even includes some Democrats.

DeanC

Big Battery wrote: »

It is like Rick Perry claiming he is a Tea Party member.

:win:

That is such a laugh. The other one that gets me is Dick Armey and his "Freedomworks" Tea Party business (and don't kid yourself, it is a business). Dick Armey was the freakin House Majority Leader! He is part of the problem. He is one of the reasons the Tea Party got started.

bisley

The Tea Party movement is regularly confused with an actual political party, usually on purpose, and usually by its opponents, who are forever looking for the perfect box to put all of their enemies in, so as to be more efficient when demonizing them.

Then there are those who profess to be conservatives who kinda, sorta, want to be identified with them to increase their own appeal to conservatives, but then never mention them when traveling through more moderate areas.

Make_My_Day

Jermanator wrote: »

"A ...Lewis, the father of a 2-year-old girl, says he plans on running on a single issue-- Boehner's support of a federal budget that provides funding to Planned Parenthood, which he calls 'the largest killer of unborn babies in America.'"

I saw this guy interviewed by Neil Cavuto on his show tonight. Lewis is not very polished, and his stance on abortion is not going to be a winning strategy. I'm not that crazy about Boehner, but Lewis will never defeat him. I believe Lewis is hijacking the TEA Party name, because the TP has not mentioned abortion once on national TV that I have seen. Lewis calls Boehner a socialist.
:jester: