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It is the kind of Midwestern autumn day when many college students would go out and throw a Frisbee or try to study under a tree (and then nap). It is Sunday, hot in the sun and cool in the shade of trees that are now turning unlikely shades of red and orange.
But Emily Daniels, a freshman at nearby Bethany College, has a bigger agenda. She is straight from church when we meet her in a leafy neighborhood of South Bend. She is canvassing for Duane Beals, a Republican trying to oust incumbent Pat Bauer, a Democrat who has served 40 years as a state representative.
“I make time for things that are important,” says the 18-year old, who is launching into a heavy load of classes, from economics to chemistry.
Daniels says she hopes to work managing political campaigns in the future, and in getting people involved in the political process. She is organizing college students in South Bend, though it is a struggle, she admits, because most are apathetic about politics. But as she approaches residents in this neighborhood, there’s nothing to suggest that she isn’t a veteran political activist.
Daniels, who was raised in a Republican home and attends a Christian college, said she witnessed her parents becoming disillusioned with many GOP politicians who they felt had betrayed them in office, and hadn’t voted the way they said they would. So she identifies herself as a Republican but also as Tea Party member because she likes the way the movement seems to evaluate Republican candidates as well as Democrats.
“The Tea Party is people who actually care and want to be involved in the Republican Party... and want to make sure they keep promises and really represent the people.”
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From the Church to the political axe grind. Man I tell ya, she musta been praying for these older people in her neighborhood to vote Republican, and what do ya know, her prayers will be answered.
The TEA baggery has the canvassing down to a science... go out and talk to the older people and let them know they need to vote Republican... thattagirl.
Matter of fact, that looks like one of those mailers that the Republicans sent out that was akin to a census form. Still dirty tactics, still TEXAS TEA... black snake MOAN oil salesmen. You guys should be ashamed, but I highly doubt that.
Nice, resort to name calling in the first post. You hardcore libs are so 'tolerant'....LOL All you hardcore politicos left and right need to go before you take this great nation down. Either through outright corruption or taxes
Corruption. Nice, Republicans know enough about that especially with the campaign finance lies and cover-ups, but I'm going out on a limb and say that doesn't bother you since you already make millions and you won't be affected Right? Righhhht...
Taxes have been lowered for me, sorry they were raised for you, but I'm sure your accountant tweaked the book for you to break even.
Wow LouisJ you are soooooo ........ wrong,....... But after reading all of the other comments you've left on this article i think you're bigoted, mean spirited and baseless accusations are the result of a very sad individual!
I don't understand how becoming a political activitist has anything to do with being Christian. Jesus stated that his disciples were to be "no part of the world" (John 17:14). Additionally, at Matthew 6:33, he states they are to "seek ye first the kingdom." At John 18:36, didn't Jesus say about his kingdom: "My kingdom is not of this world" ? How is becoming involved in the political system the same as being "no part of the world?" What political movement would Jesus join or be a part of?
I think what concerns me is just where this tea party is headed. The free enterprise thing seems good, but if you notice, the tea party folks are agains unions ..which brought on a living wage for all workers. MAny have claimed the cost of unions has driven up cost to us citizens..but no one says a thing about the millions the CEO's are still making. Does anyone trully believe they would see a price drop on anything if we all got paid less..would these CEO"S take less..? Somehow I really doubt all that. I have to wonder just what they consider things to be like,,and then, just who they want to control to get it all done. I also have to wonder just who is really backing the tea party..and how much are these people getting paid ? So far as I can see, the only winners that will come from the tea party groups will be big business and the wealthy. For myself, i am concerned with all the lawyers we have all foolishly elected to offices , that have writen laws that they do not even understand. I am concerned with the ones we have allowed to be re-elected every term and given them all way too much power....which none of them deserve...they are all suppose to be working for the voters...that however is not so.
Why should they be ashamed? She has an opinion and wants to share it with those who care to listen. Did you have a problem with BUS LOADS of people being bussed to the voting booths when Obama was elected? Bus loads of folks who had no idea who or why they were voting? Give me a break.
It's nice to see young American's getting involved and being informed....regardless of which party they are supporting. Would love to see more adults practice the same thing. So sick and tired of the constand bashing of any political affiliation....it's getting old and tired....Let people think for themselves...and if you don't have anything productive to offer the conversation....SHUT UP!
Millerz - You are spot on! And LouisJ - You are hypocritical to say the absolute least.
My (And many Americans) problem with the Dems is more than just a disagreement over philosophy. It is also over tactics. Millerz alludes to busing voters and that is just the tip of the iceberg. We've seen Voter intimidation, we are all well used to the hijacking of Union Dues to the Dem Party, the, at times, forced labor of Union members to rallies/get out the vote campaigns and on and on.
And yet we are treated to cries of victim-hood when accusations are made, most unsupported by facts, of illegal Republican funding or other acts. The hypocrisy is overwhelming as is the repugnance of the strategy of accusing others to take the spotlight off your own transgressions. Louisj's post is a prime example of both these tactics.
Do what? First may I ask what U of M is?
Secondly, I have not attacked you... I don't even know you.
Thirdly, you sound like you were wounded by my words, let's agree to disagree to agree on the disagreement... agree?
U of M fan - then you are being disengenius to say the least, if your issues of contention are "tactics" because both republicans and democrats have used dirty tactics. But the fact that you only "care" about the democrats possible dirty doings, well...suggests you are not being honest about whats happening and WHY you actually dislike them.
Republicans have long been accused of voter intimidation, and other similar tactics. The current accustations about the Chamber of Commerce soliciting funds from foreign owned corporations for the midterm elections...not ringing a bell to you??? Do you think all people who are part of the Chamber of Commerce are republicans and approve of the spending of these funds? Not that much different than unions, is it?
I suspect that you are equally outraged about the tactics being used in Wisconsin to invalidate college voters who arent living at home, or if their voter registration says "Avenue" and their drivers license says "Ave"?
Im pretty sure the dirtiest tactic was the Supreme Court deciding corporations are people and thusly can spend unlimited, unchecked funds on elections.
I really hope you enjoy CHINA deciding who our politicians are.
China already did, I give you Bill Clinton. AQnd he repaid them handsomely by granting 'favored trade status' ad infinitum even as they were still washing the blood off tianamen square.
Tea Party, Rep. or Dems WE THE PEOPLE is what this is all about. We should be thinking for ourselves. Louis J you are crazy if you think someone is going to right for you. What you want the "Obama Stash" to save you?
Thank God we have sensiable young people willing to fight for this country and get the right vote out. We aren't just 'OLD PEOPLE', we are the smart people, trying to save you morons from distruction of those like OBAMA who think they are the Elite and know what is best for Americans. Get you head out of the sand, your butt from sticking up and read, yes read and educate yourself Louis....nothing is free you just want it free...ain't going to happen you shameful lamb being lead to slavery by Obama and his goons.
I said older people. I never said "OLD PEOPLE"... and who is going to 'right' for me? What does that mean? Obama stash? Sounds like you found it first.
All I was doing was stating the obvious. But our 'distruction' may be a distraction to the message the TEA baggers paper the streets with which represent nothing new but 'OLD" politics of support for the rich and pillage against the poor.
Talk about educating myself, at least I know where the spell check is located. Geesh.
sad pennsylvanian - You'll be a lot sadder when your teaparty candidates get in office and proceed to dismantle Social Security and end Medicare. How will you feel then? Why do you think it's alright for someone to push their religious agenda on people that don't believe the way they do? It's certainly alright for this girl to believe whatever she wants and to practice that belief but when her beliefs intrude on my rights to live life how I see fit, she has to go and all those candidates that believe the way she believes need to go as well. I don't wish to have my life dictated to by a bunch of fundamentalist authoritarians.
Using the words "TEA baggers is unbecoming to you. Shame on you.
Where when you during the 8 years when GWB was wreaking havoc in this country by starting illegal wars and lining the pockets of defense contractors while reducing taxes of the ELITE and the oil companies thus bankrupting the federal government?
Right here, and he never did what Obama has done concerning spending this country into a debt that will never be repaid. Isn't Obama still fighting a war? Think so.
Laurie, unfortunately an enormous number of Americans have already had that terrible fate you dread happen to them. When the Healthcare law was passed, your way of thinking and the Obama administration intruded on my rights and your beliefs affect whether or not I can live my life the way I see fit. That is exactly why the American people have said that this November--people like that need to go as well as all of those that believe like them....to put it in your exact words. I don't wish to have my life dictated to by a bunch of fundamentalist authoritarians so keep your hands out of my pocket and off of my healthcare!!!!!
Jennie - You are right about the Tea Bagger epithet/slur. When I see someone using this type of grade-school playground language or who leads off with an attack on someone's intelligence for having posted their opinion I just move on. No real dialog or information transfer is possible with someone who prefers insults over discourse. And there are a lot of these types on these Boards.
Bottom line it is immature and, at the least, indicative of limited debate skills.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that you're fine with Marxist, commie, libtard, DemocRAT, DemonCRAP, "Chicago thug", buffoon, inbred uneducated trash, Dear Leader, slimeball, and so on.
No. Check my posts out if you want. Name calling is really a last resort and, while I'm not a Tea Partier I find the childish terms used by a lot on here to be really annoying and repulsive. Certainly not conducive to intelligent and meaningful discourse. I would think any serious, clear thinking person would agree. Do you?
Why did you bother to respond with your accusation anyway? Pretty pointless don't you think?
Jabbausaf, I've never heard of most of those, so thanks for giving me more ammo:)
Seriously, anybody that has to resort to name calling contributes nothing but anger. We can't debate when we are angry.
Louis if you think you are so right, get off your but and go canvass for votes?? Too much like work for you?
I do my fair share for the cause. What do you do other than appear sad and bitter?
It is so great in America this young lady can go to college and find time to canvas and convince old folks we need less government "taking away our freedoms." I'll bet the government sponsored student loan allows her to not have to work her way throuh college so she can be involved in the political process. Only in America.
I like the idea that this young lady is willing to go out and participate in the process, wheather I agree with her politics or not. I, too am an "Old Vet" (3rd Marines in Vietnam). After all, what she is doing is putting to use one of the rights that we "Old Vets" swore to "Defend and Protect"; isn't she?
She may also have a job, you don't know. She may have just decided to give up time with her boyfriend, a few extra hours of sleep, or maybe a weekend with the family to do this. She is at least trying to do something whether you agree with her position or not.
By the way , did you not also partake of a "Government Sponsored Program" in order to go to college? We just called it the GI Bill when I was going through.
And we have a candidate in Colorado who would love to do away with student loans. But, I guess that is okay since the Tea Party wants smaller taxes, etc. First to go, Student Loans or Medicare, or? A lot of college students will have to be looking for work to go to college...no more student loans. I wonder if the Tea Party supporters really have looked at what could be cancelled. Sure, I would love lower taxes, but not at the expense of America and her people.
Ummm...."government-sponsored" student loans are not a handout or entitlement. We actually have to PAY those back with interest, you know. And, if she is like me, she not only has student loans, but also worked while in college, grad school, AND professional school. So nice of you to put down a young person trying to make something of herself. I am not a tea party supporter, but I find some truth in what they are advocating; entitlement programs are ballooning, and the spending that is associated with them is unsustainable. Not all entitlement programs have to be eliminated, but how about reform at the very least?
Here is an example: In Oklahoma, we have a state question (744) that will be on the ballot which mandates that our legislature spend the average of four surrounding states per pupil. The state question provides no new revenue stream, nor does it mandate how the money would be spent. Now, do you think that the majority of people who do not support the measure think that the public school system should be abolished in its entirety? No. It is just that it makes no sense to throw more money to public education WITHOUT reforming the system in some way and providing a clear mandate as to how those tax dollars will be spent. That is how I think most Americans feel about most of the entitlement programs that are in existence today, meaning that money doesn't solve the underlying problems with the system.
Chris-Please let me clarify the point I was attempting to make. The irony of her supporting a party that wants to take away all government assistance. Yes, we fought to give the people and the government the ability to help everyone achieve their dreams.
yes Jill-UMMMM we do pay those back, but without the government being involved, they would not be available. The Tea Party would end the program.
Just wondering...where was this tea movement at during the Bush'es years...when two wars were started (one on a pure lie), sky rocketing deficits trying to pay for those wars combined with tax breaks, and heavy borrowing from China to pay for all of this. What is funny about all of this is that the tea baggers are just an ordinary people blindly working for the huge corporations. This really redefines the term "getting screwed".
Dar where was your outrage when your congressman voted to go to war? George Bush didn't declare war, congress voted and approved it......That is a tired and old agrument....You weren't raising your voice until the media planted that nasty seed in your head and you began the Elect the Democrat Mantra.
The same thing is happening now. People are only choosing sides...they aren't choosing issues....The division in this country right now is horrible and it will only get worse if people don't become more civilized to each other!
Many in congress voted to support the Iraq invasion based on Dubya's lies. Plenty of us raised our voices at that time.
"The Tea Party is people who actually care and want to be involved in the Republican Party... and want to make sure they keep promises and really represent the people."
Finally a Tea Party person says they are Republican, not "Independent"! I am so tired of Tea Party folks saying they are Independent when EVERY politician they are voting and campaigning for is Republican. They are just a bunch of sore losers from 2008. I was stuck with Bush for 8 years and did not agree with him, but I did respect the office of the President. Even though Bush stole the 2000 election (and allowed 9/11 to happen), I had to say he was my president. These Tea Party folks show no respect for President Obama and in my opinion are "unpatriotic" as I was dubbed (no pun intended) during the Bush disaster. The Tea Party is not out to change America, they are out to change the Republican party, nothing more and nothing less. Most of them are homophobic, racist, White, uneducated, and follow the GOP in lockstep! The Tea Party candidates can't even answer questions in debates about issues without only running their mouths with GOP talking points and no answers or solutions. If they do get into control, I hope they are really about making things better for EVERYBODY, not just those with same thought process. You don't have to be a right wing Christian to be an American!!
seattle kari: Thanks for your post. You also do not have to be a right wing Christian to be a Christian.
agree with every word you said.
Would just like to add - im actually more worried what will happen if 80-90% of the tea party candidates do not get elected, Sharron Angles hint at "2nd amendment Remedies" if things dont go their way terrifies me!
Seriously, think about that for a min...Obama gets elected, Texas threatens to secede...Sharron Angle is threating Civil War.
Im sorry, but I see the racism dripping from this from every corner...because for 8 years of Bush running up the deficit and doing nothing to balance the budget, plus increasing the role and reach of govt...caused not a SINGLE ONE OF THESE PEOPLE to stand up and say "WE'VE HAD IT"...that is, until a black man was elected. and before he even was in office to DO ANYTHING...these tea baggers were already forming their coalition.
Sorry, im calling a spade a spade.
Tea Party people don't care a hoot about anyone or anything but themselves. They want to keep what they have and take away from others what they have. It's pure and simple their motives and it's all based on personal selfish interests and not what's best for our country or our economy. I wonder what they will do with all the old people who will be poverty stricken and without healthcare options when they do away with Social Security and Medicare. I wonder what they'll do with homeless hungry people who are out of work when they do away with Unemployment. I wonder what they'll do with a large population of uneducated/undereducated people when they do away with public education, civil rights, the 14th Amendment, the 10th Amendment, the 8 hours work day, the 5 day work week, child labor, abolishment of the minimum wage. They're all nuts.
Where in the world do you get the idea that the tea party and republicans are going to take away your social programs. They haven't done it yet and I doubt that they will do it in the future. However, if we continue to spend like drunken sailors with no way to pay it back, believe me we will be in worse shape for it. No one is saying we should't take care of the truely needy, but believe me there are a lot of people out there that use the system and don't pay a dime into it and who could work and earn a living, but find it easier to sit back and let the government take care of them. I see it every day with unemployment. I had an employee that we had to let go tell me that it's okay I can live off unemployment in this state quite well and I'm going to take a long vacation. Now that's just selfish and greedy and he's not a republican so I guess we have greed on both sides.
jennie60 - That's BS and you know it. Also, it's not me that's saying those things about Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment, minimum wage. That's the Tea Party candidates. So what are we supposed to think -- not take them at their word that they will do away with these programs if given an opportunity to do so? I don't buy your line of reasoning...it's divisive and non productive. Sure you had an employee....well we all can site an example here or there but to taint a whole population of unemployed individuals in the worst economy since the Great Depression is disingenuious to say the least. Stop wanting what is yours and wanting what others have as well.
Laurie, are you so naive to think that sick, homeless, needy folk won't be taken care of without government programs? What makes you so sure charities won't step in when government steps out of the way? As much as I hate it America is still a fairly religious country and one of the prime tenets of religion is charity. Do you think charitable organizations are more inept than the benevolent, all mighty govt?
The government should not be in the business of handing out charity. I know it is radical idea but ponder it for a while. Wouldn't you rather be persuaded to donate to charity or give a handout to an individual rather than the state forcing you to give?
The tea party is not taking from others as you claim, it is the so called needy taking handouts from the taxpayer. You stated it completely backward.
Millerz
Way to go..hahahaha
"The Tea Party is people who actually care and want to be involved in the Republican Party... and want to make sure they keep promises and really represent the people."
being that im only 31 myself and have been politically active since sometime in my early 20's, I hate to break it to this girl...but she's going to end up just as disillusioned as the rest of us.
OR - if they actually manage to deliver on their promises - then im incredibly terrified for this nation. not because someone was able to deliver, but because of the things they wish to deliver on.
And your not afraid of what Obama and his administration are trying to deliver. Higher taxes, less medical care for the elderly, higher costs for products and services and a country that is weaker with an economy that is failing. That's what I'm afraid of and that's what the Tea Party is afraid of and that ought to be what you should be afraid of.
jennie60 - What do you mean by less medical care for the elderly? You don't have any idea what you're talking about. You're spreading lies. I happen to know first hand that Medicare is expanding with new benefits for seniors such as a closing by 50% of the donut hole for Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit and 93% for generic brands. That donut hole will close completely next year. Also there are three new supplimental plans that are more cost effective so seniors that couldn't afford a suppliment now will be able to. Also there will be more covered services such as a yearly physical and gynecological exams. I know this as a SHIP Counselor in NJ. So you have no idea what you're talking about. You're spreading BS again. Ignorance is a very dangerous thing.
I don't know where jennie gets the higher taxes canard from. I received a tax cut from the 2009 stimulus. The Dems have been too gutless to allow the Bush tax cuts to expire on the wealthy, so taxes have NOT and are NOT increasing.
Why are 98% of Tea Party members white? Why are the 138 Tea Party politcial candidates running for office in this election cycle all white folks?
Because black people generally vote as a bloc and have been manipulated into voting for Democrats, especially in the large cities like Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, all of which have huge ghettos and entrenched Democratic political machines. Most black people I speak to know that Lincoln is the emancipator yet they are shocked to learn he was a Republican. However, this is changing as they realize the tea party movement is not what it has been portrayed to be.
Now let's sit back and see how crazy I can make this blog's plant - LouisJ. Go ahead, make my day.
Just like dumb White folks being manipulated by the GOP! The Tea Party is bigoted, homophobic, racist, and ingonrant prgeri.
How about hispanics and asians? Have they been duped into voting Democrat too?
Seattle - I suggest you look in the mirror before posting the kind of bile you did. Looks to me like your post exemplifies a lot of what you threw out to others. Oh, and I reported your post as inflammatory (Would have also reported as "No Value" but I had to pick one)
uhhhh, hispanics?? Actually because of their strong Catholic following they tend to vote republican (anti abortion etc)
Oh? So what percentage of the Tea Party would you say are hispanic?
@10.1
Read up on the Southern Strategy.
If Lincoln was around today he'd be a Democrat. Holding up Lincoln as a representative example of today's Republicans shows a fundamental ignorance of American political history, particularly from the 1940s to 1970s.
Oh great, another Lincoln history lesson. Same party different time new ideology. Next thing you'll tell me is MLK Jr was Republican, right? Right, Right. Wrong Right.
I never accused myself of outwitting anyone but I definitely will not outsource my heritage based on some demographic that a Republican decided they know. Many blacks were pushed to the ghettos and projects and forced to fend for ourselves. But we decided (you know that 'choice' thing) to make it best way we knew how, and that was to grow as a people and stand behind our leaders, especially if they are basing their beliefs on blacks growing as respectable members of society.
Another interesting note to you geri and the rest of your party revelers, we grew from the church, black churches that often time required the signature of an 'X' from next gen free slaves. So where ever you're going in your little diatribe it does not fit in to the message. We have come a mighty long way and we're not stopping.
LouisJ - no one is saying that Lincoln wasnt a republican - he was, what we are saying is that the party's platform - and what they care about, has changed since then. Meaning, if Lincoln were alive today and looking to today's democrats and today's republicans, it's unlikely HE would align himself with republicans today. Of course, it's entirely possible he wouldnt align himself with either party...but today's republicans are not the same as lincolns republicans. Im glad the republicans got the ugly racists from the democrat's party, I just wish they would have gotten them all...(a little bit of history below for you, since you seem ignorant about the political/demographics shift)
In 1948 we had the Democratic party split into factions of northern pro-civil rights Democrats and southern, anti-civil rights Democrats. At the 1948 convention there was a debate about whether or not to have a civil rights plank in the party platform. The northerners were for it, the southerners against. Hubert Humphrey, who was then the mayor of Minneapolis (future VP and 1968 Presidential candidate), made a passionate speech in favor of the civil rights plank being included in the platform, and ultimately they voted to include it. This enraged many of the Southern delegates, who in turn ran Strom Thurmond, the Governor of SC, as a third party "Dixiecrat" candidate. Most believed that this split within the Democratic party would surely defeat Harry Truman, and benefit the Republican, Tom Dewey. But because of the civil rights platform, many black voters in the big cities came out to vote for Truman, which gave him a narrow, unexpected win over Dewey.
Fast forward to 1960, John F. Kennedy is the candidate, and looks to unite the party. He chooses Lyndon Johnson of Texas as his running mate and takes a moderate public position on civil rights. Once in the White House, however, he begins to support civil rights legislation. He is killed in 1963, and Johnson takes over, and ultimately signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. This enrages many in the South. In the 1964 election, Johnson wins all but the Deep South states and Arizona (his opponent's home state).
Now we get to 1968 and the "Southern Strategy". Many Southern Democrats, disenchanted by Johnson's strong support of Civil Rights, look toward the Republican party. The Republicans win big in the 1966 mid-term elections. Richard Nixon emerges as the Republican candidate, and employs the "Southern Strategy", taking a more moderate stance on Civil Rights in an attempt to win over former Democrats in the South. It largely works, as Nixon carries enough of the Southern states to win the election. In the process however, the demographics are switched, as you say. Democrats become more appealing to minorities, and Republicans become more appealing to white voters.
What Jessica said.
There was a demographic shift in the political parties over the course of the mid-20th century, and we're still seeing the effects of that today.
He wasn't Democrat or Republican, but he was allied with Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts, who was African American and also a Republican, and who was a member of the liberal wing of the Republican Party which was centered in the Northeastern United States.
I know Lincoln was a Republican and MLK was his own man.
Jessica, you want to get into some witty little exchange about Southern Stratagem and how your patriotism is bigger than mine, then get in line... I have met many TEA perps that swear up and down that black people were part of some entitlement-by-way-of-olive branch-to give up votes- to gather the votes-to a devil in the details-they always knew was there. So to you believing you have the situation wrapped up to meet your needs of depravity, write your book. I've written mine.
How come 98% of the black people voted for Obama? It's not a black and white issue it's simply perception which I believe is wrongly placed on both sides.
Because of the Southern Strategy.
Democrats alienated segregationists by appealing to African-Americans.
Republicans alienated African-Americans by appealing to segregationists.
Rtype06--you may be relying on obsolete data to fit your narrative.
The all-white tea party candidate figure (138) is incorrect. There are at least 11 conservative candidates who are "African-American". Star Parker of California would't check white on her census form. Nor would Allen West of Florida. Nor would Chuck Smith of Virginia. Nor woud Isaac Hayes of Illinois. I'd invite you to determine the racial heritage of Tim Scott running for Congress in South Carolina (you know, the "racist, Republican" state...) and Nikki Hayley (who is neither white nor male) running for SC governor. They're out there if you care to search for them (as are many non-white tea partiers you doubt exist). They tend to be over the racial politics of the past, so you perhaps you have never heard of them.
RTypo6 - Don't know but I'll followup your question with my own - Why are Blacks 95plus % on the Dem side? Could it be some reverse racism to counter the Racism of the Tea Party that you allege exists? Could it be that many Blacks are following in lock step and are therefore precluded from even listening to anything Conservative, let alone Tea Party?
And I am not a Tea Party person but I am an Independent Conservative before you jump.
Maybe becuase the republicans rarely represent them? Other than condi and steele (aka token blacks) you rarely see any etnic diversity with republican power.. why is that?
Because during the 1960s, Democrats JFK and LBJ worked with the civil rights movement, and after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it was the last straw for white Southern Democrats. They defected from the party, and Nixon's Southern Strategy brought them to the Republican Party in droves. Since then, Republicans have continued to pander to conservatives in the South for votes, and while it's helped them hang onto white conservative votes, it has not endeared them to African Americans. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that one political party signed the Civil Rights Act, and the other political party pandered pretty atrociously to the people who supported segregation.
As Ken Mehlman, Bush's campaign manager in 2004 and the RNC chairman from 2005-2007 said,
So, that is why blacks are 95% on the Democrat side, in Republican words. It's only reverse racism if that's what you call opposition to the political party that recruited and pandered to the people who hate your race.
I'll plug my nose before I jump.
jabbusaf - I see where you could come up with that but, sincerely, you need to examine the basis of your post. It is more than a little inaccurate. Look at this link (A PBS Website to boot): http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/37_nixon/nixon_domestic.html
A snippet of this article - "The most pressing civil rights issues was desegregation of public schools. Nixon inherited a nation in which nearly 70% of the black children in the South attended all-black schools. He had supported civil rights both as a senator and as vice president under Eisenhower, but now, mindful of the Southern vote, he petitioned the courts on behalf of school districts seeking to delay busing. Meanwhile, he offered a practical New Federalist alternative -- locally controlled desegregation.
Starting in Mississippi and moving across the South, the Nixon administration set up biracial state committees to plan and implement school desegregation. The appeal to local control succeeded. By the end of 1970, with little of the anticipated violence and little fanfare, the committees had made significant progress -- only about 18% of black children in the South attended all-black schools."
There is a lot more but you really need to look at the matter from a factual basis. I was not a Nixon lover at all but I do recognize what he and a number of other Republicans did in support of Civil Rights. I also recognize how much less Democrats did than what is generally attributed to them under commonly accepted hyperbole and folklore.
U of M fan - politics 101 buddy, try to keep up:
The 'Southern Strategy' is a term used to describe the Republican's method of winning previously unattainable votes of white Americans in the formerly Democrat South, during the early 20th century. The term is attributed (although he really just popularised it) to Kevin Phillips, a former Richard Nixon campaign adviser. Phillips stated to the Republican Party that there was an opportunity to polarise the Southern voting, after seeing the Democrat Party fill with black votes. By standing for the idea of 'state-rights,' without being totally against integration, Phillips hoped to attract anti-black whites to vote Republican.
During a 1970 New York Times interview, Phillips said: "The more Negroes who register as Democrats in the South, the sooner the Negrophobe whites will quit the Democrats and become Republicans. That's where the votes are".
UofM fan - just wanted to add, it's obvious WHY black people went to the democratic party when they did, and history shows us that the racists in the democratic party shifted to the republican party. The question might be today "why do blacks still vote democratic"? Have democrats really done much for black people since Kennedy/Johnson?
the other side to that question is, since racist democrats became racist republicans - and the republican party's platform isnt about racism, but the republicans are happy to pander to this demographic for votes (as are democrats to black people)...have republicans done ANYTHING to appease this voter base?
Is it not fair to ask - who from the GOP splintered off and became the Tea Party...and just how many of them are the "racist white southerners" who werent being heard by the GOP?
and is it coincidence that it happened at the exact same time the first black president was elected?
I had a great reply but it got eaten by the buggy MSNBC/Newsvine interface.
Basically, look at the political career of Strom Thurmond for an illustration of the concept.
Also, check out these electoral maps:
1956 Presidential election
1960 Presidential election
1964 Presidential election
Race is why the Solid South ceased being the Solid South for Democrats, and became the Solid South for Republicans.
This, btw, has become commonly known as "dog whistle" politics.
It's a reference to how only dogs can hear a dog whistle. Politicians load up their speeches with coded messages for their supporters that use expressions the target demographic would be familiar with, but would sound like ordinary feel good political nonsense to anybody else. George W. Bush was a master of doing this with evangelical voters, he'd incorporate a phrase into a speech that was from a hymn or bible verse, and it would give it a completely different meaning for the target audience of evangelicals. And, I'll be honest, in 2008 Obama was really good at doing this with progressive liberals.
I saw a good present day example of this, a candidate for State Supreme Court judge in Ohio had a campaign ad that talked about how she "shares your values". This is a pretty common dog whistle that means "she's a white Christian conservative". All the generically cheerful scenes in her ad featured middle to upper class suburban whites. They share her values.
I thought the Tea Party was composed of independent people dissatisfied with both political parties. This makes it sound like the Tea Party is the fundamentalist wing of the Republican Party, focused on making sure Republicans stay strictly and inflexibly conservative.
What is this "reverse racism" crappola that teapartiers talk about? Racism is racism no matter which direction it is coming from in the color prism. (Exept for purple which was strictly a Smurf thing...)
Interesting to me how the reactionary right wing keeps using brownshirt words without seeming to be conscious of the fact. Lockstep?
Really?
I have had more intelligent conversations with the stuffed unicorn in my neice's room.
Sorry. Beneath response/comment.
Maybe you need to continue your name calling commentary with your Unicorn friend. I'm sure he/she/it will not disagree with you. Enjoy.
If you are so intelligent, then you would know that smurfs are blue. Get your facts straight.
Enough! I've seen enough faces of the Tea Party to last me a lifetime. Can we move on from this, PLEASE?!?! We get it--lots of faces. Lots of faces in the other political parties, too. How about some of those?
Thank you!
Stacy,
Because we always get a whitewashed portrayal of the left. Deny it if you like, but it is very true.
 The cover picture ... "White County Tea Party" ... lol ... that says it all!
And the new Black Panther Party standing outside of voting areas intiminating old white women. What does that say? This president has done more to devide this country than any other. Which is what he said he wouldn't do.
How many places has this happened?
This president isn't responsible for your reaction to his skin color.
I'm with you, jabbausaf. I don't think it's right to take an uncommon occurrence and talk about it like it's widespread.
What a waste of righteous anger in this "Tea Party".
Man this thing is buggy.
I love the constitution, too. I think it is one of the most amazing documents created by the human race, and we are the luckiest members of our species to get to live under and have this amazing document protect our basic rights as humans. What I fail to understand is that, when a rich, white, former (failed) businessman ran the country and not only increased government spending exponentially but also admittedly trampled on most of the rights protected by the constitution, there was nary a peep from these same people... well, they did speak up occasionally, but it was usually IN SUPPORT of the extra spending and/or the trampling of our rights in the name of national security.
Flash forward a few years, we have an African American from decidedly poorer background who spent much of his career helping the poorest among us and, even though he promptly stops the most eggregious rights violations being perpetrated by our government, he is suddenly faced with "the Tea Party" because "good, honest, Christian Americans can't stand watching their constitution being ignored".
Well, I am sorry, but as near as I can tell only two things have changed between 2005 and 2010: (1). The constitutional rights of the average American are actually being protected again in 2010; and (2). an African American rather than a white man is running the country. I am going to go out on a limb and assume that people are not upset that their rights are being protected so that leaves only one thing: The average Tea Partier is, either consciously or subconsciously, racist. Go ahead, Tea Partiers. Have at it. Prove me wrong.
Ken - You are not wrong. You have correctly identified the problem in a nutshell. Of course, these people will vehemently deny your accusations. However, as the old quote goes...."me thinks thou dost protest too much..".
It seems some of the information that the Tea Party and/or Republicans are only old(er) "white" folks is based either on ignorance or partisan puffery. Allen West (R-Florida), Star Parker (R-CA), Isaac Hayes (R-IL), Chuck Smith (R-VA), and more than a half dozen others are all on ballots for US Congress this year and many could be considered tea partiers. In fact, 32 Americans who many would identify as "African-American" ran for House or Senate seats in the primaries as Republicans this year. 11 made it past the primaries and are on the ballot as Republicans.
It may be hard for some of you to visualize an accurate picture if all you have experienced is a 2 color vintage monitor. Consider upgrading.
Isaac Hayes?Black Moses?
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Ken, I agree up to a point. It would be an assumption to label these people as racist. Some are, but then again, there were some Democrats who publicly stated they would not vote for a black man during the 2008 primaries. I think that it has more to do with low information voters who are being led by Republicans that want to get back into power.
Ken, I am in complete agreement with your admiration of the U.S. Constitution. It is unique in this world and I am still learning the subtleties of individual rights, i.e. negative rights. I also agree that Bush increased the size of government along with Regan. With every increase in government power the individual loses more freedom. It is a shame that both parties systematically ignore the spirit and words of the Constitution. It is more of a shame that Republicans and Palin hijacked the tea party. If there ever was an opportunity for a third party and third option it was lost.
Sheesh... all this hatred.
Politics is a dirty business. Look at your own history. THere have always been dirty tricks and manipulation for all parties (even parties that are not here any more).
All this faux outrage has been created by media hype.
Please stop thinking of the other party as an enemy. We are not. Some may be misled or confused, but that is nothing new. If we could work out our differences on our own, then the manipulative powers of the media would be at least lessened.
Please start thinking of yourselves as Americans first. Nobody is actively working to "ruin the country". Stop being such drama queens.
What is this? TWO days running of this c$%( on the front of MSNBC?????????? It's on the order of 5% of the electorate, and an extension of the Far-Right racist end of the Republican party---89% are White.
MSNBC should be embarrassed to skew what is NOT an actual story into something more than it really is.
Two years from now and no one will undoubtedly give a S$%T about the TeaB's.
Well, msnbc, like everyone else, needs to make a living... Also, they're no longer owned by GE so they may have a little less ideological influence and be trying to show a little bigger slice of the American pie...
LouisJ, No, not the musician Isaac Hayes, but the Reverend! 2nd district of IL. He seems like a person who would be difficult to classify by out-of-date political paradigms, although I'm sure that there are some who'll try. :)
http://wn.com/isaac_hayes,_candidate_for_us_house_of_representatives_2nd_district
:p
To those (like old vet) complaining about Emily and student loans. Um, she goes to a private Christian college (Bethany), so no federal loans.
To the larger argument, though--since the government has a monopoly on student loans, students taking out loans have no choice but to be beholden to the goverment. It's not fair to force them to take loans from the government, then complain if they are not for enlarging that same government. It isn't hypocrisy.
It appears that people insulting this movement cannot engage in a civil conversation. They would have more validity in my eyes if they actually articulated their arguments without the vitriol.
I am hispanic, and have voted democratic for most of my life, so it's hard to relate to all these frontal attacks - not even sure how to engage...
I think once you grow older, have a family to feed, especially if you have your own business, and try to live within your means and pay all your bills without government help, as a matter of pride if nothing else, it's been harder for me to understand what my former party is doing. Their justification for action makes no sense.
Th U.S. is increasingly looking more like the Latin countries we left behind, and that is very scary.
A good read is American Pharaoh, about Chicago's Mayor Daley the eldest, for a historical perspective of how these machines develop and end up controlling blocs of voters of similar backgrounds...
MASS ILLEGAL ALIEN AMNESTY IF REID AND DEMOCRATS ARE BACK IN WASHINGTON
We must Vote--OUT--all incumbents who have shown no improvement, against the illegal alien annexation of our country. Vote for the Tea Party, as they will change America for our future. They do not believe in the ideology of the Liberal Extremists hiding under the apron strings of Democrats, nor will they play into the hands of Republican elites? No more tax and spend. This will be a return to the US Constitution. No Amnesty for illegal aliens and removal through E-Verify. A Warning to citizens--Be observant, as illegal aliens will vote in this midterm election, as they have nothing to lose in using the unsecured "Absentee voting." Illegal Immigration will try and keep Senate Democrats Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Janet Napolitano, Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom. and their Juniors returning them to office Under the Liberal banner certain Governors, Mayors and elected officials are for open borders even want to share our Senior Citizens, disabled, Social security with illegal’s' (May 2006)
Reid voted--NO--in making E-Verify mandatory as a business requirement; or limiting welfare to illegal aliens that is another massive cost, estimated to be just the federal level of $113 billion dollars yearly.
Get out to the TEA PARTY Rallies, THE PEOPLE'S RALLIES and change this country--once and for all. No more career politicians and return us to minimum government and the interpretation of the US Constitution. We must uncouple ourselves from corporate greed, from open border entities and the stain of special interest lobbyists. These politicians are--ALL--very generous with your money, whether it’s Sacramento or Washington. Don't believe everything you read, specifically from the left side of the road as the truth is mostly suppressed. The National press has been infiltrated by the zealot groups of nuts, whose main philosophy is to spread the wealth around; Even if it’s not theirs. Problem is the small businessman suffers, as that’s why bother in making a profit for your company when the IRS is going to drag it from you in supporting illegal foreign people?
Terrorists as well as Canadian and other foreign illegal aliens sneak into America via fire roads and other entry points. What Sharron Angle says is correct and there no way of confronting this problem without troops on both borders. But of course the main causeway is Mexico and through Mexico from Central and Latin countries. Another reality is that after the Houston voter fraud has been exposed, we must be on our guard for further violations of federal voting laws. Illegal aliens know that if Senator Reid, Boxer and all other Liberal-Democrats are voted-out, that there is no likelihood of any Amnesty, but much stronger enforcement.
Your taxes commandeered for sorts of mindless payouts, the earmarks, but mostly to cater to the millions of illegal alien households and all their instant citizen babies. It’s immoral to think that pregnant women intentionally wait to the last minute, slipping through the border fence or state an open-faced lie to the immigration and customs inspector at the airline entry port, knowing full well they are not going home. These Pro-Amnesty politicians must be thrown out of office, or there will be an immediate Amnesty on their return. The implications according to the reputable Heritage Foundation are a projection of--$2.5 TRILLION DOLLARS, added to the already exceeded 13 TRILLION DOLLARS WE OWE CHINA AND JAPAN. Our financial institutions are part of the blame, ushering around 40 to 60 billion dollars a year in remittances to foreign households outside this nation. Google---Illegal alien costs then you judge who to vote for? Anybody who harbors an illegal alien--knowingly--should go directly to prison. Ice is already putting aliens back on our streets, in a silent Amnesty. They are however arresting and detaining criminals violating innocent citizens around the country
wait, so they are trying to oust Pat Bauer because he's been a representative for 40 years? Is there more to it or is that all?
My, how much exposure this "tea party" movement is getting. I certainly hope they'll do a similar spread on us moderates and liberals and show what nice, ordinary people we are. We are, in fact.
The fact is, too much exposure of these tea baggers or whatever they want to be called will lead to what it ALWAYS does in this country. Us less extreme folks will get sick and tired of them. This has happened countless times in American politics and it will happen this time too. They won't profit by it, not by a long shot.