Wow, this is rather stunning news. From Rasmussen:
Running under the Tea Party brand may be better in congressional races than being a Republican.
In a three-way Generic Ballot test, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds Democrats attracting 36% of the vote. The Tea Party candidate picks up 23%, and Republicans finish third at 18%. Another 22% are undecided.
There seems like there are warning signs here for everyone. Let’s take a look at them.
The GOP
For the GOP the news could not be grimmer. A non-existent “Tea Party” Party cleans its clock in a generic match up. What is worse, even amongst registered Republicans, the Tea Party holds its own:
Among Republican voters, 39% say they’d vote for the GOP candidate, but 33% favor the Tea Party option.
What the GOP needs to understand is that its base is almost capable of striking out on its own. If the GOP is not careful, the Tea Party movement could grow to the point where it could wipe out the GOP all together.
What the GOP needs to do is to abandon this foolish notion of moving to the center and get back to its conservative roots. Should the GOP learn to sing the Tea Party song, it will able to easily overcome the Democrats.
The Democrats
While many Democrats look at these numbers and think bring on the Tea Party, they should think again. More people favor Republicans and Tea Partiers than the Democrat brand. Worse yet, the poll finds that independents are feeling the Tea Party movement too:
Among voters not affiliated with either major party, the Tea Party comes out on top. Thirty-three percent (33%) prefer the Tea Party candidate, and 30% are undecided. Twenty-five percent (25%) would vote for a Democrat, and just 12% prefer the GOP.
The tax and spend big government solutions the Democrats are pushing is very unpopular with the electorate. Should/ when the Tea Party and GOP align, the Democrats could be staring at landslide loses.
The Tea Party
While the numbers are impressive, the truth is now is not the time for a third party. Democrats will win in a three-way race. In order for the Tea Party to prevail too many things would need to be accomplished (start the party, find a leader, slay the GOP) and time is running out. It would be far better to use our influence to bend the GOP to our will than to strike out on our own. However after 2012, all bets are off and the GOP had better mind its P’s and Q’s.
What is also interesting to note, is that it seems like now more than ever a presidential candidate running as an independent, could stand a real chance of winning. I have often said that a presidential candidate could emerge from the Tea Party movement and this poll seems to indicate that one could be accepted.
Via: Memeorandum
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14 comments:
Read about this,and was amazed - not shocked, just amazed.
I love the Tea Party principle however I am gravely concerned about the RONPAUL!!! anarchist mob within the Tea Party system.
I have a terrible feeling RonPaulites will throw the next two elections to Democrats just because RonPaulites hate Republicans due to the war.
The sad thing is that the tea party movement is what the Republican message used to be. Small government, responsible spending, personal responsibility and liberty. If the Republicans just got back on point they could absorb the whole tea party movement. The question is, are they smart enough to do that?
The GOP needs to favor and nominate tea-party conservatives in 2010 and 2012. A third party would be hard to work, and so would replacing the GOP with a new party, but if the GOP just gives in to the movement and nominates real conservatives instead of nominees like Scuzzyfavors, I would be happy.
As a member of a Treasure Coast tea party group - the message to Congress is simple; smaller, less intrusive government, lower the tax rates, stop all unnecessary spending and read the damn bills which members ought to be authoring, not 'sponsoring'.
It's a great message Janelle, and it's what the Republican party used to stand for. In their attempt to get some of the votes from the "gimmee gimmee" crowd they abandoned their platform. Unfortunately for them there are millions of us out there who still believe in that platform and are desperate for somebody to step up to the plate and stand on it again.
Fractions within the Democratic party as well: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/71075-conyers-obama-told-me-to-stop-demeaning-him
Spinsterpov....... I do believe the message is being delivered every day. Oddly, when I talk to staff of our elected officials to D.C., they are overwhelmed and exhausted. And candidly, they aren't too enthusiastic about the very policies their legislators/bosses are passing. I'm all about keeping the pressure on at all levels. Particularly those who toil, D.C., can't function without them.
Conservative Scalawag:
It is amazing news. What amazes me about it is that it happened so soon.
Anonymous:
I don't think Ron Paul has much influence within the Tea Party movement. He doesn't have much influence within the Republican party. What Ron Paul has is rather vocal and active supporters. Active enough to throw an election? Nope.
Spinsterpov:
How right you are that the Republican Party use to be the Tea Party movement. The GOP will try to feign being Tea to attract votes needed in 2010. What the Tea Party has to do is use the GOP's desire for votes to commender the GOP. i.e. Tea absorbs GOP.
The Knowledge Czar:
Replacing the GOP before 2010 is impossible, but taking it over by shunning their candidates for Tea Party candidates running as Republicans is the better way to go.
Janelle:
So clear and simple, it is amazing that so many in Washington simply cannot understand it.
John:
Factions in the Dems are coming, but mark my words they will vanish as soon as there is a real possibility of a President Palin or a President Romney.
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