Tea Parties have little to do with Obama or Democrats; much to do with Future of Republican Party

[theboss]

After careful consideration, I've decided that what we are viewing today is the first large-scale battle of the Republican Civil War. The Republicans are hopelessly lost right now - leaderless and message-less.

What these protests are about is, I think, an attempt to find some new coalition around some new anger at something that is frankly still undefined. I think this is why you are seeing the faces of people who are not really associated with the Republican Brand at the moment as the front and center spokespeople. Newt Gingrich - who still has presidential blueballs - immediately comes to mind.

In some ways, there is a parallel to the anti-war protests of 2002, which ultimately led to no change in US policy but did somehow coalesce around Howard Dean of all people, which led to nothing electorally in 2004, but did lead to a change in the direction of the Democratic Party away from the "Third Way" Clinton policies to what would appear to be a more traditionally left approach under Obama.

So, I don't think the modern Republican leadership (such as it is) has any stake in any of this and probably are a little terrified of it. And, it's almost certainly going to lead to the rallying behind a populist Right Winger with an incoherent message in 2012 - which sounds a hell of a lot like Sarah Palin, but that's a long time from now. It certainly doesn't sound anything like Bobby Jindal or Mitt Romney though.

But ultimately, I think Obama doesn't care much about these protests because they really are not about him or the Democrats. They are about the Republicans and what their future message will be.

[C_U_L8R]

1. It's the spasms and gyrations of a dying movement

it's the final throes for them unless they find something positive to be "for"
rather than so hatefully and fearfully "against"

[tanyev]

2. Kick. Good post.

(Is your first name Bruuuce by any chance?) :D

[mitchum]

3. You are absolutely correct.

They are just trying to tweak the stupid in a different way.