For GOP, embracing Florida's Tea Party movement is like "trying to hug a jellyfish"

[madfloridian]

The Orlando Sentinel has a good grasp on the problems this group poses to candidates. Crist feels the pain for sure, and even Marco Rubio is having to take some distancing steps.

Getting your arms around Florida's Tea Party movement is like trying to hug a jellyfish: There's no good place to grab on, and if there were, you'd probably get stung.

Heh heh.

More from the article:

GOP hopefuls walk fine line with Tea Party activists

Ask U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, a conservative Republican from Bartow who sees potential in the movement's amorphous energy and anger — if it can be harnessed.

"Anger alone will not retake the majority for the Republican Party," Putnam warned party members recently. "It's just a passion. It is not a plan for government."

They even have Adam "Opie" Putnam trying to sound moderate.

More from the article, a viewpoint of a Tea Party leader:

"Republican bigwigs don't really understand the whole Tea Party thing," said Phil Russo, an Orlando activist who hosts a weekly radio show called Tea Party Patriots. "I think they're scared of us."

For movement leaders such as Russo, this is the moment they've been waiting for: a chance to crowd out the so-called "Republicans-in-name-only" and establish a true conservative vision. But for GOP pragmatists, ideological purity is a dicey proposition.

Rubio, the tea party candidate, and Crist, the "moderate", are both facing problems from this group.

Nowhere in Florida is the Tea Party movement more prominent than in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate. Pitting Crist against former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, the race has become a proving ground for Tea Party voters eager to flex their muscles. They have so far lined up behind Rubio, a Miami Republican with major-league speaking skills and an Eagle Scout's face.

In nine months, Rubio has overcome a 30-point deficit in the polls and is locked in a dead heat with Crist. Rubio is the darling of the most conservative wing of the GOP, and in early January – before Scott Brown's win in Massachusetts – he appeared on the cover of The New York Times Magazine under the headline, "The First Senator from the Tea Party?"

This has put Rubio, who is running as the anti-Crist, in an enviable but delicate position: He wants the Tea Party support but not necessarily the label.

The various tea party groups in Florida are fighting among themselves now.

South Florida Tea Party Movement Sues the Florida Tea Party, Demands Party Change its Name

On January 19, the South Florida Tea Party, Inc., a non-profit organization seeking 501(c)(4) status, filed a lawsuit in federal court against the ballot-qualified Tea Party. The lawsuit asks the court to order the qualified minor political party to change its name. The case is South Florida Tea Party, Inc., v Tea Party, in the southern district, case number not yet known.

The Complaint seems internally contradictory. Near the beginning it says, “The Defendants organization of a political party that utilizes the phrase ‘Tea Party’ is not in and of itself objectionable or unlawful.” But toward the end, when it summarizes what relief it is asking for, it asks for a court order that the ballot-qualified minor party “be required to amend their filings with the appropriate office of the State of Florida such that their registered political party currently registered as ‘Tea Party’ must include other terms in order to avoid public confusion that the Florida ‘Tea Party’ is somehow endorsed or approved by the Plaintiffs and other persons or entities that are similarly situated.”

The group that filed the lawsuit says that the tea party movement “are working toward reform within the Republican Party and view third party candidacies as counterproductive.”

The ballot-qualified Tea Party gained recognition as a political party in Florida in August 2009. Florida is the only state in which there is a ballot-qualified political party called “Tea Party” (the Boston Tea Party is no longer a ballot-qualified party in Florida and was never a qualified party in any other state).

There is an interesting comment after the article:

Extremists have become so loud, they’re deafening. And because they shout in perfect sound bites, the media birddog their every rant, however irresponsible or outrageous.

But we believe the political tide’s about to turn with a vengeance. No matter their party affiliation or lack thereof, Americans are disgusted with those who harass to harass, obstruct to obstruct, tear down to tear down. Compromise, consensus, bridge-building, and respect for differing viewpoints have been the hallmarks of American life as long as there’s been an America. We’re certain they will be again.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

1. Jellyfish or giant scrotum?

[MUAD_DIB]

2. Bag full of assholes.

[peekaloo]

15. They need to compromise.

Halfway between Teabags and A-Holes....the party of Taint.

[notesdev]

3. Jellyfish is a good analogy

Tea parties are a bunch of angry people in a totally leaderless movement... it almost seems as if to aspire to lead them is an invitation to become their target. Interesting, the level of blowback the GOP is getting trying to subsume them... we may see just as many GOP casualties of this movement as Democrats.

[madfloridian]

7. "a bunch of angry people in a totally leaderless movement."

Good comment.

[rasputin1952]

23. That is essentially the definition of anarchy...

something these people would love to take us on with...little do they know that anarchy is is the antithesis of their call for patriotism.

Fools rush in, where angels fear to tread...:evilgrin:

[proReality]

14. I don't believe they want a real leader, I think they're looking for

someone they can lead. A puppet as mindless as they are.

[JAbuchan08]

19. It's like a negative feedback loop of stupidity n/t

[KingFlorez]

4. The GOP wants to have their cake and eat it too

They want to endorse the tea party, but appear moderate at the same time. It's obviously not working how they want it to.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

5. ....

[ProgressOnTheMove]

6. ...

[ProgressOnTheMove]

8. I'd get more creative and use the name Ice T party or might T party, or the T 4 2 Party....

I love it when a spoiler comes together...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvJHRQQMtN8

[burning rain]

9. I was amused by that last comment, myself.

Sounds like a moderate liberal whose delicate nature is distressed by all the partisanship and incivility. I think such delicate souls have chosen a bad time to be living in America.

k & r

[flyarm]

10. well ours on the other side of the spectrum aren't much better!

http://firedoglake.com/2010/02/01/senate-democrats-spend-the-weekend-with-fat-cat-lobbyists-at-the-miami-beach-ritz/

Senate Democrats Spend the Weekend with “Fat Cat” Lobbyists at the Miami Beach Ritz

By: Blue Texan Monday February 1, 2010 10:30 am

Where'd you spend the weekend?

The country is still reeling from the worst recession in 70 years, with millions of Americans unable to find work. People are drowning in bills and working more hours for less pay. All that is stoking is growing populist anger about the relationship between corporate America and government and an increasing cynicism that the whole game is rigged.

Cue the braindead DSCC.

Twelve Democratic Senators spent last weekend in Miami Beach raising money from top lobbyists for oil, drug, and other corporate interests that they often decry, according to a guest list for the event obtained by POLITICO.

The guest list for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s “winter retreat” at the Ritz Carlton South Beach Resort doesn’t include the price tag for attendance, but the maximum contribution to the committee, typical for such events, is $30,000. There, to participate in “informal conversations” and other meetings Saturday, were senators including DSCC Chairman Robert Menendez; Michigan’s Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow; Bob Casey of Pennsylvania; Claire McCaskill of Missouri; freshmen Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Begich of Alaska; and even left-leaning Bernie Sanders of Vermont. (sounds like they're all from freezing states!)

Heckuva job, Menendez. Keep writing those sternly-worded press releases.

“In the upcoming elections, voters will face a choice between Republicans who are standing with Wall Street fat cats, bankers and insurance companies — or Democrats who are working hard to clean up the mess we inherited by putting the people’s interests ahead of the special interests,” Menendez said in a press release last Wednesday.

xxxxxsnip:

Here’s a little free advice, Bob. If you want to appear to be sticking it to the “fat cats,” you probably shouldn’t be caught wining and dining them at the Ritz Fucking Carlton.

[suede1]

11. K & R.

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. That fat blob Limbaugh would be a perfect image of a jellyfish

[Bette Noir]

21. No! I like jellyfish.

[hapkidogal]

13. More No

First Adam Putnam is the party of No personified. He is now going to be commissioner of Agriculture for Florida. Rubio is a friend of the Bush family and therefore will be no different than what is in there now George Leimoux. Charlie Christ would do better to run as an independent.Kendrick Meek has an issue in that lots of people don't know him or anything about him.
I am one of the had enoughs. I have had enough of the media sound bites that push lies. I have had enough of the moron teabaggers who are bought and paid for by people such as Dick Armey.I am sick of hearing a supposed News organization Lie and never have to pay the piper (Fox). Let's face it the truth is the GOP is now the racist party. They wave the constitution yet very few of them actually know what it says. If it is anything Obama then the answer is no. Until we the majority stand up and back the president,taking back the reigns from the ignorant we are in trouble. I have had enough of the churches being used as an arm of hatred by GOP and say take away their tax exempt status.This race in Florida is only a microcosm of what is wrong. GOP votes no and Americans are not calling for their removal. Like little children who do something bad and aren't reprimanded. Till we reprimand them this will continue.
I remember the fear I felt because Bushco did not follow the constitution and made us look fools to the world. I refuse to go back there. It is time to stand behind the president and let GOP know we say NO and ENOUGH.

[madfloridian]

18. "Florida is only a microcosm of what is wrong."

Good point. Florida was meant to lead the way for the rest of the country with Jeb as their leader....notice he is getting more attention again. Also TX under George was showing the country the direction to go.

Meeks is a good man, but I almost forget he is running. He is not visible enough. And when he has a chance to take a stand for women's rights....he gets called out by the GOP for pandering to the right.

Anti-choice group gives Florida congressman a Phony Baloney award.

"Meek, who is running for Senate against Charlie Crist, sent a letter to Nancy Pelosi signed by 4 other Democrats saying that abortion should not be funded in the new health care reform. I guess he thought he was reaching out to them.

..."From the National Right to Life: In a letter earlier this week to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which he co-signed, Meek claimed to seek "common ground" on abortion in the White House-backed healthcare "reform" proposals currently being considered. However, just last week, Meek voted in the House Ways and Means Committee against amendments to prevent the bill from mandating elective abortion coverage and to prevent federal subsidies for elective abortion. Since coming to Congress in 2003, Meek has voted against the pro-life position on the floor of the House 30 times. He has never cast a pro-life vote in Congress on an abortion-related issue, not even partial-birth abortion, parental notification, or fetal homicide.In awarding the "Phony-Baloney Citation," NRLC Federal Legislation Director Douglas Johnson said, "In light of his extreme pro-abortion voting record, Rep. Meek's call for 'common ground' reeks of brazen political posturing, and warrants this special citation."

[Rozlee]

24. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[hapkidogal]

27. Thank you

Thanks for the welcome:) I have been reading Madfloridian for a while. I thought it was time to join the discussion.

[tallahasseedem]

16. I never thought I would say this...

but Crist should run as a Democrat. Rubio is a nightmare.

[Tsar_Bomba]

17. They want to crowd out the "Rinos"

What they want is fascism pure and simple. 40 years of right wing propaganda from right wing media and this is the result. A group of selfish greedy nihilistic individuals whose only philosophy is dog eat dog, until it happens to them, then they cry and bitch over their so called "rights". I know these people there are many in my family, business owners who don't like workers comp, OSHA, unemployment benefits, health care,40 hour work week, overtime pay, you name it. Inside a drawer I found hundreds of copies of right wing magazine "American Spectator" of which I looked at a copy from 1992 and guess what? These is no difference between what I read in there and today. The same crap. Socialist this communist that, Dems will destroy America, Unions are bad. They really believe it. We are dealing with individuals who say they support our constitution and bill of rights but pick and choose which rules they want to obey.

[mojowork_n]

26. Good post

I'm naive, I think, in hoping this sorts itself out without any actual violence, or people being victimized. That would be bad, but even worse -- the last thing the world needs now is the next "Horst Wessel." An otherwise nameless, faceless person from the 1930's who was immortalized by the propaganda that followed his untimely death.

Edit Postscript: Not unlike the "Old Shoe" Woody Harrelson character in "Wag the Dog."

[Bette Noir]

20. You'd think running as the Anti-Christ would be a disadvantage.

Oh, Anti-Crist? Never mind.

[Union Yes]

22. Hilarious thread title. And so damn true and funny. Let them sleep in the fucking bed they've made.

The GOP deserves it.

knr.

I would have knr'd just for the thread title but the body of the OP also earned a knr!

Peace

UY

[misanthrope]

25. Ultimately, it doesn't matter...

...The Tea Baggers are conservatives first, party members second. They will vote for Republicans and do it in droves if they feel it keeps the nation tilted rightward.

[malaise]

28. As long as in the end the jelly fish sting the stinking

ReTHUGS, it's all good. :evilgrin: