Went to a local Tea Party meeting tonight, my experience.

[eleganz]

So from what I heard and saw tonight, the party is broken, more broken than I expected them to be and actually a little desperate for something 'new'. The Romney loss was pretty devastating to the Republican party, its making people re-evaluate it from being about politics to being about "having a message" and changing the dialogue/culture to one that makes sense that everybody in our 'culture' can embrace.

There was a lot of Ron Paul-esque talking points but nobody brought up the old man himself, which was extremely surprising to me because they were talking about free markets, voluntaryism, how Romney didn't actually believe in what he was saying. I didn't want to bring it up as a new person but may inject it at a later date if I do choose to go back.

The best part is, the guy that was speaking most of the night was Bill Whittle, the man that made the "give our Ron Paul/Gary Johnson vote to Romney".



He really embraces the things we talk about and he seems to be a decently known figure that travels the country giving speeches to conservative groups large and small.

I was just very reserved because he didn't name Ron Paul's name once, either because he doesn't like him or maybe even because the audience might've been too sensitive to it and might seal their ears and eyes shut at the sound of Ron Paul. I don't know I didn't get to meet enough people to get a general feel of the crowd.

They had a lot of people come to the meeting though, I don't know if it was because its the first post election, lick each others' wounds type event so a lot of people showed up but the number I saw tonight was impressive. I did hear that they don't really get active on the ground though.

Anyway, that was my experience thought I would share. It gave me a little hope. These people are starting to accept our ideas and our way of thinking, that the message is stronger than the politics.

My best recommendation to you all is to go to your local tea party chapter/GOP group and do what I (and I'm sure others) doing, get a feel for how these people are acting and reacting and let them know the message is powerful. If you package it correctly, you can sell it quick and easy.

 

[MrGoose]

Good Job. I am going to go to my local Republican group, but they meet monthly, so I have to wait a bit. It seems like the republican party is realizing that they need to change in order to win elections. Even on fox they are realizing that Republicans just aren't relevant anymore. This loss to Obama really shook things up, I'm excited

 

[Rebelrouser]

Thats really encouraging to hear. Unfortunately, most of the Tea Partiers in my area are too busy blaming "Paulbots", libertarians and voter fraud for Romney's loss and buying into the media hype that the GOP didn't do enough to reach out to Latino voters.

 

[JohnM]

+ Rep to the OP.

Well done for going to the meeting, for behaving wisely at it, and for posting your experiences.

 

[eleganz]

But this is a Tea party group so some of these guys actually want to move towards a more principled position. The GOP establishment drones are still believe in some crazy things, even people who live near me, its crazy.

Some of them think that ALL THEY NEED TO DO, is allow amnesty and they will win the next election.

Scary...

But still get involved, many republicans are prepared for real change, be there before they are led into another slaughter house.

 

[JK/SEA]

Anyone know Keli Carender?

seems she's lost her way.

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019670791_lonelypatriots13m.html

 

[Origanalist]

Anyone know Keli Carender?

seems she's lost her way.

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019670791_lonelypatriots13m.html

Naw, I stay out of Seattle unless I'm visiting my brother.

 

[Todd]

What won the GOP alot of elections in the 10' mid terms?....Tea party thinking (smaller government less taxes). What lost if for them in 12'?....Forgetting that and nominating Romney.

 

[Origanalist]

What won the GOP alot of elections in the 10' mid terms?....Tea party thinking (smaller government less taxes). What lost if for them in 12'?....Forgetting that and nominating Romney.

So well put, in one sentence. I'm stealing it. (to use on other sites)

 

[CaptLouAlbano]

What won the GOP alot of elections in the 10' mid terms?....Tea party thinking (smaller government less taxes). What lost if for them in 12'?....Forgetting that and nominating Romney.

I know a lot of people that self-indentify with the Tea Party. Many of them going to meetings, getting emails from the groups, etc. I've talked to them on this point and the general consensus is that post NH, they didn't have a horse in the race. Most of them wanted either Perry or Cain who both died a quick death in the campaign. And yes, I know they could have went to Paul and I have addressed that. What I have figured out is that Paul never was able to connect with these folks. They'd like 9 things he would say, but the 10th would make them cringe. Now given that these very same folks are real high on Rand, I think it wasn't so much what Paul was saying, but the way he presented it. Presentation of ideas is key when trying to reach out to the average voter, especially when the ideas are contrary to the rhetoric they are hearing from others.

All in all though, these are good folks, and we can ally with them. Thanks to eleganz for sharing your experience at the meeting.

 

[July]

There was a lot of Ron Paul-esque talking points but nobody brought up the old man himself, which was extremely surprising to me because they were talking about free markets, voluntaryism, how Romney didn't actually believe in what he was saying. I didn't want to bring it up as a new person but may inject it at a later date if I do choose to go back.

I am hearing the same here, from conservatives I know in my workplace, etc. Phrases like "rule of law" and "Constitution" coming out of people I don't expect to hear it from. They won't say or bring up 'Ron Paul' but I'm hearing his echo... I think progress is being made, little by little.

 

[ClydeCoulter]

I find it's still "I think Ron is right on most domestic issues, but his foreign policy sucks and is naive". Foreign policy is a big issue and goes like "If we don't police/control the world, China or Russia will" kindof stuff (in so many words).

edit: I ask, "How do we pay for it?"

 

[SilenceDewgooder]

The media did its job in tainting Ron Paul's name.... so I would not use his name even though his message and ideas seem to be the political hot topics. I think Dr. Paul is willing to make that horse trade. I found it ironic how Rand was cheered during the convention by the same people who were against letting Ron speak, even though Rand touched on the same subjects with the same stances... as someone said earlier - presentation, plus the media propaganda hasn't went after Rand on a large scale.

 

[man is truth]

Does anyone start to awaken to the the inherent contradictions and flaws of an electoral system when they start having to pander to the idiots that compose "the people?" Like- what is good about a system that has to first convince them in order to function?

 

[devil21]

No point in bringing up Ron Paul any way, since we're past that point as a movement. As long as the message is resonating with the party then the movement carries on.

 

[CaptLouAlbano]

Does anyone start to awaken to the the inherent contradictions and flaws of an electoral system when they start having to pander to the idiots that compose "the people?" Like- what is good about a system that has to first convince them in order to function?

Elitist drivel at its finest.

 

[idiom]

Does anyone start to awaken to the the inherent contradictions and flaws of an electoral system when they start having to pander to the idiots that compose "the people?" Like- what is good about a system that has to first convince them in order to function?

Its the entire point. It works fine elsewhere in the world. It has been decades since the US has been truly engaged in its own governance though.

 

[Okie RP fan]

No point in bringing up Ron Paul any way, since we're past that point as a movement. As long as the message is resonating with the party then the movement carries on.

This is a crucial point. While it's awesome to rub Ron Paul in people's faces, we shouldn't do that. Let's remember that this goes beyond the man, and is about liberty. We need to keep our message the exact same, but leave Ron Paul's name out of it. Some people may be turned off (the difficult ones) if you mention "his" name too many times.

Now, don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying to not mention Ron Paul, or quit saying his name absolutely. Go ahead, but, don't do it with every sentence as we used to.

 

[Liberty74]

A lot of people are forgetting the power of the media. When Ron Paul rose in Iowa in early December 2011, Ron was on top of the world nationally and gaining in popularity within the voters, Tea Party and the Republican party. What happened? Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin, O'Reilly, Beck, etc. all launched a nuclear attack against the "nutty old man." There is no doubt in my mind that such attack was orchestrated. To knock Ron off the top spot, CNN releases a poll (fake because the caucus was open) of Republican Iowan voters only to give this meme that Santorum was rising when he most definitely was stuck below 10%. CNN poll had him at 15% and the rest is history. Every news station and political pundit ran with the false story. Santorum surged knocking Ron to third within one week. At the same time, Ron Paul's approval numbers plummeted and his disapproval sky rocketed to above 50% within the Republican party base. The race was technically over after SC after placing a weak fourth.

What's the point? To win on the Republican nomination, one needs to have the right wing media on their side. The media were the ones that herded the primary voter to vote for the most likely person to beat Obama which the meme was Romney. It did not matter if true or not because politics is not about the truth always. It's about herding.

It's why I have always advocated Ron Paul went Indy besides the fact that the two party criminal system needs as ass whopping.

 

[Uriah]

My suggestion: Don't mention Ron Paul unless he is brought up in conversation.

Many Republicans and Tea party types use all the same language we do but most haven't connected all the dots yet. Feed them information but don't attach labels or names such as libertarian or Ron Paul.

I have a local GOP holiday party to go to in 2 days. Number one goal: build relationships.