We've seen much discussion around the relationship of the TEA Party movement to the Republican party.  Some of the so-called pundits have suggested that the TEA Party movement embrace the creation of a third party.  Others have stated that a rift exists between the party faithful and the TEA Party activists.  And still others, journalist David Brooks, have stated that the TEA Party movement is anti-intellectual!

I have refrained from weighing in on this dialogue but felt that comment could add value at this time.  There is clearly a difference of opinions within the various TEA Party organizations.  I have personally taken the view that there are few to no conservatives legislators who are also Democrats and who will vote for conservative principles when they are faced with the arm twisting and bribes that are presented to them by their leadership.   I am unconvinced by the current argument that the TEA Party should ever approach the DNC for any reason.  And while I laud the antiseptic and non-partisan approach of many of our leaders and their membership, the localized approach to politics and leadership allows for differences of opinion.

In this light, arguing the finer points amongst each other seems to me to be an exercise in “mental masturbation”.  If you are convinced that associating in any way with the Republican party pollutes your local strategy, then don’t!  However, to suggest that the Republican party is somehow a  problematic relationship is just nonsense.  I don’t know which elections can be won without supporting one of the two parties that contend.  And as I do believe that the DNC platform is antagonistic to all things conservative, I have to place my bet with the RNC.  Now this is not to say that the party is correctly approaching our movement, the electorate or governing in a way that amplifies the conservative message.  To the contrary, the party has sorely disappointed many of us in their expansion of government and excessive spending.  Indeed , they often appear just like the “Apple Dumpling Gang” in their governance and representation of their constituents.

But, I also believe, based on an objective review of voter turnout statistics, that those same constituents have been remiss in carrying out their most basic duty as citizens – voting.  We recently supported our preferred candidates in a special election here in Memphis.  With over 151,000 eligible registered voters , just over 10,000 actually voted.  The complaints of the electorate ring hollow when we see voting rates on a local basis approaching 10% participation in many races and just over 50% in national races.  With this as the background context, I have to ask the question why would we not welcome any discussion with the party that “professes” to be conservative and whose official platform expresses the principles of the TEA Party movement.  We must animate those self identified conservatives to take a decision first to vote and to vote for a party that is “reformed” and reflects those same first principles.  In this effort, our priority should be to establish these TEA Party distinctives and negotiate our desired outcome.  And where those negotiations or responses fail, we need to progress our agenda in any appropriate and responsible way to achieve those same objectives.

However, we should always think about winning elections, changing the makeup of the legislative leadership and holding them accountable throughout their political careers.  In this way, the TEA Party movement can morph and adapt to the realities on the ground and respond to our local aspirations while keeping an eye on the national stage.  With the exception of those of you who live in Tennessee, influencing our elections at best is limited to phone banking or GOTV by supplying people to local party activities.  Any strategy must incorporate the tactics and operational execution required to achieve results. This of course also requires what I refer to as the “necessary and sufficient” capacity to serve.  That is, the organization, the single mindedness to focus on outcomes and the energy, skills and execution to achieve the strategy.

And while I applaud the openness of this dialogue, Michael Steele isn’t the enemy or some foreign dignitary, he is a key leader in the RNC who has the control of the apparatus that supports the conservative party in the US, the Republicans.   For my part, I welcome associations with the RNC, the NRCC, the NRSC as well as local party affiliations, clubs and relationships.  I do this so as to engender cooperation and increase influence for the TEA Party and to act as a change agent within the party at my local community level.   And in the process, the Memphis TEA Party gains power to change minds, advance ideas, influence candidates and win elections.  This approach may not be appropriate for a given organization, but it is the approach we have taken here and one which is beginning to pay dividends.

The idea of being co-opted by the RNC or by the local Republican leadership is only problematic when TEA Party leadership is uncertain of its own strategic objectives.  This is why mission, objectives and tactics become so important to achieving our mutual success and ultimately taking back our country.  It is also necessary to retain the mantle of legitimacy and the high favorability rating that we now enjoy!  Therefore, we should strive to support each other in our communications and through our actions lest we risk diluting that very same good will.  And in that same vein, we must ask, “who would benefit from my commentary outside of the TEA Party movement”. 

In the end, you may disagree and even oppose my reasoning, but I welcome your views.  And most of all, I encourage you to reflect on your objectives in context of your own local movement and energy!

God bless America!