Teabaggers = republicans

We’ve said it from day 1: teabaggers are just Republicans, and talk radio righties with tri-corny hats, and edgy signage designed to attract lens.

They've been there all along.

This was based on not only having attended that early, and sad Bellevue tea party last year, but having attended local Republican events for years like at Tom Stewart’s ranch; and KVI/KTTH promotional events back in the misty when-ness of radio promotional event budgets. (it seems so long ago...)

Bellevue and a couple of recent tea parties since did nothing to make us believe this movement was the activism.

  (photo: Blatherwatch goes to a tea party)

of new or swing voters. Most we talked to had been stirred up and moved by Fox News talent like Glennn Beck and Sean O’Hannity, not by local radio or the GOP. They are mostly boomer-generation male conservatives. If this were a movement gathering mo’ in the universities as well, we’d be worried.

But worried, we ain’t. Democrats will take their lumps in November but this ain’t no tsunami - much less a sea change.  

What made the tea parties seem like such a big deal? A media who decided to make a big scoop out of these fringe-y oldsters who'll say just about anything to reporters eager to write anything such folks might say. Also at play has been the mighty lobbying machine$ of such as FreedomWorks, Sarah Palin, and the bullhorn of Fox News, (although the latter is busy backing away from the tea party baggers).

Politico, a publication with whom we have some problems, is generally respected on both sides of the political fence and has a long, very detailed investigatory piece that's a culmination of their reporting, and a critical mass of polling data that’s quite revealing. It’s a great read, and has the added advantage of buttressing our own analysis (always a big plus around here). Ironic that the teabaggers largely exist because of the media they say they despise but clamor to attract.

Politico concludes:

For both the left and the right, both have become symbols that outweigh their actual impact – thanks largely to excessive media attention. Conservatives mostly rush to defend them while liberals delight in mocking them, and reporters can’t get enough of the spectacle.

And, as with Palin, the tea parties enjoy an unlikely convergence of saturation coverage from media outlets across the political spectrum.

The more ideologically-driven cable networks have something near ideal for television news in the modern era: vivid images of political activism that can either be celebrated (Fox) or mocked (MSNBC). And columnists and editorial writers from the mainstream media have something to celebrate or deplore.

“It feeds the paranoia of the New York Times and provides pictures of conflict and color for TV,” said Murphy.

Comments

[sparky]

"The New York Dispatch covered Newt Gingrich's appearance today before the Manufacturers' Association of South Central Pennsylvania. While signing books Gingrich addressed his fans and had this to say about the Tea Party:

"[It's a] natural expression of frustration with Republicans and anger at Democrats [which is] more likely to end up as the militant wing of the Republican Party."

Many Tea Baggers talk openly of sedition and firing on government officials, This talk is not just from wild-eyed nut cases, but includes Erick Erickson, CNN's new political commentator. Glenn Beck has "joked" about poisoning Nancy Pelosi and choking Michael Moore. He has described progressives as a cancer in America that cannot be tolerated but must be cut out. This is the same Glenn Beck who ridicules others who talk about the right's "eliminationist" tactics.

"And since the Tea Baggers are known to have an affinity for firearms and a determination not to be tread upon, this could be like placing a gunpowder factory next to a fireworks testing ground.

We can only hope that Gingrich is wrong. The good news is that he wrong quite often. But that doesn't excuse his characterization of the Tea Party or the frightening consequences of his assertion."

[Coiler]

It's fun to watch the gop fight it out amongst themselves

[Andrew]

Everybody is missing the bigger point: teabaggers wield no actual influence.

In fact, their actions make any opponent more politically influential. Conservative lawmakers have secretly complained that the teabagger's anti-everything vitriol has made it harder for them to make any deals and score victories for Republicans. Everyone else is free to wheel and deal. Yet another example of conservatives acting against their own best interests.

The silent majority isn't going to side with the racists and the party of NO! The conservative base is splitting down the middle into one extremely weak half made up of crazies and libertarians, and another half that is going to apreciate Obama's reformed tax code and his ability to effect change, if not for the good, at least for the better than what we had before.

And Obama's pending attack on Wall Street is an ace in the sleeve. How many conservatives are going to take on the Kenyan in defence of Goldman Sachs? I'd like to see them try. Fun times are ahead of us.

[joanie]

Pollitically they sound sort of smugly amused based on what I read. But, an inflamed (and irrational) minority can cause the majority an awful lot of problems. A small irregular mole can be a symptom of cancer. I'm not so amused- relieved?

And Politico is not my source for anything objective or accurate. I don't know how it got to be a respected source. I started reading it because I heard it was such a source. But it has failed me several times in both those areas.

"Joked." The problem is when nobody knows it's a joke.

Thank the Wall Street gangsters for de-powering the tea partyers and sending them to the side bar.

I've been hearing robert Reich quite a bit lately. A true liberal would have Reich in his administration. I have no hope left for us. Obama is not the man.

Health care reform still has to prove itself.

I feel sorry for the tea partyers. If they think it is bad now, wait till their medicare and social security get tapped. And even sputs had it right when he talked about states having to take over even more financial responsibility. The problem with sputs is that he always posts the obvious. Liberals already know that.

And, what about this nine-year-old building that has to be razed? It wasn't grouted and painted correctly so now it is doomed? America has turned into post-war Japan. Remember when your parents told you that everything from Japan was cheap? Not well made? I don't know if that true. I sure heard it a lot. Wonder what the Japanese are saying about us these days? And the rest of the poor world which bought our mortgage-backed securities. Used to be a prime investment. Now, the rest of the world is going down the drain. And my broker (whom I don't use anymore but still keeps me on his mailing list), talked about the Greeks as if they were stupid. Yeah. Stupid for trusting Americans. Unbelievable.

Oh well. When I was growing up, we thought the world was our oyster. All I can say is nobody expected such a long-lasting and toxic red tide at the end of the ride.

[Duffman]

NTEA parties will likely not appear any time soon, but don't totally discount them as there is a bit of a buzz in the air.

[puget sound]

andrew
i enjoy your posts in which you contradict yourself. first the teabaggers had no influence and then you cite a source who complains that the teabaggers stop the repubs from cutting deals.
teabaggers have an impact on primaries. on the incumbent republicans who -as you correctly point out- may want to make deals to get legislation moving along but now have to consider the impact back at home.
kind of like the left did in 06 and 08 with the move.on type organizations. recall those threats to 'primary' joe lieberman that were initially successful.

[puget sound]

joanie
i wouldn't be citing to japan as a model for how to do thngs anymore. from personal experience, while japan had many positive aspects to it look at what their banks did in the early 90's-or failed to do- in recognizing their losses from their bubble collapse, the gov repeated attempts to stimulate the economy via huge public work projects that drove out capital and gave them a lost economic decade, a birthrate of 1.2 per couple which essentially means it is on a demographic death spiral with too few young people to support an aging population, the recent parlementary election of a loony PM (his wife actually believes she talks to space aliens), etc. And the culture that use to pride itself on taking responsibility saw it's largest manufacturer -Toyota- essentially implode when it got caught lying about the stuck gas pedal issue. i have a number of relatives in japan who can attest to the above.

On the other hand, i actually have a lot of hope for the US. we have young people who are the new 'greatest generation.' i am not talking about the 'andrews' of this world who have never served their country other than to pay a little a B&O tax on their 'business.'
i am referring to the young men and women who VOLUNTEERED to serve and protect us over the last ten years. these people are coming home and becoming political. on both sides. these are the new leaders for the 21st century.

[Duffman]

A good, thought-out post that will likely swish completely over the heads of those for which it was likely intended. Bravo, my friend.

[Tommy008]

real manufacturing numbers, minus a onetime aircraft industry anomaly, shows the biggest increase in manufacturing since the recession began, accordingto today's financial reports,,,,,it's laughable to hear teabagger types like Suits Shiers and Monson try to spin and pohpooh each new positive ecomoic report, and deny that a recovery is taking place . jackasses.

[Duffman]

So, can I assume T008 that you do NOT agree with OIABM...that the market will be hovering at the 9500 level, come November (election time) of this year? Financial minds want to know.

[Tommy008]

the 9500 dow election hovering thing is about as valid as my Repug formenr neighbor's predition in June of 2009 that the Dow after climbing backout of the 6500 hole would collapse again to similar levels after the end of the summer.

[Duffman]

Good! Glad to hear that T008. I will channel my investments accordingly as I realize you are an apparent Guru in these ways.

[Steve L]

The media loves the teaheads because the majority are disgruntled old white skinned people on Socialistic life support. They're angry and " want their country back." Waaa to bad !!! Life ain't static!!! NAHH it's market driven.

[Mark C.]

Isn't that you being ID-ed as an "infiltrator" in the second picture, Michael? Why haven't we heard about this latest BlatherWatch escapade?

[Duffman]

Good point...I suspect that individual may be a member of the NTEA Party.

[puget sound]

Good point...I suspect that individual may be a member of the NTEA Party.

Posted by: Duffman | April 23, 2010 at 08:25 AM

don't forget the school teacher infiltrator.

[Andrew]

personaly I don't define influence as an ability not to effect change. Not only are they shut out of the building, but they take their representatives with them. I've got my mandated healthcare and republicans don't have anything. I suppose the tea party did influence a congressman to make an ass of himself and shout "baby killer" in defiance of decorum. Credit where credit is due.

[ACORN Infiltrator #00253]

@ puget sound

"...we have young people who are the new 'greatest generation'... the young men and women who VOLUNTEERED to serve and protect... these people are coming home and becoming political...these are the new leaders for the 21st century."

I find this utterly hysterical. Puget Sound is under the impression that a generation of Übermensch coming back from the wars are going to become, "the new leaders", (queue national anthem) saving America from whatever paranoid world Puget Sound imagines in what I'm gathering is a very GlennBeckian mind.

Votes and political action from members of the military aren't going to have any more political effect on the U.S. than an equal number of social workers would.

Though I thank you, Puget Sound, for your patriotic service to this blog, without which my pagan god given right to a good laugh would have been denied by those who hate my freedoms.

[Coiler]

brings back memories of "Sam the Eagle" from the Muppets.

[puget sound]

nice try, Acorn. you are appropriately named after a nut.

the leadership lessons learned by those young people who have selflessly served this county will rebound to our benefit in the generations ahead. this country will be faced with a number of difficult choices and instead of expediency they'll put the interest of the nation first. the difference between a politician and a statesman is that a politician considers the impact on the next election. a statesman will consider the impact on the next generation. (not sure who came up with that but it is, 'spot on.')

but go ahead and ridicule them. it just shows your true colors. btw, you still wearing that seahawk shirt with #51?

[puget sound]

"personaly I don't define influence as an ability not to effect change...

Posted by: Andrew | April 23, 2010 at 10:23 AM"

well, YOU wouldn't but that's the cost of a junior college education. if i can prevent you from taking a course of action, by definition, i have influenced you. jeez, even joanie understands that concept.

[Tommy008]

just in- Bush'es SEC "regulators" were watching porn on their government office computers while the economy imploded in 2007 and 2008. One Sec lawyer apent up to 8 hours a day downloading porn in his office..........Bush= big business/corporatist toady and buttlicker......

[Andrew]

you might be right, but I got my healthcare and republicans got nothing, so I don't really care either way.

[Duffman]

I like Dave Ross's take on this T008: don't be too hard on them, they were simply studying what Wall Street is doing to this Country. :)

[puget sound]

you might be right, but I got my healthcare and republicans got nothing, so I don't really care either way.

Posted by: Andrew | April 23, 2010 at 01:34 PM

LMAO, that's it?

[Andrew]

Well you can take pride in winning petty internet argument all you want but in the end that's all you've got and that's fine with me.

[Andrew]

It's no surprise the regulators were looking at porn. They have to clock in in order to collect a paycheck but their idea of good regulation is no regulation so ... they have to pass the time somehow.

[puget sound]

Well you can take pride in winning petty internet argument all you want but in the end that's all you've got and that's fine with me.

Posted by: Andrew | April 23, 2010 at 02:02 PM

sigh... no doubt you'll likely spit in the next fast food order of any one who 'looks' conservative.

[Duffman]

Well, if teabaggers = republicans, then it must logically follow that democrats = ntea 'baggers. Capice?

[puget sound]

i think your logic is very sound.

[ACORN Infiltrator #57821]

@ Puget Sound:

"...but go ahead and ridicule them. it just shows your true colors."

Please supply the quote where I "ridiculed" the military.

Pretty clear who's really showing their true colors, huh?

P.S.: Bill O'Reilly called. He said he wants his spin back.

[Duffman]

Oh, by the way (I'm sure you all knew) the acronym ntea obviously stands for NOT Taxed Enough Already. Have a great week-end all!

[Kiel Mortage]

T008 = FRAUD

The guy says he's a stock picker.

I'd say a nose picker

[Rob]

>>It's fun to watch the gop fight it out amongst themselves<<

And even MORE fun watching the libs wetting their panties over it.

>>A good, thought-out post that will likely swish completely over the heads of those for which it was likely intended.<<

True that...

[puget sound]

Hey Acorn
I talked to Bill and he said he had a Falafel ready for ya...

Comparing the conditions of what the men and women serving us in war to that of social workers is a disservice. The former are making a huge voluntary sacrifice and especially for those who serve in National Guard Units many are coming home and finding that they have no company left to work for anymore.
But upon reflection i'll take the word 'ridicule' back but assert that your committing a disservice in underestimating the societal impact of these special people.

[KS]

P.S.: Bill O'Reilly called. He said he wants his spin back.

Posted by: ACORN Infiltrator #57821 | April 23, 2010 at 02:49 PM

Evidently, you have plenty of it to give, but O'Reilly just called and said that he doesn't want any and you can hang it out to dry. I understand that CAIR has an opening for an infiltrator like you.

[puget sound]

Good point, KS.
I wonder what school Acorn Infiltrator teaches at? I'm just saying...

[KS]

Glenn Beck has "joked" about poisoning Nancy Pelosi and choking Michael Moore. He has described progressives as a cancer in America that cannot be tolerated but must be cut out. This is the same Glenn Beck who ridicules others who talk about the right's "eliminationist" tactics.

Posted by: sparky | April 22, 2010 at 08:22 PM

I am not enamered by some of the things that Beck has said, whether in jest or not, but it cuts both ways - unhinged morons on the left have accused Beck of sedition and have wished ill will on him.
If you have heard Beck say what he did about Pelosi and Michael Moore, he is typically joking/laughing with the other two guys on his radio show. How would he poison Pelosi or choke Michael Moore ??

Where is the source of the right's "eliminationist" tactics ? You are quoting him out of context there - something that Media Matters, the Huff Post and Daily KOS love to do - part of the Saul Alinsky playbook. It is hypocritical of you if you don't call the liberal shock jocks on doing what Beck alleged to have done (i.e. Malloy, Maddow, Olbermann, Schultz). If you can cite me where you have, I will retract that. Then, compare that to what the unhinged left said about Bush without any remorse - I was not a Bush fan, but that hate speech was over the top. Both sides do it, but the left has the edge in espousing hate and demonstrating insanity.

[puget sound]

"Malloy: Beck and Limbaugh Want Oklahoma City Bombing Repeated 'Endlessly'
By Tim Graham | Fri, 04/23/2010 - 15:22

Radical left-wing radio talker Mike Malloy was predictably overwrought on April 19 in remembering the Oklahoma City bombing. He claimed Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh greeted that mass murder with clapping and dancing, and wanted it endlessly repeated:

Today, I think Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh want today to be declared, uh, a national holiday. I suggest it be called Beck Memorial Day. This is the kind of day 15 years ago when Beck was still working, uh, in a bath house as a towel boy. This is the kind of day that, 15 years ago that Beck, when he woke up and heard about the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building he applauded. He clapped. He danced. He jumped around like a drop of water on a hot pancake griddle! He was just as happy as could be! This is what Beck and Limbaugh and the rest of these right wing freaks want to see happen again. And again. And again. Endlessly.

He went to a commercial break, but not before a bluegrassy musical teaser with hillbillies singing "Wouldn’t it be great if everybody had a gun?"A happy man proclaimed: "Then we wouldn’t need the police no more!"

Hey KS, as always you are spot on. Look at this crap from Mike Malloy. What kind of nutter would listen to Malloy? Oh wait, we know what kind of nutter: the usual suspects. Coils loves this crap and Joanie cites to it on a regular basis.

[saintrudy]

Acorn & 008; You guys have a handle on these boobs. Keep up the good work. If Fox news ever stops spewing out the Repug talking points, most of the people on here will be struck mute. Stupid is a Republican incurable disease.

[KS]

Hey KS, as always you are spot on. Look at this crap from Mike Malloy. What kind of nutter would listen to Malloy? Oh wait, we know what kind of nutter: the usual suspects. Coils loves this crap and Joanie cites to it on a regular basis.

Posted by: puget sound |

PutS - You forgot Saintrudy who also has an affinity for the leftwing nutter hate talk. Note the incoherent ad hominem Malloy talking points he/she just spewed forth.

[Coiler]

Malloy is good tonight,we're glad you're tuning in.

[puget sound]

Malloy is good tonight,we're glad you're tuning in.

Posted by: Coiler | April 23, 2010 at 08:21 PM

just collecting evidence for the trial... lmao

[puget sound]

hey KS
saintrudy sounds a lot like one of the usual suspects.

[Dori]

The "usual suspects" seem to be missing and I miss them. You guys make for lousy reading.

[Coiler]

The only trial will be executing insane right wingers and their collaborators, ok?

[Jerry Brown, presumptive Gov., D]

"We’ve said it from day 1: teabaggers are just Republicans, and talk radio righties with tri-corny hats, and edgy signage designed to attract lens."

Keep holding onto that thought, Blathering Mike.

[KS]

The only trial will be executing insane right wingers and their collaborators, ok?

Posted by: Coiler | April 23, 2010 at 09:00 PM

More quasi-Nazi ad hominem hate spewed from a famililar nutter.. I know it may be dificult -Grow up,

God Forbid, if old man Moonbeam is elected Gov. of California - it has already become a economic and cultural hellhole.

[Coiler]

Is KS going to live?

[KS]

The islamists will eradicate coiler.