Teaservative Confusion: A Debilitating Disease
Call me a confused Teaservative. I’m not sure who or what I am in the political process these days. It seems the once very black and white Republican vs. Democrat lines are something I long for. Just like my SGP Snuggie, I know I’m safe and warm in the arms of extreme partisan divide. At least life seemed more comforting when I knew foe from friend and dealt with them as such.
These days, the only thing I know for sure is that I’m not a Democrat. But over here in right-wing country, there is a tumultuous brew from which I’ve swallowed deep concern. I have been sitting by, observing the crowd. Infighting on twitter… I can see both sides. Calls to stand by our principles… but does it acknowledge the voting middle that swings the pendulum from our side to theirs, they that are looking for something more than either side can adequately provide?
It seems to me the longer we put off this cataclysmic reconciliation, the more confusion churns. Whose job is it to provide leadership? Who will bring forth the ideas that will heal a homeland in crisis? How will we harness the great talent that is springing forth, without squandering the momentum on fear and self-righteous power?
Today I put forward no answers. I use this space as a warning call.
Let me illustrate. I live in Missouri. Many of you know that Missouri has been a bustling political microcosm since this bellwether tolled for McCain. Yet, for the first time, Missouri’s bell tolled against the trade wind that blew Barack Obama in as Commander-in-Chief. It wasn’t so much discussed, but it was clear that Missouri would go into a state of self-examination. Were we too red? *gasp*
Almost as quickly as Missouri went into this mode, she began to show her stubborn nature of self-proclamation… NOT, were we too red, but moreover, are we not red enough? There have been signs along the way, none less telling than the passage of Proposition C, in response to the overreach of Obamacare. Whether it was purely sanctimonious or not, the vote sent a message. Also of note was the exciting win of another mama grizzly, Vicky Hartzler in MO-04. Hartzler proved in her David vs. Goliath win against Ike Skelton, Missouri is willing to take a chance to restore common sense.
Yet, still, in the moment of Tea Party indignation, bathed in Conservative wisdom and willing to acknowledge past failures in order to restore ourselves, we find that we are still stuck in the mire: what *is* the definition of *is*? And in answering, please define who ‘A True Conservative’ is and who is ‘Tea party?’ I’m sure my RINO skin is starting to show; perhaps I should hide until daybreak when I might become a Teaservative Princess once again.
Nobody seems to know who is what. They are fighting it out in the social media street of public opinion. To our detriment. In Missouri, Sarah Steelman has announced her run for the Missouri Senate against the vile Claire McCaskill. It is clear that Steelman has been waging battle for more political clout since her failed bid for Governor. It is speculated that she may well have stayed out of Roy Blunt’s race for Senate by request, and is now ready for all to standby as her star rises.
It seems, though, that another well-known candidate, Jim Talent may run for the coveted seat. Talent too has run and lost, to none other than the not-so esteemed McCaskill. Is he the entrenched Washington insider? If so, is it because of his views or merely his longevity? Certainly he pre-dates the Tea Party but then most politicians have, including Steelman. Who will the anointed one be?
Since Steelman has come out of the gate swinging… really early too… it can be concluded she intended to capture the Tea Party nod from the outset. However, today, the Missouri Political News Service is still trying to reconcile the issue.
The answer lies inside a definition left undefined… for good and for bad. Being undefined is great for remaining a moving target but there are worries about our communication, our ability to offer leadership… we can’t even get our faithful to have meaningful conversation without bitter divide.
Do we need a litmus test? Should we be reconciling these issues before they play out in living color all over our primaries? Expensive primaries beget broke candidates. A very good broke candidate will lose to a Democrat with more money, if they cannot overcome the barriers to messaging. TV and Radio costs money, as do a network of paid staffers to connect the ground game.
Right now, I need a hero. I’m not looking at candidates. I’m looking for leadership in the Tea Party AND the GOP to reconcile this issue before we look at 2012 candidates. We’re late to the party already. Will there be a leader who defines our collective movements, in agreement and disagreement? Resolve my confusion… and more importantly, gain some respect and goodwill from the Americans who are only temporarily offering us their hope.
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Official CPAC Blogger
Molly,
Wow! You hit a home run on this one. Your concerns that are expressed here are exactly what I have been grappling with myself.
I do not see myself as an establishment Republican, but as yet have not found that comfort level with the Tea Party either.
In talking to some like-minded friends here in Iowa, we are getting ready to launch the Heartland Conservative Club. A loosely organized group of people sharing similar ideology, but not all cut from the same cloth. A patch work quilt of conservatives from the fiscal and social sides, with some Tea Partiers, Constitutionalists, and perhaps a Blue Dog Democrat or two to meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month for breakfast.
Westside Conservative Club in Des Moines (they are on Facebook) is our model.
We hope to attract speakers, hopefully candiates, and discuss issues of a national, state and local nature. Our first guest speaker (invited) is the newly installed Iowa Secretary of State, Matt Schultz to talk on requiring an ID to vote.
Will let you know how this works, and I am hopeful that it will lead me out of the forest that I find myself in poltically.
Great post. I want to share it with others.
kmf
Thank you, Karen. Your praise means a lot to me.