I've stated in the past that I support the idea of the tea party so long as it's an small government, anti-establishment movement. The minute they step into social conservative zone, I will no longer support it. I don't mind if most tea-partiers are anti-abortion or anti-evolution, so long as that's their personal belief and they don't try to impose it upon others through the use of legislative/executive power. Mitch Daniels proposed a truce on social issues, and Chris Christie is pretty moderate too. However there's another side of the tea party movement that doesn't quite alarm me, but I definitely keep my eye on. Sarah Palin, Christine O'Donnell, Glenn Beck and Jim DeMint are very socially conservative, and very popular in the tea party movement. I'm torn, because I'm happy that the tea party is throwing out useless, careerist politicians, but on the other hand, I'm wary of their replacements. Perhaps they're fiscal conservatives now because it's chic, and because Dems are in charge and that's the issue of the day. But I do think there are legitimate concerns if the economy is no longer the issue, will these fools try to ban gay teachers?
Tim Mak writes about Andrew Ian Dodge's concerns, many of which I share. He lambasts Christine O'Donnell for being a joke and an embarrassment, something I have agreed with since I heard about her. He also worried about Glenn Beck's rally, but honestly that rally didn't bother me. I have no problem with Christians practicing their faith and gathering together or whatever. Having a problem with a Christian themed rally seems a bit intolerant to me, but he's entitled to his opinion. Where my problems arise is when these socially conservative christians co-opt a movement based on smaller government and decide to throw consistency out the window by legislating on gay rights and abortion rights, putting the government in the bedroom.
A glimmer of... (dare I say the H-word?) hope. Chris Christie Avoids Glenn Beck. It's comforting to me that Christie is distant from Beck, and it also brings me comfort knowing that Beck is a big Christie fan, despite his moderate social positions. In fact, Beck has encouraged Christie NOT to meet with him if it'll help him. This shows that Beck is not an egomaniac who would turn on somebody over a personal slight, and that he's serious about fiscal conservatism first and foremost.
**UPDATE: 10:00PM**
Jennifer Rubin on civility, hypocrisy and double standards.
Next time the left whines that the right is too “angry” or that the Tea Partiers have debased the political debate in this country, remember which National Mall rally was polite, uplifting, and tidy and which hurled invectives at its opponents. And please also recall the rhetoric coming from the White House, which in the good ole days — two years ago — used to observe a certain level of decorum befitting the chief executive. The president and his spokesman now routinely name-call and demean the opposition.
Here's a tea party favorite that I do admire: Retired Lt. Col. Allen West (I'm pretty certain I've written about him in the past). I don't get too hyped up by him, because he's running for the house in Florida, which has absolutely nothing to do with me. But I keep my eye on him, because he seems pretty awesome, and he speaks with unabashed candor about controversial topics (such as decisions he made while in military leadership positions, including the one he lost his job over). He's very pro-Israel too.
Here's a pretty badass campaign ad he's running.
Here he is talking about Islamic fundamentalism... I find the first comment on the video to be hilarious: "I am a European. But watching this, I'd have to say that you guys voted for the wrong black guy." Maybe so. I don't know enough about the guy to want him as President, but he looks pretty good so far.
And here is Lt. Col. West talking candidly about his actions in Iraq that directly resulted in stopping attacks against American troops. Some may take issue with the way in which he went about getting the information about the attack, but nobody can say he tried to hide what he did.
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