In 2010 the TEA Party won its first seats in Congress. It immediately became obvious that its purpose was to destroy our Democratic Republic. By 2012 these extremists had begun to accomplish their goals; nothing. This was their entire plan, to just say no and refuse to work across the aisle with Democrats. They decided not to do the job for which they were elected.
Speaker John Boehner was constantly at war with this small group. His lack of leadership ability eventually forced him to resign from office. In the Senate an even weaker Mitch McConnell capitulated to obstructionists in his charge.
Republican voters noticed the change in their party, and they were not pleased. Congress’ favorability rating rightfully dropped below ten percent.
By 2015 the TEA Party, now calling themselves the ‘Freedom Caucus,’ had accomplished their goals; our government was in total gridlock. It was broken.
In March, 2015, the worst of all members of the TEA Party, Ted Cruz, declared his candidacy for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination. Republicans were not interested; he had become the most hated member of Congress.
One-by-one others entered the race. When a failed businessman, with no experience at any level of government entered the race in June, most believed it was a publicity stunt. Much to the dismay of the establishment, Donald Trump’s poll numbers began to rise. The media rushed to explain how a man who immediately labeled all Mexican immigrants as ‘drug mules’ and rapists could become the leader of the GOP. None of them told the truth; Trump’s initial rise was the creation of the extremists in the TEA Party. Voters were angry, and Trump was their billboard.
Today Trump is the party’s standard bearer. Today Hillary Clinton is the Democratic presumptive nominee, and the Republican Party’s worst nightmare. For seven years Republicans have attempted to discredit the former First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State.
The GOP now has a greater problem; it has split into several factions and party unity has become a virtual impossibility. The extremists in the TEA Party won the battle against moderates in the Republican Party, but lost the war. Hillary Clinton’s favorability rate is rising, while their party’s candidate experiences a rating of only 30 percent. Worse, yet, Trump loses in every demographic with the exception of white men. (No surprise there.)
How did the TEA Party hijack the GOP? It was easy. The Republican Party has no leadership. The Chairman of the RNC, Reince Priebus, has failed miserably to bring his party back towards the center and become effective legislators. John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, and now Paul Ryan, are a disaster as they failed to lead and became followers of a small band of obstructionists.
On November 9th, Democrats will compose a thank-you note to the TEA Party. You accomplished your goals; which was to do “nothing,” and handed the presidency to Hillary Clinton. Your lack of the ability to deliberate and compromise has failed the American people, and we have noticed.
The fact that all three members of the TEA Party who declared their candidacy were defeated by a buffoon, is proof that voters want you and your cronies removed from Washington.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey
The Truth With No Restrictions 