What type of voter is attracted to Tea Party candidates?

[kentuck]

We have low-information voters that know a little about a lot of subjects but usually have a degree from Rush Limbaugh's EIB University.

They get a lot of information thru emails from their friends and pass it on as if it were the truth. Most of the time, it is false information. But they believe it.

They consider themselves "individualists' although many of them are dependent on government for support of some kind or other. They are against spending but they have no idea what they would cut. They believe Obama is the biggest spender of all time in just one year.

They like their guns, uniforms, and special flags. (Especially Don't Tread On Me)

They like Republicans but they don't want to accept any responsibility for voting for Republicans in the last ten years. They spent too much. But they are willing to give them one more chance...

[sakabatou]

1. The very ill-informed

[lamp_shade]

2. They are insecure. They long to belong. They need to be attractive to someone.... anyone...

Not unlike those who were attracted to and attractive to Jim Jones.

[affrayer]

3. The same old same old...

When Nixon was thrown out of office the republicans renamed themselves "conservatives.

After Reagan proved to be a failure they renamed themselves "neo-conservatives."

After Clinton succeeded the republicans went back to "conservatives"

After Bush Jr failed the republicans called themselves "teabaggers."

But the truth is that the republicans are the same crappy political party no matter what they call themselves. A party of bad ideas.

[H2O Man]

4. I think that it

is a wide range of people (though at the same time, clearly a group limited in terms of age and race). My concerns have far more to do with the group dynamics, than the individuals (though, again, at the same time the group dynamics gives license to the unhinged individuals). When groups of people willingly cut themselves off from all incoming data that does not fit their angry, paranoid world-view, and takes an aggressive approach to social-political issues, it always leads to violence and destruction. Always. The only questions are about what group suffers -- a targeted minority, or a Jim Jones group itself -- and the scale of the destructive forces unleashed.

Recommended.

[RKP5637]

9. IMO you really nailed it!!! Same thoughts here! n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. Those that like Campfires

[tomg]

6. Troglodytes.

Well, not all troglodytes. Only the really stupid ones.

[CBR]

7. Fearful white people. nt

[Blue_Roses]

28. bingo...

I think this hits it on the head more than anything.

:applause:

[Lasher]

8. The type who believes government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution

which includes banning gay marriages and funding faith based initiatives.

[bluethruandthru]

10. Only if it's "their" faith! :) n/t

[Possumpoint]

11. Interesting Group Of Opinions

The usual policy of smearing those you don't agree with. Discounting the obvious racism expressed by some within the movement there are justifiable positions expressed:

The constitution of the United State is a framework to govern within. It isn't a living document to be stretched and distorted to fit your perception of what it should be. There is a mechanism in place that allows for needed changes.

Government spending has its limits. Decisions must be made as to what is/isn't a justifiable expense of taxpayer's dollars.

Governments should be balancing their income and expense to match. There is a justifiable question of survivability if a government continues to spend two to three times more then its income. Deficit spending has become a way of doing business. It must stop.

Despite some support on this forum there are a number of people who question the revisions to health care recently passed by Congress. My personal opinion is that they didn't go far enough and any new funds required should come from reductions in the Empire. I am not by nature a socialists but believe that everyone has a right to health care. It should be free to everyone and paid for by all.

There are questions about the revisions to Wall Street and the banking industry. Again I think they didn't go far enough and I'd be glad to hand them the rope needed to hang the SOBs.

The right to own guns is protected by the second amendment to the Constitution and "shall not be infringed". This has been confirmed by decisions by the SCOTUS. It is decided law. IMHO, any efforts to change that will require another amendment.

If the above opinions make me a knuckle dragger, so be it.

[BootinUp]

14. Well, no they don't

The Teabggers never met a government regulation they like. That may be the issue where we can slam the hardest, except that they might come back with "Democrats did it too!!"

[H2O Man]

16. A significant number

of Tea Partiers have spoken openly about Amendment 2 in the context of an armed revolution against the federal government. This, too, is mentioned in the Constitution. In fact, it is the only crime the document identifies -- treason.

[Possumpoint]

17. A Significant Number of People On This Forum

Have expressed opinions in support of the complete removal of the right to own firearms. There are extremes in every opinion.

[BootinUp]

19. not one single democratic candidate

has suggested that though. So what?

The fact is, that in some dense urban areas, there is a desire to control the proliferation of guns in the hands of thugs because people who live there all know/knew someone killed by random gunfire.


Rural/suburban areas its a different thing.

[Possumpoint]

61. Been Demostrated Time and Time Again

That gun control doesn't work. That in fact, the areas with the tightest gun controls have the highest level of crime events with guns.

[BootinUp]

63. I am not attempting to debate

the pros and cons of gun control. I am pointing out that the Democratic party is not pushing any controversial gun control efforts at the National level. Any liberals or progressives that are pushing it will get no where with it.

[kentuck]

20. A "significant" number could be 5% or 50%....

...depending on your own interpretation.

If we go by the strict interpretation of the Constitution, we did not have automatic weapons or machine guns or SAMs or rifles with scopes. None of those "firearms" were envisioned by our Founding Fathers.

This is not intended to start a discussion on the 2nd Amendment.

[SlimJimmy]

29. It's very straightforward

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

It is worded in such a way that allows for the inclusion of yet to be named "ambiguous" arms. If anyone wants to change it, they are free to get the Congress and/or two thirds of the states to amend, and ratify.

[kentuck]

30. Are you a member of "a well-regulated militia"?

Who regulates you?

[SlimJimmy]

36. Here we go again. I really get tired of having to answer that

question over and over again.

The term "regulated" means "disciplined" or "trained".<139> In Heller, the U.S. Supreme Court stated that "the adjective 'well-regulated' implies nothing more than the imposition of proper discipline and training."<140> Regarding a well regulated militia, Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist No. 29:

A tolerable expertness in military movements is a business that requires time and practice. It is not a day, or even a week, that will suffice for the attainment of it. To oblige the great body of the yeomanry, and of the other classes of the citizens, to be under arms for the purpose of going through military exercises and evolutions, as often as might be necessary to acquire the degree of perfection which would entitle them to the character of a well-regulated militia, would be a real grievance to the people, and a serious public inconvenience and loss.<48>
Regarding regulation and training of the militia, Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist No. 29:

"If a well regulated militia be the most natural defence of a free country, it ought certainly to be under the regulation and at the disposal of that body which is constituted the guardian of the national security...confiding the regulation of the militia to the direction of the national authority...(and) reserving to the states...the authority of training the militia".<48>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution#Meaning_of_.22well_regulated_militia.22

[H2O Man]

23. Nope.

I've never seen that here. A few people, perhaps. But not many.

Tea Party candidates, however, are advocating violence. That's distinct from debating gun control.

[Iggo]

26. But why discount the obvious racism? That's who they are.

[Winterblues]

33. I agree with all except that I believe the Constitution is indeed a living document.

It was designed with the intent that as the times change so could the guide lines.. In fact they demonstrated that fact immediately when they passed the first ten amendments aka "The Bill of Rights". They showed us not only that the Constitution could be amended but how to do it...If it were supposed to be a static document they would never have included a method for making changes in it..

[Odin2005]

12. Scared folks that have been brainwashed.

[SoCalDem]

13. they think like adolescents

no offense to real adolescents who cannot help being a bit confused:)

[Bucky]

15. Many are voting tribally, rather than rationally. Most are voting against their self interest.

They've bought into the role tagging that the Republican media machine fabricates. Stuff like "Obama's a socialist" even though they can't name a single actually socialistic thing the president's proposed. (Hint: because he hasn't). There's a reason why conservative leaders have quit bitching about "identity politics." It's because that's pretty much all they do.

[gulliver]

18. Republicans who don't like to admit they are Republicans.

Tea Party is just a rebranding to avoid shame and responsibility for eight years of Disastrous Dubya. With any luck, though, it will split the GOP after this election, whichever way it goes.

[creon]

21. my reading

I think that these people are "conservative" Republicans who have never bothered to critically examine their views; have never bothered to keep up with current events; never bothered to question the merits.

Simply, they have never bothered.

Now, matters have not worked all that well. And, they do not like it. And, they have no idea worthy of the name about why matters have gone pear shaped. Ignorance is bliss on steroids.

Now, they are looking for someone to blame. Thet are nice conservative Republicans. They will never look to that party.

[LynneSin]

22. uneducated white redneck assholes

nuff said.

[SlimJimmy]

31. No, not "nuff' said. We can disagree with their views without name calling

I'm just really getting tired of this innuendo directed at the Southern states. And don't even try to deny that's what you were doing. Not everyone here is an uneducated redneck. Besides, your assertion is dead wrong.

Poll Finds Tea Party Backers Wealthier and More Educated
By KATE ZERNIKE and MEGAN THEE-BRENAN
Published: April 14, 2010

Tea Party supporters are wealthier and more well-educated than the general public, and are no more or less afraid of falling into a lower socioeconomic class, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/politics/15poll.html?ref=politics

[LynneSin]

32. Where did I say Southern?

I'm from rural Pennsylvania and live in Delaware now. Neither state is a Southern State and trust me, we have them here too.

Being that I spent 20 years going to school and living in Rural Pennsylvania I have a good idea what I'm talking about and I stand by what I say. And I don't appreciate you assuming that my comment was somehow directed towards southerns. If I meant a particular region of the country I would have typed it.

[SlimJimmy]

34. I don't really care what you appreciate or not. Clearly, you've never been in the South.

I've about had it with the pejoratives slung around here without the slightest bit of regard for the truth. If you have some FACTS upon which to base your view, then present them (as I have done). Your anecdotal evidence isn't sufficient. As I quoted in my sig line - facts are stubborn things.

[CBR]

35. She never said south... take your anger out on someone who

actually bashes the south.

[SlimJimmy]

37. It was very clear what she was implying. And she was wrong on both counts (nt)

[CBR]

39. Have you ever been to Delaware? There are plenty of rednecks here.

I mean we do have O'Donnell running in our election.

[SlimJimmy]

42. In my humble opinion, O'Donnell is the outlier. I'm not exactly sure how she

defeated her Republican challenger in the Primary. All I can say, is I'm glad she did. That gave an automatic win to us. The other National "Tea Party" candidates won't go down as easily.

[LynneSin]

48. O'DOnnell an outlier? Guess you never been to Delaware

Below the Canal and inland you can venture into some rural areas that are strong with this attitude. Sincely only 55k people bothered to vote in that election and it was a closed primary - the win was easy for O'Donnell.

And I'll be honest, Mike Castle was a good person, this was not the way to end his political career even if it does mean my guy Chris Coons has an easy win.

[SlimJimmy]

55. That's why she's an outier compared to the other races in the country.

She will be easy to pick off because she campaigns very poorly and has a very attackable background. That's not the case with some of the other "tea Party" candidates.

[CBR]

54. Have you ever been to Delaware? nt

[LynneSin]

59. I guess he/she has not

Thank you

:pals:

You helping out election day with the Campaign. They're moving everything to the Riverfront so we have more parking for volunteers.

[LynneSin]

46. WHAT THE #()% are you smoking?

Did you read what I wrote about living in rural Pennsylvania. Please show me the map that includes rural Pennsylvania in the south. I lived and breathed with these types of people for TWENTY YEARS. And perhaps they weren't called 'Tea Party' back then but they had the same exact principles. And if you were someone that went against those principles they attacked you too.

So maybe you didn't go to an all white school where when you said 'hello' to the one person of color who came to your school you were harassed and bullied for months. (and that student didn't survive more than 3 months). Maybe you didn't go to a party where the type of high people did was huffing gas out of a bag of gasoline. And the guns, nothing like hanging out with drunks who like to play with their guns.

I mean just assume I'm some rich white person who lived in this perfect world because that is what YOU are IMPLYING and I find that very offensive!

[SlimJimmy]

52. Still no facts, just opinion. got it.

[LynneSin]

40. Where did I say 'Southern' in my original comment

Seriously. Please stop reading something into something I wrote. It's offensive.

[SlimJimmy]

41. Seriously, show a fact ... any FACT that shows that

Tea Partiers are ignorant white racist assholes, and are NOT wealthier and more educated than the general public as the NY Times poll showed.

[LynneSin]

44. whatever. Your mind is closed

I mean, I've lived amongst these folks long enough to know better. But tell yourself I said whatever you want me to say so you'll feel like you've won the arguement.

[SlimJimmy]

45. I've provided facts, not opinion. You should do the same. (nt)

[LynneSin]

49. You proved absolutely nothing other than the fact you can make up stuff

that's all.

[SlimJimmy]

53. If you have a link, or a study or anything, then provide it. I have.

[AlinPA]

24. I know a lot of them. More than 50. In fact most are uneducated, most are racist (I know them),

I've worked with them, I've heard their racial remarks, almost all are republicans, some are Constitution Party members, some display confederate battle flags. IMO, many are rude-I sit with them at football games and other places. Every single one of them is white.

[AsahinaKimi]

51. I guess he doesn't recall seeing this guy...

during the Obama election. He was from Pennslyvania.


This is the kind of racist they are talking about.

[Iggo]

25. There's a brand of racist....let's call him the Insecure Racist...

...that is constantly looking for public acceptance of his racism...that it's normal, that it's right, that it's a good thing, and that it's therefore justified.

And you can't convince them otherwise...

[political_Dem]

27. The racist and stupid kind.

The Teabaggers wouldn't have it any other way.

[ItNerd4life]

38. The ones I know care about the size of the government.

They aren't racist, they aren't bigots, they are nothing that most outsiders claim they are. It's very sad to see the HATRED by people
who can only think to call them names instead of actually talking to the people.

The question I always here but non Tea Party members is why didn't they protest under Bush? They did, they voted for Obama and Democrats because
they saw the Republicans as out of control with their spending. Then, Democrats come in and make it worse.

Calling tea party members racist and bigots is like call all Muslims terrorists. The right is close minded, sad to see the left so close minded.

[BootinUp]

56. "The Democrats come in and make it worse"

This is just bullshit that you are buying into. A sound analysis of the causes of the deficit will show:

1) Bush left a huge deficit over a trillion dollars).

2) The loss of revenue from the massive crash of 2008 is a major cause of the current deficit.

3) There has been no huge increase in spending.

4) The deficit for 2010 will be smaller than for 2009.

[Ikonoklast]

57. When one Teabagger yells "N****r!" and the rest stand by and do nothing,

and by doing nothing, they assent.


Yes, Skippy, they ARE racists.

[tilsammans]

43. I am surprised at how many teabaggers . . .

. . . are seemingly intelligent college grads, some with advanced degrees. :wtf:

They still manage to be low-information voters.

[Evasporque]

47. mean alcoholic, abusive, tinfoilers who ate paint chips as a child....nt

[Proud Liberal Dem]

50. I can't imagine many (any?) forward thinking, well educated people being "attracted" to the

"Tea Party". It's very existence and what they actually stand for baffles me, particularly because all of the things that they're screaming the loudest about now were "in play" during the entire Bush II (P)residency yet there was no "Tea Party" movement out there decrying the unpaid-for Bush tax cuts, "war of choice" in Iraq, curtailment of civil liberties (most of which was going on "under the table" and being guided by executive fiat). I actually suspect that many if not all of the current members of the "Tea Party" were actually quite supportive of Bushco and its *agenda* and are only being vocal about these issues- most of which don't apply to President Obama- simply because the Democrats have been back in charge of the federal government for the first time this entire decade. :shrug:

Does anybody know of any bonafide (former) DEMOCRATS whom are avowed members of the "Tea Party"? I'd be interested to hear about where they're coming from.

[Hepburn]

58. Greedy, selfish, dumbass, me-first, born again.

Ummmmm...I think that about sums it up! :hi:

[LostInAnomie]

60. Republicans. Why try to dress it up as anything else?

Seriously, if the polling, anecdotes, candidates, political positions, rallies, etc., have proven anything it's that the Teabaggers are nothing more than vocal, hard right Republicans. Nothing more.

[Kurovski]

62. Republicans who wanted Cheney/Bush to go full-hog tighty-righty,

and were disappointed that we;re not a theocracy yet are backing the extremist Repubs called Teabaggers. Or Teapassers, Teatoottlers, tiddler, piddlers, what-the-fuck-ever.

[proteus_lives]

64. Wack-a-dos.