A New Party is Brewing
By Jackie Seal
Saturday, March 13, is National Coffee Party Day. A new group has emerged recently and they call themselves the Coffee Party. Their slogan reads “Wake Up and Stand Up.” In the About Us section on their site, they describe themselves, while seemingly taking a few hits at the Tea Party. It’s clear, and their founder Annabel Park has made it clear in an interview with the New York Times that they are in reaction to the Tea Party, but claim they will be inviting Tea Party activists to their meetings to discuss issues.
Say or think what you want about this new movement, but mark my words, the Coffee Party will receive far more respect from the media than the Tea Party has. Why do I say this? Well, by simply visiting the Coffee Party’s Facebook page and looking at their photos it is clear, that the Coffee Party strongly favors President Obama. To further advance this argument a simple visit to Park’s personal Twitter page will tell you how she feels about the Tea Partiers. She has said in no few words that the Tea Partiers do not represent America. She thinks the GOP has been “obstructionists“ during this healthcare debate. Which begs the question, who has the majority in Congress right now? That’s what I thought. It’s not the GOP that’s the problem, it’s the health care plan. If it was that great democrats would have passed it long ago. Oh, and she really doesn’t like Sarah Palin. Did I mention she was a big time Obama volunteer and creator of the YouTube channel, United for Obama. Annabel has a long history with liberal, progressive groups and is a very outspoken advocate for immigration. I think it’s fair to say the people at these coffee parties won’t be ambushed by MSNBC anytime soon.
It should be interesting to see the turnout at their kick-off next weekend and the impact they have on the national debate.
An Open Letter to the Tea Parties
by Ian Pringle
I know you guys want to be some super-awesome grassroots group that has extreme political influence and at the same time stay non-partisan, but this is the real world and not some kooky dream.
I have never attended a Tea Party but I do consider myself a Tea Party sympathizer and I know plenty of Tea Partiers. However, I am not a fan of the Tea Party leaders. They seem to be a confused bunch of good meaning people. They have no real structure, and one of the first things needed to run a successful organization or movement is structure. They also do not want help, in fact the movement reminds me of a child who wants to try everything by himself and refuses his parents’ helps.
They do not want the help, guidance, or a symbiotic relationship with the GOP, and for that matter conservative mainstream! The Tea Party movement needs to stop acting like a selfish child and listen up. What the movement has going for it, what they believe in and how they operate, is nothing new. In fact, they literally tore a page out of the GOP history books. If they do not shape up the GOP will make its own “Tea Party”, without their input, and people will go for it.
I do not care who ends up with the power, in the end, so long as the GOP gets back to its roots, in the grass.
N.B. I’ll have it known, I like the Tea Parties fine enough, I just cannot stand the childish leaders of the movement (at the national level).
Let’s Talk 2012
by Brandon Kiser
Most people right now are concerned with the 2010 midterm congressional elections—and rightfully so. But what lies beyond them is even more intriguing and if speculation isn’t at the heart of politics, what is? So let’s take a peek at both parties and what they’ll come up with to obtain or retain the presidency.
Chances are pretty high that Barack Obama will again clinch the Democratic party nomination barring an extreme surprise challenge from Hillary Clinton or another energized, fresh face (Evan Bayh anyone?)—but those chances are slim. The real question is is what is the 2012 slogan? Will people go for “Hope and Change” again? Obama at that point will be the status quo if he isn’t already. As a constantly campaigning politician (from the Illinois Senate to 2008 and beyond) will the American people approve of the president running on an “experience” campaign?
Then comes the wide-open Republican field. One man is for certain: Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney; especially after Scott Brown’s spectacular win in Massachusetts, Mitt has to feel especially emboldened. Then there are the other likely candidates : Newt Gingrich, currently the party’s idea man, Tim Pawlenty, Sarah Palin (who has a lot of conservatives holding their breath,) and Mike Huckabee. Then there are the contenders the beltway isn’t talking about. One of my personal favorites, Senator John Thune of South Dakota has a lot going for him. The dark horses in the primary in my mind are Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (known as the anti-Obama) and George Will has even thrown it own there that he will be on the ticket with conservative rock star Paul Ryan as VP.
But then again, speculation gets us nowhere, right?
Brandon Kiser is a Kentucky high school student. He writes as an assistant editor for 73wire.com, blogs at the American Kiser, and can be found on Twitter @BrandonKiser. Jackie Seal is a high school senior who blogs at Red, White and Conservative and can be found on Twitter at @JackieSeal. Ian Pringle is an 18-year-old conservative. He blogs at 17 Pages and can be found on Twitter as @Pard68.