This is just another sign of what is inevitably coming. The Tea Partier fracture in the Republican party. Even that is a bit of a misnomer as the Tea Partiers comprise at least three (3) distinct groups with very different leadership styles and policy goals. The Republicans will have to deal with this at some level. That will mean wither a full, bear hug embrace of the Tea Partiers or a disavowal. It strikes me that a disavowal might be in the best interest of the party. It loses an obnoxiously loud but energy-filled group, but it is a group which will never be satisfied. Every time you give them something, they are going to clamor for more, demand more. Then the party will have to try to mediate the fractious divide amongst the Partiers.

It also presents a real problem for FOX. It doesn’t seem to me that FOX can continue to be the RNC Propaganda Ministry and the sponsor of the Tea Parties. We seem to already be experiencing some of that tension now, with Hannity being the mainstream Republican apologist, O’Reilly being a rather traditional conservative mouthpiece and Beck and Van Susteren spewing tea all about. What seems to be lost in all of this is the libertarianism which once formed a pillar of the party. Mainstream Republicanism has pretty much been the province of big-spending budget busters since the Raygun era began, traditional conservatism has been largely pro-business/no social agenda and tea partying seems to be all about social engineering. How does FOX cover this with its, at best, binary approach to rightism, and how do other media outlets cover FOX’s angst? It will be interesting to watch.

Tea partiers will never be satisfied? How about the left getting the White House, plus control of congress, and still constantly bitching and whining like a bunch of spoiled children? And there’s so much tension at Fox, they regularly stomp MSNBC and others into the ground in the ratings. And there are no big money connections to the Dems? You mean like Goldman Sachs or George Sorros? But I did love Royal King when he used to star in the movies as Francis the Talking Ass.

Gizzards and broomsticks …! Your analogy fails. What I am talking about is the Tea Partiers demanding reinstatement of literacy tests, and the Republicans agreeing, then, when we get literacy tests, the Tea Partiers demanding that no one with 1/8th or more “African” blood be allowed to vote. That type of thing.

And, big money contributors, I never even mentioned ….

What gives? Anyone who doesn’t see the world in your same narrow terms, and you come out flailing? If you are unable to make a substantive response, just don’t respond.

You call Huckabee a Tea Partier? Huckabee is a big-government SOCON and NEOCON. All the Tea Party movement is about is fighting for small government (less spending and less taxes) and border protection. They have purposely avoided any organized stance on social issues.

Don’t forget, the Tea Party movement was started by Ron Paul’s supporters on Dec. 16, 2007, and they set the all-time 24-hour fund-raising record the same day ($6 million). It is little surprise that the Tea Parties retain a strong libertarian sentiment.

I said Beck and Van Susteren are the Tea Partiers. I don’t know what Huckabee is, although tou are correct about his spendthrift policies as governor.

You seem to have an unduly limited view of what the Tea Partiers are about. They certainly seem to be delving into social issues in a most draconian and intrusive fashion.

I also think your small government attribution is a bit off. I know that’s what the Tea Partiers say, but they sure all cling to their Medicare.

The Real Royal King says:
February 22, 2010 at 10:47 am

Hooray! The first evidence-less claim of racism for the day.

Although, it’s a real shame. The first half of your first post was almost a interesting analysis! You were so close to a good thought… and then lost it.

The Real Royal King says:
February 22, 2010 at 11:05 am

I said Beck and Van Susteren are the Tea Partiers.

Beck… maybe. Van Susteren is still considered a Democrat. I know, I know… she talks to people you would probably spit on… but that really isn’t evidence she’s on the right.

I know that’s what the Tea Partiers say, but they sure all cling to their Medicare.

Yeah… you “know” a lot of things that turn out not to be true.

Speaking of which… have you corrected the “not left-wing terrorist” argument you made the other day, after you proved you dead wrong? Or are you just ignoring your lie?

INB:

I never claimed racism. I used literacy tests and voter (dis)qualifications in a hypothetical.

No, no left-wing terrorism here, nor any right wing either, that I can detect. A man who despised the government, which seems very Tea Partying Republican to me, and a man who despised multi-national corporations, which some claim to be a left view.

You get very easily excited, don’t you?

No more so than you, Royal. Has a law been passed requiring literacy tests? Actually, I believe the original statement concerning this was to point out that knowing more about civics wouldn’t hurt most voters. But as usual the far left has to twist nothing into something so they can rant and rave some more. I still feel sorry for you Royal. The way you clench your little fists and stamp your feet, insisting you don’t hate (White) people. Maybe if we bought you a pony.

The Real Royal King says:
February 22, 2010 at 1:46 pm

INB:
I never claimed racism. I used literacy tests and voter (dis)qualifications in a hypothetical.

Yeah, and your implication wasn’t that they’re racists… and you’ve never written “(White) Tea Partiers,” it wouldn’t be painfully obvious your intention.

Yeah, no sale. Please try again.

No, no left-wing terrorism here, nor any right wing either…

So it wasn’t you who said this:

The Real Royal King says:
February 18, 2010 at 4:09 pm

In the United States, domestic terrorism, since VietNam has consistently come from the right. I am sure we can all agree on that. I don’t think the FBI even has any leftist terrorism groups on the watch list now. As such, the jump from Stack is not necessarily illogical. There is certainly a McVeighesque quality to some of today’s happenings. …

Furthermore, my point really wasn’t about Stack… rather about the first part of your statement… that “terrorism has come from the right,” and the flat out lie of “…the FBI even has any leftist terrorism groups on the watch list now.”

Once I presented that the FBI “Most Wanted Terrorist” IS a left-winger (http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/tersandiego_da.htm) you ran away, and have yet to correct your “misstatement.”

Are you ready to do that now?