Rand Paul’s SOTU response: Key to the tea-party’s future?
“I really think it’s more important than ever for us to do it this year because there have been reports of the Tea Party’s demise, but we’re absolutely still here and focused and engaged,” Kremer said. “The Republican Party doesn’t represent everybody in the Tea Party movement, and they certainly don’t speak for us.”…
“To me, I see it as extra response. I don’t see it as necessarily divisive,” Paul explained. “I won’t say anything on there that necessarily is like, ‘Oh, Marco Rubio’s wrong.’ He and I don’t always agree, but the thing is, this isn’t about he and I.”
Rubio aides have been equally deferential to Paul as Tuesday night approaches, and there is little doubt that the Florida freshman — who will make history by delivering his official response to the president’s speech in both English and Spanish — will enjoy the lion’s share of attention.
But if Paul does make waves either by his tone or by elucidating ways in which he differs with the wider party, his speech could mark the first significant step in defining the contours of the GOP’s 2016 presidential race.
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OF COURSE, and then the NYT/WaPo/LAT will say Rand “Blew it” and that therefore; “The TEA Party is dead.”
JFKY on February 12, 2013 at 1:54 PM
Neither Rand Paul, nor any single elected official may presume to direct, control, nor determine the future of the Tea Party, for it is not a monolithic structure, nor indeed an organized political party, but an uprising of the citizenry of the Nation entire.
Scribbler on February 12, 2013 at 1:56 PM
This attempt to crown Rand Paul as the king of the teaparty is simply ludicrous.
Rebar on February 12, 2013 at 1:58 PM
There is no Tea Party!
There is a TEA party movement, but there is no political party called the Tea Party.
The TEA party movement is a grassroots movement without a central authority and it needs to stay that way.
single stack on February 12, 2013 at 1:59 PM
Agreed with all the above comments which is why I think its foolish to have a “spokesman” make a response tonight.
thebrokenrattle on February 12, 2013 at 2:13 PM
Rand Paul is giving the tea party response. This is no different than Rubio is giving the Hispanic response when he delivers his speech in Spanish.
Tea party is an expressive attitude, primarily identified by a reflexive urge to utter patriotic things and hold impromptu demonstrations in favor of constitutional rights and/or limited government.
The powers-that-be ought to be darn grateful that tea party is not a political party. If it ever pulls together enough of a structure to operate as a political party, the status quo will be gone.
Every time the term tea party appears, mainstream should follow right there in parentheses.
platypus on February 12, 2013 at 2:23 PM
Mitch McConnell should take away all perks and privileges of being a member of the Republican Party if Rand Paul goes through with this stunt.
meci on February 12, 2013 at 2:59 PM
Might I ask, “Why?”
JFKY on February 12, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Might I ask, “Why?”
JFKY on February 12, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Because he is giving The Tea Party response to SOTU. He has effectively resigned from the Republican Party and become Sen R. Paul T-KY.
meci on February 12, 2013 at 3:56 PM
I see, so whilst you would NOT sanction Meer-catski, you would sanction Paul? Isn’t easier to say, you like Rubio and don’t want Paul?
JFKY on February 12, 2013 at 3:58 PM