Who are these tea party groups and what do they want? On a recent appearance on NPR, the Washington Independent writer, David Weigel, said that these tea party groups want to turn the clock back to the days prior to President Teddy Roosevelt. That philosophy would mean that many of us would lose: our rights to vote (women, minorities, and those under 21), our Civil Rights, Social Security, Medicare, etc., etc. These tea partiers want to turn the clock back to a time when rich, white males controlled everything.
Despite these apparent goals of the tea party groups, Ohio Republicans continue to schmooze, speak, and campaign with these people.
No one has gone out of his way more than Republican John Kasich to woo the tea party conservatives. He has spoken at several of their meetings and, and they have been invited to attend his events (see news-messenger.com). Republicans Rob Portman and Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, continue to court groups associated with the tea party/912 project/Ohio Liberty Council.
At left, Portman at Erie Co. Tea Party.
With their appearances at these far right groups/rallies/picnics, are Kasich, Portman, and Stivers telling us that they too want to turn the clock back to pre-Teddy Roosevelt???? Are Kasich, Portman, and Stivers against rights for women and minorities? We can understand that a candidate will speak in front of many different groups, but these three Republicans repeatedly seek out these far right groups. Why? What philosophies do Kasich, Portman, and Stivers share with these far right groups? We are waiting for answers!