Tag Archives: elections

Can Activists Become Politicians? (Hint: Jeannette Rankin)

Posted on September 18, 2010 by David S. Meyer

On Congress.org, Ambreen Ali  ascribes some of Christine O’Donnell’s electoral difficulties to her background as an activist: It was shortly after college when the Delaware Republican embraced an identity aspiring politicians usually avoid: She became an activist. Though political candidates … Continue reading →

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Why Movement Candidates Always Disappoint

Posted on September 16, 2010 by David S. Meyer

The Tea Party, like many American protest movements, jumped into the electoral fray quickly.  This is the way our system is set up; frequent elections mean that activists always seem to have the chance to replace politicians they don’t like … Continue reading →

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Purity versus Pragmatism

Posted on September 15, 2010 by David S. Meyer

The Tea Party, like all social movements in America, is facing the dilemma of making inroads in mainstream politics or focusing on articulating its message as clearly as possible.  By virtually all accounts (e.g., NY Times here), the Republican nomination … Continue reading →

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