Tag Archives: Tea Party Patriots

Tea Party business

Posted on June 26, 2014 by David S. Meyer

Maybe the more important story of the conservative, mostly unsuccessful, primary challenges to incumbents isn’t the few victories nor the political shifts rightward from scared legislators.   Maybe the big story is the money, millions dumped into primary campaigns by challengers … Continue reading →

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Tax Day protests

Posted on April 15, 2014 by David S. Meyer

April 15 is a great day to stage an anti-tax protest.  Federal taxes are due, forms are complicated, and many people procrastinate.  Few of even the strongest supporters of a strong well-funded government are enthusiastic about filling out forms and … Continue reading →

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Same as it ever was?: Budget politics and the Tea Party

Posted on December 13, 2013 by David S. Meyer

Successful politicians sell out the movements that give them leverage, visibility, and power.  Until yesterday, when the House of Representatives passed a rather mundane two year budget bill that disappointed virtually everyone, the House Republican leadership, particularly Speaker John Boehner, … Continue reading →

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Immigration divides the Tea Party

Posted on May 21, 2013 by David S. Meyer

Or not?  Conventional wisdom among Republican regulars was that the Party’s harsh “self-deportation” posture was costly in the last election.  Party establishment figures pushed for quick action on immigration reform to put the issue behind them so that they might … Continue reading →

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The Tea Party and the 2012 elections, part II

Posted on November 13, 2012 by David S. Meyer

Tea Partiers are frustrated about the Republican defeat in the 2012 election, and angry at politicians and pundits who blame them.  All their energy, effort, and anger produced contentious campaigns, but also the reelection of President Obama and Democratic gains … Continue reading →

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Court ruling an opportunity and a test for Tea Party

Posted on June 28, 2012 by David S. Meyer

When the Supreme Court announced the constitutionality of the Affordable Health Care Act this morning, it sounded a trumpet calling the Tea Party to arms.  Can the movement respond effectively?  Will Tea Partiers reinvigorate the movement which has become, basically, … Continue reading →

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Still not the dream

Posted on June 18, 2012 by David S. Meyer

President Obama’s announcement of an immigrant daydream dramatically changes the landscape for both the immigrants rights movement and its anti-immigrant counterpart. Obama’s new policy, to forgo deportation proceedings for young people (under 31) who came to the United States before … Continue reading →

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Leaving the Tea Party (Patriots)?

Posted on February 29, 2012 by David S. Meyer

Mark Meckler has just resigned from the leadership of the Tea Party Patriots, an organization he and Jenny Beth Martin, started in 2009.  Because Meckler was the most visible exponent of a fundamentalist grassroots orientation to political activism within the … Continue reading →

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Politics driven outdoors

Posted on August 19, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Several Republican members of Congress have stopped holding open meetings or taking questions from constituents who don’t pay for the privilege, Politico reports.  In addition to raising money, they are working to spare themselves embarrassment and to keep their opponents … Continue reading →

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Claiming victory gracelessly

Posted on August 4, 2011 by David S. Meyer

A win is a problem for a social movement.  Activists never get all they want, and smaller reforms can make it hard to get supported riled up and active.  At the same time, movement organizers need to show that they … Continue reading →

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