Tea Party Leader: 'We Are Turning Our Guns On' Moderate Republicans

Dale Robertson doesn't mince words. The tea party spokesperson and head of Teaparty.org in Houston issued a strong statement this week warning state GOP leaders that if they didn't support strongly conservative candidates, their jobs were at risk.

"We are turning our guns on anyone who doesn't support constitutional conservative candidates," Robertson said. "If they don't get that, and their party chairmen don't get that, they are going to be ostracized."

Jim Greer, Florida's GOP Chairman, was forced to resign earlier this week under similar pressure from far-right activists following his endorsement of Charlie Crist, a "big-tent" Republican who has been criticized by some conservative factions for being too moderate. Tea Party activists have backed Crist's opponent, Marco Rubio, in the upcoming Republican primary.

Crist has notably broken from the Republican party on a few key issues. He's supported green initiatives such as cap-and-trade legislation, and potential offshore drilling. Perhaps most markedly, Crist was a strong proponent of the stimulus bill, going as far as to hug President Obama while introducing him at a rally in Ft. Meyers.

"I think it's just all-around frustration with some in our party who have a very pure philosophy of how you should govern," Greer told the New York Times Magazine. "People want a common-sense approach to governing. And approaching it with purity won't get anything done."

Jenny Beth Martin, the national coordinator of Tea Party Patriots, explains the Tea Party's latest offensive. "People in America are very tired of the irresponsible taxing and spending that has happened in Washington. They want a return to fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets."

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Comments

[norepublicanleftbehind]

02:44 PM on 03/16/2010

Here's a clue--Most people aren't extremists and a moderate Republican or a canservative Democrat serves just fine.

[norepublicanleftbehind]

02:42 PM on 03/16/2010

Why doesn't that idiot just run for office if he's so big and bad? If he's sure he has support-let it rip.

[mary clyne]

06:20 PM on 01/08/2010

thought all non racist here might like to watch this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXFuZwqGrCU

[Siebenstein]

05:56 PM on 01/08/2010

To ALL AMERICANS who still don't understand:

It is so sad that Amerricans (most, not all) have absolutely no clue whatsoever what the difference is between Social Democracy and Socialism.

Social Democracy does not (!!!!!!!!!!!!) equal Socialism.

I wish people would inform themselves better.

Its evident in all idiotic discussions one can follow on TV every single day. There is a severe and obvious need for education !

[lafayette2009]

02:38 AM on 01/09/2010

You might get your message over more effectively if you were not so offensive to Americans. In Europe, we used to complain about the "ugly American" who thought he was so superior and you are coming off as the "ugly European" who thinks the same.

* "Americans have absolutely no clue"

* "People inform themselves better"

* "Idiotic Discussions"

* "Need for education"

Maybe in your wisdom of the differences, you may want to post some constructive comments detailing what are the differences. That way, the clueless Americans may learn!!

As one from Europe who discusses such matters but also listens to why America likes its' system (but is starting to buck against it) I have learned a lot and taught a lot.

America is still an adolescent compared to other countries (233+ years old) and is still learning. I still own a Tudor Cottage in England that is older than the USA by almost 200 years.

This is a Country/Nation/Culture still experiencing growth spurts and, as with any adolescent, telling it is dumb, will only aggravate and close down debate.

You, sir, are the one who is in need of the education in how to communicate.

[Siebenstein]

06:54 AM on 01/09/2010

You 'own' a property in in the UK and don't know that its a Monarchy?

LOL ! That is really funny.

I discuss the differences all the time with people who can tell the difference between socialism and a social democracy; the others , quite frankly , don't interest me.

BTW, education is up to the person who wants to know. Being politically correct is not my thing, and bringing people into the 21st century neither.
I usually inform myself, say what I think, and and do not believe that a growth spurt can be used as an excuse for idiocy ! Ignorance is a dangerous trait in a globalized world.

[Siebenstein]

06:57 AM on 01/09/2010

You 'own' a property in in the UK and don't know that it is a Monarchy?

LOL ! That is really funny.

I discuss the differences all the time with people who can tell the difference between socialism and a social democracy; the others , quite frankly , don't interest me.

BTW, education is up to the person who wants to know. Being politically correct is not my thing (can't substitute for reality), and bringing people into the 21st century neither.
I usually inform myself, say what I think, and and do not believe that a growth spurt can be used as an excuse for 1d1ocy ! Ignor@nce is a dangerous trait in a globalized world.

[normathumb]

03:04 PM on 01/08/2010

Teapartiers are going to run over anyone who tries to stop them from driving over a cliff.

[chariotdrvr14]

03:00 PM on 01/08/2010

Interesting. They always claim they're 'saving democracy from the totalitarianism of Obama & the dems' socialism'... and yet, their every action betrays a contempt for democratic values. They have no tolerance for ideas or values that do not mirror their own. Their eagerness to split and vet an already fractured party on behalf of their vision of conservatism shows the level of their extremism and arrogance.

Their dedication in defending the interests of the corporate priviledged reminds me of the Francoists of the Spanish Civil War... who, in another word were called fascists.

[knowhelpnow]

02:29 PM on 01/08/2010

I would be happy if political talk would be a little more precise. I have no idea what the tea party wants, what the conservatives want, what the Democrats want. They all talk in circles; you can't pen anyone down they just talk around question and never give a real answer. It was bad durning the debates but now it is everyday. I don't think they know what to say to the people so they talk in all this jargon that doesn't make much sense or they lie. I'm getting good at spotting the lies. I guess if they say them enough they think people will believe them.
They are all out to get elected, to run the other in the ground no matter even if they agree on the same things. We have a Congress that is bought and paid for by corporation and the people are mad as hell at the corporations and Congress for letting them ruin this country with anything goes as long as I make more money and get bigger bonuses.
The poor teabaggers don't know what they are doing they have been hijacked by the neocons and they are mad about that but they don't know how to stop it.

[JJinWI]

01:42 PM on 01/08/2010

The Truth Behind Tea Party 2.0

http://www.youtube.com/user/AlJazeeraEnglish#p/search/3/AXFuZwqGrCU

[zootliberal]

04:42 PM on 01/08/2010

excellent link.

[landoffools]

01:33 PM on 01/08/2010

Q. What did the Tea Bagger get on his SATs?

A. Drool.

[Zombeaver]

03:30 PM on 01/08/2010

Ha!

[bannorhill]

08:52 PM on 01/09/2010

What did the Democrat get on their SAT.

Nothing.

If you don't go to College you don't need it.

[pennlady]

01:21 PM on 01/08/2010

Splitting the party....sounds good to me.

[Dbos]

01:16 PM on 01/08/2010

Turning their guns on people as the headline states ,Id be careful.

[DevonTexas]

01:06 PM on 01/08/2010

"They want a return to fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets"
There's no question of their intentions. There's only questions of their methods and from this article, it appears they are doomed.
As momma used to say, "You catch more flys with honey than with vinegar." This reeks of vinegar.
Good luck with that.

[southernoldie]

12:46 PM on 01/14/2010

The right wing emails that I'm sure we all get (I do, anyway) are enough to make you want to spray some honey in their mouths. They do nothing but promote being a Dem as far as I'm concerned. What grown up would act that way & be that selfish? These people are obsessed with greed, hate & power. They would do better in a communist country. They call the Dems socialists, but they act like a communist. Believe as us or leave the country, is their mantra. What goofs!!

[GerryS]

12:08 PM on 01/08/2010

Tea Baggers announce, "We eat our own."

bbbwwwwwwaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaa

nice evolutionary tactics------

[SirReal1]

11:46 AM on 01/08/2010

It was so good, I feel obliged to post it again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXFuZwqGrCU

The video highlights the "National Socialist Movement", a white-supremicist group in Arizona.

The irony is mind-boggling!

After the arguments I've seen posited, that President Obama is a "Socialist", that the Nazi's of Germany were "Socialists", that the Democratic Party is the center of the "Socialist" movement, the video presents clear evidence that contradicts all of these arguments.


Do any of the "right-wing" commentators from this site think that this movement (the NSM) is backed by the Democratic Party?

Really?

I'm not sure what these groups, or the Nazi's of Germany, mean when they call themselves "Socialist", but I'm certain it has NOTHING to do with the normal political or economic definition of "Socialism" as proposed by Marx or Engels.

By the rationale of those who argue that the Nazi Socialist were actually "liberals", the Democratic Party should call themselves "Conservatives", then there would be a mass movement of the traditional Republicans to the Democratic Party, regardless of the Party's actions.

[JJinWI]

01:44 PM on 01/08/2010

I posted this yesterday. Glad to see it's making the rounds on other threads.

[zootliberal]

04:46 PM on 01/08/2010

This movie is almost too much to watch, though it should be watched by everyone.

[southernoldie]

12:39 PM on 01/14/2010

I've tried these links & they all say it is removed by the user. Would love to watch it. Although, when grown people act as heinous as the TEA PARTY people, that gives me enough info to go on, if you know what I mean. Selfish, uninformed people who want so much to blame anyone but Bush & the neocons & the greedy CEO's for our financial & all other problems, make me sick, to put it mildly. Power & greed in this life comes to an unhappy ending when they die & can't take it with them. They'd rather say all Dems are socialists & promote their hate instead of try to get to heaven, by just being a good person & truly following the beliefs of a christian. If you aren't a conservative, right wing christian and they cannot convert you to their ill informed beliefs & try to make it a law in our country that you do (thank God we still have separation of church & state), then you are dirt, Not my type of friends, sorry.

[SirReal1]

11:13 AM on 01/08/2010

According to the (liberal???) media reports, the Democratic Party has major problems coming up in the 2010 election.

Meanwhile, the Republican Party has "circled the wagons" and are all aiming (their guns) at the middle of the circle.

"It's gonna be a Turkey shoot, boys!"

Someone needs to ask the media mouthpieces; How is this a problem for Democrats?