After the July 4 Tea Parties, What Do They Mean?

In Houston, Texas the Tea Party was part protest and partly a statement of group identity. One sign read, "I'm the ProLife, gun toting Constitutionalist the DHS warned you about." Otherwise the 600 rallied against Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi as a symbol of their discontent. In Austin, they booed Republican Senator John Cornyn because of his vote for the Troubled Asset Relief Program and held signs denouncing illegal immigration and taxes, according to local news reports.

In Evansville, Indiana, the crowd stood at about 1,700, and one attendee told the local newspaper that, "My strongest concern is that our president can say we aren't a Christian nation and it's hardly even noticed." Almost 300 souls turned out for the Tea Party in downtown Terre Haute. Among their grievances: lax immigration rules, socialized medicine and welfare. Across the Ohio River in Louisville, the numbers were down from the previous protest on April 15, but the message was the same: "we are losing our freedom." In Oklahoma City news reports noted that several attendees believed President Obama was actually born in Kenya.

Although organizers claimed that the number of Tea Parties had climbed from 800 on April 15 to 1200 on July 4, anecdotal evidence and news reports indicate that overall participation had probably declined. Not surprisingly, Florida, Texas and California--all states with large populations--had the greatest number of individual events. In heavily populated but Democratic Party-dominated states like New York and Illinois, however, the numbers remained very small. It would be a mistake to simply conclude, as several commentators have, that these were strictly Republican affairs. The complaints cited ranged from fiscal debt and taxes--two staples of the Republican Party opposition--to matters of immigration and guns, issues usually considered the province of gun lobbies and nativists further to the right. And yes, white nationalists did try to turn some of these melanin-deprived protests into a recruiting zone, much as I described in my last post on this topic.

Not everybody agreed with me at that time. One response from a South Florida "Tea Party committee member" wrote to say that "Stormfront is in our neighborhood and has never distributed material at any meetings or events of ours." Apparently Palm Beach County Republicans learned their lesson after letting Derek Black, the son of Stormfront founder Don Black, slip by them and get elected last December to a party committee post. The Republican regulars were subsequently forced to unseat him.

As for the July 4 events, white nationalists of various persuasions were part of the mix everywhere they could get a foothold. One account by Billy Roper's group, White Revolution, described their intervention at a Tea Party in Russellville, Arkansas. They held signs opposing "illegal immigration," handed out leaflets stating general principles and then came back after the Tea Party disbanded to have a protest of their own.

In other cases, white nationalists did not breathe their own name. In Hickory, North Carolina, supporters of media personality Glenn Beck organized into a group calling itself "9/12," had a slightly different kind of discussion.

In Goodland, Kansas, the April 15 Tea Partiers have already transformed themselves into the High Plains Constitutional Society. The constitutionalists sponsored a talk on June 28 by Richard Mack, a former Arizona sheriff who became a darling of the militia movement in the mid-1990s. On July 4, Mack spoke again at an event in Eureka, Montana, according to information provided by the Montana Human Rights Network.

All of the Tea Parties added together will probably have little effect on how the Obama Administration and the Congress decide to make policy. The fact that after April 15 the Republican Party leadership ran away from this mini-movement, does not augur well for its immediate influence. Neither does the fact that the national media virtually ignored hundreds of these events all across the country. As an organization-building effort by Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty, however, the Tea Parties were an unqualified success. Ditto for Don Wildmon's American Family Association.

For white nationalists, the results are mixed. They still have not developed any kind of program aimed at white people hardest hit by the economic crisis. Instead, they have chosen to insert themselves into someone else's parade, like Trotskyites chasing an anti-war protest. And these points of political weakness among the white power set can not be remedied by murdering doctors, museum guards and nine-year girls.

Follow Leonard Zeskind on Twitter: www.twitter.com/www.LeonardZesk

Comments

[rich3324]

Where was Fox during the teabagging? That's right MJ died, sorry.

[SeesBeyond]

The large turnout at the tea parties had very little to do with Obama's race, as a previous poster suggested (projection?). Rather it demonstrated widespread discontent among conservatives of sufficient force to induce them to come out in large numbers. There has been no leader of sufficient credibility that has arisen from within their ranks able to intelligently articulate their point of view. And they do have some good cases to make on some of their issues, were the right person to come along to articulate them. The fact that the MSM downplayed these events as not being newsworthy amounts to an editorial statement of disapproval. Any similar size turnout on issues favored by the Left would have been widely covered.

The reason Sarah Palin is popular with conservatives is largely symbolic, in that she is the embodiment of many of the qualities they respect; lower/middle working class upbringing, religious values, family oriented. Unfortunately for them, I don't think she has either the intellect or the leadership qualities to operate effectively outside of her home state. Her mere existence seems to drive the Left into an insane frenzy (how many stories have appeared in HuffPo and similar blogs?) that's been quite something to behold - and quite enjoyable to watch, actually. Maybe her future role in the Republican Party will be simply to bait the loonier elements among Democrats into providing photo opportunities of what it looks like to foam at the mouth.

[Horus45]

"Her mere existence seems to drive the Left into an insane frenzy "

You're N uts, we don't get in a frenzy about Failin!
We WISH you would choose her to run against Obama!
You think you took a beating in the last election?
Pick Palin as your nominee and the last beating will look quaint!

[wetdentist]

Palin will not be the Republican candidate in 2012, as that would be too much work, and her image/person would take a beating by the other Republicans in the field. No, she will run as some form of uncontested independent and will use her platform on Fox News as a regular contributor, propped up by William Kristol and Gretta van, to appeal to the Rush crowd. Too bad the Rush crowd, exclusively, can't get her elected; they will break from the Republicans, however, in 2012 for Palin and then it won't, once again, matter how much money Mitt Romney spends.

[chicgogo]

The left's preoccupation with Balin Palin is simply rubbernecking the car accident that she is. As much as we don't want to look, we can't help ourselves. It's the shock and awe of her circular, nonsensical diatribe and her complete ignorance on almost all matters. We can't believe that someone so utterly unqualified to lead actually has a following that would be comfortable having her become PROTUS.

I for one have been dumbfounded by her popularity and the level of ignorance and hate that exists in this country as evidenced by the support for this woman and the tea bag carnivals.

[noamjunior]

way to "seebeyond" reality to cobble togeather an opinion based solely on the mindless chatter coming out of your AM radio.

your misreading of sarah P seems taken straight off of Rush

[Toxictort]

You forget to mention that one of the main qualities that she "embodies" is that she is white....and
Barack Obama is black. Some don't say it outright and use euphamisms like "Muslim" and "Arab" or try to substantiate their thinly veiled racism by citing birther conspiracy theories.

This article articulates the uncomfortable nexus that mainstream Republicans have always wanted to distance themselves from - that their core, their base, the wal-Rush-rites are angry white racists who now feel disenfranchised. The reason that they adore Sister Sarah and revile Barack Obama beyond the obvious color code, is that he defies every racial stereotype. He is a strong, well-educated charismatic man with a beautiful family and she is a reflection of what the tea baggers are - or what they fantisize about. She is the poster child for not having earned it.

They are disaffected about the country but aren't willing to study or educate themselves. Why should they? Just look at Sister Sarah. that woman was given an enormous gift. If she took the time to study and educate herself, she had real political potential. But that would mean work. It's easier to snark and make racist comments and tea bag in red white and blue.

Leadership to govern a country which is rapidly becoming more ethnically diverse (whether or not the neo cons like it) takes a lot of work and education. No foaming here, just a reflection on my fellow Americans.

[SeesBeyond]

Thank you for your thoughtful and dispassionate reply. I live in Alaska and am intimately familiar with Palin's meteoric rise in politics - and I agree she is manifestly unqualified to hold public office at other than local or borough (our counties) level. She was given an enormous gift, as you put it, of a type of charisma that appeals to a certain segment of society. I think her popularity is due largely to projection on the part of her conservative supporters who are desperate to find someone to lead them. She is not racist in the least, indeed, her husband is a native Alaskan, but some of her fans undoubtedly are. As for Obama, I voted for him largely on the basis of the qualities you mentioned, although I did hesitate because of his inexperience.

I would have to respectfully disagree with you that there is no foaming here. I see plenty of it, quite often accompanied by ad hominem attacks on commenters who might offer opinions that are slightly at variance with the dominant mind set of this blog. I admit to being hugely amused, in a perverse kind of way, at the stir Palin continues to create on the Left. They seem completely powerless to resist taking the bait. Very enjoyable to watch.

[ObamanextPresident]

Good ol gop AZ. McCain walks and shakes hands of July 4th parade watchers in Prescott and then rides in parade -turning it overly political and omg militaristic. Groups of little kids (6-10 yr olds) in camo and carrying guns bigger than they are walking the parade to cheering adulating crowds on their feet. Every other entry in the entire parade was military or right wing christian. The icing was the tea party group (100-150) at the end displaying rude, crude, antiObama signs and slurs. Why was this at all legal?

Most teaparties of July 4 just co-opted our sacred celebrations of our country's birth and our acknowledgment of our progressive, yes PROGRESSIVE and mostly NON THEIST, brilliant founders. SAD

Please do not let these people rewrite our history thru their church's preachers and "newly' found documents" that prompt yet another 1776 right wing slanted book.

[fairtaxnow]

"mostly NON THEIST, brilliant founders. SAD "

Really the founding fathers were non-theist? Well lets just see about that.

John Adams - "The Christian religion . . . is the brightness of the glory and the express portrait of the character of the eternal, self-existent, independent, benevolent, all powerful and all merciful creator, preserver, and Father of the universe, the first good, first perfect, and first fair.

Samuel Adams - "Let … statesmen and patriots unite in their endeavors to renovate the age by … educating their little boys and girls . . . and leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system."

Benjiman Franklin - "History will afford the frequent opportunities of showing the necessity of a public religion, from its usefulness to the public; the advantage of a religious character among private persons; the mischiefs of superstition &c. and the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."

Alexander Hamilton - "I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man."

[fairtaxnow]

John Hancock - "And pray especially that universal happiness can be established in the world and that all may bow to the scepter of our Lord Jesus Christ and that the whole Earth may be filled with his glory."

Patrick Henry - "The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed."

Thomas Jefferson - "Of all systems of morality, ancient or modern, which have come under my observation, none appear to be so pure as that of Jesus."

George Washington - "To the distinguished character of a Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian."

[ObamanextPresident]

Sometimes when I want a good belly laugh, I tune into the local right wing radio. Over and over they play Hannity saying: "Americans are going to die because President Obama is in office...fear for your lives because democrats are in power" (paraphrased) It goes on and on and, well, so much for my belly laugh. Now I just have to throw up.

[fairtaxnow]

What do they mean?

People who were previously not concerned about politics have become aware that the Federal Govt is OUT OF CONTROL. Ignore the Tea Partiers at your own peril.
BTW, why is it so many people on this message board do not want to follow the Law of the Land aka the Constitution?

[JimR]

I fully support the right of people to hold tea parties. I do! But so far, it just seems like not much more than a whole lot of pissing and moaning.

How is law of the land not being followed currently?

[Horus45]

It is you people who refuse to accept that Obama IS the President that are not upholding the Constitution!

[fairtaxnow]

Afganistain, Iraq, Bailout of GM and Chrysler, indefinate detentions of 'innocent' people, illegal wiretapping, and yet hes only been in office for six months.

FYI, I didnt vote for Bush either time.
Still mad as hell that he went into Iraq in the first place and that he bailed out the frakking banks. I say he should have let them burn in their own mess.

[demlake]

"why is it so many people on this message board do not want to follow the Law of the Land aka the Constitution?"

8 years of George Bush have conditioned us to ignore the Constitution, where necessary.

lol

Actually, we remember Timothy McVeigh, who would have been a charter member of the Tea Party Gangs. We see those signs about Obama and we fear the worst.

[ppace60657]

Good point about McVeigh. No one should forget that leading up to the Oklahoma City bombing, Republicans spent months screaming and yelling about how evil the federal government (President Clinton) was for daring to raise taxes on the rich.

[Toxictort]

Exactly. It would be very nice if YOU actually read the whole Constitution and not just up to the 2nd Amendment. I actually studied law and practice it. The most hypocritical part of the right wing, new con movement is this appeal to uphold the Constitution when the last 8 years have done more to destroy the foundations of that document and the ideals of the brilliamt men who wrote it, more than at any other time in history. Follow your own advice. You might find it elucidating.

[fairtaxnow]

Read it.

Ok lets have a little discussion then. Does the 16th amendment give the govt the power to tax the revenues of the ordinary citizen working at Wal-Mart?

The Supreme Court says that it doesnt.
Stanton v Baltic Mining
Doyle v Mitchell
Eisen v Montgomery
Coppage v Kansas (236 U.S. 1,14 (1914))

[fairtaxnow]

Ways the Federal govt DOESNT follow the Constitution.

1. Clinton sending the Troops to Bosnia. No declaration of War.
2. Bush sending the troops to Iraq. No delcaration of War.
3. Renditions
4. Holding war prisioners with no trial.
5. Bailing out GM and Chysler.
6. Bailing out the banks.
7. Clinton ILLEGALLY tapping the phones of American citizens.
8. The Patriot Act.
9. Obama has continued these policies and is in fact ramping them up.
10. WTF are Congressman doing travelling to other countries. Shouldnt they be concerned about their constituents? Isnt this what the State Dept is for?
11. The Federal Reserve Act
12. Social Security
13. Dept of Labor
14. Dept of Education
15. Dept of Health and Human Services

[weatherwaxx]

"The Government of the United States is NOT, in ANY sense, founded on the Christian Religion". -- John Adams

"History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes."
-Thomas Jefferson, Dec. 6, 1813.

"Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law."-Thomas Jefferson, February 10, 1814

"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own." -TJ Mar 17, 1814

"Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity. It is the mere Abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of Jesus."-TJ 30 July, 1816

"... I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and State."-TJ Jan. 1, 1802


******************

[fairtaxnow]

Which part of your post has ANYTHING to do with my post?

[dsws]

I'm not convinced these fringe groups really are further right than the Republican party. Sure, they're less polished about trying to make it sound presentable. But 10^24 light-years to the right of sanity and trying to sound reasonable is in the same place as 10^24 light-years to the right of sanity and making no bones about it.

[Nitehawk]

What it really means is that the GOP is going to splinter even further through at least 2016.

[Cat401]

Great Article.....

You on point the MSM didn't make any comments about the Tea Baggers on July 4th. I didn't even know it was happening. The last paragraph was great.

[tigerakabj]

What do they mean? They cannot stand it that a black man is now president of the United States.

These same people were absent over the last 8 years with these petty grievances, but now they are so concerened that "they are losing their country?" I guess yeah, in their minds they are losing "their" country to folks who they think are beneath them and don't deserve to breathe the same air.

Obama's election was the worst nightmare for these people. That is why that Fox Noise and Fiends hosts opened up his true heart about "racial mixing" the other day. That is why they are showboating with young minority kids up their in Philadelphia. That is why they are out in museums taking it out on whoever crosses their path (especially minorities).

But the good news is that they are a dying breed. Obama was put into office by the majority of young folk of every race who are the future of America. Unfortunately they are not going to leave with out showing this future a piece of their minds (they never do).

[RogerHWerner]

I think you rather hit the nail on the head. Bush did more to curtail civil liberties than any president since Lincoln and it hardly generated a peep of protest from the so called civil liberties fanatics. Bush is the president who single handedly wrecked the economy again with nary a peep from these wing nuts. No...the problem has nothing to to do with taxes or loss of rights. These people can't understand how a black men could have been elected president. Imagine! These people by and large or racist but they are also extremely ignorant. Last April, my son attended the Tea Party in Stockton to interview people for his college newspaper and I went with him. I was astonished by two things: How perfectly normal these people seem face to face and how utterly ignorant they were about virtually all the issues they profess to be concerned with. There was simply no way to carry on an intelligent discussion with any of them.

[Zachary Gray]

I would like you to know something. This "young" generation you speak of is still allowed to be politically diverse. For example, I was 18 during this election. I voted republican. I find no merit in Barack Obama's Policies or his ability to make a million promises and never keep them. Unless, of course, spending money is involved. These promises are thoroughly carried out.

I find it very ignorant of you to assume that people who attend tea parties and use their constitutional freedoms to speak out are somehow upset that Barack Obama is black. If you examined further than your left wing tv shows and websites, you might find that most of the republican party makes vast efforts to support civil rights movements that are still being carried out. Just because these people didnt feel the need to be heard in Bush's administration does not mean that they somehow dislike Obama just because he is black. Some on any side of the political spectrum may discriminate against him, but lets not throw the baby out with the bath water okay? Most upsetting are Obama's ideaological agendas and his new policies constricting values that the right enjoys. Why can't leftist's see that?

[Woodley56]

Name one new "restriction" on values or freedoms that Obama has instituted since being president. Just one. I'm not talking about imagined ones, I'm talking about actual policies he's implemented that took away a single freedom.

Oh, by the way, you're in denial if you don't think a large percentage of those who are involved in the teabagging aren't bigots. If you paid any attention during the campaign, you saw those same type of zealots in full force at Palin rallies making all kinds of racial and ethnic slurs. Of course, they're not all racists, but that is certainly a fertile ground for those who are.

[JimR]

What values are being constricted?

[Horus45]

You are the ignorant one if you believe half of what you posted!

[Toxictort]

Good for you. I'm glad that you voted. Now go out there and get an education - and not just from the Murdoch press. Travel a bit and find out more about your fellow citizens and about people around the world. That way, when you spout your viewpoints, it gives you some crerdibility.