So, thanks for the revolution... now back to business?
Given the circumstances, Rand Paul should be thanking the media for such a strong photo featuring the first Senate Tea Party Caucus members flanked by their citizen-soldiers on the floor of this hearing room. Of course, it's a much better shot than this meager image, given that the very fledgling Caucus, when push came to shove (or, more accurately, didn't come to shove) only turned out four members, Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joining Paul and Jim DeMint. (Apparently, Toomey stuck his nose in the room, then vanished, Johnson of Wisconsin had a note from his mom, and Marco was seen running as fast as he could the other way.) A hat tip to DeMint, by the way -- ever the patient warrior -- for counter-programming all the red ties, red shirts and red sweaters with the touch of ochre.
Despite my cynicism though, I'll refrain from drawing any grand conclusions here, because the STPC scored a good picture; they've got "Paul the fearless," front and center, as their unabashed golden boy; and they've demonstrated they at least have a foot inside the building.
If you do prefer a further left view, however, check out the more snark-infused snapshot at our "quick takes" Tumblr site.
(photo: Photo by Win McNamee. caption: U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) (L) and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) (R) join Tea Party supporters in saying the Pledge of Allegiance during the first meeting of the U.S. Senate Tea Party Caucus January 27, 2011 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The senators gathered with supporters to discuss spending proposals, options for balancing the budget, bringing an end to the U.S. budget deficit and limiting the size and scope of the federal government.)
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Ben Griffith: What the Tea Party And Evangelicals Both Get Wrong
I would like to see a picture of the Democrats caucus. To see the citizens stand behind their elected officials. Would the picture be different? Would there be an honest portrait of the progressive caucus?
I suppose the officials depicted here would liked to have been joined by a larger number. Both elected and well wishers. At some point I would hope to be just as involved in politics as these individuals. I agree with so little of the politics of Tea Baggers. I do however admire the commitment these people show.
And what did the note say? "Please excuse little Johnson of Wisconsin (by the way that rhymes) from the Tea Party today. He has to go to the orthodontist to have the braces on his brains checked."
That "snark infused snapshot" at the end is priceless. It just...says it all.
Rand Paul has made a ban on wasteful earmark spending in Washington D.C. one of the key points of his campaign. He has supported Sen. Jim DeMint’s vocal support for an earmark ban and he supports news that House Democrats are even coming around on the idea of a partial ban.
Rand Paul, November 6 2010, WSJ interview:
In a bigger shift from his campaign pledge to end earmarks, he tells me that they are a bad "symbol" of easy spending but that he will fight for Kentucky's share of earmarks and federal pork.
Mere days after being elected. Teabaggers, you've been had again.
Fanned and faved