Can liberals start their own tea party?

[babylonsister]

Can liberals start their own tea party?
By Rachel Weiner


At last weekend’s Netroots Nation gathering in Minneapolis, liberal activists expressed frustration that they lacked the political power or media focus given to the conservative tea-party movement. Former White House environmental official Van Jones is hoping to change that with a new political effort dubbed “The American Dream Movement.”

Organizers are hoping to emulate the the success of the tea party, which became a significant force in the 2010 midterms, uniting like-minded people across the country who were previously uninvolved in politics or participating locally but not at the national level.

They hope to motivate unemployed veterans, struggling homeowners and other alienated Americans who are angry at Republicans’ desire to drastically cut government spending in Washington and collective bargaining rights for state employees in places like Wisconsin. And to lure those people simply struggling to find a job while worried about their unemployment benefits ending.

“We think we can do what the tea party did,” Jones said in an interview with The Fix. “They stepped forward under a common banner, and everybody took them seriously. Polls suggest there are more people out there who have a different view of the economy, but who have not stepped forward yet under a common banner.”

Jones is a former Obama environmental adviser who resigned from the White House in 2009 amid controversy over his past activism. But he’s lauded in liberal circles for his charisma and organizing abilities.

“There's a lot of organizational muscle behind the initiative, and Van is one of the most inspiring figures in the progressive movement, so I'm looking forward to these efforts, and they certainly come at a time when Republican overreach has primed progressives to take action” said Markos Moulitas, the founder of the liberal blog network Daily Kos.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/can-liberals-start-their-own-tea-party/2011/06/22/AGTWYthH_blog.html

[trumad]

1. Now why would we start something that would drag down our party.

The Tea Party will be responsible for the Repukes getting their asses kicked in Nov.

[Somawas]

2. Let's hope so.

[SharonAnn]

50. But, but, but: We're the Latte party, aren't we?

[vi5]

4. That's because...

The things they believe are not supported by the majority of Americans. That is why they may (I'm still not convinced they will) get their asses kicked.

The things progressives are advocating (taxing the wealthy, protecting collective bargaining rights, job programs, public options in healthcare) all poll as being very popular with Americans.

[Warren Stupidity]

7. perhaps, but it is pulling the political landscape even further right.

and it is not a given that there will be an ass-kicking of republicans in november. I guess it depends on what you want out of politics: 'team' victories, or actual changes in public policies. I only care about team victories to they extent that they result in changes in public policies.

[libmom74]

19. A history lesson:

"In 1924, liberals were so frustrated with conservative control of both major political parties that they formed the League of Progressive Political Action, better known as the Progressive Party. Robert La Follette of Wisconsin, a Republican, decided to run for president as an independent, but later accepted the nomination from the Progressive Party. Senator Burton K. Wheeler, a Democrat from Montana, was nominated for vice-president.

The party advocated government ownership of public utilities and such labor reforms as collective bargaining. It also supported farm-relief measures, lower taxes for persons with moderate incomes, and other such laws. Although La Follette received 17 percent of the popular vote, he only carried Wisconsin’s electoral vote."

The Progressive Party did not win but were able to push the agenda to the Left and push for reforms from the democratic party that benefited the working and middle classes. We need to learn from the past. If we continue to support our current sell-out corporate controlled National Democratic Party the goalposts will continue to move further and further to the right until all of the gains we have made are lost.

[Armstead]

15. That is a false equivalency

IF the Republicans get their asses kicked in November (which is not an assured proposition) it is that their basic policies and message have been rejected by a majority of Americans. NOT because a segment of their base known as the TeaParty are especially committed and vocal about it.

If the Republicans win, the passion and energy of the Tea Party will be one of the contributing factors.

On the other hand, if the Democrats actually want to be the alternative to that, there is nothing wrong with a segment of their base is especially committed and vocal about those ideals.

[golfguru]

33. You mean just like in 2010?

[JoePhilly]

3. The Tea Party didn't create the Tea Party

It was created by Dick Armey and corporate money, with help from the media and particularly, Fox news.

And now that the GOP took the House back, the Tea Party has been marginalized. After all, when was the last big Tea Party event?

The GOP's masters gave the far right wing base some red meat, and a few crazy "celebrities" to worship for a while. And the dopes bought it.

[XemaSab]

11. You ever go to a tea party meeting?

You should go to one. They're interesting.

[JoePhilly]

16. Oh ... yes they are ...

I'm a mid-40s white guy, with a few more pounds around the middle than I used to have ... so I can walk right into a Tea Party event and no one blinks.

In my area (I'm in NC), they are usually off-shoots of some church group. So that part of it seems to be "pre-existing". In other words, these were folks (at least those I know) who were angry that Obama became President already, before there was any "Tea Party". So they were not part of some "national" entity. They were just angry far right wing Republicans. Many already hated Democrats. And now we "gasp" put the "wrong kind" of black person in the white house.

I think that during the primaries, the GOP leadership was worried about how to deal with Obama being black. They know the GOP's racist history. But Rove created a tactic for dealing with your own weaknesses. You simply start to claim that your opponent is the one with that problem.

So, if Republicans have a race issue ... you simply claim that Obama hates white people. Holder does too. Colin Powell is a racist. Sotomayer. Van Jones. Michelle ... so on.

Then, you use corporate money to create the "national" version to organize this pent up hate.

When I have encountered these nuts in a place where they feel safe ... I've said ... "can you believe that we elected a black President?" ... the responses are hilarious, in a sad kind of way. They talk kind of the way my grandmother did ... when talking about a black person ... "she's one of the good ones", my grandmother would say. Leaving the implication that most are "the bad ones".

The scary other.

All the talk about taxes, deficits, and the Constitution falls away, in part because their arguments on those hold no water.

[Enthusiast]

38. Great post.

When I told my Hillary supporting mother that I was supporting Obama she said, "But aren't those blacks causing all the trouble?" She passed away recently but she had come around on Obama by the time the general election rolled around. It took some convincing on my part. But she was an equal opportunity racist, she didn't like Jews either, lol.

[Enthusiast]

37. Thank you. nt

[Warren Stupidity]

5. we need an explicit left-populist faction.

pushing primary challenged to corp-hats and forcing the party to the left.

[Enthusiast]

39. I believe we do

need an explicit left-populist faction.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Here essentially is the problem in a nutshell.

The party leaders choose which candidates to run by their release or withholding of campaign funding. There could be a very promising democratic candidate but the leaders will defer assistance or promotion based on their assumptions about his/her ability to independently raise funds and/or be a viable candidate, i.e., get more votes in primary and general elections. The only way to thwart the leaders is for the dark horse democratic candidate to raise more money without the blessings of the leaders but that's not a slam-dunk as they will spend money against that candidate as though they were republicans. This has been the essence of the trend of democratic self-destruction. And it's a charade of democracy to believe that The People can select party candidate. The party leaders are still making the selection, albeit not in dark, back rooms filled with smoke.

I don't see how a offspring sub-party group will have any influence on the the party in general. At least not as it exists today.

[OHdem10]

8. We are at a crossroads. Do we affirm the Republican Vision

of America. Aristocracy. An America comprised of
Rich and Very Rich governed by Business with huge
masses of working poor and abject poverty.

or do we have the courage to promote an America
in which all people share in successes and losses.
An America in which there is a middle class.

So far we appear to be satisfied with the GOP View.
Our fear of being called socialists paralyzes Democrats
from standing up for principle. BTW, what are the principles??

[Enthusiast]

40. Damn nice post right there, OHdem10.

We certainly are at a crossroads.

[olegramps]

45. Control of the media makes this virtually impossible.

Every dictatorship realizes that control of the media is essential to maintain absolute control. The ultra-wealthy have skillfully silenced any opportunity for challenging their message. AS a consequence our Republic has deteriorated into is a virtual Dictatorship of the Oligarchy. This is what happens when the masses are completely brain-washed by their masters into supporting their own economic destruction. We have to face the fact that the deterioration will continue until the masses are driven into poverty. The working class will be forced to compete with the new global economy at the same starvation wage level as foreign workers who are being exploited. In fact the average American worker is cooperating in the exploitation of foreign workers every time they purchase products produced by their desperate fellow human beings. The consequences are as sure as day follows night that they will soon be just a vulnerable and just as hopelessly desperate.

[mucifer]

9. We could never do the equivalent in a liberal form because the media would

ignore us as always. They can have 4 people at a tea party rally and it will be covered for days on the news. When we have 100,000 people in the streets they turn a blind eye.

[valerief]

10. Badda bing! nt

[emulatorloo]

12. Yep, you nailed it. Tea party = fringe views + corporate $$$ + 24/7 media promotion

Media made the tea party seem like a "relevant" movement. Why I do not now. And they continue to minimize or belittle liberals/progressives.

[Warren Stupidity]

13. we had a functional left faction in the democratic party

in the 70's through the early 80's.

[CakeGrrl]

22. Exactly right. The MSM will not acknowledge a Democratic movement. -nt

[Ignis]

23. You nailed it. Look at the coverage the anti-war movement got.

[Enthusiast]

41. Well. The media is NOW covering anti-war

sentiments because they are directed toward Obama, lol.

[StarsInHerHair]

28. we have Facebook & Twitter & the Internet in general-with pics even, to show

how many people really do attend rallies/meetings etc.

[Hippie Puncher]

14. all those who want to make themselves totally irrelevant can.

[applegrove]

17. Why would the Dems want to split their party into two like the GOP is? I mean

gop presidential candidates have to run as teabaggers for the nomination, and then run as regular conservatives against Obama. It will sink them. Why would we want to follow?

[paparush]

18. It won't have the same effect. We're much better spellers.

[robcon]

20. Been there, done that: The Coffee Party, which failed to generate enthusiasm.

Name was too derivative, IMO.

However, the labor unions in Wisconsin were able to mobilize the left fairly effectively.

[slackmaster]

21. Sure. Just roll up a couple of "bombers" and leave them on the end table.

Thanks!

[we can do it]

24. I Don't Like Tea

[Politicalboi]

25. We would be referred to in the MSM

As the Disenfranchised Obama voters. Or The Angry Mob.

[StarsInHerHair]

29. so what, you should welcome the msm's hatred

[MouseFitzgerald]

26. This is our chance

All of us need to be involved in this movement.

[StarsInHerHair]

27. I like LIBERTY PARTY I want to take that word back from corrupt GOP types

[polichick]

52. I'm with you - people support liberal issues when the label isn't used...

Time to make it clear that liberals have been right all along and that the country is more liberal than right-wing.

[krobar659]

30. Can liberals start their own tea party?

Count me in. Email me at [e-mail] with any ideas.

[lunatica]

31. A Democratic version of the tea party within the Democratic party is good

I truly like what Van Jones is saying. It makes sense. If the teaparty is having such a profound influence on the Republican party why not a tea party (named something different, of course) on the left?

[Avant Guardian]

32. There is already a Democratic tea party

It's in the streets of Wisconsin.

[craigmatic]

34. We tried. Remember the coffee party?

[Kablooie]

35. Why not start a beer bust instead?

Or if that's too lowbrow you could start a wine tasting party.

[Tx4obama]

36. Here's a link to an article ...

that 'says' that Van Jones is trying to build a 'liberal teaparty'

http://dailycaller.com/2011/06/24/van-jones-building-left-wing-tea-party-says-the-country-isnt-broke/

p.s. I don't know anything about that website.

Edited to add:
Yahoo News picked up that article too: http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailycaller/20110624/pl_dailycaller/vanjonesbuildingleftwingteapartysaysthecountryisntbroke

[Exilednight]

42. No. Unlike Republicans, the Democratic party is more worried about keeping their

voters in line. Republicans are worried about keeping their politicians in line.

[nod factor]

43. We had one.

It was circa 2003.
It was called the Anti-War Group.
We performed just as the Tea Party does in pushing many democratic reps to the left.
As it turned out we were just as hypocritical as they are.
As Bush rocketed the deficit where was the Tea Party?
Likewise, as interventionist policies grow in the Middle East where are we?

[Lucky Luciano]

44. Liberals cannot start their own tea party.

It only works if big media backs you.

[hay rick]

49. Don't need a tea party.

We can signal our dissatisfaction by simply writing in the name of a more progressive Democrat in the primary. Let Obama wonder if the write-ins will turn into more write-ins or non-votes in the general election. If enough people do it he will have to pay attention. Another advantage is that it takes almost no organization- it doesn't require campaigning, funding, encouragement, or even permission from the write-in "candidate."

I'm thinking of voting for Anthony Weiner. Or maybe I'll vote for Paul Wellstone.

[graywarrior]

46. We could be the Paul Revere Minutepersons and ride around ringin' bells

[hay rick]

48. Is somebody trying to take our arms?

I better quick check Wikipedia.

[graywarrior]

53. Our arms, our feet, our souls....

[Phx_Dem]

47. Why would we want to emulate a group that is splitting the party and

electing complete embiciles like Govs. Rick Scott and Walker. But, the fact is, we already have out own "tea party." They're the "far left" progressives (not all progressives are wackos like the far lefties) that do NOTHING but complain. They're never happy and they never will be.

[TheKentuckian]

56. What "far left"? TeaPubliKlan meme in full effect.

[The Eagle 718]

51. How about a coffee party.

We could all meet at Starbucks!

[chowder66]

54. Coffee Party Link

http://www.coffeepartyusa.com/

[Pisces]

55. only a well funded Republican would start something like this to try and defeat the democrats.

Unfortunately we have a lot of fools that would be easily swayed.

[Vinca]

57. But what can we staple onto our hats so the media will pay attention to us?

If you look normal, you don't get coverage.

[Jester Messiah]

58. Ye flipping gods no!!!

Why would we ever want to emulate that disaster?

[defendandprotect]

59. Let's try it this way ... where is our Koch Bros. to fund it ... where is our Freedom Works PR firm

to guarantee us publicity?

Are we going to make ourselves a match for them in aggression and near-violence?

That's what this thing is all about -- fakery, more Kabuki -- and moving our political

arena to increased aggrssion and violence -- if they can pull it off.

The only way the right wing can rise is via political violence -- and we've had 50

years of it and more!

[jmowreader]

60. This is nice in theory but won't pan out in practice

The tea party worked because it had a large lobbying shop called Freedomworks, a bunch of quadrillionaires named the Koch Brothers, and a right-wing mouthpiece named Fox News behind it. We don't have those things.

[mrpavel]

61. Tea For Two?

I’d like to toss this out in all seriousness, recognizing that
it’s not everyone’s cup of….oh, sorry.  But it’s an idea I
think has merit, and if anyone agrees and responds accordingly
I’ll find a way to back channel the discussion or at least get
it out of the face of anyone who might be reflexively offended
(but whom I’d love to convince).

What about a real GOP/TP-style grass-roots left-leaning
movement to spice things up for a year or so and dilute a
little of the toxically concentrated agenda that the Michelles
and Sarahs and Mitts et al. will be brewing up on a daily,
media-drenched basis?  Like many of you I weary of hearing
people talk about “bipartisanship” efforts with a right-wing
loonibase that can’t even spell the word.  The media—ALL the
media—is so enchanted with the antics of the Todd Akins types
and the GOP hopefuls that they completely abdicate their
professional responsibility to report on their dangerous
policies, stances, voting (or criminal) records, etc. And like
many of you I am deeply embarrassed and outraged that I was
seduced into voting in as President a man who said he was a
Democrat but instead is a begrudgingly moderate Republican who
couldn’t face down a dust devil without a SEAL team, and who
already has said he’s not terribly interested in a second
term.  So I think the stakes are high.

So whaddya think--Welcome to “Tea For Two,” the liberal
alternative to Sarah P’s oil-powered Kool-Aid Acid Trip?  I’m
thinking local incumbent challenges of course, but also
high-media-profile noise.  We’ll file lawsuits against public
schools that use the Bible in their curricula,  and demand the
banning of books by and about right-wingers.  We’ll picket
right-wing Christian churches like hanger-huggers at abortion
clinics—signs and loud music and raining buckets of  (fake)
blood.  We’ll make lives miserable for “conservative”
talk-show hosts, flooding their airwaves with
“bait-and-switch” call-ins.  We’ll picket malls, parades,
movie theaters—take the message to the heart of mainstream
America that We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore.  Zero Tolerance,
Loud and Proud, for creationism, any state-sponsored religious
display, any toleration or funding of right-wing ideals or
ideas (which will mean daily, dramatic corporate
attacks—lawsuits, class actions, billboards, radio and TV ads,
etc.).  Of course we can’t shut Them down—but we can sure make
their lives hell until Nov. 2012, driving wedges in every Tea
Party crack, giving, as they do, not the slightest nod to
civility, balance or fair play.  We'll be rude and offensive. 
We'll be like them.

Yes, I’m talking polarization, mudslinging, civil harassment
and a great deal of ugliness.  Their tactics, our causes.  I
wish I saw another way, but like many of you I feel more daily
that while battles may be won the war is already over.  The
very fact that Michelle Bachman can be considered a legitimate
candidate in a two-party system, even for an instant, means
that the war is long lost, indeed.  I’m tired of the GOP
Tripartite Anathema of Education, Empathy and Equality.  I’m
disgusted at what their money and their madness has done to my
country.  I don’t think there is a trick too dirty, a blow to
low, in the urgent necessity to expose and defeat them on
every front.   

Like the Tea Party, we will (in this effort) have no platform,
espouse nothing positive, endorse no one Presidential
candidate.  (Who on earth will the Dems run, anyway?)  We
won't align with the Democratic Party--indeed we'll attack it
(and who knows, maybe even briefly own it, like the TP does
the Rs). Our purpose will be—without violence or property
damage or extreme civil disobedience (of course there will be
arrests)--simply  to disrupt, to enrage, to confront, to
expose, to embarrass, to distract, to foment.

If we do our work well and fearlessly, by 2013 the phrase “Tea
Party” will ring with the same historical bleat as
“McCarthy-ite” or “Fascist,” with the same stench as “Brown
Shirts” or “Ustache.” And, if we work hard and aren’t afraid
of getting our hands dirty, when our antics are forgotten and
we’re all telling stories to our grandchildren around the
fire, even the reddest states will be shot through with
indelible, brilliant ribbons of blue.  

Really.  We can do this.  Who’s in?