This wasn't the revolution the tea party had in mind.
Four
years ago, the movement and its potent mix of anger and populism
persuaded thousands of costumed and sign-waving conservatives to protest
the ballooning deficit and President Obama's health care law. It swept a
crop of no-compromise lawmakers into Congress and governor's offices
and transformed political up-and-comers, including Florida Sen. Marco
Rubio, into household names.
But as many tea
party stars seek re-election next year and Rubio considers a 2016
presidential run, conservative activists are finding themselves at a
crossroads. Many of their standard-bearers have embraced more moderate
positions on bedrock issues such as immigration and health care,
broadening their appeal in swing states but dampening grass-roots
passion.
"They keep sticking their finger in
the eyes of the guys who got them elected," said Ralph King, a
co-founder of the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots. "A lot of people are
feeling betrayed."
No comments:
Post a Comment