# Has this been done yet? Maine GOP adopts Tea Party platform. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 11, 2010, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075 "2010-05-11T18:13:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/21 "2010-05-12T15:55:41Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I wasn’t aware the Tea Party had a platform to be adopted. This looks to me like something put together by Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck over a drunken weekend. Yeah, the TP is a collection of groups, not just one group. Some TPers put together a “Contract from America” which was a pretty high level document of which issues were most important, based on the members’ votes. It almost looks to me like the Maniacs want to pay lip service to the TPers by referencing them in that document. But, like I said, it’s unclear just from reading it that it could be described as a “Tea Party Platform”. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/22 "2010-05-12T16:18:06Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Mainer checking in. > > I’d not heard this until seeing this thread, but it does not surprise me. Here’s how Maine works. You have Portland metropolitan area, which accounts for about half of Maine’s population and all of its Liberals. And then you have the rest of the state which is populated mostly by rednecks. Why, I’d put our cousin-fucking, cow-tipping, trailer-trash yokels up against Alabama’s any day of the week. Ah, so that’s the problem! My family has been vacationing in the Portland area for years; prior to that, we visited Ogunquit and Rockland quite a bit. I’ve been shocked at the rather rednecky politics coming out of Maine lately, as I had not been aware of the presence of rednecks in that state. I guess I just haven’t traveled far enough to find them. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/23 "2010-05-12T16:41:23Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Who ever has the most teeth loses… > > -XT I submit that the tattoo/teeth ratio is a much better indicator. Highest number of tattoos per tooth, wins redneck capitol for one year. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/24 "2010-05-12T16:44:06Z")
New Englander checking in. I thought we called them “Swamp Yankees”, not “Rednecks”. Maybe that’s way down south in MA and RI, though… ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/25 "2010-05-12T17:49:30Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Even New Hampshire rednecks think Mainers are hillbillies. And now I’m going to get angry letters from hillbillies. Letters? You’d be lucky to get a crayon scrawl of a dead skunk ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/26 "2010-05-12T18:17:29Z")
I’ve always thought we New Englanders had a special place in our hearts for the old-time Maniacs. It’s like being at home, but being in a very different place all at the same time. Ay-uh! ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/27 "2010-05-12T18:38:41Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I’ve always thought we New Englanders had a special place in our hearts for the old-time Maniacs. It’s like being at home, but being in a very different place all at the same time. > > Ay-uh! all the girls will think you’re foxy if you chug a lug your Moxie and never show the pain. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/28 "2010-05-12T21:27:28Z")
Did they say anything about the War of 1812? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/29 "2010-05-12T22:34:39Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > [http://www.mainegop.com/PlatformMission.aspx](http://www.mainegop.com/PlatformMission.aspx) > > Sorry, but the search was being a pain in my ass. > > So much for “fringe lunatics” and “these people do not represent mainstream GOP ideals.” > > WTF? Couple things… 1. I asked up-thread how this is a “Tea Party” platform. No one has answered this yet. 2. I don’t believe that anyone has said that Tea Partiers as a whole are “fringe lunatics”. I could be wrong, so please correct me there if I am. If not, what was your point (assuming, of course, this is even a Tea Party platform to begin with)? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/30 "2010-05-12T22:53:20Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Couple things… > > 1. I asked up-thread how this is a “Tea Party” platform. No one has answered this yet. > > 2. I don’t believe that anyone has said that Tea Partiers as a whole are “fringe lunatics”. …? Oh, well, I’ll say THAT. As a whole the Tea Partiers are finge lunatics, though there may be some individuals who aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/31 "2010-05-12T23:06:21Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Couple things… > > 1. I asked up-thread how this is a “Tea Party” platform. No one has answered this yet. > > 2. I don’t believe that anyone has said that Tea Partiers as a whole are “fringe lunatics”. I could be wrong, so please correct me there if I am. If not, what was your point (assuming, of course, this is even a Tea Party platform to begin with)? read the [Contract from America](http://www.thecontract.org/) and decide for yourself. I would so, no not really, but there are similarities. I don’t consider the Tea Party groups to be fringe lunatics although some are. They are IMO a conglomerate of people who object to what’s going on in Washington. A big part is the bailout and what they consider a move toward socialism. I think they have some valid concerns but those concerns are distorted by pundits and media fanning the flames with exaggeration and bogus information. Maybe it feels good to wave the flag and think they are defending the founding principles of America but I think for the most part, they don’t have a real grasp of what the problems and solutions are. Hell, it’s so complex probably most of us don’t. We won’t really address them until we can return to honest fact based debate. The founding principles IMO are open debate and a working compromise with the welfare of the nation as a whole at the fore. ---
**Author:** ![Incensed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Incensed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incensed)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/32 "2010-05-12T23:28:19Z")
[QUOTE=Maine GOP] In pursuit of these principles we endorse and shall promote the following initiatives. \ IV. To Provide for the Common Defense: a. **Discard** political correctness, **make** public the declaration of war (Jihad), made against the US on 23 Feb 1998, and **fight** the war against the United States by radical Islam to win. [/QUOTE] Do the bolded verbs not refer back to the original ‘we’? And further, did the Maine GOP just declare Jihad on the US via garbled grammar? ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/33 "2010-05-12T23:31:43Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Maine GOP > In pursuit of these principles we endorse and shall promote the following initiatives. > \ > IV. To Provide for the Common Defense: > a. \*\*Discard \*\*political correctness, \*\*make \*\*public the declaration of war (Jihad), made against the US on 23 Feb 1998, and fight the war against the United States by radical Islam to win. > [@Incensed](#): > > Do the bolded verbs not refer back to the original ‘we’? And further, did the Maine GOP just declare Jihad on the US via garbled grammar? No, they intend to take part in the war that radical Islam has declared (through Jihad) and fight radical Islam’s intention to win. Awkwardly worded and part of a cuckoo-for-Cocoa-Puffs platform, but I don’t think they’re saying what you think it looks like they’re saying there. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/34 "2010-05-12T23:33:53Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > …1. I asked up-thread how this is a “Tea Party” platform. No one has answered this yet… Chris Matthews just stated unequivocally that the Maine insurgency is clearly a Tea Party movement. Since you have not offered any definitive evidence that you strongly resemble a 200 pound Tweety Bird, we may safely consider the matter closed. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/35 "2010-05-12T23:37:50Z")
@ **Incensed** But it does seem like they’re saying political correctness is keeping us from starting more shit with more people they think are radical Islamics.\* - 23 Feb 1998 is that date of the World Islamic Front’s [Statement](http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/980223-fatwa.htm) of Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders, which includes members from Egypt, Pakistan and Bangladesh ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/36 "2010-05-12T23:38:57Z")
> [@](#): > > (Jihad), made against the US on 23 Feb 1998 [This old thing](http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/980223-fatwa.htm)? Is [www.fas.org](http://www.fas.org) not public enough? Did the Mainer’s offer to pay for the Iraq ‘mistake’ rather than fobbing the cost off on the kiddies? I thought not. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/37 "2010-05-12T23:44:16Z")
Damnit (5 minutes goes fast!): “which includes Usamah Bin-Muhammad Bin-Ladin and” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/38 "2010-05-12T23:48:02Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Chris Matthews just stated unequivocally that the Maine insurgency is clearly a Tea Party movement. Since you have not offered any definitive evidence that you strongly resemble a 200 pound Tweety Bird, we may safely consider the matter closed. Yes and no. I heard his analysis, and it wasn’t very good. Instead, I did a little googling, and found the Boston Globe’s take: The Maine GOP party scrapped their platform and adopted one written by a few people identified as “Tea Party activists”. So, I guess it’s fair to call it a “Tea Party Platform”, although we really don’t know how these few Maniac Tea Partiers are representative of the movement, as a whole. I think the Globe has it right by calling it a “Tea Party Inspired Platform”. Close enough for government work, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/39 "2010-05-12T23:56:22Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > 1. I asked up-thread how this is a “Tea Party” platform. No one has answered this yet. > [@elucidator](#): > > Chris Matthews just stated unequivocally that the Maine insurgency is clearly a Tea Party movement. Okay, time out. Who is Chris Matthews? Was he the guy who played the creepy guy running the pet store in _Because of Winn-Dixie_? And on what basis does he have standing to make statements about the Maine Republican Party? ---
**Author:** ![Incensed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Incensed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incensed)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075/40 "2010-05-13T00:19:05Z")
> [@descamisado](#): > > No, they intend to take part in the war that radical Islam has declared (through Jihad) and fight radical Islam’s intention to win.\ Oh, I’ve got a pretty good idea what they intended to say, but that doesn’t mesh with what they actually said. No matter who you think they’re declaring war against, I think we can both agree they’re embroiled in a protracted conflict with the English language. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-done-yet-maine-gop-adopts-tea-party-platform/539075.md?page=3)