Almost as stupid as regarding the idea as ipso facto a “threat.”
I really think you’re reaching here, Mace. The Tea Party folks, who admit they are decentralized, are also fond of describing themselves as a ‘movement’ with goals. It’s a classic attempt to have it both ways as is convenient for the moment.
Remember, here in Ohio I’ve been watching the local head of the Tea Party group arguing, in print, that Obama=Hitler and he’s not being 1990s ironic or anything. It’s just weird.
Anyway, Here’s Dana Milbank’s take on Utah, Maine, and the rest at the moment.
It is clear to me that there’s a strong chance these guys will fly apart in the next few years as they compete to be ‘more pure’. And if that forces the Republican Party into getting back to ‘balanced buddgets’, ‘minimal government’ and so forth they’ll be the better for it.
Yeah, this. There’s a huge push within the TP’ers to foster unity and become a viable national political force. Thus, the tea party conventions, rallies, etc. I actually admire them a bit, even if I detest their beliefs, and strongly suspect that there’s industrial-grade racism at the root of them (at least, for a significant percentage of the redneck god-n-guns set). This is how America works. They are a populist movement that has promoted itself and gained power.
I even agree with them in some fiscal respects. I just think that they veer strongly toward fundamentalism, fascism, and theocracy. In short, fuck that. And fuck them for their “Freedom of religion does not mean freedom from religion”. Absolute dealbreaker, because it’s not a negotiable plank. It’s fundamental to the way a lot of these people think (Yeah. Alabama born-and-bred. I know exactly what I’m talking about), and that’s unacceptable.
Also, I must confess to being a bit bemused by the assertions that this is somehow “not an endorsement of the Tea Party”. All the hand-waving in the world won’t change the fact that the OFFICIAL PLATFORM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MAINE lionizes the Tea Party, in black and white, for all the world to see and acknowledge. There are no “passing references” in a party platform, guys. A platform is a fucking mission statement. The fact that the Tea Party is mentioned in there at all is important. It’s incredible that some of you think otherwise.
Not to revitalize an old thread but just to post an development as an update,
The Maine GOP has now backed away from the platform adopted at the convention.
They’d’ve surrendured to SADDAM HUSSEIN too, if they had the chance!
Okay, now we rendevous at Moody’s Diner on Rt. 1 and work this out, right? Cosmos, Zeldar, and I will drive up from the hinterlands. I’ve been wanting some peanut butter pie lately anyway.
Despite my leftist leanings, I think that Snow and Co. are valuable and deserve preservation.
Just in case Jack Batty shows up, I am the guy with the big dimple.
There will be a trivia contest between Alabamians and Mainers. (Let’s face it, their ringers will be Camden; ours will be Huntsville.)
Be sure to show up, Monkey.
That would make Vancouver the redneck capitol of the cosmos, despite the excellent dental hygiene.
What self-respecting redneck is gonna live in metrosexual Vancouver? Might just as well buy a Prius and start drinking cappucino.
I’ll be the one in the Libby Mitchell for Governor t-shirt, ordering fried clams and a side of blueberry pancakes.
And looking for a guy with a big dimple. 
Trivia losers foot the bill.