tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069955.post9084829704682162590..comments2023-10-26T08:02:44.948-04:00Comments on Connecticut Commentary: Red Notes from a Blue State: The Tea Party InsurrectionDon Pescihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11167988001948356357noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069955.post-91906554068097293302010-10-03T00:13:13.139-04:002010-10-03T00:13:13.139-04:00Though their politics is different,the TPM in a wa...Though their politics is different,the TPM in a way resembles the old SDS of the late 60's.About 1/2 of the old SDS were into some electoral work and the other half of SDS saw themselves as "revolutionaries" whose mission it was to radicalize America beyond electoral work.From what I have seen and from those I talked to within the TPM the same dichotomy exists,though the electoral benefits of the TPM seem to flow to the Republicans,whereas in SDS's time they flowed to the Democrats.<br /><br /> I doubt the TPM itself had much to do with the change in poll numbers in the 2 races you spotlighted as they would tend to vote against the Democratic candidate anyway.The Democrats real problem is the discontent from people who believe that their children and grandchildren will not live as well financially as they have,that government is too big and not efficient,and that the economy hasnt sufficiently changed in a positive direction where people are back to work.There is an anger expressed by the TPM about the aforesaid issues,but it is the issues themselves that are driving the train here,not the TPM.<br /><br /> This mood of anger and uncertainty affects independants too.Like everyone else they are in process of shifting their anger to incumbants,who in this state are mostly Democrats.The Democrats must plead their case within 33 days that the Obama reforms and what President Obama and the Democrats plan for the future will correct the economy and move the future of the citizens in a positive direction.That will be a tough job to do, but not impossible.<br /><br /> The future of the TPM is uncertain, in part due to the split dichotomy of their aforesaid behavior.In addition if those on the outter fringes advance within the TPM then it will hurt their electoral cause and shift more independants to the cause of the Democrats.Time will tell if the TPM is a long term player, but to date they have re-structured the GOP to a large degree nationally but not within the state of Connecticut,yet.Bruce Rubensteinnoreply@blogger.com