Ned Ryun, founder and president of American Majority, has written a very insightful article titled ‘Evolve or Die; The Tea Party Movement is at a Crossroads‘.

In this piece, Ryan lays out ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ and opines that the tea party must “become sustainable with a more concise mission and ability to fundraise… But if it cannot get past the negative impressions and the internal dissension, it will become nothing but a footnote in American political history.”

As someone who has lived the tea party experience the past three years, I feel an overwhelming need to comment on Ryan’s thoughts.

While he touches on some of the real challenges of the tea party, Ryan only skims the surface when it comes to the damage being done by the national groups. He talks about the internal dissension, the battles for control and the money-making schemes, yet fails to go into sufficient depth here.

Ryan takes a hard hitting approach with Tea Party Express, but doesn’t follow suit with Tea Party Patriots, barely mentions Tea Party Nation, gives FreedomWorks a total pass and there’s no mention whatsoever of the latest of what seems like an endless line of opportunists, TeaParty.net.

It seems highly unfair when you consider any one of the above is as detrimental as the other. In each case, don’t look too closely behind the mirror. I have my theories as to why Ryan doesn’t delve further into the abyss, but that’s for another day.

From the very beginning, the media has been trying to define the tea party. Initially, this proved to be an exercise in frustration because there was no central leadership, no one to isolate. At the same time, this quest helped add to the vacuum that existed. And that’s when the human element in all it’s glory rose up, with no shortage of individuals willing to fill the role.

At both the national and local levels, the hucksters are out in force. Books are being written and peddled for profit on an ongoing basis, the demand on the speakers tour has never been greater. It seems everyone has their own particular process or angle on how to go about solving the many challenges we face and none are shy about making the pitch.

And when the national media needs a spokesman to help further the narrative it drives, there’s a long line of ‘personalities’ willing to step up to advance their public profile – if there is no central leadership, the media will simply prey on the human frailties of ego and greed to create it.

Ryan accurately touches on the the reality that if the national groups could go away tomorrow, the movement would be fine. But the local level is beset with many of the same issues, just on a lessor scale. Ironically, those who are quick to condemn what’s happening on the national scene are just as quick to emulate the very behavior, yet can’t seem to equate the two actions as being one and the same.

Again the human element. Local groups remain shackled by political correctness and the fear of being ‘left behind’ should they speak out on the opportunists manipulating the tea party, and thus only add to the problem.

And in this carnival atmosphere, average everyday Americans that made untold sacrifices in the beginning, people like myself, simply walk away from it all realizing that the Tea Party has evolved into that which we initially rose up to fight against.

Just as the politicians endeavor to manipulate the movement daily for personal gain, so too do those within who were bold enough to step to the front of the parade and proclaim themselves leaders.

So, yes, the tea party is losing the ‘battle over definition’ because the focus long ago shifted away from the message and settled on the messengers.

It was T.A.R.P. and the Stimulus Bill that led to the birth of the Tea Party, however, consider this sobering fact; projected federal spending in 2012 is higher than 2011, which was an increase over 2010, which was higher than 2009.

Who among the self proclaimed leaders is leading the charge here? From my perspective, only one – Americans for Prosperity.

As for evolving, we saw the Tea Party ‘evolve’ from rallies protesting the spending to fighting healthcare reform and it’s hard to argue that the movement has ever been more effective than it was at this point. The transition to advocacy was quick and simple, brought about by a clarity in purpose. It is in this light that Ryan is most on target in a call for “a more concise mission”.

But all is not lost. In reality, the Tea Party has always been the people. It’s source of strength the raw numbers. And it’s motivation an out of control federal government. All of which still exist in abundance.

We understand that the mission at hand is to defeat Barack Obama and the Progressive Left, who have added more to the national debt than one would have thought possible just three short years ago. All in the quest to shift America away from the traditional values that made it the greatest nation in the history of man.

And just as we saw in the 2010 election, we the people will be heard at the ballot box.

In an appropriate metaphor*, I liken the tea party to a car nearing the end of a NASCAR race, having been told by it’s crew chief that it’s two laps short on fuel. So like any good driver, you start trying to save fuel to ensure you make it to the end. You lift up off the accelerator a little early going into the turns and ease back into it as you come out. You try to maintain a steady speed and coast whenever the opportunity permits.

You do whatever it takes to get to the finish line clearly marked as November 6, 2012. Hopefully, just as we see in NASCAR, a win there provides the necessary momentum to carry us into the next race… a day of reckoning for the political class in America.

*American Majority is sponsoring a car in this weekend’s Nationwide race at Daytona and will be on hand with it’s Pledge to Vote: Keep America Free voter registration initiative.

Cross-Posted at Florida Political Press

The curious move is no doubt based on the Tea Party Express’ stated desire to be seen as non-partisan rather than merely a Republican front. The group has endorsed one lone Democrat. The trouble with their selection is that he seems to be a rather odd choice. Its a choice that does not seem sensible if there is a desire to over-turn the Democrats majority in the House..

Why Walt Minnick was chosen seems to be a mystery to both Tea Party members and Democrats alike. The mystery continues to deepen and increasingly frustrates those on the ground in Idaho.

Huffington Post reports that there are those that are questioning the selection.

“National Review’s Jim Geraghty, who supports the election of Vaughn Ward to Idaho’s 1st District, has a “quibble” with the endorsement, saying, “Walt Minnick’s first vote as a congressman was to make Nancy Pelosi the Speaker of the House, empowering her a great deal.” Yes! That whole time Nancy Pelosi became Speaker did lead to a certain measurable amount of empowerment. This is a great observation!”

The Congressman’s spokesman reportedly seemed a bit surprised by grudgingly accepting the endorsement.

“And while Minnick is fine with the endorsement – “Um, sure,” Foster replied when asked if the campaign was accepting the Tea Party’s backing. “Walt is not in the habit of turning down support.”

CNN speculates that it is because of his stands on fiscal conservative issues.

“On the House side, the group is also backing one Democrat: Walt Minnick of Idaho, who is part of the “Blue Dog” coalition of centrist Democrats. He has long railed against pork-barrel spending and voted against the recent health care bill.”

But Minnick hardly has a Republican in Name Only as a potential opponent. Vaughn Ward’s website makes it very clear that this veteran is not from the centrist wing of the Republican party. He states clearly his beliefs. They read like the laundry list that would unite tea party people behind him. “Stop Tax Increases, Eliminate Wasteful Spending, Repeal and Replace the Health Care Bill, Defend our 2nd Amendment Rights, Secure Our Borders, No Amnesty.” Any accusation of being vague in this beliefs would be quickly quelled by one reading of various subject pages.

He even has the backing of Sarah Palin, a Tea Party Express favourite, who has been pulling in the ralliers and funds on various stops across the country.

““I’m happy to support Vaughn Ward because I know that he believes in the same common sense conservative ideals that we cherish.”
Sarah Palin – Former Vice Presidential Candidate and Governor of Alaska”

Will Palin now have to distance herself from Ward now that TPE has backed his opponent? Or will this confusing situation be allowed to persist confusing the voters of the district?

Tea Party Boise responded with this statement.

“The recent announcement by Tea Party Express that they planned to endorse Walt Minnick for Congress was a surprise to Tea Party Boise, who was never consulted on this issue. Our position is simple – We believe that the people of Idaho will determine who they will support and endorse as the fall election draws closer. Tea Party Boise does not endorse Mr. Minnick or any candidate from any party at this time. Tea Party Express would be well advised to talk to those in Idaho who cast the votes.

Tea Party Patriots coordinator for Idaho said the following:

“… I am very disappointed and have requested an explanation. Minnick is no Conservative and I’ve been in touch with TP folks on his side of the state when they have had repeated demonstrations at his offices. He’s only voted with “us” because we hold his feet to the fire! So, I am not in agreement.”

The Pocatello Tea Party on the other hand liked neither and believes that Minnick’s voting record is not as bad as it could be.

“That is curious. Minnick’s voting record has probably been closer to Tea Party ideals of fiscal restraint and limited government than Ward’s would likely be. Ward is a John McCain Republican plant who is favored by the GOP establishment, but who is not favored by liberty minded Idaho conservatives. The grassroots and conservative legislators favor their colleague Raul Labrador – who has a proven track record – in the upcoming primary.”

Vaughn Ward’s spokesman had the following to say in response to the announcement.

““This endorsement does not change the fact that Walt Minnick’s first vote in Congress was for Nancy Pelosi and her liberal agenda of higher taxes, more spending, and a more intrusive federal government that has done nothing to get Idaho families back to work. When Walt had the chance to step up to the plate for Idaho families, he voted against permanently ending the financial bailouts and voted for a permanent extension of the death tax. Walt Minnick and Nancy Pelosi’s tax and spend policies continue to cripple our economy. “

“We are proud of the Idaho endorsements we have received as our momentum continues to build. Our campaign began as a grassroots effort and is driven by the people. This is their seat and Kirsten and I are humbled by the thousands of people who have given so much to the campaign.” “

This story is not going away, with Alex Pappas, exploring it further in today’s Daily Caller. Pamela Gellar of Atlas Shrugged is more succinct calling the decision idiotic. Hot Air have a piece on the subject today, bemused as the rest of us with the choice.

Tea parties all over the US are wondering why the Tea Party Express has taken upon itself to endorse anyone is such a top-down way. If Idaho is anything to go by there is little or no consultation with the actual tea party groups in state. Tea Party Express is yet again proving there is nothing “grassroots” about their efforts and its just more top-down bullying from DC based operatives rather than people on the ground.

TPE seems to completely miss the point about the grassroots nature of the tea party movement. They do not seem to realize that their meddling will not find popularity among the hard-pressed tea parties in the nature.

Maybe Tea Party Express will explain their choice in that Idaho district to help with any confusion that tea party observers might be suffering. There are a lot of frankly befuddled Republicans, tea partiers and Idahoans that deserve an explanation why this race was singled out for such a spot of bizarre meddling.

NB: This is an expanded version of a piece publishedat the Daily Caller.