The Rise of Fringe Movements

As further proof of the remarkable political changes taking place in the conservative movement, NPR touched on the power of the Tea Party. I mentioned this in the last blog about Fox News and how they helped this party gain mass recognition and more control. I would like to further back up my point with the story named “7 Things At Stake In Massachusetts” and the prevailing attention this party is getting:
“As he put the final touches on his Inauguration Day address, President Obama could scarcely have imagined that one year later, his agenda and his presidency would hang on the outcome of a cliffhanging special election in Massachusetts.
But that is the message this morning from Boston to Washington and in the news media everywhere. To take the coverage at face value, the president will be staying up late tonight to see whether it's worth coming to work tomorrow.
Number 6 on the NPR list-
The momentum of the Tea Party: Dismissed as a fringe phenomenon in the spring of 2009, the anti-tax Tea movement gained great visibility in a series of marches against the stimulus, the health care bill and the Washington of Obama in general. The party claimed at least partial credit for overthrowing Democratic regimes in New Jersey and Virginia in the fall. Frustrated in a special House race in upstate New York, the party has turned with renewed vigor to its crusade in the Commonwealth, pumping money and energy into the late phase of the campaign. And a win in Massachusetts would be the perfect set-up for the Tea movement's planned convention in Nashville in early February. Think there's any chance a newly minted Sen. Brown would be there?”

For more on this great story click here:
http://www.npr.org/watchingwashington/2010/01/seven_things_at_stake_in_brown.html

As for the MA election… I just can't get myself to say it. I just can’t. Though I don’t think it is 100% that a republican will win, it is important to take into account that there is a major push from out of state support (from Tea partiers, conservative, anti-health care movement… The people in CA know how powerful out of state funding can be). Secondly, Rep. Scott has smoothly transitioned to a more moderate stance, while Coakley, never a strong candidate, has been complacent and lacks some community roots. Thirdly, remember the MA people in this “liberal paradise” just voted out gay marriage… its not as sure fire as one would think for Dems. They have JUST successfully ran this conservative initiative there and can do it again, but this time for the super majority in the house. Oh I really hope my political gut is wrong for once on this.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/magotvFB/