Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
Though generally a fan of the Tea Party, Matt Lewis urges conservatives to pause to think about five elements about the movement that could prove destructive:
1. Lack of reverence for conservative leaders and organizations. It has been my observation that many of today's new activists are quick to conflate being "old" with being part the establishment....Conservatives would be foolish to abandon the wisdom of elders, much less eschew the infrastructure that has been created over recent decades, merely because it existed prior to 2010.
2. A move away from social conservatism. [T]he Tea Party has the potential to change [the conservative movement], possibly making it more libertarian...This could be good or bad (depending on your views), but it is a phenomenon worth considering.
3. Anti-Intellectualism. [C]onservatism began as a coherent intellectual philosophy. But in recent decades, conservatives have mocked "pointy-headed liberal intellectuals," creating an impression that intelligence is almost something to be skeptical of. While I am certainly not advocating elitism, I would strongly encourage conservatives to reject populism. Conservative candidates who can eloquently advocate for conservative positions have a better chance of impacting the culture than do demagogues who cannot effectively communicate their philosophy to the masses.
4. Purges. [T]here is...a danger of Jacobinism, where even fellow revolutionaries are purged -- not for philosophical apostasy but for not being "team players." In recent weeks, we have seen conservative writers labeled RINO's for questioning the background of a Tea Party candidate.
5. The Victim Card. Recently, a prominent conservative voice accused Karl Rove of sexism. While sexism certainly does exist, fair criticism and analysis of a female political candidate does not constitute sexism. Though winning is important, how you play the game is, perhaps, more telling. Conservatives should avoid copying the tactics of the left.
I can't exactly see where Lewis is coming from with his fifth point -- a single example can hardly be used to identify a characteristic of an entire movement -- but his other points seem fair and constructive. Though it seldom happens in the world of politics, a bit of introspection seems like an entirely healthy and positive thing.
- Comment (78)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments:
May '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
1. Lack of reverence for conservative leaders and organizations.
Reverence is earned, not automatic. We revere Thatcher, Reagan, Goldwater, Buckley, Friedman, et. al. Let's hear it for the wisdom of our current elders, the ones that took the Reagan Revolution and 1994 and flushed it down the toilet.
2. A move away from social conservatism. Roe v Wade became law in 1972. We've elected Republicans to the White House 7 times out 11 since then. How has that worked for you?
3. Anti-Intellectualism. And if you had to define a coherent conservative view do you take the college dropout from Cape Giradeau, MO or the Bush family and all it's Skull and Bones history? Do you take Harvard or Eureka College? Berkeley or Hillsdale?
4. Purges. Purges are done at the end of a gun. At the ballot box its called (horrors!) "democracy."
5. The Victim Card. Conservatives should avoid copying the tactics of the left. No, let's not be successful, shall we?
It's politics, not therapy.
Jul '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
200 words limits me to one point in a comment.
Lack of reverence for conservative leaders and organizations.
Bolshevik!
All through 2009 we heard the "leaders and organizations" telling the Tea Parties NOT to create a third party. You have to work within the Republican Party to be successful.
Well, in 2010 that is EXACTLY what we did. We worked within the structure of the party, and mand our views known to them. And the Response?
Disdain and Criticizm. Sorry, but it is the Leaders and Organizations who have shown no Respect to the Tea Party.
And how about those Establishment Candidates like Write Me In Murkowski, Indipendand Party Friend of Obama Crist, and I may support Coons or Write me in too Castle? (Castle, incidently was 'Warned' about those Tea Partiers)
If you want to cite a Lack of reverence for conservative leaders and organizations Look to those people!
Tea Partiers are tired ot the Jeffords / Spectre model.
They want the genuine article this time, not someone who will declare getting the Democrats to accept only 90% or their agenda in a deal with a few conservative crumbs sprinkled in as success!
Sep '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
My observations on each: 1. I don't understand where this is coming from exactly. There are plenty of older conservatives out there who still gain respect. I don't think anyone in the Tea Party has said anything close to "Let's kick out the geezers" at this juncture. 2. I am a social conservative in many respects, but I also recognize at this time in history the issue at hand is economics. The rising tide is because of economic issues: health care, jobs, impending tax increases. When this crisis ends, the social issues will creep back in and we will find out how much of an effect they have on the current coalition. 3. Many of those "pointy headed intellectuals" have also made major errors in their attempts to reshape America. America has always been distrustful of intellectuals and rightly so from their past errors. A read of Paul Johnson's book Intellectuals is a good primer on this subject. 4. I agree this is a potential danger, but it is more about enthusiasm. Recall 1995 when changes were on the table and the "Old bulls in the senate" stopped needed reforms? This is the natural reaction to that history.
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
EJHill:
It's politics, not therapy. · Sep 28 at 10:08am
Indeed. But don't you agree that introspection would do the Republicans a bit of good? They get elected, they mess things up by being incompetent boobs or acting like liberals, then they get voted out. Rinse and repeat. If only they'd pause to think about what's happening and develop some sort of plan to correct it, perhaps they wouldn't get sucked into the same death trap over and over.
Jul '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
Diane Ellis, Ed.
But don't you agree that introspection would do the Republicans a bit of good? They get elected, they mess things up by being incompetent boobs or acting like liberals, then they get voted out. Rinse and repeat. If only they'd pause to think about what's happening and develop some sort of plan to correct it, perhaps they wouldn't get sucked into the same death trap over and over. · Sep 28 at 10:25am
Sorry, but the article is pointed at the Tea Parties, not the Republicans.
What you are talking about in your quote amounts to items 1 through 4 in Mr. Lewis' article.
Those criticizms stem from a complete desire NOT to think about what's happening, and to continue their Go Along to Get Along ways with no accountability to the people who actually elect them.
.
A little back to basics "You Dance With Who Brung Ya." on the part of republicans would most definatly be a good thing. But you have to go against the wishes of the leadership, Focus on the most important things, Stop Being Reasonable with opponents, and get rid of the traitors to achieve that attitude.
May '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
That is assuming that they don't have a strong core of beliefs in the first place. You only navel gaze introspectively when you don't have the strength of your convictions in the first place. Do you think Ronald Reagan got up every morning and said, "What do I believe in today?"
That's why the so-called "purge" of the RINO-squish. Are you a conservative or are you a wind sock, blowing hither and yon to whatever political breeze is conjured up by the media blowhards for the moment?
I don't want people who need to make adjustments after the election, I want people with the same core beliefs in office afterwards. I don't want them to be "introspective" and get "house-trained" in the ways of Washington.
Edited on September 28, 2010 at 7:40pmJun '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
The most dangerous thing for any political movement is to be on the ascendancy, quickly and conspicuously. That's when all the hotheads (and other people looking for a holy crusade) show up to carry the new banner. They don't even necessary care about the central issues. It happened to the Left in the 1960s, and in small measure, it's happening to the Tea Party movement today. It's an occupational hazard for political movements. The Berkeley Free Speech Movement of the early 60s was relatively rational, level-headed, and goal-oriented (specifically, expanding minority civil rights) by the standards of ten years later. Ten years later, the Left was a anti-anything-traditional zoo. Not willing to debate, or even listen to the other side. That's the risk that comes with quick success.
Edited on September 28, 2010 at 7:45pmJul '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
EJHill,
I cannot help thinking that you and I are seeing the same thing, regarding this article, from differing angles.
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
EJHill
You only navel gaze introspectively when you don't have the strength of your convictions in the first place. Do you think Ronald Reagan got up every morning and said, "What do I believe in today?"
I wholly disagree with this. I'd argue that introspection can only be performed by those who do have strong convictions and principles.
As an example: I consider my Christian identity to be my defining trait. If I never take time to reflect on my actions and whether or not I'm acting consistently with the Gospel I cherish, I will not grow in my faith and I'll end up with a lot of inconsistencies in my life.
On the other hand, I'm not really sure how a person who lacks principles or convictions can engage in introspection. They have no standard by which to judge their actions or their thoughts. Everything becomes acceptable to them and there's no reason to ever change course.
May '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
Jaydee, I don't think it's that different. Matt Lewis' take is this: Tea Party, moderate thyself into the GOP. My take: Bullocks! GOP, get with the program.
Or do you see it differently?
May '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
I find Lewis pretty thoroughly unconvincing here. Sounds like long-term insider Republicans are "concerned" mostly because they're no longer controlling the narrative. They're not being "revered" as elders anymore. The base is not feeding out their hands.
Of course there are potential problems with the tea party movement, as with all movements. But to me what's really striking about this one is how relatively orderly, deliberative, and constructive it's been as a whole. Most of the candidates it's supported are outstandingly talented and credentialed politicly and intellectually. (Marco Rubio, Steve Miller, Ovide Lamontagne, Pat Toomey). Even the ones that are considered "wackos" by the establishment types (Sharon Angle, Rand Paul, Christine O'Donnell) come across as articulate, thoughtful and capable when they're allowed to speak for themselves.
When they've lost primaries, they've supported the duly elected nominee.
As for the worry about losing the pro-life, pro-marriage plank, I see no evidence for it. Have not the tea partiers consistently favored and pro-life candidates? Were not many if not all the "establishment candidates" who lost to tea partiers weak at best on "social issues"?
Jul '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
EJHill: Jaydee, I don't think it's that different. Matt Lewis' take is this: Tea Party, moderate thyself into the GOP. My take: Bullocks! GOP, get with the program.
Or do you see it differently? · Sep 28 at 10:59am
Ditto
I just think our approach is different, but our conclusions and goal are the same.
Edited on September 28, 2010 at 8:06pmMay '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
This could easily be a generational disagreement. Maybe at your young age you still need to constantly look inside yourself. At my age, I pretty much am what I am (The Gospel of Popeye.)
To be introspective is to be centered on one's self. As a husband, and especially as a father, I abandoned that a long time ago.
One could argue that without introspection, Reagan would have remained a Democrat. But it wasn't Reagan's view of himself that led to the separation, it was his keen observation of what had happened to his party that led him to leave for the GOP. Reagan didn't leave, they left him.
Jul '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
Diane Ellis, Ed.
On the other hand, I'm not really sure how a person who lacks principles or convictions can engage in introspection. They have no standard by which to judge their actions or their thoughts. Everything becomes acceptable to them and there's no reason to ever change course.
It's that changing course thing that's the problem.
Jumpin Jim Jeffords changed course
Arlin make a specticle of myself changed course
Can you say, "When History Calls, History Calls." ?????
Again, it is the Tea Parties asserting themselves that will cause the party to introspect. If we do what we did in 1994 we'll get what we got in 1995.
When parents notice that the houshold budget is in trouble, the first thing to go is Cable TV, regardless of how much the children wail.
Can we trust the same people who couldn't defund the National Endowment for the Arts to Repeal (or even defund) Obamacare? Or will they get introspective and look at all sides of the issue and be Reasonable about this whole thing, since the President is sure to Veto it, so it can stick around for another two years?
May '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
By the way Diane, maybe religious introspection is good. I think what Jaydee and I are saying is that introspection is self-doubt and lack of confidence, which in politics and war is the smell of fear and death. And that is the quickest way to defeat.
Sep '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
EJHill:
4. Purges. Purges are done at the end of a gun. At the ballot box its called (horrors!) "democracy."
EJ, I think you are missing Matt Lewis' point. I don't think he's referring to the Tea Parties successful campaigns to oust Republican incumbents through the primary processes. I think he's referring the way in which some Tea Party activists have been questioning the conservative bona fides and even integrity of conservative writers solely on the basis tactical judgments those writers have made in how to best advance the conservative cause. Here are a few links you might want to peruse:
https://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/are-odonnell-skeptics-sexists-rinos-both
http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/246328/which-side-fight-goes-straight-attributing-corrupt-motives
Jonah Goldberg has also talked about this in his G-File:
"You can be pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-tax cuts, pro-everything conservatives are supposed to believe, but if you argue against the anti-establishment figure purely on tactical grounds, you are a fraud and a sell-out."
Edited on September 28, 2010 at 8:54pmSep '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
EJ, Diane is clearly saying that the Tea Party movement should give serious thought to how best to advance its preferred policy outcomes. Thinking about what we want and how best to get it is not "the quickest way to defeat."
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
I'm jumping into this conversation to say that I'm not jumping into this conversation.
Jul '10
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
Mack The Mike
EJHill:
4. Purges. Purges are done at the end of a gun. At the ballot box its called (horrors!) "democracy."
Jonah Goldberg has also talked about this in his G-File:
"You can be pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-tax cuts, pro-everything conservatives are supposed to believe, but if you argue against the anti-establishment figure purely on tactical grounds, you are a fraud and a sell-out." · Sep 28 at 11:49am
Edited on Sep 28 at 11:54 am
This is an awful strawman argument, and a sign he's getting intellectually lazy since his big book.
I'd like Jonah to point to these jackalopes who are against conservatives because they think they'll win tactically. It's actually the reverse, people are against these politicians tactically because they don't believe in all the pro-conservative positions, and especially suspect in one or two.
Re: Constructive Criticism for the Tea Party
Rob Long: I'm jumping into this conversation to say that I'm not jumping into this conversation. · Sep 28 at 12:02pm
That's some deep introspection right there.