Tea Party throws feces at Paul Ryan; establishment ducks

[ESF]

title mine, but really, it's a very accurate summary. I'm sure he will jump right in knowing he's got such good friends!

www.politico.com/story/2015/10/paul-ryan-house-republicans-speaker-conservatives-214806

GOP establishment stands by as activists pummel Ryan
Mainstream Republicans know that backing Ryan as speaker would only be used against him.


As the right continues to beat up Paul Ryan, hoping to preempt a bid for speaker, much of the GOP establishment is letting him twist in the wind.

Their thinking: Any public display of affection for Ryan from D.C. players would be his kiss of death — handing ammunition to activists to use against the Ways and Means chairman.


But the groups’ approach means that there’s no organized response to a chorus of figures and groups on the activist right — from Phyllis Schlafly and Sean Hannity to the Tea Party Patriots — imploring House Republicans to oppose Ryan.

Natural allies of the Wisconsin Republican such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce aren’t stepping up to get Ryan's back. And other major business groups, such as the National Federation of Independent Businesses and National Association of Manufacturers, are steering clear of the House GOP’s drawn-out leadership saga.

Longtime political players say leadership battles ultimately are won or lost under the dome of the Capitol, anyway.

“The only people with votes are members of Congress so it’s not particularly useful, one way or another, to have an opinion on who should be the next speaker,” said Grover Norquist, head of Americans for Tax Reform, which has stayed on the sidelines rather than encourage support for Ryan, whom many Republicans believe is the only figure capable of commanding the Republican Conference.

The hands-off approach, Norquist added, applies to “everything from getting on committees, to which speaker is more likely to stop for a moment and talk to me and ask me for my opinion … outside groups can’t affect that at all.” A Chamber spokeswoman declined to comment on the speaker race because the business group “does not engage in leadership elections.” NFIB and NAM did not respond to requests for comment.

The moderate Main Street Partnership appears to be an exception in its willingness to voice support for Ryan, who has made clear he doesn’t want the job but would consider serving if he’s a consensus choice of the party. He’s spending the week in his hometown mulling a final decision.

“We support Paul Ryan. Our members would gladly vote for him if he chooses to do that,” said Sarah Chamberlain, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of the Main Street Partnership. She noted the group does not endorse in leadership elections.
The ongoing unrest in the House follows what was supposed to be a tide-turning 2014 midterm election, when the Chamber spent some $70 million to beat tea party candidates and elect more business-friendly lawmakers.

Less than a year later, their ally atop the Republican Conference, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), was basically forced out. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), another lawmaker they are friendly with, was sidelined in his quest to be speaker.
And, now they are watching to see if Ryan will shun the gavel.

The decision for trade associations and companies to not get involved in the leadership race is not wholly surprising. While their agendas will certainly be affected, the groups will have to work with whomever House Republicans choose to succeed Boehner.

Still, the organizations will want to have the ear of the next speaker given the major influence he or she will have over must-pass legislation addressing the debt ceiling and spending. And, the next speaker could look more favorably on bringing back some form of earmarks, which could make it easier for leadership to find the votes for legislative priorities like a transportation bill.

Still, the establishment's "say nothing" strategy is a stark contrast to the active role that conservative groups such as Tea Party Patriots are taking. The group launched a “call to action” on Tuesday, urging members to meet with lawmakers over the Columbus Day recess and tell them not to vote for Ryan. Tea Party Patriots says it has more than 2 million grass-roots supporters and is affiliated with more than 600 local groups.

“There is a reason why Donald Trump and [Ben] Carson and Carly Fiorina are doing so well in the polls right now,” said Jenny Beth Martin of Tea Party Patriots. “People are very dissatisfied with what’s happening in Washington.”

Martin said the group’s decision to back Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) is based on Ryan’s support of legislation like No Child Left Behind and the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and his position on immigration.

ForAmerica Chairman Brent Bozell, who has previously supported Ryan publicly, is also coming out against the 2012 vice presidential candidate.

“It’s crystal clear that it’s going to be more of the same if he is elected speaker,” Bozell said.

Bozell, who declined to comment on whom he would support, said that so far he hasn’t begun reaching out to ForAmerica’s grass-roots members because it isn’t clear that Ryan will run.

“No matter where you are in this debate, no one is quite sure what to do," Bozell said. "Wouldn’t it be nice if you could sprinkle some fairy dust to make everybody happy. It’s not going to happen.”

Tea Party Patriots and ForAmerica join other conservative activists, such as Schlafly and Hannity, in criticizing Ryan as too accommodating.

Not all conservative groups are wading into the anti-Ryan fray. Heritage Action issued a three-page memo in late September detailing its vision for what the next set of Republican leaders should deliver, including tax reform, entitlement reform and significant internal reforms.

Ryan has a 63 percent lifetime rating on Heritage Action's legislative scorecard.

A Heritage Action spokesman said the group would not be getting involved in the race beyond the memo.


Read more: www.politico.com/story/2015/10/paul-ryan-house-republicans-speaker-conservatives-214806#ixzz3obcudQGP

[summer]

I don't understand the Tea Party at all.

[tres3]

Oct 15, 2015 2:17:04 GMT -5 summer said:

I don't understand the Tea Party at all.

they are as rational as a 3 year old who doesn't get a cookie at the grocery store...

They are plain awful. They campaign on "no" and don't understand they actually have to govern and are "public servants". 

[cookiemdough]

They are frustrated with the establishment about not getting things done? What tea party rep has accomplished something in congress? And no, shutting down the government is not an "accomplishment" nor is voting to repeal Obamacare for the 100th time.

[WanderingWinoZ]

it's like watching lord of the flies- they are eating their own!


And LOL at "getting stuff done" - you know, that actually requires compromise & working with people. Just b/c you got elected to DC doesn't mean you get your agenda passed full stop. I very much agree with the temper tantrum. They tried holding the government hostage (the shutdown) & are now basically holding their party hostage (SOH nomination).

[eclaires]

Honestly if the Tea Party hates Paul Ryan, it makes me like him. These people are insane.

[tres3]

Oct 15, 2015 6:00:11 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Honestly if the Tea Party hates Paul Ryan, it makes me like him. These people are insane.

The teaparty has destroyed states like KS, TN and WI. It is going to take years to recover and the recovery hasn't even started because they are still in control. 

[eclaires]

Oct 15, 2015 6:48:54 GMT -5 tres3 said:

Oct 15, 2015 6:00:11 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Honestly if the Tea Party hates Paul Ryan, it makes me like him. These people are insane.

The teaparty has destroyed states like KS, TN and WI. It is going to take years to recover and the recovery hasn't even started because they are still in control. 

I think what's even crazier is in places like TN the establishment Rs basically became Tea Partiers out of fear. I think Alexander is an exception but my us house rep has been around for decades and has obviously always been conservative but even without any tea party challenger he moved further - and insanely - right. In ways that are detrimental to his constituents who weren't even demanding the things he was doing (ahem shutdown for a district that has a national lab and park).

[NewOrleans]

omg

Paul Ryan is not far enough Right. omg

[cattledogkisses]

Oct 15, 2015 7:17:24 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

omg

Paul Ryan is not far enough Right. omg

Paul Ryan accommodates. Can't have that!

[tres3]

Oct 15, 2015 6:59:43 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Oct 15, 2015 6:48:54 GMT -5 tres3 said:

The teaparty has destroyed states like KS, TN and WI. It is going to take years to recover and the recovery hasn't even started because they are still in control. 

I think what's even crazier is in places like TN the establishment Rs basically became Tea Partiers out of fear. I think Alexander is an exception but my us house rep has been around for decades and has obviously always been conservative but even without any tea party challenger he moved further - and insanely - right. In ways that are detrimental to his constituents who weren't even demanding the things he was doing (ahem shutdown for a district that has a national lab and park).

TN is full of "winning" politicians.. Scott Dejarlais "I"m opposed to abortion except for my mistresses and wife"... Marcia Blackburn "I'm comcast's bitch" even though her constitutents tell her not be.. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey "Christians need to bear arms". 

[eclaires]

Oct 15, 2015 7:47:42 GMT -5 tres3 said:

Oct 15, 2015 6:59:43 GMT -5 eclaires said:

I think what's even crazier is in places like TN the establishment Rs basically became Tea Partiers out of fear. I think Alexander is an exception but my us house rep has been around for decades and has obviously always been conservative but even without any tea party challenger he moved further - and insanely - right. In ways that are detrimental to his constituents who weren't even demanding the things he was doing (ahem shutdown for a district that has a national lab and park).

TN is full of "winning" politicians.. Scott Dejarlais "I"m opposed to abortion except for my mistresses and wife"... Marcia Blackburn "I'm comcast's bitch" even though her constitutents tell her not be.. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey "Christians need to bear arms". 

Desjarlais is disgusting.  He's the only one I hear too much about here.  I think his district borders nearby counties.

[ESF]

Oct 15, 2015 2:17:04 GMT -5 summer said:

I don't understand the Tea Party at all.

Let me break it down for you.  They have a two part political philosophy:

1. No free shit for brown people
2. Christianity must triumph over Islam and secularism

That's it. Everything they know and believe can be summed up right there. There is no nuance, no compromise. Any policy or law that runs counter to those philosophies represents another sign of the impending demise of this great nation and must be stopped at all costs.

[tres3]

Oct 15, 2015 7:48:23 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Oct 15, 2015 7:47:42 GMT -5 tres3 said:

TN is full of "winning" politicians.. Scott Dejarlais "I"m opposed to abortion except for my mistresses and wife"... Marcia Blackburn "I'm comcast's bitch" even though her constitutents tell her not be.. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey "Christians need to bear arms". 

Desjarlais is disgusting.  He's the only one I hear too much about here.  I think his district borders nearby counties.

I was in his district before redistricting.  He's awful.

His district was gerrymandered just for him. 

[ESF]

Oct 15, 2015 9:07:50 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Oct 15, 2015 9:06:20 GMT -5 ESF said:

Let me break it down for you.  They have a two part political philosophy:

1. No free shit for brown people
2. Christianity must triumph over Islam and secularism

That's it. Everything they know and believe can be summed up right there. There is no nuance, no compromise. Any policy or law that runs counter to those philosophies represents another sign of the impending demise of this great nation and must be stopped at all costs.

You forgot:

3.  Fetuses must be protected at all costs.  But once they're here, "bootstraps!"

I think that's encapsulated by both because at its core, it comes down a "Christian" philosophy about "life" and free shit.

[Mrs.Rad888]

Oct 15, 2015 9:07:50 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Oct 15, 2015 9:06:20 GMT -5 ESF said:

Let me break it down for you.  They have a two part political philosophy:

1. No free shit for brown people
2. Christianity must triumph over Islam and secularism

That's it. Everything they know and believe can be summed up right there. There is no nuance, no compromise. Any policy or law that runs counter to those philosophies represents another sign of the impending demise of this great nation and must be stopped at all costs.

You forgot:

3.  Fetuses must be protected at all costs.  But once they're here, "bootstraps!"

And also:
4. Guns! Because Second Amendment.