My local tea party has – at least since last summer – realized that we were in a long-term struggle, and our strategy had to start on the local political level. Yes, protests and big rallies are fun, and sometimes useful – but they are often pretty draining. We put a certain degree of energy and time into doing them, but never removed our eye from November and beyond. We must elect people to office who will truly represent us and our interests – not the career hacks doing and saying just what they need to ensure their continuing place at the trough.
On the Sunday of the big health care demo on Capitol Hill, our San Antonio Tea Party was hosting a run-off debate, for four Republican candidates in District 20 and District 23. All four are pretty solid – and only one of them had ever run for political office before. Two businessmen, a constitutional lawyer and a retired civil servant; they all looked very, very good.
Yes, this Tea Party is thinking ahead, and for the long haul.
