The Kansas AFP delegation met this afternoon for a lunch meeting in the Coolidge Room at the Marriott Wardman in the District. My perhaps less-than-completely-accurate estimate puts the number in attendance at above fifty Kansans who made the half nation trek to our country’s capital to stand for a movement that truly defends the principles of smaller government and less spending.
As surprise guests, the national director of Americans for Prosperity, Tim Phillips stopped by share some info on the national organization, and to thank us for our involvement.
David Koch, the Kansas native of Koch Industries fame, who is the Chairman of Americans for Prosperity Foundation and has recently been attacked for this involvement, spoke about his desire to take the flak for the sake of the nation for the salvation of the movement and the nation.
Rep. Todd Tiahrt speaking to Kansas AFP Delegation
Then, we had our third and fourth surprise guests (well, some of use knew ahead of time!), Congressman Todd (R-KS03) and Mrs. Vicki Tiahrt who drove in specifically for the AFP Summit and tomorrow’s Glenn Beck rally at the Lincoln Memorial. They haven’t given up the fight.
Mrs. Vicki Tiahrt speaking to Kansas delegation
To paraphrase Mrs. Tiahrt, “You [AFP] are who will take our nation back.” Vicki spoke for a few minutes on the importance of taking our message of opportunity for all and fiscal conservatism to reach new voters, especially those who may have been turned off in the past by misperceptions of the conservative movement.
It was a very informative and up-lifting lunch, and it was great to see Todd and Vicki again. Better yet, I finally got a photo with them:
According to the Summit’s website, the general registration sold out – something that excites me. With the almost 2,500 attendees at this year’s fourth annual conference, this shows with certainty that Americans are waking up to the theft taking place beneath our noses.
Nick Gillespie, ReasonTV
I’ve been encouraged by the speakers I’ve had the privilege of hearing from already, including Nick Gillespie of ReasonTV and Matthew Elliott of the UK’s TaxPayer’s Alliance. Mr. Elliott offered an inspirational view of how the new Conservative government in the UK is winning over the population and making authentic efforts to right their financial ship.
Matthew Elliott, TaxPayer's Alliance
If this morning was an example of how the rest of the weekend will go, then I’m excited. Let’s get going… let’s Remember November.
My good friend, KSKidConservative, makes some really hard-hitting grassroots campaign videos. This is his latest regarding the U.S. Senate race in Kansas.
Says he:
Todd Tiahrt is running for the United States Senate. Recently, Jerry Moran released an ad called ‘Quotes’ that said Congressman Tiahrt was “slimy” – I have a list of quotes of my own about Todd, from Sarah Palin to Sean Hannity.
I just received this email from a fellow Tea Partier from South Carolina, home of Senator Jim DeMint, who, breaking from the rest of conservatism, has oddly endorsed Todd Tiahrt’s very moderate opponent for Senate.
As a native Kansan, a resident of South Carolina, and an executive board member of the South Carolina District 5 Patriots “tea party,” ( www.scd5patriots.org )I am appalled that my Senator and Tea Party Hero, Jim DeMint, is actively campaigning against his fellow Tea Party Hero, Todd Tiahrt, in the race for the Senate Republican nomination in Kansas.
This week, Sen. DeMint, will travel to Kansas City to tell the voters of Kansas that Jerry Moran is the guy they can trust to put constitutional principles and the interest of his constituents above “politics as usual.”
There are reasons Congressman Moran was not chosen as a Tea Party Hero, such as voting to raise taxes 12 times, and voting for the tourism bailout that Senator DeMint called a “$400 million corporate welfare boondoggle.” (Washington Post op-ed by Jim DeMint)Yet DeMint, my senator and a Shining Star leading conservatives across the nation, will use his Tea Party Hero status to hoodwink the good people of Kansas.
This begs the question “Why?”And, it spits in the face of the millions of grassroots Americans who are seeking honest and principled ambassadors to represent THE PEOPLE in Washington.
What grates even deeper is that Moran is playing up DeMint’s Tea Party Endorsement as being an indirect Tea Party endorsement for him.This is a sleazy, deceitful tactic to usurp off the good name and credibility of the tea party movement.It’s fake, and it’s unscrupulous.
Sen. DeMint is sending mixed signals here, and it reflects poorly on the Tea Party Express organization and what it stands for.
So, Senator DeMint, which side are you on?As your constituent and leader of the SCD5 Patriots, I am holding you accountable.I want a really good explanation, or a retraction of your endorsement of Moran for Senate in Kansas and cancellation of your trip to Kansas.
I’ve noticed a disturbing trend recently when it comes to celebrating the birthday of our great nation. The Independence Day weekend-long celebration has brought this to light again.
234 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence…
-Instead of celebrating our Founding Fathers, we mock them.
-Rather than discussing and honoring our founding values, we denigrate them on the evening news.
-When the Flag is proudly flown or our national anthem sung, jeers, not salutes, are given.
-God is excluded from our schools, offices, homes, and hearts.
-Our President, instead of championing abroad both American causes and our way of life, bows to both dictators and kings, all while apologizing for the very existence of the USA.
How do we fix this? How do we stop the growing desire to be given everything for nothing?
This isn’t something I have an answer for, but I’d like to help continue the discussion.
“It’s not so much how long you’ve been in Washington, but how much Washington is in you.”
There is a resounding theme within the far-reaching Tea Party movement: Kick Out the Bums! On the surface, this sounds great – let’s throw out the entire Congress and start fresh! A closer look, however, reveals this may not be the best plan.
Our Founders knew that there was a chance that turmoil and unrest would seize the nation, much as both do now. With freedom as rich as our founders intended, there are bound to be thousands of ideas, and many of them are probably not in the best interests of the nation. All, however, should be given a chance to stand on their own merit.
Therefore, they devised a plan:
a) The House of Representatives is where the sparks fly.
Representatives are elected to a two year term, providing a quick turnaround if constituents are unsatisfied.
b) The Senate is for “measured” discussion.
This is why our Senate is set up in three sections, each rotating out for election every two years, with six year terms. The upper chamber is (supposedly) where cooler heads prevail and ideas are (once again, supposedly) calmly discussed and debated. The bugs are worked out of tricky bills and real legislation is supposed to appear(s).
Of course, as we all know, it doesn’t always work that way.
However, remember when you were young, and you missed recess (again) because that one kid made the teacher so furious (s)he took recess away from everyone? It’s the same with Congressional elections.
Sure, there’s a ton of scoundrels; it’s politics, and we have our fair share of worthless, corrupt politicians that should be fired, but there is a measured number of real, honest people working to shape a better future for America. It’s not so much how long you’ve been in Washington, but how much Washington is in you.
As a voter, I value hard-earned experience. Indeed, career politicians are a major part of the problem, but what about the official who started out as a small business owner, worked his/her way up, realized s/he really had something to offer the public, worked tirelessly for a few terms, and made some real progress – in spite of the Harry Reids and Nancy Pelosis that surround them. Do we throw them out, too?
I say no.
Instead, let us emulate the design of the Senate and carefully consider who is worthy of holding the title of “Congressman”, “Congresswoman”, or “Senator“, and who deserves nothing more than a curt “Ma’am”.
I hope you join me in helping move the Tea Party from protest to true activism.
Yesterday, Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for President George W. Bush, the “Architect”, “Boy Genius” Karl Rove visited the KC Metro Area and Wichita yesterday to announce his endorsement of Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) in his campaign for Kansas’s open U.S. Senate seat.
I caught up with both the Congressman and Mr. Rove at the rally at the Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita. As a volunteer for the Tiahrt campaign, I was asked to help with the book signing portion of the event.
Congressman Todd Tiahrt at Rove Rally in Wichita
Congressman Tiahrt spoke for about fifteen minutes to a very excited and fired-up crowd of over three hundred about his work to take Kansas conservative values to the U.S. Senate. The race in Kansas has been described as a campaign between two candidates with almost identical platforms, but that’s only because the other guy re-shapes the truth. The real truth couldn’t be more different: Kansas’s U.S. Senate race is between a true, honest, movement conservative, and a reluctant Republican.
Karl Rove sees this, too, and he said that’s why Rep. Tiahrt is one of only two Senate candidates he’s endorsing during the primary season (Marco Rubio of Florida is the other).
Karl Rove endorsing Rep. Todd Tiahrt
According to the Wichita Eagle, Mr. Rove said ”this guy here [Tiahrt]” is a “natural fit” for tea party supporters. Said the candidate himself, “‘If Kansas can’t send a conservative, who can?’ he said. ‘We can’t depend on Connecticut.’”
Kansas holds its primary election August 3. Residents can now add or update their registration online.
For the sake of transparency, I wanted to let my readers know that I’m now volunteering with the Todd Tiahrt for Senate campaign as the Labette County coordinator and as part of the broader Southeast Kansas Power Team, headed by my good friend Michelle Hucke. I also wanted to say up front that I am receiving no financial or other compensation for this volunteer position or for any Tiahrt articles, images, or other items on my blog, Facebook, or Twitter.
But while we’re on the subject, I want to tell you why I support Todd.
I hope it’s become apparent to my longtime readers and Twitter followers that I’m not about furthering any one person’s agenda just because their rhetoric sweeps me off my feet. For me, it’s all about the conservative movement and how we, as citizens, can bring our government back inside the bounds we’ve set for it.
Every once in a great while, there comes about a candidate that truly has the ability and backbone to work for this same grand goal. In this Senate primary, that man is Todd Tiahrt.
As I hope you have seen, I don’t back candidates lightly. If you recall, it took me weeks to decide whether or not I would help the (pre-Palin) McCain campaign by doing anything besides voting for it. It wasn’t until after Palin was named VP nominee that I even campaigned for it instead of simply against Obama.
Once you meet Todd and his family, you instantly understand. Instead of the usual political garbage, you get authenticity and a feeling that you’re speaking with someone who’s actually listening, not just doing the head-bob that politicians are so good at. Fifteen seconds later, and after his surprisingly firm handshake, you realize he’s just like you; you come to understand that he could just as easily be your children’s football coach or the man who owns the local real estate agency. That’s because that’s who Todd is: a genuine, caring, and intelligent man who is one of us. Instead of D.C. changing Todd, Todd has changed D.C.
For me to support, endorse, and actually work for a candidate, I have to truly and wholeheartedly believe in them and what they stand for. #RealDeal is not just a Twitter slogan. I hope my support solidifies that idea for you, because it’s completely true.
Todd Tiahrt is that man, and he’s the real deal, Kansas.
Just so you know, this is one of those blog posts that is going to make some people upset. There, you’ve been warned.
All I ask is that you hear me out. Rip me up in the comments section, flame me on Twitter, but read what I have to say.
I don’t want the Republicans to take back control of the House and the Senate.
Even after two years out of power, they’re still on parole in my book. They’re simply not ready.
Have they had some good moments? Of course. But history is like weather cycles; they’re both doomed to repeat themselves over and over again.
Haven’t we all had enough of this flip-flopping between the parties? They commit atrocities while in office, we vote them out, and then they try to win back our trust by screaming, “But, look! They’re doing it, too!”
We had Republican majorities from 1994 until 2006, and what did we get? Some good legislation at the beginning, at least before the acquiescence of the Contract with America, but by the end, we were dealing with our beloved GOP milking the cash cow for all it was worth and growing government to sizes never before seen, with Medicare Part D, amnesty proposals, and the largest federal intrusion into education ever.
What makes everyone think this time will be different? Has two years truly been enough for them to learn their lesson? They’re not necessarily quick studies. They lost control in 2006, yet we got progressive John McCain as the nominee in 2008. Huh?
Before this gets bandied about, I am not a proponent of a third party. I never have been.
I am a true-blue (er, red?) registered Republican, and yes, Mr. Steele, I get your letters, too. I still think, as I did in 2008, that the Republican Party is our best hope to act as a catalyst for bringing traditional American values of family, frugality, and faith back to Washington, and for giving our States the standing they deserve.
We’ve seen how the Republican Party acts when its in the minority, and, you know what? I like it better. It’s the free market at work: they’re fighting for a majority and, therefore, they’re performing better. They’re willing to take those risks (see: healthcare, energy) in order to do right by those who elected them.
Let’s not open wide the door to the Capitol to anyone who is not a true defender of liberty.
Truthfully, I hope “we” gain forty-five seats in the House, and four or five in the Senate bringing us to the point where we make the Democrats nervous.
Why not just go for the whole thing? I won’t be upset, obviously, if they win majorities, but if they don’t, I’m fine with that, too. We need at least another two years out in the cold, so to speak, to really find who we are as a party. The whole point of the Tea Party movement has been to take over the Republican Party from the inside out (or, for some of you, vice versa). Have we done that yet? Eh, it’s debatable. We’ve had some good progress, with people like Sen. DeMint actively seeking out real conservative candidates, but, as evidenced by bizarre acts like Meghan McCain speaking at CPAC, we’re definitely not out of the woods yet.
So will I be campaigning for Republican candidates this fall? Of course. Will I continue to protest against all politicians who dare step on MY Constitution. Definitely. And will I rejoice if Congressional Republicans prove me wrong and we enjoy a golden age of conservatism and limited government? Yea, I guess I could go for that, too.
[As many of you know, I serve as the Events Coordinator for the Pitt State College Republicans. This post is related to one of our events]
On the way home from our Arkansas Tea Party tour over the Independence Day holiday, Virginia Crossland-Macha began talking with me about her plans to host another large 400+ person event in SE Kansas on the Pittsburg State University Campus. We wanted to help people put to use some of the energy they’d built up over the summer to help defeat the government takeover of healthcare.
In the end, we settled on a theme for the event, based mostly on our location at the backside of the PSU Football Stadium, as “Tailgate Tea Party.” We figured it would be a great way to draw in college students and local citizens who otherwise wouldn’t attend a political event.
We lived up to the “tailgate” moniker, as well, with live music performed by Josh Hucke and the Goin’ Nowhere Band and free hot dogs and bottled water.
We had some direct resistance from the Campus Police Department, resulting in a logistical stand-off that forced our headlining speaker, Bob Basso, to use a trailer graciously provided by Josh Hucke as his dressing room. With some attendees traveling over an hour and speakers flying for several, it was terribly embarrassing to the students, faculty, and alumni of the university who were in attendance. Some participants even vowed to reconsider their donations to the school because of their treatment of our peaceful, educational event. How’s that for serious?
Frankly, our speaker list was terribly impressive, if I may brag on Virginia’s connections for a minute. We had big names in to speak from D.C., California, and, of course, more local places, such as Iola, KS, Topeka, KS, Joplin, MO, and Rogers, AR.
In all, I consider the event to have been a great success. We hosted nearly 400 people from all over the four state area at a liberal university in a strongly Democratic area of the through-and-through red state of Kansas. I continue to believe tea parties are one of the most effective ways to engage the everyday, average right-of- center American where they are right now. Our organization has surely felt this influence, and we are very appreciative of the support we’ve gained.
