On several previous occasions I've called for "a 'Tea Party' movement in the Democratic Party". Now a reader at Legal Insurrection asks, "Could 2014 be the year of the Tea Party Democrats?"
As Legal Insurrection’s designated “Tea Party Democrat,” I would like to answer this: Yes and No.
Yes: Democrats are becoming as frustrated with their establishment leaders and failed policies as “Tea Party Republicans” have been with theirs.
. . .
Legal Insurrection readers now may be asking, “Then, Leslie, why do you also say NO?“
Because “Tea Party” has been so derided and mocked in the mainstream media and comedy shows . . . which is still the main source of news for the less politically engaged.
. . .
It is also not terribly helpful when conservative luminaries like Charles Krauthammer refer to Tea Partiers as the “Suicide Caucus” and Republicans name “top generals in the War Against Tea Party”.
. . .
As a Democrat, I offer this hopeful forecast related to my party for 2014: Democrats around the country will begin pushing back on government in their own way under a different label.
There's more at the link.
I'm not sure of his analysis, but I am sure that we really need to rouse to action Americans who care about the rule of law and the constitution, fiscal discipline, and traditional American values. It matters not whether they're right or left of center, as long as they share a commitment to those core elements. Neither the Tea Party nor the so-called 'Blue Dog' Democrats can change things on their own: but working together . . . who knows?
This is long overdue. I really hope something comes of it this year.
Peter
