The stale manifesto
by digby
So the Tea Party groups all got together yesterday to hammer out the agenda they expect the Republican Party to endorse in the fall. Here it is. Gird yourself:
In the 10-page pamphlet finalized Thursday, they called on party leaders to champion lower taxes, a well-funded military, and the idea that “married moms and dads are best at raising kids.” The document warns Republicans against signing on to an immigration overhaul unless the U.S. border is “fully secure,” and it argues that support for school prayer, a balanced-budget amendment and antiabortion legislation should remain priorities.
Yes, that's the same agenda the conservatives have been advancing for the past 25 years or so. Actually the past 45 years or so. It is what they truly believe.
But the Republican establishment sees that this isn't winning them many converts. And they need some converts since their base is dying off. The Chamber of Commerce wants immigration reform. Grover Norquist (who attended as a Wingnut Emeritus apparently) also wants immigration reform along with a discussion about military spending. And across the board the establishment would really like to have an election where their candidates don't spend their time talking about lady parts.
It's not that the establishment doesn't agree with the Tea Party. They are perfectly happy to pass racist and sexist policies and allow their religious zealots to impose their beliefs on everyone else. Some of them undoubtedly agree with all that. But what is most important is having enough political power to ensure that the 1% is not interfered with. All else flows from that.
The problem is that the anti-immigrant faction and the Christian Right and the gun nuts all thought they were running things. They are learning the hard way that they can have what they want but they have to settle down when the Big Money Boyz need some running room. It's unclear they have learned it yet.
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