This “Issue Stance” paper presents facts to explain how the Tea Party has consistently ruined the Republican Party. In 2002, Charles Koch and David Koch established the Tea Party Movement thus changing the landscape of American politics.
The party became popular after the Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commissions case when the Supreme Court made a ruling that gave corporations numerous liberties and rights (CNN, 2012). The ruling declared that corporations were more or less like “people”. The ruling encouraged American companies and billionaires to spend their wealth in order to influence the outcome of the country’s elections.
In 2010, it was evident that “the Republicans were desperate thus tempted by the members of the Tea Party to shift to the right (CNN, 2012)”. This happened because the Republications were after electoral gains. However, what they did not know was that such gains would affect the party in the future. At the time, the Republicans did not predict was that the “rightist idea” would eventually cost the party.
The decision-makers only considered the importance of new votes in order to win an election. They did so without considering the values, views, and expectations of its current voters and party members (Skocpol & Williamson, 2013). The consideration and decision would have negative impacts on the functions of the Republican Party.
After the establishment of the Tea Movement, billionaires and business owners provided finances to energize the Republican Party. However, the saddening outcome was that the party would accept defeat in 2008. After the election, the conservatives were troubled after their candidate, John McCain, lost the presidential seat. At the same time, George Bush was receiving dismal ratings from the electorate.
This new outcome would have great implications on the future of the Republican Party (CNN, 2012). It was after the election when Tea Party leaders and activists began to inject some ideas and life into the Republican Party grass roots. “The move helped bring out the voters who were greatly frustrated with the changing status quo in the politics of the United States (CNN, 2012)”.
The Tea Party activists were on the forefront to push the Republicans to focus on different issues that would alter the decision-making processes in the two houses. For instance, “the activists forced the Republican Party to address issues such as government spending and deficit reduction (Skocpol & Williamson, 2013)”.
The party leaders also created much pressure on the leadership of the Congress. Consequently, the situation put the president, Barrack Obama, on the defensive. The changing political platform would eventually have numerous impacts on the future position of the Republican Party.
It has become evident that the Tea Party has eventually ruined the position of the Republic Party. Between 2010 and 2012, the Tea Party knocked out some prominent and powerful Republican politicians. This means that the Tea Party is presently in control of the Senate.
Political analysts believe strongly such Republican candidates and powerful political would have won in the elections and form a majority in the Senate (CNN, 2012). This becomes one of the major losses for the Republican Party in the recent past.
It is notable that the Tea Party has led to the demise of the Republican Party. In 2010, for example, it was reported that O’Donnell Christine of the Tea Party defeated a Republican by the name Michael Castle in the Republican primary. As well, political analysts and theorists believe that Castle would have won the Senatorial seat. As a result, O’Donnell was unable to win the seat and instead the Democrats captured it.
This is a classical example of how the Tea Party continues to kill the Republican Party. In 2012, Richard Lugar, a powerhouse Senator from Indiana lost to Murdock Richard after uttering explosive suggestions and comments about the issue abortion (Skocpol & Williamson, 2013).
The comments forced many people to believe that the Republicans were “far rightists”. This explains why the party was unable to recapture the Indiana senatorial seat.
In 2011, the tea party activists (also Republican leaders) made it impossible for the Republican Party to sign off on the popular “grand bargain” about government spending and taxes. This “grand bargain” amounted to 4 trillion US dollars. At the time, the Republican leaders were unable to submit to Barrack Obama on the issues affecting the country.
The republicans gambled that the citizens of America would consider a Republican president in 2012 elections. With such mindset, the Republicans were optimistic that they were going to have free control and rein thus dictating the future of the “grand bargain”. The sad news is that is what just a dream.
It is clear that things have turned out differently than it was expected. Instead, the Republican Party does not have its original control over the Senate or the White House. This means that the party faces the possibility of increased taxes thus affecting the lives of the American taxpayer (CNN, 2012).
The Republican Party will widen cuts in the country’s defense budget unless new measures are undertaken (Kabaservice, 2012). The situation indicates that the conservatives will experience increased reductions on the country’s defense spending. This will definitely not be acceptable to many Republicans.
After the 2012 election, it has become evident that Obama is primarily the driving force. The Republicans have subsequently taken a raw choice from their current position (CNN, 2012). According to Kabaservice (2012), the Tea Party continues to undermine the Republicans’ capabilities and efforts to position their ideas. This has made Republican Party the choice of extremists and not of governance.
The Tea Party activists are influential and form part of the party’s dynamics. This explains why the Tea Party continues to make it impossible for the Republicans to establish a sustainable coalition that can influence the political landscape of the United States.
It is notable that the Tea Party has influenced the positions of many Republicans than ever before. The Republican Party is presently moving further to the right. This is what has led to dysfunctional position of American politics. The Tea Party continues to make it hard for Republicans to control the major voting blocs that might play a significant role towards the party’s victory in 2016 (CNN, 2013).
From the above points, it is evident that the Tea Party currently controls the affairs, positions, and future of the Republican Party. This has definitely ruined the party thus making it an extremist group that does not fulfill the needs of the citizens. Today we have the Democrats controlling most of the Republican States. The Republican Party leaders should do something in order to reverse the situation and bring back the party’s glory.
Reference List
CNN (United States). (2012, December 18). What the Tea Party Cost the GOP [Television broadcast]. In CNN Global News View. United States: Cable Network News.
Kabaservice, G. (2012). The Downfall of Moderation and the Destruction of the Republican Party, From Eisenhower to the Tea Party. New York: Oxford University Press.
Skocpol, T. & Williamson, V. (2013). The Tea Party and the Remaking of Republican Conservatism. New York: Oxford University Press.