Mark Neumann's recent probably made it look like he is the one and only Tea Party candidate going into Tuesday's senate primary.
Don't be so sure.
The .
“Mark Neumann is a proven fiscal conservative,” said Amy Kremer, who founded the organization that is now the the nation’s largest Tea Party political action committee. “He understands Washington is the problem, not the answer… Mark will be the next senator from Wisconsin. I firmly believe that.”
Another Tea Party PAC - Wisconsin Liberty - also came out in support of Mark Neumann. In a press release issued Monday, Neumann is the group's choice because he best embodies the PAC's central tenants of liberty, constitutional government, "sound money and free markets."
"The Wisconsin Liberty PAC is proud to endorse Mark Neumann for US Senate. Mark has a Congressional history of being a sharp budget hawk who puts our nation’s interests over his own political interests," said the group's founder and Chair, Todd D. Welch.
Not everyone's cup of tea
But last month, the Freedom Works PAC, another national Tea Party group, put its weight behind businessman Eric Hovde. Closer to home, the Racine Tea Party and the Sheboygan Liberty Coalition issued statements making it clear the Tea Party Express does not speak for their groups.
A written news release from the group clearly stated, "We the undersigned grassroots leaders and activists individually support Eric Hovde for United States Senate," the Racine Tea Party was sure to list the individuals to drive home the point that while Hovde is their candidate, they don't presume to speak for everyone associated with the group.
During an interview with Patch, Nancy Milholland in Racine said the Tea Party is a movement, not a party, so there really isn't a central leadership team.
"The Tea Party is a movement of fiscally conservative people without a single leader or spokesperson. We worded our release to be sure individuals were listed, not whole groups," she said. "The list does include leaders of groups around the state, but, even here in Racine, we have members who back Tommy Thompson and some do like Mark Neumann."
But, overall, what Milholland said wasn't sitting right with Tea Party members was that the TPE's statements and appearances made it look as though that group was speaking for all groups in Wisconsin.
"We don't want the Tea Party Express trying to represent every Tea Party movement, especially here in Wisconsin where some of us are still a bit sour over how Mark Neumann conducted his campaign against Gov. Walker," she said. "And they don't even have a chapter in Wisconsin so I don't understand the purpose of their endorsement."
Hovde is grateful for the support, saying it means a lot that groups like the Tea Party in Wisconsin stand behind him.
"Eric is well-received and the endorsement from local Tea Party groups and individuals is important because they're state residents, it comes from inside Wisconsin," said Sean Lansing, a spokesperson for Hovde's campaign.
The Sheboygan Liberty Coalition echoed Milholland's sentiment on their website, saying:
As most folks know, the TEA Party movement is a highly decentralized grassroots movement with no national leadership structure. Tea Party Express is in fact a California based organization, not even based in Wisconsin, so naturally, local TEA Parties are pretty steamed about the presumption and inference that they endorse Congressman Neumann in the closely fought battle for the nomination.
Roy Catron of the Patriots for Honest Government in Muskego said he's not too happy, either with the presumption that the TPE speaks for all Tea Party members.
"One of the main points of the Tea Party is that we're individuals who agree on a set of basic principles but beyond that, we have our own opinions," he said. "I don't appreciate the Tea Party Express acting like they represent all of us."
He said his first choice is Hovde while his wife, who is also a member of the Patriots, likes Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald. Still, whomever wins tomorrow will get the Patriots' support because the goal is to make sure a Democrat doesn't get the seat.
"I think any of the candidates would be good so that's not the issue," Catron added. "But I think we need some new blood who understands the economy and paying the debt. Even though Hovde lacks the experience, he has the knowledge and that's important."
Party lines not clearly drawn
County Republican parties aren't standing behind a particular candidate, either.
The Milwaukee County GOP, much like the state party, isn't endorsing any of the candidates at this point.
"We won't do that until voters decide in the primary," said a representative who answered the phone. "After the candidate is chosen, we will throw the full weight of our support behind that person."
The Waukesha County GOP also is also withholding its endorsement until after the primary.
"We will support whoever wins Tuesday," said the volunteer who answered the phone when Patch called.
In Racine County, the GOP issued a written release detailing who supports whom.
"Board members have their opinions so we thought it was more fair to list who we support individually than ignore the question," said Bill Folk, chair of the party.
Folk said he will vote for Fitzgerald because he's the most conservative and helped usher Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill through the legislature.
"He's the most conservative, and he's been tested in one of the toughest political climates in the country," Folk said.
Other Racine County GOP board members scatter their support amongst former Gov. Tommy Thompson, Fitzgerald and Hovde.
Joe Wurzelbacher - Joe the Plumber - was in Wisconsin Monday to stump for Thompson. He has been associated with the Tea Party in past elections, but told Patch he's more about getting things accomplished and less about being part of a movement.
"The Tea Party is a group of Americans from both parties and Independents who are sick of all the talk but no action in Washington," he said. "If they want to say I'm part of them, I'm okay with that, but I'm more about getting stuff done and not necessarily about being part of a movement. I want to help get people elected who get stuff done."
Thompson Monday also secured the support of former Sec. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. In a statement announcing Rumsfeld's endorsement, Thompson said his former colleague's support means a lot to him.
"Don and I served together during a tough period in our nation's history," Thompson said in his statement. "His resolve and toughness still inspire me today, and I deeply appreciate his support in this election."
Hovde claims to align himself with the Austrian School of Economics, yet he supported TARP and has advocated doing all sorts of big government projects with it, like building high-speed rail on the coasts and establishing giant solar fields and wind farms. He now claims he never wrote those things, but I've heard him say on camera that he supports TARP and would do it again as long as it was "structured" properly. I've heard him defend high-speed rail, too. So I can only assume those ARE, in fact, his positions. Neumann may not be perfect. But he does have a record on cutting spending, which is a big part of what he's run on. He also has worked hard to get educated on constitutionally-based issues like the NDAA, HR 347, and Agenda 21. He's the only one talking about the Constitution in any kind of substantive way.
Somewhere on Patch there has to be a place where all you Dems can sing the praises of Tammy Baldwin and explain how you're voting for her on her merits, rather than complaining about the Republican field and how they're running a campaign that's not even targeted at you folks in the comments section of an article about the Tea Party. And I get labeled as cynical. Go figure.
Speaks to your conformist attitude that you would vote for someone just because of the R behind their name even if they had the name of Barack Obama or John McCain.
I've yet to see here much of anyone I'd call an independent. There may be a couple but, frankly, they tend not to stick around long because this venue lends itself to partisan arguing. Not voting because you don't care for either candidate is hardly intelligent or patriotic. It's abdicating your responsibility to participate in our form of government on one of those rare opportunities we have to do just that. We have a two party system. The parties are not identical. There's always some choice that can be made. Not voting isn't counted. Inaction does nothing.
Ironically, I'm more of an independent who leans left. I have actually voted for the GOP candidate in the Presidential election once or twice. I would almost have voted for John McCain in 2008 except for his running mate and the seriousness of the economic situation. I believed at the time (and still do) that four more years of the same policy would send us completely over the cliff. I vote character and platform, not party.
I think Bob mainly points the Klieg-light upon those that couch their political hacksmanship as political analysis
Well with the worst President in historyis currently running the show.....so things would be better under McCain or Mickey Mouse at this point! You think Obama has done a good job? lmao Talk about drinking the Kool Aid! Romney/Ryan 2012 is a no brainer for anyone who is looking for solutions. Obama has had 4 years and his solutions have made things far worse.
I think not, I would rather have a Tammy Baldwin that I know where she will be going and push to remove her from office next time around. If Tommy gets in he will be just as bad but it will be harder to replace him with someone good because he has an R behind his name and would be an incumbent.
Can you tell me what the 5 trillion in the last 3 1/2 years has done for you ? I mean your guy is driving the ship. He had complete control of house and senate for 2 years. Could of done whatever he desired. I guess he desired FAILURE! I can tell you what its done too future generations! Maybe you a public servant so it helped. The rest of us it was a complete Waste of money.
So basically you are part of the problem as you dont have any view but too complain. You need to keep playing checkers and let people who hold a true vision and are willing to back it with more than meaningless complaints. This blog is merely a place where u an vent at whatever goes wrong. YOU need to look in the mirror and decide what you can do to make thing better. It's not always someone elses job to make your life or country better. What our your plans other than to complain.
Great but the flaw in your view is that others cant differ from it for the right reasons. Your truth and just bashing complaints are not even remotely an IDEA .....its merely bitching . I suppose if you agree with that accessment you should lok back at your comments. They come off as a baby crying cause they didnt get his way. I know what I believe and why and pursue the best choices based on my view of the world . I have an Economics degree and we have a major problem in this country because we need to DO THE MATH . The deficit is ultimately the death blow to many nations. When I access the Thompson vs Baldwin race the reality is one of them will be going to Washington. I only have one vote and it will be used on the person closest to my view that can win. I will encourage others to do the same. But just whining for whining sake is a waste of your stated goals as it serves no purpose. If you have an idea....present it. Don't just bash everyone else cause they have a thought that isn't the same as yours. We all understand politics isnt a perfect world. That point goes without saying.
They gave you a degree with that kind of spelling and subject/verb agreement? And the word is 'assess'. Please tell me your math is better than your English. And please tell me you didn't attend the UW system. That's my tax dollars at work. You're correct that something must be done about the deficit and the national debt. But eight years of reduced taxes and reduced revenues should have taught us that more of the same won't work.
And you think raising taxes right now will increase revenues?