Erick Erickson Has a Change of Heart at National Tea Party Convention
by Jim HoftPopular conservative Erick Erickson has a change of heart at National Tea Party Convention.
Early in January RedState blogger Erick Erickson slammed the National Tea Party Convention. Erickson compared the convention organizers to Nigerian scam artists.
Let me be blunt: charging people $500.00 plus the costs of travel and lodging to go to a “National Tea Party Convention” run by a for profit group no one has ever heard of sounds as credible as an email from Nigeria promising me a million bucks if I fork over my bank account number.
I am led to believe a number of the sponsors who lent their names early on have grown wary of the event. That lines up with what I am hearing.
The tea party movement was always about the unorganized masses of concerned, passionate Americans uniting together with a common voice to protest the direction of the country. From that passion, others have sought to make money off the tea party movement. Some have done it for good. Many have not. And more and more we are seeing some people rise up to claim the mantle of “leader” of the tea party movement. Many of us who have been around for a while just want to know who the heck these so called leaders are.
But Erick Erickson had a change of heart. Today he is not as suspicious of the event. The RedState blogger actually was impressed with the convention and thinks it may bode well for the future of the tea party. We caught up with Erick earlier tonight:
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79 Comments
I'd be less suspicious of the Tea Party Movement, than I would be of Hatian charities.
The folks at the conventions tried really hard to respect all other tea party groups that did not make it there. The humbleness and workshop and practical help oriented event will be a success. The people learned all kinds of useful staff and nobody tried to hijack the movement (at least not visibly)
It's not about leaders, making money or anything else. It's about freedom. If people want to pay $500 to go then that is their choice. If they don't then that is their choice. The reason some people are so against the Tea Party is that they want to tell others what to do. Those who are for the tea party will err on the side of freedom. Simple. Like Braveheart said "FREEDOM".
I sure would not disparage these folks. The entrenched always try to fragment and isolate any threat to the special interest control of our country. These people are the real deal, and the internal conflict is staged by the folks who don't want to lose power in Washington. Same thing happened to Perot's folks.
The Tea Parties and Tea Party Orgs are just the tip of the the iceburg of an underlying movement I like to think of as We the People. We the People Moverment does not needs a Tea Party Org, but does need the Internet and sites like this to remain informed. I am a We the People person and am and will become more of a local 'power' of conservative movement. Our local Tea Party candidate for Congress, Liz Carter is masquerading as a Republican.
Although We the People is not an Identifiable organization it does have an identifiable conservative conviction. Tea Party Orgs are just trying to organize and give shape to the conviction into an agenda. As we proceed, this year, as a 'non-organization', you can assess our health by watching the political polls and see how many have the conservative leading the liberal candidate. Liberals have a surprise coming since they still can't figure it out. In now looks like they are baffled! ie. "Why can't these conservatives see that we know that this is best for them. We just need to press forward with our progressive plans in whatever corrupt way and they will see we were right"
In the all-in-all. It's NOT so much thier agenda as thier condescending attitude!
Life is FUN! First time in 67 years I've ever been interested in politics!
Amateurs? So what ya Meathead. Our 'movement' is way better, ethically & constitutionally speaking, than the 'professionals' that have been in power too long. And as with most things, one starts out as an amateur prior to becoming a professional. DUH! Just look at the massive number of people this movement has gathered. So just keep on with the name calling, WE THE PEOPLE, know who, what & why we are.
God bless America
WHO DAT
Amateur? Isn't the 'professional' part of the problem?
Erickson. What's next? Are we going to be critical of the Minutemen because they had no uniforms and often lacked protocol and organization? Their weapons were shoddy and at times failed to perform as advertised?
Erick Baby. I'm glad you are looking for the Snake Oil Salesmen trying to make a buck and a name for themselves by leeching off the anti-progressive movement. The last thing we need are the John Edward's of the world to slip though the cracks.
Amateur should not be a negative but rather a prerequisite.
Yeah, walk it back, Erick. You, and your blogger pals like Dan Riehl have your noses so thoroughly up CPAC butt that you don't even know what to think. Will we see such nuanced commentary from your upcoming Romneyfest at CPAC?
Wow, looking at the background there is looks like there are a ton of people at that convention. I am surprised they could fit a camera in that swarming sea of humanity.
And kudos for them for getting a diverse panel of speakers, many of whom have their day jobs at Fox News.
As much as I like what Sarah Palin is about, she was the wrong person to give the keynote speech. Just as she is the wrong person to run for president next election. Its not because of her principals. Its because the media has demonized her to the extent that she has too much of a stigma (as false as it is) in the public's eyes to overcome. This also does not bode well for getting the Tea Party up and running. Yes it brings more coverage by the MSM, but all people have to hear is her name and the Tea party in the same sentence and the damage is done.
National TeaParty at Nashville is Fantastic! Showing live on C-span. See Sarah Palin tonight! See on TV or over the internet at Cspan.tv #NTPC #sgp #tcot Remember You can see it Free! Yes Free! you too Pundit!
One of the best was Andrew taking on the Mainstream Media. Although there have been many, many excellent speakers..
OK. So he changed his mind. So? Seems to me EE was trying to do some co-opting himself. Gotcha!
Old Crusty, I dropped Riehl from my favorites list because he got so negative about this event. Erick is doing a little better but it is like pulling his teeth to get him to say "Yea, they are doing a good job of getting our message out". The fact that we are walk up patriots to the events of our time should guarantee that we are amateurs. I believe that some of the big bloggers are developing egos that rival you know who's.
I suppose you were for McCain.
They probably waived the $500 fee for him.
.
Gotta charge something to pay for the convention rooms, etc. I go to seminars all the time and that's not a bad price!
Obama just did a fund raising dinner where they charged $30,000. each. This was a four day conference. Hello?
.
"distraction"?
Think of it as frosting on the cake.
Clear indication to me that you neither know anything about Palin nor the Tea Party movement.
idiot
Erickson chimes in that the ……Tea party folks are amateurs'.
Does that mean we have to go out and get some professionals to show us how to take back our country.
Were the founding fathers professional founders, like certified and all that?
Eric, it is called; LOVE OF COUNTRY.
Staying true to her is all the organization and professionalism we will need.
i got that 'pulling teeth' feeling from the interview as well, good catch.
Yawn….
When Drunk Driving Lawyer Judson Phillips (TeaParty Nation.org), with a far less than sterling reputation, and Mark Skoda, a bloviate opportunist, organize a for profit convention, what else should anyone expect.
Better first do an extended background check before allowing oneself to follow.
Ensuring Liberty Corp…anyone who contributes anything for self-aggrandizement of a few individuals, deserves to be taken.
this convention, replete with persons looking to capitalize on the movement, flies in the face of the meaning of the movement; there isn't any room for groups such as this, except to demean the very purpose of the movement.
The tea party movement must be careful under the increased police state of the United States.
The movement will not want to be considered right wing radical, and a potential terrorist threat. If that happens then certain select people will be eligible for indefinate detention.
Abe Lincoln loved to lock up northerners that opposed his views.
This event gave me a chance to see Breitbart speak. That alone makes it worth every penny. And tonight I will get to hear Sarah Palen speak for the first time since I heard her speak in VA. Beach with John McCain. I was so disappointed that I went all that way to hear her and all she talked about was John McCain. Tonight I will hear her talk for herself!!!!
Perhaps… I did view it twice.
We have to be careful? Right wing radical? Detention? Are you OK? First there is no such thing as a right wing radical..that is a myth created by the real radicals on the left. If those radicals and progressives controlling our government now would actually consider detention the last thing we should be thinking about is being careful. We would be in a serious trouble as a nation and the first ammendment would be violated let alone 10 others. Careful..no.. any real patriot would exercise his second ammendment right to stop this…just like the first ones.
Hopefully there will be a larger Tea Party Convention in the near future that is well organized and without the large entry fee that will be a huge success!
had to watch a couple times
i think she was a lib plant to take me off focus
at least thats what i would have told my wife
go COLTS
AND zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzz
[...] Big Government: Popular conservative Erick Erickson has a change of heart at National Tea Party Convention. [...]
Wish I could be there, but alas. . .
B.T.W., I think Sarah would make a great candidate for President. There is no question she has the right idea, the right attitude, the experience at running a campaign, and a few other things going for her. Yes, there is a media feeding frenzy concerning her, but she has overcome such things in her run for office in Alaska.
littlelittle must stand for brains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVsr-_-v2sI
Democratic congress, democratic senate, democratic white house and still unable to thwart the will of the American people. Tell me who's the winner and who's the loser. Save the republic and replace congress!!!!
Yea geaux home!!!!
I hope it's a good quality game-that's what really matters. Good luck. If we do win, dis plais' gonna be kerazee.
[...] Red State’s Erick Erickson has had a change of heart about the National Tea Party Convention after [...]
We need some kind of coordination. Over here in Colorado, we have a republican running for senate, masquerading as a conservative, with backing from a Tea Party Group.
Ok, obviously you folks can't farkin read. You don't get it. I DO LOVE PALIN. But, she cannot possibly win or be the gateway to bringing in people to the tea party movement. She is too polarizing, only because the media has lambasted her so unfairly. Most people except those that already are on her side will see her name and imediately think of what they have been told and lied to about her such as from Saturday night live, John stewart, or MSNBC. The person at the front as the spokesperson or leading candidate must be someone that the public doesn't already have a negative outlook of. And again for those of you who CAN'T seem to read: I think she embodies the spirit of the tea party movement, but most people other than those already in the conservative movement have a negative perspective of her. Thus it stops the tea party message from spreading to the masses because they will see her name so closely tied to it and close the door.
How? Please tell me how I don't know anything about either one of them? What did I say that was incorrect?
Give me an F'n break. I voted for Ron Paul. In my opinion it is Ron Paul who should be at the forefront of the Tea party movement.
Who did you vote for?
She totally has my support when it comes to her being attacked unfairly. However, I don't want the message of the tea party to have to overcome the negative stigma that a HUGE part of the country sees with her. I think Palin is awesome. But ignoring the hack job that the lame stream media has put out on her and what impact that will have on getting the message out to the general public is niave. It is reality, one we must all acknowledge, whether we like or not. Otherwise, the true message of the tea party will only be heard by those who are already on board.
Profit is the signal consumers send to producers to keep bringing their services or supplies to market. Why would a conservative ever be against profit, its the dumb ass libs who have no idea what profit means, the brainwashed morons think profit is "evil" what dunces!
The amendments are already being violated. Detention is already being practiced. Second amendment rights being exercised to save the nation? Get real. Americans would never do it. They have been too indoctrinated to accept government "authority" without question. Just look at how many "conservatives" fall into the badge worship trap. These days most people don't know the difference between nation and government and are too busy playing their video games or watching football to care.
If you had power what would to Israel or Jews like me?
Are you part of the movement?
good poast.
The bill of rights is just a nuisance for the federal government. They violate them each and every day.
The RedState blog is nothing but a wing of the establishment Republican Party.
I'm glad he was able to acknowledge the integrity of the many. As for the few, there will always be jackals running after scraps at the smell of blood.
Note to camera operator: don't film your subject when long, exposed legs are in the background. It can be a bit of a distraction.
CL
you edited beforei could add USG
I hope that I never need your support for anything if I have been attacked unfairly by the press. Innocent but guilty. You put that on your family flag and fly it with pride.
Focus… Focus… C'mon here guys this is business!
The libertards are going to attack ANY Conservative. Palin has shown enough resistance to it to be a viable candidate.
Right on that – why I gave 'where I KNEW it would be going and they actually doubled the money given' up to 100,000.00!!
Mmmm Mmmm Mmmmm…What did he say again?….
Thanks andy for taking the time to understand what I'm saying instead of going all nutzo because of some percieved opposition which is totally contrary to what I'm saying.
I agree JBnlD!
Does anyone remember how Reagan was trashed by the MSM?
Everyone needs to put their fear of the media where it belongs, in the basement trash bin!
You don't give up on gold when others are trying to tell you that all you have is tin. Sarah is that GOLD!
I'm not a big fan of the advocates of the Tea Party becoming a 3rd party…..
I would rather see that both sides of the Tea Party………
the Republican side and the Democrat side………
THROW THE DAMN LIBERALS, PROGRESSIVES, AND SOCIALISTS……..
OUT OF BOTH PARTIES.
Erickson's rush to judgment has rendered him irrevelant. Now that he has reversed his rash condemnations, who cares what he thinks now?
Totally agree. I love Palin too, but the media crushed her. She may rebound some day, but now is not that day. We need to acknowledge that she has high negatives, fair or unfair, and that that tarnishes her as a spokesman. The MSM, although weakening, is still very powerful and will relentlessly drive up the negatives of anyone who they fear. So we have to keep promoting the untarnished. And when Palin is rehabilitated, we set her loose again.
I find it very sad that so-called reporters have to plead their case by denigrating the efforts of a huge group of people who are simply trying to make a difference in their world. It's true they don't have a slick organization like the Chicago style thugs who are trying to take over our lives, but their sincerity and dedication to our founding principles I believe will be more than sufficient to ensure that real American patriots will take the work seriously. The frantic demonizing and scorning of real Americans makes me sick, especially when it comes from an obviously biased gang that is trying desperately to secure their place in the "New Society" being forced on us by a phalanx of punch-drunk politicians. I don't think they know that they will be hurt right along with the rest of us if this apocalypse comes to pass.
You know, I could see that one from a mile away.
InspectorRudy nailed it. Your strategy, Tar, is when one person is attacked, to simply retreat. This "huge stigma" is held by people who get their info from the MSM and don't think any further. So, in order to have the positive image that you desire, we'll just have to keep putting up people like disposable heroes, because they all WILL end up like Palin, demonized by the MSM. The MSM will NOT accept the tea party and it is folly for you to think that they will. The quest after popularity is futile; even Jesus was hated when He walked the earth.
Not only that, but your default assumption, that we need the support of people who don't think and probably don't vote, is also contrary to history and reason. If the American Revolution taught us anything, it should have taught us that a few number of people can make a difference.
Your opinion is already grossly repudiated by the fact that Palin gave the keynote address. You're fighting a battle that you've already lost, but then again, you're a Ron Paul supporter, so I guess I should have expected nothing less.
Erick Erickson is the voice of the conservative establishment. He loves to be on talk shows and on TV. Of course he's against "amatuers" because they threaten his bread and butter. Maybe someday soon these amateurs will be on those talk shows and TV instead of him!
I never understood Eric's attack on this convention in the first place. It smacks of the disrespect that comes out of the mainstream media against any attempt by the people to organize. Why would you attempt to slap something down that you don't have a clue what their intentions are…you obviously didn't connect with them until about a week before the event, as you said! You need to get your head wrapped around to the fact that we're not going to let the republican establishment pick our candidates, nor are we going to accept any more 'big tent' (socialist) republican candidates.
That's part of why we're in this mess, the blasted reaching across and trying to please everybody! Getting this country back on the right track is going to have to take a lot of hard core cut and slash of entitlement programs. We've got to take care of the elderly, and the mentally and physically disabled, but we've got to STOP paying able-bodied Americans NOT TO WORK, with housing, food, electric, and medical subsidy! Don't send us any candidates who aren't willing to do that hard job. Establishment republicans and the CPAC convention is where you should be suspicious! They need to step back and let us choose our candidates.
What was your problelm with this convention? Was it because Sarah Palin was the headliner? You do realize that the convention lost Michelle Bachmann et al after your rant! You need to get it out of your head that you will lead readers where YOU want them to go. This is not about YOU!
Maybe a large church? *laughs* Well, we all know how that would go over, right?
Eric has a phobia of all things not explicitly Republican party.
Explain.
Well I typed out a long reply about how your not really listening to what I'm saying. But for some reason when this web page is open for longer than a couple mins it freezes and tries to close down. So message lost. I wish Biggov would fix their website issues. Makes it very difficult to exchange ideas.
BTW: I haven't heard any suggestions about where a meeting of this size could be held without charge for the facilities, staff, etc. Don't tell me this is another group who is "entitled" to get something for nothing. Meetings cost money. They always have, and those who choose to go need to accept that the bills have to be paid.
Sorry, MY rant was at Eric Ericson….for his audacity to trash a Tea Party event…
correct rowdy,…….once a movement has been born one must be charitable enough to set it free,
to run it's course, all the while praying it stays on course.
The strength of the Tea Party movement comes from it's lack of leaders. Big buck conventions, self proclaimed founders and leaders (I didn't vote for any of these folks), is the beginning of the political exclusionary process that set the movement in motion in the first place.
As for Palin, we should be very careful of letting someone jump in front of the parade, particularly an established politician. When she came out for Hoffman in NY-23 last year, I said to myself, "I guess she gets what we've been talking about". Then she announces that she will campaign for McCain, the poster boy for "go along to get along" and the same beltway insider politico she decries in her speech.
Her explanation doesn't wash with me. It says, "repaying insider favors is more important than what the candidate stands for", that's the very reason for the Tea Party movement! We've already seen what a "personality candidate" does, we should not get caught up in that ourselves.
Tarandfeathers is completely correct and presents his argument well. Agree or not, he makes alid points. Mindless attacks simply because you don't agree with him belong in the Daily KOS.