Update: For those less interested in the US Senate race, and more interested in the ensuing comments regarding the RLC, see this post: More thoughts on the Republican Leadership Caucus.Richard Behney, local entrepreneur and Indianapolis Tea Party Organizer, has decided to enter the U.S. Senate Race to challenge the entrenched Evan Bayh. Tea Party Leader Behney Enters U.S. Senate Race.
Someone needs an elementary lesson in political theory.
While the TEA and RLC movements are both in their infancy, they must somehow feel they are ready for the big leagues. If potential Republican primary heavyweights Dan Dumezich, Don Bates, Jr., and State Senator Marlin Stutzman weren’t enough to deter him from frivolously blowing supporters’ money, the threat of a popular Evan Bayh should be. Even in a year when the investigation of a micro-scandal is underway, Senator Evan Bayh's is no soft seat.
I personally think that it is both premature and naive that an inexperienced minority faction “leader” within our party can succeed in the mainstream. In my political opinion, this naïveté both compromises the RLC’s mission as well as Republicans at large. For RLC’ers, this diverts attention away from where they should be focusing and possibly winning: in local politics. Liberty Caucus candidates have a number of strengths, purportedly arising from the grassroots. With this mentality, if they wish to succeed at all, they should begin by slating candidates for local races, such as township offices, city and town councils and boards, and perhaps make county-wide runs where their support is the most concentrated. Attempting a statewide run at a federal office is ludicrous at this point. I guess these folks feel as though the well-established principles of party formation do not apply to them. I wonder if they believe they can defy gravity as well?
Well, as someone who is unmoved by the RLC’s empty rally and rhetoric, I find this recent effort somewhat promising. With a couple of high profile defeats early on in the Movement’s infancy, perhaps worrying about the potential influence of this faction on our Party as a whole will be a thing of the past sooner than we think.
