by John M. Curtis
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Copyright April 16, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

          Hosting tax-day “tea parties” around the country, the Republican Party hopes to bounce back from a stunning defeat at the polls last Nov. 4.  President Barack Obama’s victory carried strong coattails in the House and Senate, with Democrats scoring decisive majorities.  Wednesday’s nationwide “tea parties,” supported by conservative radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, attempted to resuscitate the once popular rallying cry of Republicans brought by the late President Ronald Reagan that “Government is too big and spends too much.”  Eight years of former President George W. Bush ended years of hard-earned gains from the Reagan Revolution, where Republicans branded themselves as fiscal conservatives, opposed to the growing influence of the federal establishment.  Bush left the country in shambles, hurting the GOP brand of sound fiscal management.

            Rallying the troops an Austin City Hall, Gov. Rick Perry suggested that Texas could get so fed up with Washington’s big-spending ways that they could, once again, consider seceding, as they did in 1861, following the Civil War.  Perry misquoted the 1845 statehood agreement that Texas reserved the right to secede.  Actually, the agreement only permitted Texas to divide itself into several smaller states.  Perry whipped up the conservative crowd suggesting that Texas could one day decide to extricate itself from the union.  “There’s a lot of different scenarios.” Perry said.  “We’ve got a great union.  There’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it.  But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that.  But Texas is a very independent place, and we’re a pretty independent lot to boot.”

            Perry, who faces a tough re-election fight against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), has a short memory of recent opinion polls.  He knows that the former Gov. of Texas and past President George W. Bush commanded an approval rating of 25% when he left office.  Overwhelming opposition existed to his economic and foreign policies, resulting in Obama’s landslide victory against six-term Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).  Washington did thumb its nose at voters, perpetuating the Iraq War and unpopular economic policies.  Perry’s secession rhetoric indicates a kind of delirium from campaigning, leaving his credibility in doubt.  “Talk of secession is an attack on our country.  It can be nothing else.  It is the ultimate anti-American statement,” said Rep. Jim Dunnam (D-Waco).  “A nation divided against itself cannot stand,” said Texas Sen. Sam Houston, supporting the Compromise of 1850.

             Republicans face an uphill battle convincing mainstream voters that there approach would improve the economy.  While it’s easy to criticize Obama at “tea parties” around the country, it’s difficult facing the worst economy since the great depression.  Without extreme government intervention, individual states would not be able to keep running.  Perry joins South Carolina Mark Sanford and Louisana Gov. Bobby Jindal, rejecting federal bailout funds.  Perry advocates protecting “states rights” in the 10th Amendment but has no answer for what cash-strapped states like California would do without help from the federal government.  Obama’s $786 billion bailout plan, while adding to the national debt, offsets the exponential rise in unemployment.  With nearly 700,000 losing jobs in March, unemployment has become a real obstacle to jumpstarting the economy.

            Perry supported Bush’s bailout of Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and AIG, all seemed OK as long it was a GOP plan.  Now that Washington’s changed hands, Perry and other conservatives bash the exact same policy administered by a Democratic White House.  “On April 15—Tax Day—some in Congress may need a reminder of just who is underwriting this spending:  The American taxpayer.  I am deeply concerned over the swelling tax burden that will be imposed on all Texas families,” wrote Huthison in an op-ed, again, expressing disapproval today while ignoring the same policies under Bush and former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson.  “Stop Obama’s Socialism,” read a placard at the Austin City Hall rally.  No one raised signs when Bush handed out billions to rescue banks and other financial institutions bankrupted by reckless stock market investing.

            Republicans’ tea parties make good publicity stunts but they don’t deal with the once-in-a-century meltdown of U.S. financial markets.  Without Bush’s and now Obama’s bailout plans, those fervent supporters of states’ rights wouldn’t have the gas in the tanks to get to the rally.  Calling Obama a “socialist” plays well on right wing radio but doesn’t fairly reflect the same policy by the former GOP president. It’s going to take more than whipping up the base to compete with Obama’s 60%-plus approval ratings, reflecting that he is, in fact, in-sync with voters.  Perry should have taken a headcount of how many in the audience ranting-and-raving about Obama’s “socialism” collect Social Security checks and use Medicare.  “The movement is growing,” said anti-tax rally attendee Rebecca Knowlton of Smithville.  Maybe she’ll sign a pledge to give up her Medicare and Social Security.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He’s director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in political consulting and strategic public relations. He’s the author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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