Tea Party supports Republicans – Gallup Poll; Enough to win Virginia’s congressional elections?
By JR Hoeft | Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 | PoliticsAn interesting article yesterday in Politico and poll numbers from Pew indicate this could be a very bad year for Democrats – but also indicates that it will be a very bad year for independents as well.
First, the overall mood of the country, as measured by Pew Research Center, shows that Republicans are highly energized about the coming election.
“The Republican Party now holds about the same advantage in enthusiasm among its party’s voters that the Democratic Party held in June 2006 and the GOP had late in the 1994 campaign. Moreover, more Republicans than Democrats are now paying close attention to election news (64 percent vs. 50 percent). At this stage in previous midterms, news attentiveness was about the same for voters in both parties. The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted June 16-20 among 1,802 adults and 1,496 registered voters reached on cell phones and landlines, finds that the Republicans also continue to hold a substantial advantage in the proportion of their party’s voters who say they are ‘absolutely certain’ to vote. Currently, 77 percent of Republican voters say they are absolutely certain to vote compared with 65 percent of Democratic voters.” (h/t: Campaign Spot)
But, perhaps more interestingly, is how members of the Tea Party ideologically center themselves. According to the Politico report of a Gallup Poll:
Sixty-two percent of tea party supporters surveyed over three separate Gallup polls say they are a “conservative Republican.” Another 17 percent say they are “moderate/liberal Republican.”
All told, 79 percent of tea party supporters say they are Republicans.
Only 6 percent of the tea party supporters surveyed identify as a “pure independent” while 15 percent said they would likely identify as a “liberal,” “moderate” or “conservative” Democrat.
Asked which party they would likely vote for if the election were held today, 80 percent of tea party supporters said the GOP compared to 15 percent who would favor a Democrat. Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/39320.html#ixzz0scVwvgJK
In Virginia, Real Clear Politics holds that three seats are in the “Toss Up” category – VA2, 9, and 11; one seat is in the “Leans Republican” category – VA5.
Given the latest data about the enthusiasm of the GOP and the make up of the Tea Party, would those candidates running as independent conservatives do themselves and the party better by dropping out now? In other words, would VA2 become a “leans Republican” and VA5 become a “likely Republican” without independent candidates?
The primaries were long, hard fought, and ended nearly a month ago. As expected, most conservatives are beginning to forgive and rally around the Republican nominee.
In the Second District, Ben Loyola, the endorsed candidate of the Hampton Roads Tea Party board, gave an impassioned speech at Freedom Fest Sunday and, in front of thousands, wholly endorsed Scott Rigell for Congress.
In the Fifth District, most candidates have been gracious to State Sen. Robert Hurt in acknowledging his nomination.
“It was a hard fought win in a race that was not always clean but [Hurt's] campaign stayed true and today he is our nominee,” wrote Feda Morton in her concession. “I look forward to working with Sen. Hurt in beating Tom Perriello this November.”
But in both the 2nd and 5th, there are fractures within the conservative brand which could peel off as much as 20% of the Republican vote, if you believe the Gallup poll. And that 20%, when attempting to defeat an incumbent, is likely to be enough to spell defeat for the Republican candidate.
So, while this is supposed to be a very bad year for Democrats, it might not be that bad after all with independents running in the mix.
Is that how independents Jeff Clark and Ken Golden would like to be remembered – as spoilers?
In, perhaps, a year that could see sweeping change in Congress (with many Democrats losing to Republicans), as of now it still will take Republicans having to win 20 of the 36 “Toss Up” seats to gain a majority in Congress (according to RCP).
Clark’s and Golden’s candidacies will make that possibility all that much more difficult.
Even more chilling, should Republicans win just half those toss up seats, but barely lose in VA-2 and VA-5 – which is a distinct possibility, Clark and Golden would be the cause of Democrats maintaining their majority and Speaker Pelosi preserving her title.
As a conservative, I’m not so sure I’d want that on my conscience.
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Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
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23 Responses to "Tea Party supports Republicans – Gallup Poll; Enough to win Virginia’s congressional elections?"
I don’t know a lot about the 5th but in the 2nd, the party deserves whatever it gets. If it had run its nominating process above board – with all challengers being welcome and not trying to handpick the candidate and force everyone else out, there would be no 3rd party today. It is my firm belief that Golden is only in this race because of the way the nomination was handled by the 2nd district party establishment. If he had simply lost a straight vote of the people, I don’t think he would be there. But when it is made clear that even though you have dedicated years to the party, they are going to pick, support and back their country club buddy (who was by far the weakest of the candidates ideologically) and do everything possible to force out others, well – can you blame him, I can’t. If the GOP wants to put a stop to 3rd party challenges they need to stop trying to hand pick people for office and simply let the people decide minus pressure politics, when they do that, the 3rd party issue will disappear completely.
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Govgirl, you are mostly correct. A blatantly unfair primary process was one of the main reasons Kenny went to run as an Independent. However, the major overarching reasons is that he is far more qualified than both Nye and Rigell combined. Just compare the resumes; there is only one candidate who is qualified for this job and that is Kenny.
The people deserve not only a candidate who won’t toe a party line, but one who actually knows what he is doing and can operate without a cadre of political and policy advisers.
You are correct when you say that the GOP in the 2nd deserves whatever it gets. If they have to lose an election to realize that they need to stop picking money over leadership, integrity, and experience, than so be it.
Electing another party puppet like Rigell who will take all his orders from Eric Cantor is not a good thing. We need a leader, not a puppet, and that is why I am supporting Kenny Golden.
Still ain’t figured it out, have ya? Most of the Tea Party were already Republicans. You know, the lowly base runners the party evicted from the Big Tent to the outhouse, especially in VA. Now the GOBs are worried an undisciplined vote will spoil the election eve party. They should be more concerned about all the noncommittal independents, who view both parties as Country Club Cousins.
The really bad news is 1979 will soon be here and the GOP doesn’t have even a vision of a plan, much less a Reagan. Good luck with that.
I would cut the Tea Party right in half. Some are disaffected conservatives within the GOP — this is true. The other half? Independents who have left the political process and now find a reason to be relevant again.
Apart from this, have discovered they are not alone. Last year’s 9/12 march in Washington was much, much larger than the press let on… larger than the March for Life (which is pegged at 400K). There is a feeling of strength in the movement that can’t be numerated — partly because it’s difficult to do, partly because the press habitually understates the size of crowds and rallies, and partly because there is a gnostic quality that would refuse to believe a low number anyway.
Then again, there are divisions within the Tea Party itself between the Rick Santelli wing and the more “conspiratorial” Glenn Beck wing:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/print/articles/two-faces-tea-party
It would be wrong to identify the Tea Party movement as astroturf. It most certainly is not. In the wake of the Obama election, I can’t tell you how many individual teas I went to before Christmas 2008 of conservatives sitting around going “what do we do now?” This movement is about as grassroots as you’re going to find in America, though I have no question many, many Washington-based consultants and top-tier organizations are desperately looking for ways to both capitalize (read: make money) and mobilize (read: sway elections).
The problem, or more accurately the best part, is that the Tea Party movement resists virtually any attempt to co-opt it.
Of course, this creates a certain impermeability to the entire enterprise. Many of their leaders are self-created and inexperienced in political matters. Tea Party participants know what they are against (big government, bailouts, higher taxes, establishment Republicans who collaborate with Democrats to achieve the other three) but have little idea what they are decidedly for. You’ll hear phrases such as liberty, opportunity, and America. You’ll hear disparate talk of throwing illegal immigrants back across the border from a more nationalist sentiment, drug legalization and liberty from the libertarian sentiment, lower taxes from the free market crowd, “read the Constitution!” from those who devote themselves to constitutional principles (in essence, Scalia’s originalism), you’ll hear of New World Order from the InfoWars crowd, Freemasonry from others, anti-Freemasonry from others still, 5000 Year Leap from others, anti-Jihadist terror from others, arguments legitimate and questionable…
The difference between this and the perpetual “divorce court” that is the Libertarian Party is that anything — anything — that tears down the old socialist barn and helps build something new is good. The current order is not working. Liberties are threatened. Jobs are shipped overseas. These are things that unite otherwise disparate groups that are typically dismissive, or worse, at one another’s throats.
What unites the Tea Party? The definition of what is America is at risk, says the Tea Party. Therefore, they must band together now to resist what threatens them all — a unified corporatist welfare state terribly distant from the principles of the Founding Fathers.
Democrats are of course both envious and perplexed by the movement. Where were they in 2008? Couldn’t they duplicate such efforts at Obama rallies in 2008? Hundreds of thousands showed up at Obama rallies, did they not? McCain — the GOP’s strongest card — barely mustered a challenge.
This is where that independent card comes into play. Most conservatives did not support McCain. Most conservatives barely supported George W. Bush outside of the poorly-named War on Terror (no different than LBJ’s War on Poverty — wars on conditions rarely go well).
This is why in primary after primary, Tea Parties have up-ended one establishment party candidate after another (with the notable exception of Virginia). Uninvolved or otherwise disinterested independents are now very much interested… and have found a home in a movement that barely has definition, and allows for personal beliefs to influence the greater whole.
Progressives had their movement of hope and change. Conservatives and libertarians have responded with a movement of founding principles and Constitutionalism. Just as much as one could question what progressives ‘hope’ to ‘change’, one could easily question which principles of the Founding Fathers the Tea Party wishes to defend. Or impose.
In both movements though, the vast majority are overwhelmingly well intentioned — and ultimately dissatisfied with the status quo.
For the Tea Party, the Constitution means something… we don’t swear an oath to a document always up for definition. Government does not have the answer to all or most problems. And arbitrary power leads to absolute tyranny — and they sincerely believe this.
At the end of the day, you’ll find the Tea Party to be a reliable vote against the status quo and for the de-evolution of government power. The power of the movement will last perhaps until 2012, where it will either succumb to the efforts of Washington-insiders to professionalize it or crystallize into an independent “third force” or national consciousness.
The latter is a distant hope… the former is more likely. A synthesis is probably the reality, but as easy as it is to dismiss or criticize, the Tea Party movement simply doesn’t care what the MSM thinks, viscerally despises the left, questions the GOP establishment ruthlessly (whether friend or foe, if you’ve been involved with the party process you *are* suspected and distrusted), and is going nowhere.
Whether that means they’re stuck in the mud, or whether they are here to stay, remains in their hands. Whether they choose to be manipulated, or whether they continue to inoculate themselves remains in their hands. And whether they choose to be an effective force for constitutional values or divide themselves on candidates, splitting hairs, or sharp definitions — i.e. repeating the failures of the libertarian movement — remains to be seen.
But to ignore or debase the Tea Party? Poor decision… unless politically or financially motivated to do so. Until then, conservatives who have been fighting the good fight before the advent of Tea Parties get to wait for them to mature. They want nothing to do with the establishment — and this is a good thing. The worst thing establishment conservatives (gulp!) should attempt to do is bring them in line… though Tea Parties should be making active attempts to take over local GOP committees at every opportunity to control the nomination method. Instead, aligning ourselves with the movement is the best alternative.
Hence what candidates should do in Virginia’s election contests. In the 2nd, 5th, 9th and 11th there’s no need to wrap an arm around the Tea Party. They don’t want it.
Instead, respect them for who and what they are and engage them. Talk about your thoughts about the Constitution, the role of constitutional government, what liberty means to you, what you intend to do to create a independent constituency for free enterprise to counteract the civil service, and what steps you are going to take to help kill the Leviathan state.
The first candidates at any level that are willing to do this, earn the quiet support of the Tea Party. Those who fail to earn the support of the base can earn the fate of John McCain… and we see how that turns out.
@Shaun
I enjoyed your (lengthy) commentary.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a new member of the GOP. Despite the aggressive, socialist role many prominent elected Republicans have played over the past few decades, I believe the party’s platform is rock-solid.
The Tea Party virtually represents the GOP doctrine, but demands Constitutional action instead of dishonesty, corruption and empty rhetoric.
If we had elected Republicans behaving according to the philosophies of individual liberty, free markets, sound money and a humble foreign policy, we wouldn’t have a problem maintaining a majority in Congress.
As my political mentor has said time and time again, “Freedom brings people together.”
… Additionally, I think it’s important to point our that being conservative and being Republican are far from synonymous. Congressman Nye essentially votes like a Bush-era Republican legislator, yet we reel against him on a regular basis for his lack of principle and competency of the issues.
If we, conservatives and/or Republicans, are to regain credibility w/ the electorate as a political party, we should at least extinguish a lot of the hypocritical finger-pointing and live up to our mistakes.
Shaun, Ben Loyola was “their” candidate here in the 2nd who espoused the qualities and positions you mention and went as far as signing a notarized “oath” to Conservative principles and ideals, or resign. But he failed miserably with the Primary voters which resulted in what was described as a 39% “land slide” for Rigell. The “oath” was panned as a “gimmick” by the Rigell campaign who rightly dismissed Loyola’s chances at not having a chance in hell of winning anything. But then, Loyola introduces Rigell’s wife at “Freedom Fest” and now there are pictures of Loyola on Rigell’s Facebook pages…. “my good friend”.
In a “what if” situation, are you saying that if Loyola would have won the Primary, we wouldn’t have had Kenny running as an Independent to split the Independent and Conservative vote which may jeopardize the success of the Republicans in the 2nd? Is Rigell strong enough to sell his ideals and convince these motivated Tea Party groups, disaffected Conservative voters as well as Conservative Democrats that his commitment of money to Republicans outweighs his political Cardinal Sins and aren’t worth their votes for Golden or Nye in the General election?
Also, “write-in” campaigns are usually for those who are protesting something and are usually meaningless. Given that some of these districts are very close this year, could an organized “write-in” campaign on the Conservative side steal votes from the Republican candidate and possibly tip the election?
@Chris Meerpol, May I take exception to your comment:
“You are correct when you say that the GOP in the 2nd deserves whatever it gets. If they have to lose an election to realize that they need to stop picking money over leadership, integrity, and experience, than so be it.”
Job #1, Defeat Nancy Pelosi by defeating her VA-2 rep. I also disagree with your comment that the GOP in the 2nd deserves whatever it gets since it is the failed leadership and just a few close knit cronies whose failed leadership has compromised republican votes by repelling core senior conservatives who are still finding out about the lousy handling of the primary that was so untrue to principled leaders like Kenny and the others in the primary. People who know Kenny Golden are slowly coming out and standing with Kenny. Many are intimidated still but with time we will find out who has the courage to stand up for what is right for VA-2. The GOP deserves better leadership and until the people who vote for the leadership demand high caliber individuals of high integrity, they will likely again be underserved come 2012. The political pendulum swings both ways, lets not whack it with a 9 iron while it is on our side.
@Tim –
I would say this — Tea Party activsts will either vote Rigell, or sit the election out. Same in the 5th District, where they will either vote Hurt or sit the election out.
I would argue that, while I vastly agree with the “holding their feet to the fire” approach, you have to admit that there are some who really don’t want to hold elected officials’ feet to the fire — they just want to cast them off.
Of course, you and I both know the GOP is more coalition than monolith. This time, though, it will be the establishment that has to come to us in order to win elections, rather than conservative moderating. The days of the Potomac Two-Step (get elected; govern two steps to the left) are over, I hope.
Taking over the nomination process is absolutely critical. The third party route would be a disaster for the Tea Party, IMO. The outside third force strategy swaying elections and presenting pro-liberty candidates will be far, far superior in the long run.
Just so you know. Left wing Democrats have said to me they have a big advantage since they don’t care whether their politicians have any integrity or morality as long as they vote the party line (du jour). That may not be smart even for them but it is what Constitutionalists are contending with. Prospective candidates have 2 or 4 years to line up their ducks and shouldn’t blame others unless actual corruption has been done. As for the vision thing let’s leave that to prophets and saints. Its the Democrats who inappropriately practice hagiolatry with their corrupt politicians. What’s so difficult about asking people to uphold an oath to the Constitution which specifies the powers of the Federal government? What kind of umpire seeks to rig the game and bend the rules rather than make sure the rules of the game are observed?
@Shaun, The GOP has moved much further right than right of center.. California Democrat Ronald Reagan might not have switched parties under todays GOP leadership and might have fostered a conservative revolution within todays DNC with Tea Party support. And, he may have succeeded.. maybe. To not see that is to deny reality. Reagan conservatism appealed to a wide cross section and since his term ended the GOP has fallen into such disrepair that is so obvious. Who can deny it without BS’ing thyself? The Republican party either embraces traditional right of center or the Tea conservatives work towards new Republican leadership in lieu of a third party.
Rebuilding party loyalty will not be on the table until and unless it is earned. The disgrace that calls themselves leaders in the 2nd and other districts is an open invitation for the tea party conservatives to get involved and hopefully to foster a better choice of future citizen leaders.
Let’s think about this. Mr Cohen supports independent conservative candidates to split the vote. He thinks Reagan would recoil from Bush41 and Bush43 policies as too conservative. It could not be the case that the Democrats have moved so far left that the Republicans seem more distant even standing still. Bush41 raised taxes in a recession while Bush43 dramatically expanded domestic spending on education and prescription drugs and a host of other Federal programs. Meanwhile Reagan would be fine joining a Democratic party that since FDR believes government is the solution never the problem and the Constitution is yesterdays news.
It’s interesting how Democrats always try to forget their actions and co-opt success after the fact. So we see Obama and Biden claining Iraq is their own great success and Petraeus the most wonderful general. They say Reagan was really a “moderate” Democrat auniting Democrats and Republicans under the banner of socialism for all. I was born just this morning, not even yesterday.
Reagan was morally simplistic yet charming, understood and acknowleged the concern of citizens on both sides of the aisle, provided clarity in a time of turmoil, perpetually upbeat, optimistic and a mastered the art of one liners such as “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”
Ron Reagans successors have broken ranks and hobbled the conservative agenda since 1988.
Anyone old enough to have listened to this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJDhS4oUm0M
Then this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIouq2u9kUo&feature=related
Then read my lips..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP9_kkzfN-w
Then republicans ostracized this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyT3SBiTbpc
Now we have this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8erePM8V5U
And back to Va Congressional races..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnvHMSSYvGQ
God help us
I will vote for Mr Rigell on 11/2/2010.
I wish to see donkeycrats out of power and at this point in time; voting for Mr Rigell seems to be my best option.
I am a member of the Tea Party movement and for me 11/2/2010 is payback time. No way will I miss the chance to show the donkeycrats what I think of their insults. And have a feeling that I am not the only Tea Party member who feels that way.
On 11/3/2010 I will see what the world looks like and decide what my next goal will be.
But between now and 11/2/2010 my goal is the same as the Republican Party.
Yes James, I guess you pine for the days of republican rule that brought us corporate tax breaks, more tax cuts for the wealthy so they could buy better wine, two wars without commitment or sacrifice of the public, a shift from pay go to deficit financing, political rallies by invitation only, a vice president who ran things secretly, new benefits for Medicare without bothering to pay for them, failure to institute reform of health care, and the potential collapse of the global financial system. Good old days my you know what!
I find it utterly amazing that people would consider a Republican Primary in which over THIRTY THOUSAND REPUBLICANS VOTED as somehow “fixed.”
If endorsements “fix” elections, it doesn’t explain how Governor Charlie Crist (Florida) was getting utterly destroyed by Marco Rubio in virtually every poll for the Florida Republican primary despite having more money, more name identification, and endorsements by virtually every significant Republican leader in the state.
This was not a convention where 100 delegates decided the Republican nominee lead by back room deals with party bosses.
This was a Republican Primary in which over THIRTY THOUSAND Republicans choose their nominee. Rigell received over 14,000 votes.
Second place Loyola received over 9,000 votes.
There was no “fix”; Kenny Golden is certainly a nice man, but he got in the race late (end of 2009 when Loyola and Rigell had been running since the early summer) which might explain why he lagged so far behind in fundraising, endorsement and support.
This explains Golden’s poor showing, much more than any kind of grand “inside party” conspiracy.
My first and last response to Mike B:
Yes Mike, I guess you pine for the days of democrat rule that brought us corporate tax breaks, more tax evasion by the wealthy Democrats so they could buy better wine, two wars without commitment or sacrifice of the public but while trashing everything military, a shift from phony balony pay go to deficit financing, political rallies by invitation only and monitored by thugs, a president who ran things secretly through his unapproved czars, new cuts for Medicare without bothering to provide anything to replace them, failure to institute reform of US health care to improve quality of care but instaed provide UK style health care rationing, and the potential collapse of the global financial system. “Happy days are here again” to quote someone.
There seems to be a lot of foot in mouth disease going around lately.
I voted for John Kerry on Tuesday, November 2, 2004.
In fact I NEVER voted for either Bush Sr or Jr.
If I supported their policies then why the hell did I vote against them?
Here are some Stunning Pictures of Al Gore’s New $9 Million Mansion
http://newsbusters.org/node/38375
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2010/05/exclusive-estimate-carbon-footprint-of.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/17/photos-al-goree-new-8875_n_579286.html#s91253
and let us not forget his new 100-foot houseboat
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/gore-hits-the-waves-with-a-massive-new-houseboat/
Must be tough to be an elite donkeycrat.
Regretfully, if a moderate and pragmatic business person attempts to apply reason and analysis to public policy discussion on this forum, that person is immediately labeled as a leftie or a donkey or something meant to ne or worse. Of course, most of us know that unless you drink the far right kool aid, you will be labeled as such, and of course that is why so many moderate republicans are divorced from the current party and vote based upon what the party used to be. Fact is, our nation and our Commonwealth do best when politicians work together on issues; in the current environment, when the republicans only want the President to fail, negotiation is difficult if not impossible. That is bad for our nation.
“While he preaches that the rest of us must dramatically change our lifestyles and lower our standards of living to “save the planet” he lives by another set of rules himself.”
More about the houseboat………..
Gore Hits the Waves with a Massive New Houseboat
The environment guru has a big house, flies in big planes… and now captains a big boat.
Former Vice President Al Gore, the Nobel-winning self-proclaimed global prophet of green, has made a lot of money from the so-called “crisis” of global warming. He has profited from best-selling books that tout the looming climatic catastrophe, won an Academy Award for a movie about his slideshow presentation that focuses on his “sky is falling” message about a world on the brink of environmental disaster.
His business interests have been focused on the profit side of the equation when it comes to “global warming,” creating a “carbon credits” program that has put millions of dollars into the pockets of Gore and his environmental cronies. There are also financial interests benefiting from the sudden shift to the ‘environmentally friendly’ light bulbs that he has trumpeted so loudly: his friends at General Electric stand to make big money from the congressionally mandated demand for their new light bulbs.
There is no question that the alarmism and doomsday scenarios spread by Al Gore have been very, very beneficial to him personally and professionally.
But the question persists as to whether he actually buys into what he is selling. His own behavior clearly indicates that he doesn’t believe we are at a “tipping point” of worldwide environmental destruction. While he preaches that the rest of us must dramatically change our lifestyles and lower our standards of living to “save the planet” he lives by another set of rules himself.
It happens in the air, where he jets about in private planes that consume massive amounts of energy to spread his message of “conservation.”
His hypocrisy is revealed on land, where he travels in fleets of limos and SUVs to deliver speeches about the dire consequences of ignoring “man-made global warming” — and leaves the cars running throughout his entire speech in order to ensure that they will be nice and cool when he exits the building and returns to his gas-guzzling vehicles.
His supposedly “green” mansion consumes electricity that dwarfs the consumption of the typical family home.
And now, in order to complete his hypocrisy trifecta, Al Gore may now be extending his excessive consumption to the water as well. In an amazing display of conspicuous consumption, even for Al Gore, his new 100-foot houseboat that docks at the Hurricane Marina in Smithville, Tennessee is creating a critical buzz among many of his former congressional constituents. Dubbed “Bio-Solar One,” which may reflect some latent Air Force One envy, Gore has proudly strutted the small-town dock claiming that his monstrous houseboat is environmentally friendly. (Only Al Gore would name his boat B.S. One and not get the joke. Or perhaps the joke is on us?)
The boat is a custom-built Fantasy Yacht built specifically for Gore by Bill Austin of Sparta, Tennessee.
According to Austin, the engines are bio-diesel fueled and Gore can expect to use about two gallons an hour to cruise Center Hill Lake. With a 500 gallon capacity Austin says Gore won’t need a refill for “two or three years” though he admits having “no clue” about where Gore could get bio-diesel at the lake. The Hurricane Marina dock doesn’t sell it.
“This boat is going to be the Toyota Prius of the houseboat business,” Austin proclaims. “It is the most eco-friendly houseboat anywhere in the country and is going to revolutionize the houseboat industry. People are increasingly worried about high gas prices and this is the answer.” Austin claims that the “Bio-Solar One” will create 40-50% less carbon emission and use half the fuel of other similar houseboats. “Gore will consume a lot more fuel driving to and from the lake than he will ever use cruising on this houseboat,” Austin asserts.
The solar panels have not yet been installed but are expected to arrive from Reno, Nevada “any day” and will be in working order “soon,” says Austin.
When the solar panels are installed the Gore boat could power itself and “most of the dock” according to Austin. In the meantime, however, Gore is plugged into the dock as his primary power source.
Austin says he has several other potential customers interested in following Gore’s lead. Austin professes reluctance to talk about “other folks business” but notes that a houseboat similar to Gore’s will cost between $500,000 to a million dollars. Austin believes that Gore’s “Bio-Solar One” will set the stage for a lot of sales. Land, air and now the sea. Will space will be the final frontier?
Let’s not forget: Gore made similar claims about the environmental benefits of the solar panels and other “green” additions he made to his 10,000 square foot home in Belle Meade, a cushy neighborhood in Nashville, Tennessee. The environmental savings promised from his “investments” failed to produce the results that he touted. In fact, his “energy efficient” renovations to his home actually INCREASED his electrical consumption by 10% rather than producing the promised reductions. Ultimately, Gore’s water-based excursions on his giant houseboat may prove more environmentally friendly than his fleet of limos, his private jets or his mansion. Perhaps the B.S. One will never live up to its nickname, but the jet ski on the boat is clearly powered by something other than solar or bio-diesel.
Maybe Al is buying carbon credits from himself to offset that particular energy usage.
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/gore-hits-the-waves-with-a-massive-new-houseboat/2/
Its time to stop the lies, greed, and hypocrisy of the elite donkeycrat Al Gore.
VOTE REPUBLICAN ON NOVEMBER 2ND
@All, Just like the One Thousand Dollar donation to Obama that the republican candidate in the 2nd made, here is another piece of “I can’t believe its true”
http://www.snopes.com/politics/bush/house.asp
Nothing like the truth to set one’s mind free.
Limo Divers Protest Medicare Mediciad Reform Cuts, It’s rumored this issue could become part of the Tea Party movement. AmeriChoice Health also rumored to take a position on this issue. Recirculate those tax dollars? Help keep limo drivers working, benefits flowing and overpaid tax dollars remain in abuse.
Medicare.gov as well as other Federal agency’s encourage you to report any fraudulent activities, yet, the same government agency’s were notified the way this company does business yet did nothing. Three years ago they were reported to these Federal agency’s and as of todays date not only were they allowed to continue doing business but were never charged once. Protected vendor status sure, politics sure, limited government budgets sure, Federal and State officals looking the other way sure, and rather then stop these activities a strong desire not to rock the boat previals. Even with the vast changes in the laws, budgets,a hands off policy remains, you tell me what’s wrong with this picture?
The Government created this monster and now they don’t know what to do about it, like shooting yourself in your own foot etc. Tons of money to advance their national growth, it’s market positions, tons of money for political donations, tons of money to send 75 millIon back to its home office from New York state alone, tons of money to suppot National TV shows, tons of money to pay hugh State fines, tons of money to hire the very best law firms, tons of money to pay for bribes and kickbacks, tons of money for hugh salary’s and bonuses, all done on the back of the American tax payor, you see this company receives all it’s money from the Federal government. Should your tax dollars be held to a higher standard? Should our government agency’s responsible for there review and be held to that same standard? Should the IRS audit their corruption? Why has this company not been charged? How long can the buck be passed here in more ways then one?
Hey, it’s your tax dollars don’t complain now.. then don’t complain later on…
ps… I know times are tough for a lot us, but it would be great to have a free limo to go to the Doctors, Pharmacy, Movies, Grocery shopping, and given free tickets for the movies. Offered soda, pop corn and hotdogs, as well as have them receive free coupons for Grocery items…Kind of makes you wish qualified for Medicare and Mediciad right?
All this idle prattle. Political movements come and go. Americans like to be governed from the center. The Tea Party will do quite well in November, but could be sowing the seeds of their own destruction, especially when in 2012, they go after the moderate Republicans in the Senate, such as Lugar, Snowe, and believe it or not, Orin Hatch. With the Republicans controlling the Congress, and possibly the White House in 2012, the game of musical chairs will continue apace, and the Democrats will come back by virtue of a Hoover-like intransigence during a persistent period of unemployment.
The heart of all evil in Washington, is not too much or too little government, but rather the corruption of our political system by unfettered campaign financing. If we’re going to be honest, we should all agree that every member of Congress is on “the take.” Accepting campaign contributions from special interests, whether they be unions or corporate interests, is a form of bribery, which is a felony in every State’s penal code. What is going on now between the Republicans and Democrats is a passing thing of no lasting consequence, and the fact that the Tea Party is no more interested in rewriting our campaign financing laws, puts them in the same boat with all politicians.
Greed and the quest for power is a universal vice, and in this respect there is no difference between the parties. There are no eternal truths, no universal verities in politics, and no party has a monopoly on virtue. What matters is the law, and when it comes to politics, power and self interests trump what is best for America and honorable governance. In the end it’s not the Tea party that will set things right, but a movement yet unborn.
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