Richmond Tea Party » Elections

ELECTION NIGHT 2011 – Live Results

JoeGuarino — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:13:35 +0000

Election Night – Live Senate Results at vpap.org

Tonight, VPAP staff and volunteers will be compiling live Senate results. All contested races shown on a single page. Spend election night at vpap.org While you’re waiting for results, here are some links of interest: VPAP Election Features

VIDEO: Who will control Virginia Senate?

VIDEO: Low turnout is expected

MAP: Contested Senate Races

VPAP Election Coverage

Senate spending on pace to eclipse 2007 record

Weekend news clips from VPAP Whipple Report

How redistricting could affect outcome

Top donors to Legislative Races

What is the Cost of Free Speech?

LibertyJon — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:41:59 +0000

The following post was submitted by Richmond Tea Party board member Corky Mann. —- Let me start with a little about where Tea Parties in general, and Richmond Tea Party specifically, stand in regard to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. For starters, EVERYONE is entitled to free speech. EVERYONE is entitled to peacefully assemble. It’s a no-brainer: we stand for individual liberty. Next, we realize that, sometimes, strings are attached. If you happen to need a license or permit to stand in a particular place to have your say, then get the license or permit. It may not seem right, but if it is the rule, put on your big boy or girl pants and get it done. Tea Parties are “Rule of Law” organizations, correct? Now back to the original question: What is the cost of Free Speech? This week we learned the City of Richmond—or at least Mayor Dwight C. Jones—answers that question differently for different groups. In this case I’m referring to the city’s not requiring the people “Occupying Richmond” to obtain licenses, permits, off-duty police security, chemical toilets, or a standby medical team. We also learned that to obtain those items—required of the Richmond Tea Party by the City of Richmond—cost over $8,500 for three separate one-day events. Do you think that sounds like fair and/or equal treatment under the Law? Neither do I. You may be asking, “Where are you going with this”? Simple: ELECTIONS! This Richmond City saga illustrates how your elected officials can play favoritism while serving as your representatives (supposedly) and spending your tax dollars. While I don’t know who is on the ballot in Richmond City—it’s not my district—I will assume some of the folks there were elected in off-year elections. It has been personally frustrating to see the general public’s apathy and in some instances YOUR own apathy toward the importance of local elections, especially during boring off years. This is not an endorsement or condemnation of any candidate or currently elected official; it is a reminder to you, to learn who is on your ballot, and get out and vote for the person you expect will represent you the best. During these off-year elections, YOUR voice makes more of a difference than ever. With low voter turnout, elections are often decided by hundreds (or fewer), not thousands, of votes. Please learn about your candidates. Please vote. Please vote for a conservative.

Candidates We Back CAN Win

Longshoreman — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:19:56 +0000

The old media and many commentators, including many Republican savants, have been saying that candidates endorsed by Tea Parties cannot win in November. The old-guard Republicans whine that RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) and “moderate” Republicans have been defeated in primaries when “they are the only candidates who can win.” The conventional wisdom says that idealistic conservatives are “Too far right” or “Extremist” in some elections and will not appeal to independents and certainly not to moderate Democrats. That’s usually been true for the purest conservatives. But now Dick Morris, the shrewd liberal-turned-conservative and former political advisor to Bill Clinton (and a featured speaker at the upcoming Virginia Tea Party convention), says these unique times have generated a new paradigm. In his column of Sept. 15, “The Myth of Conservative Vulnerability,” he said:

….(T)he conventional media warns…that conservatives cannot be elected and bemoans the victory of true believers saying that it is equivalent to handing seats to the Democrats and the liberals. This reasoning, which made sense in other times, is badly flawed in today’s political climate. When social issues like abortion, gays, and guns dominate the political discourse, moderates have a big advantage. Voters in these times tend to measure themselves on a left to right spectrum and find those flanked sharply to their right to be extremist on these issues and reject their candidacies. But these days, social issues are in remission and economic/fiscal problems have, understandably, taken center stage. In this environment, purists of the right have a big advantage because nobody doubts the sincerity with which they embrace the goals of limited government, low taxes, and reduced spending. Politicians of all stripes–including most Democrats–vow allegiance to them as does the overwhelming majority of the electorate. In this environment, the distinctions of left and right give way to the difference between sincerity and insincerity, leaving the voters to judge….

He’s right. Look at the five principles of the Richmond Tea party:

Constitutional adherance
Limited government
Fiscal restraint
Virtue and accountability
Free markets

Not a divisive thing there, nothing to turn off anybody but extreme leftists. I think November will surprise the old guard, especially if we roll up our sleeves, get out our wallets, display our signs, and help in any way we can to help candidates who support Tea Party principles.

Tea Party Movement Evolves Into Political Force With Eye Toward 2010

richteaparty — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:13:28 +0000

FoxNews, December 15, 2009

“The “tea party” movement that gained steam shortly after President Obama took office is seeing a surge in popularity, with a string of candidates and officials willing to take up its cause and a political infrastructure that’s starting to mirror that of an actual political party. What started as a conservative protest klatch has evolved into a political force with enough muscle to potentially alter the course of the 2010 mid-term elections.” Read More…

Tea Party Movement Grows

richteaparty — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:05:50 +0000

Efforts could shake up 2010 elections

Sun Sentinel, December 28, 2009

“It could be the birth of a party. Fueled by anger at politicians and distrust of the government, the rapidly growing tea party movement could upend the political establishment in the 2010 elections — ultimately becoming a permanent, game-changing force in American politics.” Read More…