I’d be a bit remiss if I didn’t link to this interview between Rachel Maddow and Stephen Gordon on the Tea Party protests and the conservative/libertarian divide thereon. Much as I stand by everything I wrote the other day on this issue, Gordon has been doing yeoman’s work trying to both set the record straight and keep the protests focused on the topic at hand. I haven’t had the chance to see yet whether those efforts had any effect (my suspicion is no).
The unapologetically liberal Maddow deserves a lot of credit for being far more respectful of the Tea Party protests (well at least the libertarian argument for the Tea Party protests) than just about any conservative commentator was of the Iraq War protests in 2003.
Were I not dealing with a sick 11-month old the last 48 hours, I would have highlighted this sage advice Stephen gave to the protesters; just change the issues around, and it’s sage advice for the protest of any issue, I think. I just suspect it’s advice that really can’t be followed as a practical matter in any large protest:
The successful Tea Party in Alabama was the rallying point which turned into a major defeat of the largest tax hike (proposed by a Republican, no less) in our state’s history. Some organizers tried to hold similar events in later years. However, the rallying cries became more about issues like abortion and especially immigration. Not surprisingly, the movement fell apart.
If you are an event organizer or speaker, keep in mind that pretty much everyone will agree with your fiscally conservative message. The Second Amendment is probably pretty safe turf, but not necessary for the purpose of this coalition. Conservatives or libertarians wandering off into territory such as abortion, gay rights, immigration, medical marijuana, and the Iraq War will be creating unnecessarily divisive issues.
(My emphasis). I’d love to hear feedback on how well and whether this advice was followed.
While Maddow disagreed with Bob Barr on many issues, she had him on her program several times and was always fair to him. If she was running her own television show during most of the Ron Paul campaign, I expect she would have done the same.
My sense of her is that she does respect well-thought opinions which differ from hers, but her tolerance for political bullshit is low.
While I obviously disagree with her, in general, about the Tea Parties, she has some valid points and the jokes which offend most Republicans seem pretty funny to me.
Her producer and I were joking about the mental image of little old ladies running around bragging about how they are about to go teabagging.Report
Birmingham went well. I provided a report on the events I attended here: http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2009/04/16/alabama-tea-party-report/
I expect the opposite is more likely in Atlanta.Report
Stephen: I had meant to comment on that post last night. That story about the Alabama Sec. of State is something you all should be particularly proud of. If it really did stick to a fiscally conservative message, then I’m impressed.Report