Deep In The Tea Party Of Texas

The Lone Star State is turning into Teabagger central, and they have their sights set not on Democrats, but on incumbent House Republicans.

"The Tea Partiers, the 912ers and the Libertarians all need to come together and work together," said Adrian Murray, an organizer with the 912 Project Fort Worth. "It’s the outcome of those primaries that are going to determine what kind of support the Republican Party gets" in November.

They aren’t endorsing candidates, but the anti-incumbent sentiment at rallies last year was palpable and is playing a role in local races. Several Republican challengers in races for Congress and the state Legislature say their appeal to those protesters fed up with the status quo will lead them to a primary win in March.

"A lot of people think that these are Republican groups, but they’re not. They’re actually as mad at Republicans as they are Democrats," said conservative activist Bill Burch, who is running against former Arlington City Councilwoman Barbara Nash in the Republican primary for the state House seat held by Rep. Paula Pierson, D-Arlington.

There will be no backing away from the Birthers, the Flat Earthers, and the Wingnuts here.  Why are they mad at incumbent Republicans?

Representatives from local Tea Party groups and the 912 Project Fort Worth say they will remain nonpartisan while encouraging voters to back candidates who support certain principles, including limited government and personal liberty.

"There’s nothing more powerful, we feel, than an informed voter," said Angela Cox, founder of the Burleson Tea Party.

John Spivey, Tarrant County Libertarian Party chairman, said many Tea Party and 912 Project members lean Libertarian and predicted that they will support the GOP only if Republican incumbents are replaced in the primary with "true conservatives."

"I’m looking forward to post-primary that we may see some support from them for some of our candidates," Spivey said.

Leaders with the 912 Project Fort Worth and the Burleson Tea Party expressed doubt that supporting third-party candidates is a viable option.

Burch predicted that conservative grassroots voters would support the Republican ticket no matter who wins the primary.

"If they make it through the primary, your choice is no longer for the individual," Burch said. "Your choice is . . . freedom or socialism."

Socialism as being defined as "the government we have now and anybody in it" of course.  Conservative voters may want the teabaggers, but what about the moderates in a district where you know the Republican in the primary is going to be a winner?  You really want dozens of Michele Bachmanns making your decisions for you in Washington?

The Hoffman Effect rolls on.