The GOP And Tea Party Love Affair

LZ Granderson writes in the Washington Post:

I guess if John Boehner enjoyed his party's in-fighting and hints of mutiny during the debt ceiling talks, then the 15 months leading to the general election will be pure ecstasy because it's likely going to be more of the same.

But if Boehner doesn't like being taken hostage by elements of his own party, then I suggest he adheres to the same criticism he hurls President Barack Obama's way -- stop leading from behind.

Man up and do what he, Sen. John McCain and many other top-tier Republicans know needs to be done for the sake of the party: Kick those freeloading tea partiers out.

Vote to censure, campaign against them and deny them GOP resources. Do whatever needs to be done to force them to get in line or stand on their own two feet.

And:

Earlier this year, Donald Trump, who is essentially a reality TV star, was the Republican Party's potential leading candidate because he rang the birther movement's cowbell for a few weeks. Now it's the often fact-challenged Bachmann leading some polls. At this rate, Snooki might as well throw her name in. Why not?

If the GOP insists on claiming any one of their candidates would be a better president than Obama -- when most everyone can plainly see some of these folks are crazy -- then how can any rational independent voter continue to take the party seriously?

Boehner needs to step up and do some purging. Continuing to claim that the birthers, marriage pledge signers and all of the other radical elements of the tea party movement are among the best of the Republican Party is not a good look for him. read more

Finally, the Big Press appears to be taking off the gloves and calling a duck, a duck. With all these certifiable quacks in the Tea Party holding the GOP, American economy and the World economy hostage, it's about time the national press aggressively challenges the legitimacy of the so-called Tea Party movement.

The Tea Party is indeed a lunatic fringe of the extreme right that has bullied their way to dominate GOP thinking. They are a Birch Society/Rush Limbaugh/Koch Brothers/FOX News creation. Their leaders or aspiring leaders are a dream team cast for One Who Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

Michelle Bachman, Sarah Palin, Herman Cain, and Donald Trump have all lead in GOP polling for presidential nomination at one time. The GOP Tea Party inmates are running the asylum and it is to the detriment of our country. It's about time more folks in the Big Press shine the light on the lunacy of this prospect.