by David Frum
On the FrumForum site, Dr Jean Howard-Hill of the National African American Republican Caucus points out the dysfunctional asymmetry of the Republican Party's relationship to the Tea Party. Yesterday the RNC issued a statement absolving the Tea Party of racism and praising them as wishing nothing more than a return to the principles of the Constitution.
Recent statements claiming the Tea Party movement is racist are not only destructive, they are not true. Tea Party activists are your mom or dad, your local grocer, banker, hairdresser or doctor. They are a diverse group of passionate Americans who want to ensure that our nation returns to founding principles that honor the Constitution, limit government’s role in our lives, and support policies that empower free markets and freeenterprise. Enough with the name-calling.
Howard-Hill replies:
If indeed the Tea Party Movement is truly nonpartisan and is not a Republican movement as it has often been contended, then the question is: why is the RNC or any other Republican organization, weighing in on this matter in defense of the movement? This was not a Republican matter which required an RNC response or involvement. It is a Tea Party matter which needs to be resolved between the Tea party and the NAACP.
The GOP is not in a position to take on a movement which has no leadership which when issues such as this arise can be held accountable. Nor can it control what happens at events or who appears and participates. Why then issue a blank check?
And after all - it's not as if the Tea Party activists return the favor.