The TEA Party Perspective: “The Lump Report”
by VA5th District TEA Party Leadership,
Compiled by Nigel Coleman, Bill Hay, Mark Lloyd, et al.
For the past several weeks there has been a growing concern among TEA Party Patriots of the VA5th Congressional District, as well as across the nation, that so many candidates are crowding the field that the body of conservative voters will be fractured. This would allow the progressive big government socialists presently infesting congress, such as lil’ Tommy Boy Pelosi-ello to be re-elected. Nothing short of this fracturing will derail the American people from saving our Republic.
After weeks of first hand observations, long conversations, deep deliberations, and gut checks, TEA Party leaders have come together to offer the official “TEA Party Perspective” of the GOP congressional nomination race in VA5. This evaluation is as fair and objective as we could make it. The intention of this evaluation is to clear up the rumors and claims being made by the media, candidates, and campaign staffers based on spin and political positioning. We, TEA Party leaders, will come together on a regular basis to offer our TEA Party Perspective and it will be published as “The Lump Report.”
In a Monday night conference call TEA Party leaders graded the Virginia 5th District Republican candidates according to their apparent campaign capabilities. Some of the areas taken into consideration were the ability to raise money, generate grassroot support, and the critically important alignment of political views with the majority of TEA Party patriots. Let us once again clarify to the media, and other supporters of the progressive agenda, the fundamental views of the “TEA Party” movement are (1) limited government, (2) fiscal responsibility, (3) free and fair markets, (4) individual liberty base on personal responsibility, and (5) a return to constitutional governance.
Each of these candidates has a seat at the TEA Party table, and have earned some lumps for their campaign “cup of tea.” The more lumps the sweeter the tea. Our deliberations provide the following evaluation (0-5 Lumps):
Ron Ferrin has apparently raised no money, nor has he reported spending any money. He has generated a smidgen of detectable grassroots support among TEA Party members. Those that know him like him, but, not too many of those folks to date. Those who have spoken with him report that his message will resonate. Mr. Ferrin needs to get to work, get in touch with the people, get some cash, and build a campaign, or reconsider his run.
1/2 a lump.
Ken Boyd has support in Albermarle county, none detectable anywhere else. However, he has shown ability to raise some cash. Mr. Boyd has not shown much interest in engaging the TEA Party, and it is reported he referred to TEA Party patriots as “TEA Baggers” in a GOP unit forum within the past several weeks. Perhaps Mr. Boyd did not realize this phrase derogatory to members of the movement. If he is not interested in us, then we will certainly not be interested in him. He has some work to do. However, we are early in the campaign.
1 Lump
Jim Mckelvey was just a name on a list until he put up $500K of his own cash, which is impressive by any standard. However, only reports $1200 in contributions. Within the last couple weeks he has assembled a campaign staff, and increased the number of appearances. Those very few that know him do report that is message seems to resonate, but it is still rough in the delivery. However, TEA Party members to date are still asking “Who is this guy?” Until more is observed about Mr. McKelvey we are not rating him. He just arrived to the party, and the hot water is only now being poured into his cup.
NO lumps just yet
Feda Morton has passion to loan; however, the money issue is of great concern in that she reports “negfinity” (a new term coined Monday on our conference call). Reports of debt are concerning. Her message is passionate and in line with most TEA Party members. Those that know her like her, and she seems to be gaining widespread grassroots support, but we still wonder about the depth of that support, or if it will begin to generate money to get her out of the hole. The efforts she has put into her campaign in reaching out to TEA Party folk is noticed and appreciated.
2 Lumps
Laurence Verga gets a big boost for being actively involved in the TEA Party movement before declaring his run. He has deep support within the movement. He speaks the TEA Party language and has an functional campaign organization. He has raised some money, and has put much of his own up to fund his campaign. It appears he has real potential to carry through and be competitive.
3.5 Lumps
Mike McPadden is running a very good grassroots campaign. His message is definitely resonating with TEA Party Patriots, it is consistent and on target. He presents himself very well and his military service is admired. When he speaks people pay attention. He and his campaign are reaching out and connecting with the people of VA5. The financial question is concerning. This can be turned around, but it needs to be done sooner rather than later. Mr. McPadden is a contender.
3 Lumps
Robert Hurt has grassroots support among TEA Partiers on the southside, but nearly none detected anywhere else. He is the GOP establishment candidate in the eyes of most TEA Partiers of the district. This is a burden to him among members who are not from his hometown. His cash collection is impressive, although much of it appears to be coming from GOP establishment types outside the district. His campaign has gotten off to a well documented rocky start with the TEA Party and the questions about his General Assembly votes are still unanswered in the minds of many .
1 1/2 Lumps.
This assessment has the potential to change. It is our sincere hope that the candidates and their campaign staff will seriously consider our “TEA Party Perspective” and adjust accordingly.
I like the idea of the report, but to suggest that Verga leads the pack and “has deep support within the movement” is a bit unbelievable. What evidence is there of this?
HAHAHAHA! I love this. What a great idea.
It’s time the supporters start thinning this race down a little bit.
In other words, we miss the libertarian 19th century true Democrats, the ones who followed Jefferson and Madison, not the ones who now follow Rousseau and Marx, as cited in The Changing Face of Democrats on Amazon and claysamerica.com.
I happen to agree with you there. I didn’t write this report. It was a release by the area tea party groups.
for those who are still complaining about the convention v. primary issue: many thought Feda would win the nomination if decided by convention.
so its odd how things work out sometime.
Any poll of Tea Party that has Hurt higher than Boyd and McKelvey is biased on it’s face. Both have gone to numerous Tea Party event and Hurt disdain for the Tea Party is best express by his brother article in the New York Post.
Sorry it just seems fishy to me
@Stephen, I’m not sure if you read the article closely. This is a TEA Party perspective. Not a GOP perspective. Many TEA Party members are excited about Verga. As a VA5 TEA Party person I know that first hand. I am still undecided, but Verga is one I have to consider.
This is just crazy, Verga has no campaign staff now at all except a part time college student. 3 lumps ? Come on. He has been no where in months except to DC to meet with the NRCC and his consultants. He should drop out.
patriotguerrilla,
Yes, I read it closely. I am a Tea Partyer myself and am stongly aligned with “…the fundamental views of the “TEA Party” movement…(1) limited government, (2) fiscal responsibility, (3) free and fair markets, (4) individual liberty base on personal responsibility, and (5) a return to constitutional governance.”. I was at the Charlottesville debate, and IMHO Verga didn’t even finish in the top 3. From my perspective McPadden is the strongest candidate, and by a good margin, so it’s hard for my to view this “Lump Report” as “fair and objective”.
This should be taken with a grain of salt since Bill Hay is an open supporter and advocate for Verga. Remember where this information is coming from.
This is not a poll but a grading that the fifth district tea party groups put out. It’s not scientific either. Frankly I think it is slanted toward Verga. Considering that Verga doesn’t have the netroots activism that McPadden/Boyd/Feda I do find it odd that he gets play at the top. He has consistently come it at the low end of the weekly poll we are running on this site.
Listen, I helped write the thing. I know for a fact that I took my job seriously and did the due diligence to find out what was going on in the campaigns and how our members feel. We read the Fec filings, talked to and emailed other TEA Party leaders in the area. We spoke to every candidate themselves. Mcpadden called me in the shower. Feda and I hung out at Applebee’s. We know what we’re talking about. This is as fair as it’s going to be. Some candidates didn’t fare well as others, we knew that would happen but, just because YOUR candidate didn’t do well doesn’t make it biased. We asked these candidates to sit down and straighten it out among themselves. They didn’t. So we have to act. The TEA Parties can’t wait any longer for the field to slim down, someone is going to do it for them.
So we are back to, “The person with the biggest check gets the seat?!”
I really thought the Tea Party could make a difference in pulling money out of politics.
@Grand Ole Party Is that what you got from this? That we were holding money above principles. No way! Boyd McKelvey and Hurt have money but, they didn’t do well. McPadden and Morton have a lot less and did better. We were really trying to show where the TEA Parties stand on these candidates. We’re looking to support a viable candidate and if a campaign is having financial problems then that candidate may be forced from the race. We don’t want to get behind someone who can’t go the distance.
I’m working hard to make sure our movement has a voice in this race. Take a moment and look at what is really going on here and see what this was really intended to do.
GOTP, the TEA Party CAN make a difference in pulling money out of politics. It will do that with grassroots participation, thereby reducing the dependency on the cash. HOWEVER, all the grassroots activism you can drum up will not ELIMINATE the need for money. Media advertising costs BIG BUCKS, which is where most the bucks go. Raising money is an indication of many things pertaining to a candidate abilities. McKelvey put up $500,000. That alone means little, but once I know more about him personally that figure means he is successful in his business to have it, must be a good manager, people obviously are willing to do business with him. It also means he is serious about making this run. Not having much money, but a decent grassroots tells you something else. Having both is great.
I see many comments from people complaining about how the TEA Party leaders graded thes candidates. I understand this report is coming out at some regular interval. Why don’t you recommend a better way? Explain other options.
These people offered a “perspective” not a scientific well researched poll. Present to them a valid set of standards and I bet they would consider them.
Nigel,
You talked to Hurt for this grading?
Nigel, patriotguerrilla, and other Tea Party leaders,
I was wondering if there are plans to have another Tax Day rally in the Charlottesville Pavillion this year? You could invite each of the candidates to come, and each would get 5-10 minute to make their case before the crowd. I feel the momentum for this movement building, and I suspect quite a large crowd could be gathered. Afterwards, you could do a good sized poll, as people leave. This would be a good way to get the people sympathetic to the Tea Party movement involved and motivated to vote on Primary day.
Yes, I talked to Hurt. In his office for about 30 mins.
I think the idea for a poll in Charlottesville at the TEA Party is fine but, I’m in Danville. That’s something for the JATP.
Is it possible we can take the money out of politics?
A new poll has been released by Public Policy Polling.
http://tinyurl.com/ybr23mn
I urge you to read it and draw your own conclusions. No, I’m not in the lead, but this is the first scientific survey of 400 likely PRIMARY voters and, if nothing else, it proves that spending a lot of money does not get you a lot of grass roots support.
I attribute this success to:
1. I have been able to produce and distribute tens of thousands of dollars of media since I first declared, an item that is off of the report, because I do the work myself.
2. My message of teaching conservativism is resonating. (I believe teaching it is as important as legislating it.)
3. The non profit site I created, http://www.EducationPartners.biz, is recognized as the ‘out of the box’ ideas we need in Congress.
There will be many manifestations of polls over the next few months, but this poll puts today’s reality into perspective.
Looks like a lot of us will need to rethink our bias!
I don’t think so. It’s laughable that a guy(Ron Ferrin) that is only in this race to further his business and to crack a few jokes would even get 4%. Maybe they thought the question was “if the primary were held today and you had to vote for the funniest candidate, who would you vote for?” Nevermind that most people don’t know where you stand on the issues.
I can’t stand polls that are done by liberal groups. The majority of the people that were polled were moderate or liberal and would vote for perriello if really given the chance. Also the sample was very small and an auto phone poll where most people would hang up before pushing the buttons…well the smart ones would.
Actually, Hank, as I’ve told you before, educationpartners.biz is NOT his business.
It’s a non profit that our kids NEED right now. You should stop politicizing education.
What HAS he said that gets you so riled up on these blogs! When I see him in Lynchburg, I’ll tell him to keep it up!
There is an easy way to settle this, Hank and GOTP.
If people just go to my web sites to watch the videos:
http://www.RonFerrinForCongress.org
and
http://www.EducationPartners.biz
They can decide for themselves.
Argument solved.
I was just going to write the same thing when I saw this post.
Good. Let’s not argue about ability or intentions. Let’s just get ready to support the winner against Perriello.
GOTP. I wasn’t referring to EducationPartners.biz in mentioning RF promoting his business. I’ve heard from lots of different sources that not a time or meeting goes by where Ron Ferrin doesn’t mention that he makes videos and if he drops out of this race or looses that he’d be glad to “work” with any of the campaigns. I don’t have a problem with people promoting capitalism and trying to drum up business. I do have a problem with opportunists. As far as EP.biz goes; It’s nice that he wants to help the schools…good for him. Be nice if those schools were worth helping and were doing ONE thing to educate our kids. All negativity on that note aside, good for him creating an idea in an attempt to help.
Hank,
Well put. Thanx for the last line.
I can understand where that might look like I’m just promoting my business by running. But the reason I mention my video internet business is that I am justifying why I think I can run, as a middle class candidate, against very deep pockets. It’s the ‘great neutralizer’. We are in a new media economy and it really DOES help. (See the PPP poll.)
I guess the reason I mention the ‘upside to loosing’ is to show that I’m not tied up in politics. Jim talks about if he looses, he goes back to ‘God’s Country’. Mike goes back to his farm. I go back to business.
As far as humor. That’s my personality. People who know me, or get to know me, know that I really hold back on the campaign trail.
If you want to see the inside of what I’m about, my daughter just started a blog to do just that. I don’t edit it (I already wish I did). But it’s at 20 year old’s perspective of her dad running for office.
Something that my daughter has learned is that negative blogs are good, and I read them. Some have helped me sharpen a certain part of my message, but all of them help thicken skin. I figure if I can’t take it in the spring from the Republicans. I’ll NEVER be able to take it in the fall for the democrats.
Keep up the good work. Introduce yourself on the trail some time. I’d love to meet you.
Ron
One more thing, Hank.
I really don’t go around telling jokes. I never start by saying, “Did you hear the one about…” I use humor to make fun of Liberalism and Socialism like Reagan used humor to poke fun at Communism and big government.
Any public speaker will tell you that if you can connect on an emotional level, people will remember your message longer. As it’s said, “People will not remember what you said but they will remember how you made them feel.”
Are you going to be at the Lynchburg forum on February 27th. If so, please come by and say hi.
Well I’ll give your credit for one thing; You are personally engaging the voters and that is something none of the other candidates are doing…at least I’ve not yet seen it.
Hank,
By engaging, are you referring to my visits and comments on blogs?
Just curious.
Ron