Lynchburg, Virginia
June 9th, 2010 – With the close of the GOP Primary race, the Lynchburg Tea Party is drawing a line in the sand. “We congratulate Robert Hurt on his recent victory. However, we cannot and will not endorse a candidate that does not align with our core principles,” said Kurt Feigel the LTP Communications Vice Chair.
Being an organization that stands on a set of principles forces the Lynchburg Tea Party to look long and hard at this race. “ More than anything, our membership is hard set against Tom Perriello, but as an organization, that does not mean we will compromise our core principles and values in exchange for pragmatism” said Dana Hale, LTP Logistics Vice Chair
For some, this will raise the question of how determined the Tea Party in the 5th is in defeating Tom Perriello, Nancy Pelosi and Obama. Some point to this split as evidence of division within the tea party. On the contrary, standing firmly upon our core principles shows evidence of solidarity and strength within the organization.
“If the other tea party groups in the fifth district are not serious about standing on principle, then as Samuel Adams famously said, ‘Let your chains set lightly upon you, and let posterity forget you were ever our countrymen.’” said Feigel “This is bigger than one man. If we don’t take a stand now, then when exactly do we plan to do it?”
Mark Lloyd, the LTP Chairman said, “The LTP encourages individual members to get involved in the process to unseat Tom Perriello from Congress. We encourage our members to support the candidate they believe will best accomplish this goal in keeping with our core values which are limited government, fiscal responsibility, free and fair markets, personal liberty based on personal responsibility, and Constitutional governance.” He went on to explain that all LTP members must, “…choose for themselves, the right candidate for that role.” For some, it is clear there is going to be a struggle between pragmatism and principle. “At this point, as a Tea Party organization, I don’t foresee the endorsement of any candidates during this election cycle.”
“The leadership of the Lynchburg Tea Party believes the ignorance and apathy of so many who call themselves Americans has led the nation and the 5th district to where it is. It is time we educate citizens to their duty. It is quite a sad situation that less than 10% of voters made the decision for the rest of the district…this has got to stop,” said Feigel.
The LTP will begin seminars and movie screenings starting in July that will facilitate this educational process.
The lack of a candidate endorsement this election cycle does not mean the LTP and it’s members are not going to be actively following this race. All candidates are invited, and welcome to visit, including Tom Perriello. However, the Lynchburg Tea Party will dictate the forum. Any candidate that chooses to accept our invitation will be treated with respect, allowed time to make prepared remarks, but required to spend time answering direct questions from the members in attendance.
“It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters.” — Daniel Webster
The Tea party is a damn joke if they can’t even endorse a candidate in the 5th district primary they sure as hell won’t be a factor in the general election.The so called leader of the Danville Tea party is the same idiot that was going to burn in Effigy Perriello and Pelosi,the same idiot that posted what he thought was Tom Perriello’s address online,and the same idiot that endorsed Feda Morton.These people will really get something done RIGHT.
You know, the Tea Party WILL be a factor in the November election—apparently, the LTP would prefer to do this in a negative way: either by NOT endorsing Mr. Hurt, the only possible (understand: I didn’t say BEST) candidate to have a shot at defeating Tom Perriello; or, by possibly endorsing/supporting at some point, an independent run by someone (understand: I didn’t say Mr. Clark).
Robert Hurt isn’t the BEST candidate: he has the best SHOT for securing Perriello’s seat. Hurt now has to convince Virginia that he will work for OUR best interests and show that he has conservative principles.
Everybody needs to remember this: on 1 January 2011, any and all Bush-era tax breaks go away. EVERYBODY’S taxes will go up on every level on this date. Tom Perriello is a congressman who is ALLOWING this to happen. That in and of itself should be incentive for ALL of us to work for Hurt’s victory: He can’t be THAT much of a compromiser to act like Perriello. But Hurt has to now prove that.
anamcara- Do you have any polling info, or any other way of knowing that Hurt is the only candidate that can beat Perriello, or is that just your opinion? I think there will be many many that will disagree with you. When I heard about Hurt’s “decisive” win I had to laugh. Wow, he got 47.8% of only 7.97% of the voters. And, Charlottesville is having a “unity rally” today to try to get some unity behind Hurt. If he won so decisively, wouldn’t he already have unity? Wouldn’t it be something more like a Republican rally or something?
Who cares what the Lynchburg Tea Party does or does not do or endorse?
THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE 5TH DISTRICT!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s quit covering what they say or do!!!!
Doesn’t the LTP have members from Lynchburg, Campbell, Bedford, and Appomattox? OH YEAH THEY DO! so they are part of the 5th.