Mar 18 Democrat State Chair Alienates Grassroots Activists

In a recent Minnesota Public Radio article profiling the Minnesota Tea Party Patriots, Democratic-Farmer-Labor party chief Brian Melendez is quoted disparaging those grassroots activists who seek to uphold the Constitution.

The tea party tends to identify themselves with the movement that some have called ‘10th-ers,’ people who support the 10th Amendment as a vehicle for obstructing programs sponsored by the federal government, like health care reform.

This term “10th-ers,” which Melendez attempts to distance himself from with an artful use of the anonymous “some,” is a blatant effort to rhetorically group advocates of state’s rights with so-called “Birthers,” who insist on questioning the national origin of President Obama, or “Truthers,” who question the events of September 11, 2001. Apparently, Melendez would have us believe the 10th Amendement is a conspiracy theory.

The article portrays a stark contrast between GOP and DFL regard toward Tea Party activists. Republican chair Tony Sutton indicates at least cursory recognition of declared Tea Party principles. “They’re talking about jobs, and taxes, and spending, and limited government and fiscal responsibility,” he told MPR. Minnesota Tea Party Patriots state coordinator Antoinette Backdahl says her organization is concerned with “three principles — fiscal responsibility, limited government and free markets.” Sounds like Sutton has his finger on the pulse, while the best Melendez can manage is generalizations and contrived derogatory terms.

Democrats have a tremendous opportunity to expand their tent, which representatives like Melendez are discarding. Backdahl states one-third of her organization’s 3,500 listed members are independents or Democrats. Another third have “never been involved in politics at all.” Their loyalty is not to the GOP, but conservative principles which any party may adopt. The current dramatic public resistance to the hard left policies of the Obama administration indicate a need for the Democratic party to reign itself back toward the middle. It is probably fair to say Tea Party activists would prefer to see two major parties competing for their support, rather than one which can effectively take them for granted.

If Democrats are ever interested in being as democratic, inclusive, and tolerant as their rhetoric aims to portray them, they will need to dispense with generalizations and dispersions and take a look at actual people. While it is true there are individuals in the Tea Party movement who question the origin of the president, and there are individuals within the movement who question the events of September 11, 2001, neither of these issues are pivotal. It is the Tea Party’s inclusive nature which enables these elements to exist. There are no Tea Party Police who go around questioning everyone who shows up to a rally to make sure they believe the right things. There is no party-affiliation card one receives upon successful vetting by a Protester Search Committee. All are welcome, and indicate through their identification with the movement only a commitment to civic participation. The groups which constitute the movement each have their own principles which guide them. In general, it may be fair to say Bachdahl’s “fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets” are common to all.

Cross-posted at Fightin Words, where comments are welcome.