GOP Senate hopes ride with tea party activists

May 29, 2010 11:48


“A tsunami of conservatism is coming in waves across our country,” says Sharron Angle, a tea party-endorsed candidate in Nevada running for the nomination to oppose Democrat Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader. “My message is, this is what people want.”

By DAVID ESPO at Townhall.com

In Kentucky, the Republican Senate candidate stumbles over a question on racial segregation. In Connecticut, the party’s hopes rest on an executive who banked millions on female wrestlers in skimpy outfits. In Nevada, one contender wants to phase out Social Security and another suggests trading chickens for medical care.

Welcome to the 2010 battle for the Senate.

It’s midway through President Barack Obama’s term, and high unemployment, an outbreak of anti-incumbent fever and political history are pointing to strong Republican gains in the fall. Yet to a degree unimaginable a few months ago, the party’s fate is tied to conservatives with tea party support, scant or no political experience, and views or backgrounds that are largely unknown to statewide electorates.

“A tsunami of conservatism is coming in waves across our country,” says Sharron Angle, a tea party-endorsed candidate in Nevada running for the nomination to oppose Democrat Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader. “My message is, this is what people want.”

Democrats claim otherwise.

“The mainstream in their party is being expelled by the extreme,” says Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, who heads the Democratic campaign committee. “That trend is hurting the Republicans.”

Their early campaign plans upended by Rand Paul in Kentucky, Linda McMahon in Connecticut and Marco Rubio in Florida, even Republican leaders occasionally acknowledge worries about a political wave they cannot control.

“New candidates make mistakes,” says Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who leads the GOP campaign effort. He adds their emergence is sign of “considerable political unrest. … I like our chances.” The party also has tea party-infused primaries ahead in New Hampshire, Colorado, California and Arizona.

Democrats hold a 59-41 advantage in the current Senate, and Republicans must gain 10 seats to win a majority.

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