RI Going Red: Tea Party Took Over State House This Year
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Only eight months after Rhode Island bucked the national trend and shut Republicans out of every major office, the state Tea Party was the last political group expected to make any inroads on Smith Hill, where Democrats have maintained a stranglehold on leadership for much of the past century.
But as the clocked ticked on the final hours of the General Assembly session, there they were, celebrating what many believe to be a breakthrough victory by helping to get binding arbitration tabled for the time being. Getting it done took a truly organized effort previously reserved only for those on the other side of aisle and state conservatives are saying it sent a message to the entire state:
Rhode Island may eat and sleep blue, but it’s starting to drink the Tea.
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To call it a changing of the guard is, of course, extremely premature. But in a year where the most solidly Democratic General Assembly in the country voted to support a controversial voter id bill, slashed longevity payments for state workers and opted for cuts to social services to close what was once a $331 million budget deficit, state Tea Party leader Lisa Blais says something is clearly changing in Rhode Island.
“I think the Tea Party is evolving in the state,” Blais said. “There are more ways for folks to become informed and educated about the process and more people that want to learn about the politics and lobbying that goes on at the State House. We believe this is an opportunity to move the state in the right direction.”
Blais said the key to the process has been opening voters’ eyes to how things work on Smith Hill. She said her group has taken dozens of people to the State House for “fieldtrips” to teach them about the General Assembly. She said the Tea Party just wants more people to understand the politics and get involved.
“This movement has inspired people who are not paid,” she said. “Middle class people who are suddenly unemployed and are now starting to pay attention.”
We’re Defining Them
And it’s working. The Tea Party became a staple on Smith Hill this year simply by always showing up, according to Common Cause Executive Director John Marion.
“The Tea Party had a near constant presence in 2011 which was certainly a change from recent years,” Marion said. “If showing up is half the battle, they certainly scored a victory.”
The other component of the Tea Party’s sudden surge is messaging. Unlike similar groups across the country, Blais’ group has attempted to remain clear of the social issues, which can often plague Republicans in liberal states. Case in point: In a recent Facebook post on the group’s website, a member complained about civil unions. He was quickly reminded by another member that social issues are off the table when it comes to the Tea Party.
The focus, according to Young Republicans Chairman Travis Rowley, needs to be on the Democrats. Rowley said his job is to educate Rhode Islanders more about what the other side is doing wrong as opposed to getting into battles on social issues. Rowley says conservatives are now winning the messaging war.
“The conservatives are winning the argument,” he said. “There is a coalition of right wing groups rising in Rhode Island. For too long we’ve let them define us. People thought ‘you’re a Republican, you’re against gay marriage.’ Now we’re starting to define the other side.“
More People Are Paying Attention
And people appear to be listening. Ken Block, former gubernatorial candidate and head of the Moderate Party, said that as voters get more frustrated with the economy and their own situation, they are more likely to become involved.
Block said fiscally conservative groups have done a good job connecting with those people and giving them the opportunity to have a voice.
“As our financial situation has worsened over the years, more people are realizing that decisions made both locally and statewide are important,” Block said. “For too many years, voters have tuned out and largely ignored what happens at the city and state levels once the elections end. As mass communications have become more accessible - especially via the web - it has become simpler to get people who have been disengaged to pay attention and take action with minimal effort.”
Republicans Are The Only Alternative
Blais said that if she were to give the Tea Party a 1-10 score based on what it accomplished overall this year, she would give it a six. Room for improvement, but a successful year nonetheless. With the next election cycle rapidly approaching, the question shifts to how the group will be able to leverage its ability to communicate to attract candidates and ultimately generate votes.
Rhode Island Republicans didn’t fare well in 2010 compared with the rest of the country, but GOP Executive Director Patrick Sweeney said he believes Democrats in the State House are starting to feel the heat, thanks in part to the Tea Party.
“I believe the officials in the General Assembly are worried about reelection and you can tell by their votes,” Sweeney said. “But let's get one thing straight, Rhode Island Democrats are gaga for taxes. Democrats have ruled the General Assembly for over 70 years and look where we are. Republicans are the only alternative to saving Rhode Island from a fiscal disaster.”
The Heart Of The Fiscal Conservative Majority
Getting there won’t be easy. It will take a lot more outreach, money and collaboration for the Tea Party to accomplish its goals heading into the 2012 election. But state GOP Chairman Ken McKay said he believes the conservative groups will play an influential role over the next 17 months.
“These groups will be incredibly influential because they are organized and talk to one another and others,” McKay said. “They get the message out. They will influence votes and volunteerism. They are the heart of the fiscal conservative majority.”
For Blais, it all goes back to organization.
“People need action points,” she said. “That’s what we’re here for. And we’re not going away.”
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