GOP or the "Tea"OP?

I've heard many generic politicos and conservative pundits jabber about who will the Tea Party goers support in November 2010 and 2012? Their opinions are quite vast and confusing. Some have even openly considered the Tea Party as a new 3rd party in American Politics. Coming from a person who spoke at a Tea Party and voted for John McCain, the answer to me is pretty obvious.

While not all Tea Party supporters call themselves conservative, many hold the beliefs of limited government and less taxes in high esteem. There are libertarians, and virulent pro-life supporters. While an individual's main issue may differ from another's, it's plainly obvious that they all fit in some way with one plank or another of President Reagan's "3 legged stool".

So it amuses me that main line Republicans can't seem to recognize that this movement is tailor made for Republicans to garner support from. It's shocking that many Tea Partiers shrug off the GOP and waste a vote on a 3rd party or even withholding their vote altogether.

The GOP doesn't need to blatantly pander to the Tea Party. That's patronizing. Just offer an agenda that Tea Partiers can endorse. Heaven knows they basically want the same general thing, and we know the Democrats aren't going to offer us anything better.

We operate in a two party system. The Tea Party's beliefs are in line with the classic values of the Republican Party. So a GOP that's half-way competent should be able to put together a classic GOP platform for Tea Partiers to endorse (the question of GOP competence however, is an open one).

So, to my Tea Party brethren and my Republican friends... get along.