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Will the Tea Party have a pivotal role in the Republican National Convention and in November and can Romney speak to them?
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What about the Tea Party will and should the Republican Party give AT Kearney representative it prime time speaking slot at the convention.
We went to the US capitol to ask senator Jim dement.
Senator nice to see if there really good to be back is governor Romney -- attention to the Tea Party and -- the Tea Party gonna have a big.
Voice in the election.
We'll keep in mind that the tea parties are just a -- one visual element of a very active citizenry -- across America today we're seeing in a lot of the primaries for the senate.
For instance.
A -- dole senator like a Dick Lugar losing because I think the Tea Party as well.
And it's just all common sense Americans are giving gave so.
The Tea Party still there it's grown it's better organized.
Only a small part of it goes under the umbrella Tea Party.
They all -- -- -- -- -- love let's save America.
Yes but there is still somewhat of a group.
Lives -- a -- still it is a faction -- and tends to be more Republican than Democrat.
And I'm curious if there if you think that governor Romney sees this as an important element an -- speaking directly to the concerns.
Of the Tea Party.
I think he is I think -- a lot of Republicans have learned that we need to embrace these ideas which your ideas that are part of our platform.
Just limited government less spending less -- it certainly Romney's talking about that but that's what brings the Tea Party together.
They're very diverse group of conservatives libertarians.
And evangelicals.
And secular -- needed a group that's come together.
Concerned a lot about the fiscal issues in our country.
What's -- of a group of this and Tea Party caucus -- this and it's not like it's just.
Group without any.
Right definition -- but it is ignorant it is a group but it gives us the opportunity to have that big tent.
Republican Party comes while the Tea Party may be small in size as far as those who actually label themselves tea parties.
They represent a large majority of Americans who have concerned about the need to balance our budgets.
The debt and spending in the growth of government.
So this is an opportunity for Republicans have to be that inclusive big party but around tire issues we don't have to water down what we believe.
In order to attract the Tea Party that is basic and limited government -- -- -- -- foundation of the Republican Party.
Would you expect or do you want the Tea Party have a prime time speaking position or some represent the Tea Party.
At the Republican National Convention would this be important for the Tea Party members yes it is but don't think they're going to be there because well they're not imminent but he's a big difference is Serbian attending and an end and haven't heavy low meanwhile -- having the play well and I'm here -- -- of the bloodiest city.
Sarah Palin handle -- have a big.
Slot is far speaking.
Because there's no one still in America.
Event I think excites the base of conservatives on an even libertarians if she does she can draw a crowd more than any other Republican.
And I think has more influence and primaries.
Than any other endorsement right now so I think she'd be good -- we we need to have some new Republicans like Marco Rubio and Pat -- likely some of these folks who changed the face of the senate.
And real heroes and house like Jim Jordan I don't know love to have them having you know his prime speaking slots at the convention.
-- I'm gonna turn another pictures of the recess is coming up.
I'm Capitol Hill everybody in the house and senate takes up the month of August and apparently you're not crazy about this idea -- all the problems all the issues left to be decided.
And the fact that -- that may be left of the lame duck session.
Greta this is like Groundhog Day for me because it's all being choreographed.
To push these important issues into a lame duck after the election.
With the threat of -- government shut down when we have to deal with the increases in taxes and cuts in military spending.
And a lot of things like Medicare payments to doctors they're just.
Dozens and dozens of issues and expire at the end of the year.
And I think clearly Harry Reid does not want to deal with those issues right now the best thing we could do for our economy.
Is extend the current tax rates at least a year until president Romney has a chance to reform the tax code to make it more business friendly.
Haven't anyone justify in the senate.
With all these very important issues going on.
How does anyone justified taking the month of August -- recess now they say they're gonna -- that their constituents.
But it's a month away from Washington which puts -- this important decisions.
You know farther way to making decisions of people can't predict what -- did their jobs or whatever.
And putting it in a lame duck where people who may be voted out of office are gonna have a -- how I think justified here I don't.
Think we can't particularly what we're doing now -- and -- -- we're gonna take a break in August but we're not doing anything now.
And we come back in September it's three weeks before the government shutdown but what.
Harry Reid is not brought brought one funding bill to the floor of the senate.
The past so we have not funded the government for next year and that begins October 1 so the first thing we're gonna do we come back from this recess.
Historic flight -- over government shutdown we're trying to stop that the world number of us in the house and the senate have sent.
Speaker Boehner and leader McConnell letter saying we want.
A funding bill.
That funds our government into next year into the next administration.
So that the people of America don't have to live under this panicked chaos of -- government -- You know it hasn't grade school if you didn't do your homework.
You stayed in during recess and -- your homework so I don't quite understand that concept.
All these people -- elected office going into recess in August with -- is profoundly important decisions.
Coming up and mean they actually should be decided now.
They should be him but we're not dealing with -- this week.
We're not trying to pass anything this week and we shouldn't go on recess until we get the tax issue fixed because our businesses -- people we want to hire.
Folks all across country don't know what they're tax rates going to be -- what their health care cost.
And we just doing everything it seems to hurt.
Job development in our country at a time when we need to do completely the opposite.
It is in which we gonna vote to question -- -- -- -- -- didn't write.
-- -- that whether you vote for or against any of these issues when I didn't make reason I'm bringing enough.
And and even the president has said we need to extend the current tax rates but Greta we know what he's trying to do.
He wants to increase taxes on my -- over the next.
A whole different issues you guys can -- fight it out but -- you know -- you can.
There I mean you're recess cannot even when you're not even like working on -- They are choreographed -- any government shut down in September to try to push some things.
And then they'll pass or try to pass -- two -- funding mechanism so we end up in a lame -- Trying to make all these decisions after the election with people who haven't been reelected.
-- -- fighting mad and we are pushing again speaker.
Speaker Boehner to pass a funding bill now that will help us get to the tax issue.
And if we could convince him to stay here in August and solve our problems I'd be here with a.
Senate thanks -- thank you --
