This article suggests that the GOP "Big Tent" has collapsed.

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/05/27/the-big-tent-party-collapses/

No, I would disagree.   The TEA folded that big tent and sent them packing..... 

There are indeed a wide variety of candidate positions in the 2016 GOP race.  I believe that is good.

It will make it easier for the true conservatives to succeed and win the WH.

Yes, it may look like the GOP is falling apart, but it is actually re-conforming to the conservative party of yesteryears.  In the process it is shedding a few leaves..... molting.... 

Quote from: kroz on May 27, 2015, 12:28:46 PM
This article suggests that the GOP "Big Tent" has collapsed.

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/05/27/the-big-tent-party-collapses/

No, I would disagree.   The TEA folded that big tent and sent them packing..... 

There are indeed a wide variety of candidate positions in the 2016 GOP race.  I believe that is good.

It will make it easier for the true conservatives to succeed and win the WH.

Yes, it may look like the GOP is falling apart, but it is actually re-conforming to the conservative party of yesteryears.  In the process it is shedding a few leaves..... molting.... 

This is part of "the process" of changing the party. It will not be without its bumps in the road as the establishment will not go down easily. I am not concerned about all the candidates as they will begin to drop like flies once the primaries begin. I do have some concerns about the early criticism by Rand Paul and I am sure that will spread. I just hope the candidates do not forget the goal is to remove the leftists from the WH and reverse all the EO's and regulations that have been put in place for the past six plus years.

Okay. The United States is NOT a European parliamentary democracy, where a bunch of ideologically "pure" little parties get together and try to form a government. This is the US where political parties have always adhered to the "Big Tent philosophy - or they disappear. The idea that you are going to turn the GOP into the conservative equivalent of the far left Democratic party is madness. How many elections have they won recently?

I'll just post here, what I said in the comments section on Breitbart.

Boy did Ben get this completely wrong. First off, the Libertarian party isn't about drugs, you moron!
They are nearly identical to TEA, this is also an exposure of the libs that have abandoned the Dim party for the libertarian movement, granted these kids know absolutely nothing about the party, other than they see a party void of morals, which is not the case, but that's what they are trying to morph it into.

Before I go on a rant, suffice it to say, Ben, TEA is the majority of the GOP, not the 25% you claim it is.
TEA "Taxed Enough Already" Is that too hard to understand?
And no! TEA is not about social issues, that will remedy itself once we steal the GOP and start reigning in this ridiculous overspending and pandering, as well as self interests.
The Establishments days are numbered, mark my words Ben!

Quote from: mdgiles on May 27, 2015, 01:18:13 PM
Okay. The United States is NOT a European parliamentary democracy, where a bunch of ideologically "pure" little parties get together and try to form a government. This is the US where political parties have always adhered to the "Big Tent philosophy - or they disappear. The idea that you are going to turn the GOP into the conservative equivalent of the far left Democratic party is madness. How many elections have they won recently?

What I was trying to say is that we will return the GOP to the conservative party of Reagan which gathered people from all spectrums.  That does not qualify it as "big tent" in my opinion.  Big tent implies that we water down our ideology and soften our stance on issues to garner more voters.

That is a failed strategy!  You must be firm on the issues and narrow the agenda to cover the essentials of conservatism.  Beyond that you must pick a principled person of integrity that will do the honorable thing in all situations.  That is NOT big tent.

Solar is right!  The TEA is much stronger than most people give it credit.  Most of the TEA speak softly but carry a big stick.  They don't make a lot of noise, so the arrogant assume they do not exist!

Quote from: mdgiles on May 27, 2015, 01:18:13 PM
Okay. The United States is NOT a European parliamentary democracy, where a bunch of ideologically "pure" little parties get together and try to form a government. This is the US where political parties have always adhered to the "Big Tent philosophy - or they disappear. The idea that you are going to turn the GOP into the conservative equivalent of the far left Democratic party is madness. How many elections have they won recently?

It's a good thing the Constitution only covers a few specific items.  There should be no dispute on anything in regards to the Constitution, allowing for a point of commonality.