Republican leadership, at all levels, should have learned a quick lesson about the mood of America’s conservatives from the Dede Scozzafava debacle in upper New York state. Unfortunately, the GOP House Leadership might need some remedial instruction. And a group of conservative Republican lawmakers met Tuesday to draft that lesson plan.
Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has been one of the more vocal opponents of ObamaCare. Last week on Sean Hannity’s television program, Ms. Bachmann announced the “House Call on Congress.” She urged Americans to come to Washington, DC, to a press conference on the Capitol steps at Noon on Thursday, November 5. After the presser, Ms. Bachmann will lead the citizens through House office buildings to confront Democrats on their own turf. She hopes to draw thousands to DC to tell the Democrats to their faces, “We don’t want a government takeover of our healthcare.” Yesterday, Ms. Bachmann announced that conservative talk radio host Mark Levin would join her.
Leaders, though, tend to be cautious. Before the Hill brass swooped in to “help” organizers by providing speaker lists and talking points, a band of conservatives formed a steering committee to keep the message and the tactics authentically conservative. These rebels don’t want talking points; they want a battle cry.
Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) hosted the meeting of a dozen Hill conservatives who’ve had enough. The meeting was to help Michele Bachmann, and other originators of the House Call protest, retain control of the event and the message.
Until now, Mr. Akin and a few others in this Gang of 12 preferred keeping a low profile. Emboldened by the grass roots effect in New York’s 23rd Congressional District race, Akin is determined to go on offensive for conservative principles rather than just fending off Democrat advances. Last week, for example, Akin recruited eight House Republicans to endorse Conservative Party candidate, Doug Hoffman, in the NY-23 race, even while the National Republican Congressional Committee was pumping hundreds of thousands of dollars to boost Scozzafava.
Tuesday’s meeting included Rep. Steve King (R-IA), Ms. Bachmann, Doctors Paul Broun and Phil Gingrey (Rs-GA), Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX), and others who are willing to take on their own party’s heirarchy. According to Mr. Akin, “This steering committee is full of risk takers who’ve been pushed out of their comfort zone” and are willing to fight for principle. Akin cited an emerging “sense of camaraderie among conservatives” in the House.
The citizens who’ve manned the barricades against ObamaCare in town halls, tea parties, and rallies will welcome help from the Hill. Republican victories in Tuesday’s elections combined with the now palpable influence of the Tea Parties, could allow Akin, Bachmann, King and crew to put the Democrats on defense while keeping the GOP tacking right. Blue Dog Democrats are already warning that a good showing by GOP candidates in yesterday’s elections could limit their support for liberal initiatives, including Cap and Trade and healthcare takeover. If popular dissent, determined House conservatives, and jittery Blue Dogs delay a vote on PelosiCare until January, election year risk aversion could bury the ideas altogether.
That scenario would be a disaster for Barack Obama’s faltering agenda and a victory for the republic. It could also give the GOP a band of solid conservative leaders it so desperately needs.