Polling Center

To Endorse/Recommend or Not to Endorse/Recommend

Over the past year the majority of tea parties offered many opportunities to meet and question candidates in every district in Tennessee. There was ample opportunity, also, for folks to become involved in research and the vetting of candidates.

We must now determine if we are to continue this process of endorsements or recommendations in the upcoming general election or should we just compile and provide information to our members and the electorate at large.

Please let us know your thoughts so we may better represent your wishes during the general elections.

**It should be acknowledged that the tea party is made up of disparate groups representing different locations/counties/needs. Though the tea parties may mirror or vary widely in their selections of candidates, it remains up to each individual to educate themselves and make informed choices.

Amending Election Law

The recent primary elections were the first real test of the tea party movements effectiveness in promoting values oriented candidates to office. Through this process we learned much and we will have to evaluate our methodology in the future to ensure in a greater impact.

One area that proved to be a particular challenge is what to do in races where there are multiple good candidates. It seems evident that by having multiple conservative candidates remain in races, even though their polling numbers indicate they have no chance of winning, that this dilutes the conservative vote and leaves us with a moderate candidate at best. One means of alleviating this dilemma would be to have primary run offs. Please let us know if you think the tea party movement should push for the amendment of current election law to provide for a run off should no candidate receive 50% of the vote.