Why is the RNC Defending the Tea Partiers?

RNC Chairman Michael Steele's decision to defend the Tea Party movement from the NAACP's accusations of racism was not a wise move.

RNC Chair Michael Steele yesterday issued a statement repudiating the NAACP’s citation of racism within the Tea Party movement. This was not a wise move on Steele’s part.

If indeed the Tea Party Movement is truly nonpartisan and is not a Republican movement as it has often been contended, then the question is: why is the RNC or any other Republican organization, weighing in on this matter in defense of the movement? This was not a Republican matter which required an RNC response or involvement.  It is a Tea Party matter which needs to be resolved between the Tea party and the NAACP.

The GOP is not in a position to take on a movement which has no leadership which -- when issues such as this arise -- can be held accountable. Nor can it control what happens at events or who appears and participates. Why then issue a blank check?

The Tea Party itself provided a better example of how to deal with rogue elements.  This week, a billboard appeared in Mason City, Iowa equating President Obama with Hitler and Lenin.  The billboard was created and paid for by the North Iowa Tea Party.

On July 14, Ryan Rhodes, the Chairman of the Iowa Tea Party Patriots appeared on CNN.  He repudiated the billboard: “It detracts from the message we're trying to promote which is freedom and not fear." He explained that a grassroots movement like his cannot always prevent foolish actions: "None of us control one another…"

So if  Rhodes is not willing to take responsibility and defend the actions of a Tea Party organization within his own state, then why would the RNC or any other Republican organization, take up the defense with such blanket and absolute assurances that there are no racial factors involved?

The RNC statement reads:

Recent statements claiming the Tea Party movement is racist are not only destructive, they are not true. Tea Party activists are your mom or dad, your local grocer, banker, hairdresser or doctor. They are a diverse group of passionate Americans who want to ensure that our nation returns to founding principles that honor the Constitution, limit government’s role in our lives, and support policies that empower free markets and free enterprise. Enough with the name-calling.

It is politically irresponsible and dangerous for the RNC or any other Republican organization to place itself in a position to defend that which it has no power to control – especially at a time when the GOP wishes to show itself a party of inclusion. What the RNC needed to do is remain silent and allow the Tea Party Movement to defend and speak for itself.

The part Steele should have played is to encourage both sides to work it out among themselves, and to seek common ground and resolve differences.  Watching a July 14, 2010 interview with T. J. Holmes on CNN, with Memphis Tea Party founder, Mark Skoda and the NAACP Washington Bureau Director, Hilary Shelton, it seems to work.