February 9, 2010
The Tea Party Convention in Nashville was another expression of what the founders had in mind when they wrote our Constitution, "We the People."
People are tired of elites running their lives. They don't like being told to shut-up until election day and then to vote only for those the elites have nominated, which in too many cases is someone -- or someones -- who are part of the Washington establishment.
The public has been conditioned to accept a top-down process in which money and connections determine who gets nominated and elected. Some of our greatest presidents wouldn't have a chance if they were running today. Abraham Lincoln was too homely. George Washington had wooden teeth. Franklin Roosevelt was in a wheel chair. Calvin Coolidge didn't talk much.
Having said that, anger is not a sufficient motivator for political success. Optimism and leadership are better. Conservatives can be against President Obama and his policies, but they must be for something and someone. If the movement can overcome that image, it will be a powerful force in November and beyond.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
