Tea Party Influence on Republican Party Grows in New Hampshire

Strategic Insights -

New Hampshire Republicans, fueled by tea party activism, have taken control of their state party hierarchy, with Jack Kimball, a tea party favorite, now serving as chairman. This development is part of a broader trend across the country where tea party-inspired candidates and voters are pushing the Republican Party to take a stronger stance on issues like spending and deficits. In a recent interview on Fox News Channel's "Your World," Jack Kimball expressed his commitment to limited government, personal freedom, and the Constitution, values he believes are at the heart of the Republican Party.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jack Kimball, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, is a tea party favorite who was not the odds-on favorite to win the chairmanship initially but ultimately emerged victorious.
  • Kimball attributes the tea party's influence to its commitment to returning to limited government, personal freedom, and the Constitution, which he believes are essential American values.
  • Kimball represents the state of Michigan, which had a significant impact on the tea party movement nationwide, with New Hampshire being a crucial state in the first-in-the-nation primary.
  • Kimball is cautiously optimistic about the prospect of Republican presidential candidates, including Mitt Romney, and believes that the upcoming primary election will feature strong conservative Republican candidates.
  • Despite concerns about the potential schism within the Republican Party between established leaders and tea party-inspired politicians, Kimball remains confident that the party can capitalize on its reputation for limited government and personal freedom to increase majorities in the next election.

Statistics:

  • 20% of the total change out of the country was represented by the state of Michigan in the tea party movement.
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has come within 20 points of 12,000, with many attributing the market's trend to the current administration's policies.
  • The United States is facing a structural billionaire-dollar deficit, the worst in its history, in New Hampshire.
  • 80% of the voters in the recent national election chose to give Republicans another chance, citing concerns about the party's trustworthiness.