Republicans need to control rhetoric

During the passage of the health care bill last week, black civil rights leaders were called the n-word, openly gay Representative Barney Frank was called a faggot and protesters have repeatedly held up signs at rallies portraying President Obama as Hitler. None of this is remotely acceptable behavior, but it seems to be becoming the norm at Tea Party protests.

Inherent in the nature of the Tea Party movement is that it’s unorganized and without official leadership. Nonetheless, a substantial number of these protesters take many of their cues from right-wing leaders such as television shock-jock Glenn Beck and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. These leaders, and others, need to stop acting like these ugly outbursts of racism and intolerance are merely coincidental and strongly condemn them for what they are: unacceptable and disgusting.

Concrete steps need to be taken by Republican and Tea Party organizers to control the message of the Tea Party protesters. They need to make sure it is clear that this type of hideous rhetoric has no place in American right-wing politics. Either the right needs to curb the racist and offensive flare-ups or conservatives need to stop exploiting the Tea Party as a vehicle for Republican electoral success.

By continuing to lay the blame for these explosions of hate squarely on the individual members who state them, right-wing leaders are seriously risking being severely marginalized in the eyes of the mainstream (and largely moderate) American public, in addition to risking even greater losses among minority and independent voters — particularly Hispanics, who make up an increasingly critical segment of the voting population.

The persistent use by Republicans of the Tea Party (in its currently extremist state) is a disastrous long-term electoral strategy and will have a seriously damaging effect on the state of American politics. The increase in extremist politics in the United States is a bad thing for everyone.

The Tea Party is not going to win the Republican Party any elections if the GOP continues to attach itself to it in its currently unhealthy shape. Republicans need to make a public effort to control the vitriolic and despicable rhetoric currently spewing from the mouths of many Tea Partiers at rallies and protests.

The Tea Party is a remarkable movement that has honest potential to effect real change in Washington, but right-wing leaders are risking the creation of an uncontrollable monster by letting the movement run unchecked and unrestrained.