A Reflection on the 8th Congressional District GOP Primary
A Letter from Michael Kelly, Founder of “We the People NC”:
Friends of the Tea Party and friends of the Republican Party,
In a period of just six weeks we learned more about human nature than most of us would ever wish for. We learned that we are capable of going to great lengths to malign one another and in some cases the best of friends can become the bitterest of enemies. We also learned that some are able to rise above all this to do what must be done with utmost integrity. Though all of us wish this could be more common, in the heat of the political battle, it is in short supply.
What this has told us more than anything is that the N. C. Republican establishment still thinks that only moderates can win elections and when they feel threatened they are willing to break their own rules of engagement to get their own way. Of course this does not include all, but I have met many patriots over the last 18 months that would like to do some purging.
At this point for clarification, consider that the Tea Party is made up of conservatives of all stripes (including republican regulars), who feel strongly that our nation needs to shift more to the right if it is to survive. Their ideals are more hard core as they feel that we do not have much time left.
Through all this runoff the Tea Party has been dealt a blow but it is fair to say that it was not strong enough to prevail in the first place. We set out to do something that we were not yet prepared to do successfully. We are young, we are inexperienced, we lack a unified strategy, and above all, we are fractured. After all we barely understood how to change politics right here at home and a major election was right on top of us.
Although it was not intended, this has been a time to learn our strengths and weaknesses and our resolve to press on in the face of every obstacle that could be thrown at us. Are we still standing? Yes we are. Are we stronger? Yes we are. But we are not without casualties.
For all that might be said about the involvement of WTPNC, it would be unfair for anyone to impugn the whole Tea Party for getting involved.
I did what I believed was right and many others stood with me. In the end I led the charge and I am the one who accepts responsibility for any damage.
Now it is time we turn the ship in a new direction and reflect once again on what we are all about. What are we here for? Why did we converge on Washington? Was it just health care or Barack Obama? Why did we say that both Parties are to blame for the destruction of our liberties? Did anyone listen to us? Has anything changed? What about our country? Are we still concerned about where our country is headed?
It has been said by both sides that they would never vote for the other candidate if they win this primary. The resentment runs deeper than the causes. I don’t believe that we can move forward if we cannot forgive. I don’t think we can heal if we cannot forgive. If we cannot forgive and heal we will never have a clear judgment of what we must do next. Now it is time to find out if we are able to rise above the bitterness and resentment that has marked the last six weeks. If so we are prepared to peacefully carry the Tea Party Revolution into the next chapter. Do we have the resolve to humble ourselves or shall we be as stubborn as those who refuse to give up their power and prestige?
We are a little older and a lot smarter. In a span of a few short months we learned more than some learn in years of work. After all, that is one of the things our movement is known for so should we expect anything different? It is time we write a short chapter on healing and move on to work to restore what we are all about; fiscal restraint, less government, free market economy and individual liberty.
If we can develop a unified strategy of how we will work together in the future we will grow stronger and ultimately fulfill one other goal that all of us desire; to restore integrity to the political process in this great nation, America.
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