To grow the diverse “Tea Party” movement and to Get-Out-The-Votes for elections, we need a non-partisan message that resonates with most voters.  Candidate and issue focused messages divide voters, while a message based on constitutionally based principles of limited government, free markets, and individual liberties has broad appeal. Well informed voters, through the use of Candidate Nights and Voter Guides, can be trusted to vote for candidates who most closely adhere to these constitutionally based principles.

Winston Group polls show that the “Tea Party” movement is already quite diverse and is united with its core commitment to fiscal conservatism. Of the 17% of registered voters who indicated that they are part of the “Tea Party” movement, 57% are Republicans, 28% are Independent and 13% are Democrats. More voters are now outside the two-party system than ever before and the trend is rapidly growing. For example, independents represent 60% of voters in Ohio, 51% in Massachusetts, and 25% in Florida.

Several recent national polls of likely voters (Fox News – March 23, 2010; CNN – February 26, 2010; & Rasmussen – February 9, 2010) confirm that a message based on Constitutional principles and advocating limited government, free markets, and individual liberties is highly relevant to voters and will have broad cross-party appeal. Specifically,

• 65% think the national debt is the greatest potential threat to the country’s future
• 79% of voters think that it is possible the economy could collapse, including large majorities of Democrats (72%), Republicans (84%), and Independents (80%).
• 84% of Republicans and 74% of Independents think the government is too big; while just over half of Democrats (51%) are okay with the size of government.
• 56% of people say they think the federal government has become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. Breakdowns by party affiliation, of those who believe this, are: 37% of Democrats, 63% Independents, and 70% Republicans.
• 63% of likely voters believe that it would be better for the country if most incumbents in Congress were defeated this November.

In light of these findings, a non-partisan message to engage others in productive conversations, with an invitation to join the “Tea Party” movement, can be as simple as: “Hello: My name is _______. I am a concerned citizen from your neighborhood who is troubled by how career politicians of both parties are bankrupting our country and are jeopardizing our children’s and grandchildren’s future. Are you concerned about what is going on in Washington?”  It will be easy for volunteers with no experience in this type engagement to communicate this non-partisan, non-confrontational message and thus identify like-minded voters who may want to volunteer, get involved with your organizations, or just be on the mailing/ call list for Getting-Out-The-Vote (GOTV).

“Tea Party” organizations that adhere to a non-partisan message avoid having to form a Political Action Committee (PAC), with its many bookkeeping and filing requirements. In a meeting with lawyers from Ohio’s Secretary of State’s office, we were informed that a PAC or similar structure is necessary once an organization or groups of individuals “are for or against something and if money is involved”. Even donating one’s time and materials can be viewed as in-kind contributions and require a PAC or similar legal entity.

A well informed electorate will know which candidates most closely adhere to the Constitutional principles of limited government, free markets, and individual liberties. Thomas Jefferson stated in 1789 that: “It is to me a new and consolatory proof that wherever the people are well-informed they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights."  Voters can become informed via non-partisan Candidate Nights and Voter Guides.