Point one:

The Left refers to us conservatives as “wingers”, “extremists” “terrorists”. These are the labels that I can mention in public. They speak from their perspective on the far left of the political spectrum referring to us conservatives as being “out there”, out of the mainstream. We don’t have a defense against the labels. All we can do is deny it and re-iterate that we are conservatives. But the definition of conservative varies with each individual. So what is a conservative?

Point two:

For the last 25 years or so the conservatives have been busy working 45 to 80 hour work weeks to keep their jobs and raising their families leaving precious little time for themselves let alone time for boring political research. I have had many people say “just tell me who to vote for”. In the past I myself have gone to the polls voting by the seat of my pants or having to trust the campaign literature that was stuck in my door jamb just before the election. I believe the voters should be given the opportunity to make an intelligent choice.

The First Coast Tea Party has a Candidate Research form that lists thirteen issues to address in the research. I have added a cover document that summarizes and compares the candidates’ view and voting record on each issue as it relates to the Constitution of the United States. The summary is in the form of a colored circle. I started with the familiar colors red and blue, as in red state, blue state, and expanded it to include a
“moderate” gray and “no data” white.

"Dark Red" Constitutional Conservative

States his view referencing the Constitution or an amendment.

"Bright Red" Conservative

States his view in the context of conservative ideology.

"White" No Data

Did not make a statement.

"Grey" Moderate

Candidates views are inconsistent.

"Blue" Liberal

Candidates views are liberal and tends to grow government.

"Dark Blue" Progressive
Candidates views are progressive and damaging to personal freedoms, family integrity and
United States national security.

This cover document will give the reader a perspective of the candidates’ views and allow a visual comparison of the candidates’ views on the chosen issues. The voter can see the criteria I used
in my assessment by using the table of contents to jump to the viewpoints. The voter can read the entire article by following the link provided at the end of each item in the viewpoint.

The cover document graphically displays that the Tea Party assesses the candidates on how they relate to the constitution, that our end of the political spectrum is rooted in the constitution. That leaves them “out there” trying to explain where their roots are planted and what fruit they will bear. This should turn the tables on them.

You can see my research in the FORUM discussion: General Election Research

John Sauer

For the children