Survey: Four in 10 Tea Party members are Dems or independents

Survey: Four in 10 Tea Party members
are Dems or independents
(And they can NOT VOTE
in Oklahoma Republican Primary)

By Sean J. Miller - 04/04/10 03:29 PM ET

Four in 10 Tea Party members are either Democrats or Independents, according to a new national survey.

The findings provide one of the most detailed portraits to date of the grassroots movement that started last year.

The national breakdown of the Tea Party composition is 57 percent Republican, 28 percent Independent and 13 percent Democratic, according to three national polls by the Winston Group, a Republican-leaning firm that conducted the surveys on behalf of an education advocacy group. Two-thirds of the group call themselves conservative, 26 are moderate and 8 percent say they are liberal.

The Winston Group conducted three national telephone surveys of 1,000 registered voters between December and February. Of those polled, 17 percent – more than 500 people -- said they were “part of the Tea Party movement.”

“It’s a good sample size,” said David Winston, the polling firm’s director. “It will certainly give us an initial base to follow where these folks are.”

The group is united around two issues – the economy/jobs and reducing the deficit. They believe that cutting spending is the key to job creation and favor tax cuts as the best way to stimulate the economy. That said 61 percent of Tea Party members believe infrastructure spending creates jobs. Moreover, given the choice Tea Party members favor 63-32 reducing unemployment to 5 percent over balancing the budget.

It isn’t a “purely homogeneous” group, said Winston.

The group has a favorable view of Republicans generally but that drops from 71 to 57 percent if they’re asked about Congressional Republicans. Congressional Democrats are viewed very unfavorably by 75 percent of Tea Party members – a uniquely strong antipathy. An overwhelming 95 percent said “Democrats are taxing, spending, and borrowing too much.”

The group also vehemently dislikes President Barack Obama – even more so than those who called themselves Republicans in the survey. Over 80 percent of Tea Party members disapprove of the job he’s doing as president, whereas 77 percent of Republican respondents said they disapprove of Obama. The Tea Party members are also strongly opposed to the Democrats’ healthcare plan, with 82 percent saying they oppose it -- only 48 percent of respondents overall were opposed.

Tea Party members are more likely to be male, slightly older and middle income. Almost half the members of the group reported getting their news about national issues from Fox News, 10 percent of respondents said that talk radio is one of their top two sources, which is seven-points higher than the average voter.

Senator Brogdon Announces Formation of Exploratory Committee for Governor of Oklahoma

In response to the groundswell of support calling on him to run, State Senator Randy Brogdon announced the formation of an exploratory committee for the Governor of Oklahoma in 2010.

“As State Senator, I have tirelessly worked to improve the lives of all Oklahomans,” said Brogdon. “From protecting our constitutional freedoms from Washington-style politicians to reducing our incomes taxes, I have always put the needs of all Oklahomans above the wishes of any lobbyist or special interest group.”

Brogdon continued, “And as a native Oklahoman, I think it’s time we have a Governor who believes in right and wrong, not just right and left. That’s why I am proud to announce the formation of my exploratory committee for Governor of Oklahoma.”

When asked for the timeline of his official announcement for Governor, Brogdon replied, “There are several actions that need to take place before we make the official announcement. Until then, we are currently raising money and laying down the groundwork for my upcoming campaign.”

Randy Brogdon is the State Senator for District 34 which covers Northeastern Tulsa County and portions of Rogers County. He and his wife of 37 years, Donna, currently reside in Owasso, OK. For more information about Randy Brogdon, please visit www.RandyBrogdon.com

Brogdon number 2 in TMRO Governor's Race Poll

Hat Tip to Mike @ The McCarville Report Online

From TMRO:

Jari Askins topped Drew Edmondson among those who voted for the two Democrats. Askins got 67.2 percent to 32.8 for Edmondson.

Among Republicans, Mary Fallin got 40.4 percent, Randy Brogdon 29.8 percent, J. C. Watts 18.2 percent, Tom Cole 10.2 percent and Glenn Coffee 1.5 percent.

Fallin has declared she's running, Brogdon has signaled he may, Watts is known to be considering the race as is Cole, while Coffee has not indicated any interest.

In conference call Rep. Fallin say She running for governor

Supporters of Rep. Mary Fallin report that in a conference call to some of them on Friday, she announced to them, her intention to seek the Republican nomination for governor next year.

A timeline for a formal announcement apparently was not provided, but paperwork is expected to be filed "very soon" to allow Rep. Fallin to begin raising money for the statewide race.

The conference call involved about 30 people from around the state.

Fallin is in her second term in Congress representing the state’s Fifth District. She was the first woman and the first Republican to be elected Oklahoma’s lieutenant governor and would be the first female governor, if elected. Her first election to public office was as a state House member in 1990.

For months, speculation has focused on whether Fallin would give up her congressional seat to run for governor.

Oklahoma State Senator Randy Brogdon of Owasso and U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., have said they also are looking at the race on the GOP side.

Earlier this week, former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts surprised a Tulsa Metro Chamber delegation by indicating he was taking a look at the race for governor.

When asked a direct question on whether he would run, Watts reportedly told the group he expects to make that decision in about 45 days.

He noted that most of his children already have moved back to the state, and he said he would have to wind down some business interests if he were to make the race.

Some of those in the room apparently were caught off guard at how definite his response was.

“He all but threw his hat in,’’ said one person who was in the room during Watts’ remarks to the delegation.

Jari sets sights on Gov Brad Boy job

In a letter dated Friday, Jari Askins tells supporters she will "soon become a candidate for Governor of Oklahoma."

Lt. Gov Askins in the letter, "What I believe I offer that others may not is unique experience and an ability to work with members of both parties to solve problems."

Jari plans a formal announcement this month.

Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson (D), has said he intends to run for governor and will not seek re-election as attorney general.

Gov. Brad "Sleep a Lot" Henry, a Democrat, is serving his second term and cannot seek re-election.

The Lt. Governor said her decision to run was not based on other possible candidates but rather on her beliefs that she can handle the job and can win the election.

Jari is a former special district judge, House Democratic leader and Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board chairwoman.

"I believe this experience in all three branches of government will serve Oklahoma well in the governor's office," she says in the letter.

Askins was elected the lieutenant governor in 2006, defeating former Oklahoma House Speaker Todd Hiett, R-Kellyville.

Others mentioned for a possible bid for governor include State Treasurer Scott Meacham (D), and U.S. Reps. Mary Fallin (R) and Tom Cole (R).

Lt. Gov Askins said she would need to raise several million dollars for the race.

"One advantage of announcing this early is the additional time for fundraising," she said.

"I certainly have a plan in place and am prepared to raise the amount of money necessary for this campaign."

Jari lent $880,000 to her campaign for lieutenant governor. She said she was satisfied with the amount that has been repaid and that she has not contemplated a loan for the governor's race.

In her letter, the Lt. Gov says the state can be proud of what it has accomplished, but more is needed.

"We need better schools and more college graduates," she writes. "We need to make college more affordable, not less.

"Far too many Oklahoma children are without health care and going to bed hungry. There are tens of thousands while even one is too many."

2006 Dem Lt. Governor
Primary Results

CAL HOBSON 46,768 18.17%
JARI ASKINS 103,515 40.22%
PETE REGAN 74,784 29.05%
JIM ROGERS 32,336 12.56%