Tea Party becomes a political action committee

LISBON - After nine months of protests, the local Tea Party organization has decided to take it to the next level by getting involved in the political process.

The Ohio Valley Tea Party has registered with the Columbiana County Board of Elections as a political action committee, enabling the organization to accept donations and spend money on behalf of candidates and groups.

"If we run into someone who meets our criteria, we'll support them," said Robert "Duke" Bennett, leader of the Ohio Valley Tea Party group.

The Tea Party movement began in early 2009, attracting citizens alarmed by the shape of national policy under the direction of President Barack Obama and the new Congress. Starting in April, the local group held a series of protests, small and large, with the most recent being last month at the Canfield office of U.S. Rep. Charles Wilson, D-St. Clairsville.

But Bennett said now is the time for the Tea Party to do more than just protest.

"We've proven we have a loud voice, but now we have to elect like-minded people" to public office, he said.

When asked what is the Tea Party looking for in a candidate, Bennett said, "Someone who believes in the Constitution, fiscal responsibility, smaller government, a government of limited power and size. Someone who believes the American people are in charge of the government and not the other way around."

Bennett said party affiliation has nothing to do with what candidates they support. "If the person shows themself to be someone who believes in the Constitution and limited government, we'll support them, regardless of whether they are a Democrat, Republican, independent, or whatever party affiliation they have," he said. "For too long we've relied on that Democrat and Republican system, and we've relied on that to our detriment."

Bennett said the group will support like-minded candidates at all levels of government, not just those running for state and federal office.

"If we just focus all our attention at the top it won't do much good. You need good solid people at the bottom, top and every step in between," he said.

Although Bennett doesn't envision the Tea Party becoming a political party and running its own candidates, that could change, depending on whether such a movement takes off at the national level.

The organization has already begun raising funds and is in the process of selling commemorative teapots made by the Hall China Co. in East Liverpool, with the proceeds going to the Tea Party. Bennett's wife, Christy, is listed as the group's treasurer, and Linda Harrington of Calcutta as deputy treasurer.

Only time will tell how effective the group's grassroots efforts will be against the big money/special interests that drives politics.

"It remains to be seen what money they can raise. You can have all the support in the world, but if you don't have the means to get that message out (in the form of advertising) ... if you don't have those funds, you won't be successful," said Columbiana County Republican Party Chairman David Johnson, who has assisted another local Tea Party group.

He said Tea Party supporters can have an impact by continuing to hold officeholders from both parties accountable.

"It's one thing to start a third party, which I think would be counter-productive. I would like to see them continue to put pressure on both parties" to act in a fiscally responsible manner and reduce government regulation, Johnson said.

County Democrat Party Chairman Dennis Johnson did not return a call for comment.