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For those candidates who will be dealing with Tea Party Patriots... (so, pretty much all of you.)

From the Bellingham TEA Party website:

The Question That Every Politician Must Answer

Please, always remember to ask, "Where in the Constitution did We the People give you the authority to do that?" For local officials, substitute the word "constitution" with "charter". Encourage everyone you know to ask the same question. Encourage bloggers, and reporters in the mainstream media to ask the same question. Write letters to the editor asking the same question. We need this question to "go viral" nationwide.

If more and more people started asking this question, most of our worst political problems, in all branches and at all levels of government would go away by themselves, almost overnight. When a reporter asked Nancy Pelosi that question about the health care bill, her deer-in-the-headlights response was, "Are you serious?" Well, we are serious, and politicians should be afraid to step out of their offices without a credible answer to that question. That is the only "litmus test" that we need.
It really takes so little effort, that it is at least worth a try. The beauty of it is, this really should appeal to honest people from anywhere on the political spectrum.

So, expect that question...

...and have an honest answer ready...

Write down the following text, and keep that text on hand at all times.

Article Three, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution.

You say that and then (can't emphasize this enough) you STOP TALKING about the Constitution until prompted with a follow up question.

If a follow up question comes your way... you may add the following...

Article 3, Section 2 includes words to the effect that "The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution ..." including "to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party"


The Supreme Court has resolved two such controversies which directly answer this question. Both controversies were resolved under Chief Justice John Marshall, a man appointed by Thomas Jefferson himself.

Then you STOP TALKING (again, very important), until asked what the cases actually are.

Marbury v Madison in 1803 established the basis for judicial review, and McCullogh v Maryland in 1819 established that Congress is allowed to pass laws that are not expressly provided for in the U.S. Constitution.


These cases were resolved by Supreme Courts that were composed entirely of Justices appointed by George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.

Then you STOP TALKING about the Constitution with the Tea Party Patriot, (very tempting to go on, but resist).

If pressed further, you could wind the topic down with something like this...

I've answered your question as best I can, and I gave you the most honest answer I could. We have to talk about something else now.

Then... and this is the most important part of all... get on with your life.

You give short direct answers that are designed to clarify where you stand and why you don't agree with the TEA Party Patriot in a respectful and honest manner. Nothing more. No winning of hearts and minds, no middle ground. There is no such thing to a TEA Party Patriot who learned the Constitution from Glenn Beck.

Those who place no value on their time will never assign any value to yours. Get in, make your point, get out.

Happy Campaigning, Kids!

(I probably should have posted this BEFORE the Tea Party Forums...)