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Tea for Coble

Rep. Howard Coble will become the 51st Republican to join the Tea Party Caucus in Congress.

Congressional caucuses are groups of legislators that rally around a particular idea, issue or constituency. Examples include the Congressional Black Caucus, a Textile Caucus and a 68-member "Coal Caucus."

In this case, members of the Tea Party Caucus are identifying with the philosophically conservative movement that coalesced in part as push back against initiatives pushed by President Barack Obama such as health care reform.

Cobles news release is below:

Even though he faced opposition in his recent primary from Tea Party-backed candidates, U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) said he has decided to join the new House Tea Party Caucus. Founded by Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN), the Tea Party Caucus will promote many of the same ideals that Congressman Coble says he has advocated during his long tenure in Congress.

“According to its mission statement,” Rep. Coble said, “the House Tea Party Caucus will serve as an informal group of members dedicated to Americans’ call for fiscal responsibility, adherence to the Constitution, promoting free enterprise, along with limited and more efficient government. These are principles that have long guided my votes in the past, and will continue to do so for as long as I serve the people of the 6th District.”

Congresswoman Bachmann said she formed the House Tea Party Caucus so everyday Americans could express their views to their members of Congress. “Congressmen will not be setting the rules;” the Minnesota Republican stated, “rather, Americans are encouraged to share their thoughts and frustrations with the direction our country is heading. This Caucus is not a mouthpiece of the Tea Party. We are not vouching for the Tea Party. And most importantly, we are not leading the Tea Party. We are merely here to listen to hard-working Americans who are concerned about the future of this great country.”

Congressman Coble said that he has met with hundreds of 6th District residents who have affiliated with various Tea Party groups. “They share with me the same hopes and dreams for America’s future,” Rep. Coble added. “By joining the Tea Party Caucus, I am committing to them that I will adhere to the constitutional principles that have made our country the greatest in the world.”

Rep. Coble becomes the 51st Republican to join the House Tea Party Caucus.

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Tags: Howard Coble, Republican, Tea Party, Tea Party Caucus

Posted by Mark Binker on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 4:11 pm

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revee

July 31, 2010 - 9:35 am EDT

Is Howard Coble worried about re-election? Is he that desperate to get re-elected? If he joins the Tea Party then he accepts their plank and principles, no matter how he spins it. Now he is no longer a "man for all the people". He has aligned himself and there is no turning back. If I was trying to decide how to cast my vote, the choice is now crystal clear. I want no part of a party that parodies our President, regardless of how you cast your vote in '08, in such blatant racist ways. As long as it continues to attract and court the fringe elements and birthers of our society its hands are not clean. Howard, is this what you really want to be affiliated with or is this, perhaps, the true Howard Coble that has been carefully hidden for all of these past years when you claimed to represent everyone? What a disappointment...........................

nclawkid

July 31, 2010 - 3:48 pm EDT

So sad. Maybe Howard's age is finally catching up to him. Because there is no logical reason to explain why a legislator like him would join with the likes of Michele Bachmann.

As a Democrat, I would never have voted for Howard anyway. But I always respected him because he has great constituent services and always seemed to take a common sense approach to legislating. I guess not anymore.

Doug Johnson

August 1, 2010 - 7:31 am EDT

Welcome aboard Howard, ignore the BS from the Obama zombies.
Most of us tea party people are hard working, ex military folks, that love America.
Do we have some fringe folks, yes, however very few.
Does the media have some folks that not liberals? yes, however very few.

Panacea

August 1, 2010 - 11:32 am EDT

Hmm. Bachmann says the Tea Party Caucus is not the mouthpiece of the Tea Party, nor is it vouching for or leading the Tea Party.

Then why call it the Tea Party Caucus? I expect my elected officials to be leaders, not followers.

I agree that Coble seems to have sold out. He must be worried.

And Doug, liberals love America too. They just disagree as to the best way to run the country.

Connie Mack Jr

August 3, 2010 - 5:53 pm EDT

No doubt Congressman Coble was confuse thinking he was joining a American Secret Society from the Revolutionary period and will get to ride the goats during the Religious rites of the Republican Tea Party...