Last November was a pivotal election. Many of the Republicans who won victories in Congress owe their election to the Tea Party. The Tea Party reflected a growing concern on the part of many Americans about the growth of government and the rate of spending. Had the Tea Party formed a third party, they would probably disappeared on the trash heap of history, but they were smarter than that–they decided to try to work within the bounds of the current Republican Party. The Republican Party has not totally embraced the Tea Party. The Republican Party has said most of the right things, but their actions have not backed up their words. Both political parties are part of the establishment that is entrenched in Washington. The Tea Party is a threat to that establishment. Thus, when the Tea Party Congressmen begin to move into positions of power, they usually encounter pretty strong opposition from both parties.

Big Government posted a story today which illustrates the power struggle between establishment Washington and the Tea Party. Next week Senate Republicans will vote for a new Conference Vice Chairman.

The article reports:

Nevertheless, it is the way in which the contest between the two senators came about that has perhaps created a bit more tension. According to RedState, up until this week, Sen. Johnson was the only candidate for the vice chairman’s position, and the election was scheduled for January. However, Sen. Blunt announced his candidacy on Tuesday of this week, an action which was followed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Kentucky) decisions to move up the election to next week, rather than January, and to begin a supportive campaign for Sen. Blunt.

Needless to say, Senator Johnson is considered the more conservative of the two men.

The article concludes:

Conservative Republicans will need the strength of the vice chairman’s post to bring about the reforms needed in the country. Sen. Johnson has not only stuck to the principles he put forward when he ran for the Senate, but he is also known as a bridge builder between conservatives and establishment Republicans- something years of business experience has taught him.

About the two Senate candidates, Sen. DeMint said, “Roy is a friend of mine, but Ron Johnson is what I consider the right face for the Republican Party. He’s a nonpolitician, business guy, reform-minded.”

If you have a Republican Senator, think about calling him or her to speak about this important vote.

We need to make it clear to those in Washington that they need to do what is necessary to stop the growth of government and the spending that goes with it or they will be voted out of office. We have to elect enough conservatives in 2012 to actually fight establishment Washington. Just being a Republican does not make you part of the solution–in many cases it makes you part of the problem.