Tea Parties and Republicans.

I had the opportunity to interview with a reporter, Lynsi Burton, from the Houston Chronicle earlier this month. I was told that the interview would be about the rise of the Conservative Movement in Congressional Races in Texas. Since I’m THE Conservative Republican in the race to defeat liberal Democrat, Chet Edwards, I agreed to the interview.

You can listen to the interview here:

Interview Lynsi Burton, Houston Chronicle and Timothy Delasandro (R) for Congress, 11/09/09:
http://www.timothyforcongress.com/audio/lynsichroninterview1109.wav

Here’s a typical quote by me in that interview, “The Tea Parties are illuminating our Constitutional values. To the extent either the Republican or the Democrat Parties start refocusing on our Constitutional values, it’s going to make those parties stronger.”

Regarding the interview, the first few questions were indeed about Conservatism, but the interview quickly became about the Tea Party Movement and it being at odds with the Republican Party. Ms. Burton repeatedly focused her questioning on potential divides between the Tea Party Movement and the Republican Party.

My responses consistently supported the idea that, to the extent the Republican Party embraces its Conservatism, as expressed by limited, Constitutional Gov’t, the Party is only better for it. To the extent the Tea Party Movement supports that same goal, we are and should be seeking common ground.

THIS is the headline of Ms. Burton’s Article:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6722358.html

“GOP’s latest foes hail from Tea Party
Republicans in 5 state races may find new fights on their right flanks.”

More disturbing, her characterization of me in the interview:

“Tea Party loyalist Timothy Delasandro of College Station is opposing establishment Republicans who would like to unseat Waco’s moderate Democratic congressman, Chet Edwards.”

I never characterized myself as a “Tea Party Loyalist” (Suggesting that I was co-opting the Tea Party Movement for political reasons), and I never characterized my race as “opposing establishment Republicans” (Suggesting that I’m not what I am: a Conservative REPUBLICAN). Neither of these characterizations was true and neither was expressed in the interview. Ms. Burton’s attempts to distort the facts to support her political views and agenda were unfortunate and unprofessional. Nowhere in my interview with her did I suggest animosity between Conservatives and the Tea Party Movement and nowhere did I suggest that I was running against the Republican Party.

I’m a proud Conservative, dedicated to the ideas of limited, Constitutional government and free markets. If those in the Tea Party Movement agree with me on this, then come join me! Returning to limited, Constitutional governance that embraces free markets is a platform that the Republican Party MUST EMBRACE. As THE Conservative Republican in the race to defeat Chet Edwards, I urge Conservative Republicans to come and join me!

The Conservative Movement and the Tea Party Movement are not at odds with each other, NOR SHOULD THEY BE! The Conservative Movement and the Republican Party are not at odds with each other, NOR SHOULD THEY BE!

To the extent that these organizations ARE at odds with each other, the causes are not because of Conservatism. The CURE is Conservatism. I consider my campaign of principled Conservatism to be in sync with both the ideas of the Tea Party Movement and our ideas of restoring Reagan’s Conservatism to the Republican Party.

Indeed, we all have roles to play in taking back America.

We are all committed to the goal of severely limiting the over-reach of the Federal Government. Specifically, we are in agreement with respecting the enumerated powers that rightly and properly limit Congress’ power of Legislation.

The common rally point is Conservatism and I am THE Conservative Candidate for Congress in District 17. I’m proud of the fact that my campaign is dedicated to focusing this race on Conservatism that draws its strength from our Biblical and Constitutional values.

~faith,
Timothy.