I don't know much of anything about you, Janes, but thank you for your courage and will.

Neighbor ... to bad that you let your emotions overcome your intellect. The US has a two party system. 5000 years of recorded history reveals that evolution of government is the best way to change it. Revolution is a step backward and usually fails without the use of force. The true exception is the example set by Martin Luther King. He galvanized the people and organized them into a political force that couldn't be ignored. Then he presented the Democratic Party with an offer that they couldn't ignore. Y'all should emulate his example and do the same to the Republicans. It doesn't matter which party you present the ultimatum to except that the Democrats are so far away from us ordinary citizens that we'll all be better off if we just vote them out.

Actually the United States has had more than just two parties. It is only recent history that two parties have become dominant. Those that adhere to this ywo party principle just seek to keep us enslaved to the status quo. In 1854 we had two big parties, the Democrats and the Whigs. A new party called the republican party formed in 1854. In 1860 thay took the white house and the whigs faded from the scene. History is about to repeat itself.

Ken

Ken, and if there's another potential War Between The States brewing and four regional presidential candidates to split the vote, then an independent Tea Party candidate might have a chance. Until then, the movement would be best served to work through the Republican Party apparatus than to challenge it.

My commendation to Mr. Janes for standing on principle rather than expediency. Just because there are only two parties that presently dominate the political reality of America does not suggest that men and women of strong character and principle should not stand on those strengths. Had there never been a revolution, we would still be under the tax policies of Great Britain. When the two major parties are controlled by the same un-American interewsts, it is time for true Americans to stand up and change the sad condition.

WOW! This is SO COOL!

The Republican Party is about to get its ass handed to them in the 8th District of Tennessee.

They're about to get shown for the hypocrites they are. What do we have to do to get him registered as a TEA Party Candidate instead of an independant on the ballot? Anyone know?

As miserable as the Republican party is I wouldn't recommend bolting from it. Look at the history of third party candidacies here:

http://www.thisnation.com/question/042.html

It is better to attempt to take over the GOP or reform it with the power of ideas or poll numbers. Voters poll most heavily against increased gov't services and spending, against our immigration tsunami and against outsourcing... basic conservative common sense.

There is an unfortunate reason the big parties go with candidates that can gain or have high funding. It is the high cost of advertising charged by the government licensed broadcasters and liberal owned media.

Win, first, as a GOP'er and then work to un-game the system that favors two parties if you don't like it.

ummm.. no.

This is great. The candidate is forced to bolt from the Republican Party because of the party's continual refusal to accept candidates that actually support the constitution. To you above that state we have a 2 party system get over it, etc. don't be naive! when both parties ACT the same you only have a one-party system. What this gentlemen is rightly trying to do is to create a 2-party system once again. Now, if voters actually will vote he will WIN just as Hoffman actually WON. Only through the use of non paper ballots can the charade of the bandit parties continue and you naysayers are only that...just stay home... the rest of us will vote for a second party (TeaParty, Constitutional Party, or Libertarian). The rest of you whiners and wimpy RepubliStinks can just stay at home, period.

Do not take the bait! We do not need a third party, we just need to show up! Do not divide your vote, gather your vote!

WE WIN WHEN WE SHOW UP! Stop preaching! Stop whining! Stop hoping! Start showing up on election day.

I don't agree with the Tea Party going political. Politics seems to corrupt everything within it's reach. We are more effective attacking the corrupt politicians then joining them.

Running as an Independant only gives votes to Democrats. A third party is ALWAYS a loosing party. We need to take over the Republican party and kick out Rhinos!!! (Which I am not convinced you are not....) If you are truly conservative and lay out your position, you WILL win as a Republican! Not a lying, cheating, ACORN manipulating, ACLU suing candidate like Al Frankenstien..... the DNC in-house pornographer... (No wonder he's welcomed with open arms...or spread legs!!!) Could explain Pig-lousy's smile....

The Republican party will be the third party. In fact, I think it already is. It is up to Janes to make the TEA Party the first party.

Divided we fall.
I'm glad he's running as an independent if he must, but don't go "TEA Party".
The one registered in FL now was stared by a Democratic operative.
HELLO?!
While we're rearranging the chairs on the Titanic...
our SEAL's are up for court martial. Here's the latest: http://www.dailypress.com/dp-local_seals_0112jan12,0,1519734.story
Contact those "representing us" now - and all the candidates. RAISE THE ROOF on this! It is so wrong.
Supportourseals.com

Im sick and tired of "wasting my vote" on the current 2 party system...or '2 card monty' as I refer to it..."its rigged". They are all TRAITORS of America and the American way. They ALL should be HUNG for TREASON!! Way to go Don Janes I hope Im not the only one that feels this way, posseses enough "common sense" to make a REAL CHANGE for GOOD and vote for a REAL AMERICAN. Real change will come from real bravado from the people, real unity seeking the same goal...BRING JOBS BACK TO AMERICA!! GROW OUR OWN FOOD and DRILL OUR OWN OIL!!! To HELL with ALL CURRENT POLITICIANS AND ALL OF THEM FOR THE LAST 50YRS!!! Theyre ALL TRAITORS!! WEVE BEEN SOLD OUT PEOPLE...WAKE THE HELL UP AND VOTE LIKE YOU NEVER HAVE...TEAPARTY!!

Since Donn James stated the only needed contract is the existing constitution, why not join the Constitution Party? http://www.constitutionparty.com/ It's already the 3rd largest & making headway. Ron Paul endorsed the C.P. candidate for prez in 08.
Adding a "Tea Party" will only further split the patriotic movement that seeks to bring back the real USA spirit.

"Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed." Thomas Jefferson

People resist change because of fear. Donn Janes is brave enough to stand up and say that he does not want to be lumped in with the guilty parties; both Democrat and Republican have cost us jobs and enormous debt over the last 20+ years, and is willing to put the Tea Party name in front of his affiliation because he agrees with the principles set forth by the Constitution. He will not answer to the head of the guilty parties and the lobbyist that pay them, but to the individuals in his district. Real principled Tea Partiers will back the man, not the party. You cannot rehab the Democrat or Republican Party, there is no accountability. For Democrats and Republicans to take Lobbyist money to vote for their interest instead of yours and mine, that is corruption, and in any regular business would be illegal. How would you rehab the Republican Party? How can you make accountable those that are unaccountable? Form the Tea Party and make sure that the bylaws include accountability and transparency, and get people from every state to vote them in. 45,000 signatures in Tennessee and The Tea Party becomes a reality.

Hey JayTeaKay, your linked website does a huge disservice to all intelligent thinkers! It completely FAILS to list the Constitution Party, (now the 3rd largest), then has a link "supposedly" to it at the bottom of the page, but instead directs you to the Heritage Party website! THIS IS TYPICAL DISTORTION DESIGNED TO KEEP YOU AWAY FROM TRUTH!
http://www.constitutionparty.com/

I looked at the Constitution Party a while back.

I don't fit in with those folks. If I want to go to church, I'll go to church. While it is good to be a Christian, there is no need to wear it on your sleeve.

Win, first, as a GOP’er and then work to un-game the system that favors two parties if you don’t like it.

Nice try JTK. This is what is trotted out EVERY election cycle for many decades. Hasn't happened yet and never will. If it were possible don't you think that the Ron Pauls over the years would have done it? Yet to see him sidelined in the media and by the talk whore change agents this last go around should convince anybody employing a second brain cell that a new tactic is needed. While I won't go into treatise here, the simple fact is that BOTH parties are controlled by a single unseen entity. Heck even JFK told us this before he was murdered by that unseen entity. Further that until this entity is dismantled and all of its stolen gain returned to the victims it is clearly and historically IMPOSABLE to do as you ignorantly suggest.

Was refreshing to see Janes refer to the Constitution of these States United as a contract. This is precisely what it is! A contract between the States (creator) and its underling the fed.gov. (its created) At no time does the created become greater than the creator and indeed the entire tenor of the document reflects this relationship.

The Constitution of these States United must be treated as the all or nothing proposition it was and is. Restoring our Constitutional Republic does in fact mean that ALL those un-enumerated fed. programs and functions go away. While its quite a bit of restructuring, I'm ready!
This whole healthcare thing (sorry I lack a descriptive term that can be used in polite company) should have been handled in one way and one way ONLY. And that was for YOU republicans to shout SHOW ME THE ENUMERATION! That's the ONLY response that should be given. No discussion of the bill or its minutia should have EVER taken place as it is painfully clear that the enumeration doesn't exist! As such the fed.gov. is PROHIBITED from acting.
Now as you neocons (fake republicans) didn't do so and the talk whores refused to do so, ya'll need to be sitting down and shutting up. Maybe, just maybe ifn ya pulled out that second braincell you might learn something from TRUE and truthful Constitutional Republican Patriot statesmen.
There should be only ONE party, anchored firmly in the Constitution!

Or perhaps you have more fun being a Hegelian divisive tool by finding ways to bash the other party. That's ok they're doing the same thing cause that's the choice they have made. That entity does everything it can to keep that sham going and you keep eating the bait.
How incredibly pathetic

"Mason Weaver writes
Do not take the bait! We do not need a third party, we just need to show up! Do not divide your vote, gather your vote!
WE WIN WHEN WE SHOW UP! Stop preaching! Stop whining! Stop hoping! Start showing up on election day."

Stop whining? yeah Bubba, you just won my heart and mind, NOT.
How about "Stop being an arrogant Jerk that thinks they can tell everyone else what's right". You sound like a Liberal. And probably are.
"We Win.... blah, blah, blah...". We win WHAT? The Congress? And to do so, we elect Moderates that will enable the Socialist Liar Obama's agenda even further and faster? And vote for it at the worst times? I guess some haven't learned from Snowe, Collins, Spector, Kirk, and others.
The Old Leaders of the GOP keep saying we need to move to the Center to win seats, like they did in 1994. (Gingrich is an idiot). HEY, we didn't have a SOCIALIST as POTUS in 1994. And we wouldn't have now but those Old RINOS in the RNC broke to the Center and set us up for Obama!
Yeah, they think we didn't notice, but we DID! And what MOST so called "Moderates" can't seem to get their heads around is that the CENTER in Politics, is to the LEFT of Conservative Ideology! Truly a Party of Buffoons.
Time to do a spanking to the RNC, OR build a 3rd Party. And if this means we DON'T win back Congress this year, SO BE IT!!
Watch and see, this WILL be the Politics of 2010. Country and Principle before Party. The Dems can't do it, and so far it looks like the Pugs can't either. So, Conservatives lose seats for another two years. SO WHAT!
It's not winning when we still see the Country going to hell as the "moderates" enable the downfall of America. One election cycle of losses WILL make a difference. And it will be the RNC who loses. Fine with me! And if anyone doesn't like that, SO WHAT? Vote for who you want, I darn sure will! I don't need any preaching from an arrogant idiot to do so, either!

Ron Nashif, what do you think happened before the Civil War when the Republican Party was born out of the broken down Whigs and Lincoln drew the anti-slavery Democrats to the new Republicans?

It isn't overstating things to say that the present two party system needs to break down in the same way, so that a party of fiscal conservativism and small business free marketers can lead the country to economic renewal, drawing its support from conservative and patriotic Democrats and Republicans. From my reading, that is what the Tea Party movement is about.

If one of the rotten existing two parties survives, as the Democrats did after the Civil War, they will at least have to confront a Party that represents the majority American view - unlike the present two-party conspiracy that we live under now.

When it's you and me making the deal and keeping it secret,it isn't difficult.When we start to let others in on our plans it begins getting harder to keep the secret and the deal gets difficult to put together so everybody is satisfied.If for no other reason, this is reason enough to have more parties.

Oh great, another Obama term, and the Dems hold on to congress.
Stupid people like this gave us facism under the Wilson Democrats. Our country never saw anything like that. Same stupid Ross Pero voters gave us Bill Clinton and large Democrat majorities. Same stupid voters "punished" Republicans and gave us supermajorities of evil socialist democrats.
Hey stupid voters let me clue you in on something. If you cannot take over the Republican party then you cannot win national elections against the Democrats. Stupid voters who think they are so rightious in what they believe. Yet stupid is as stupid does. One more time dufuses. Taking over the Republican party is tens times as easy as winnong national elcetions against the demon motivatied pagen Democrats. You are losers, motivated by those same demons to give us the devils canidates as our national leaders. Thanks allot.

Not a good decision. By spliting the vote, Roy Herron goes to Washington to serve Obama and Pelosi. Fly the Tea Party flag in the primary. If it's strong enough, you will win the nomination and have a united conservative majority to win the 8th.

Unless the Republicans nominate a moran, an independent will guarantee another Democrat victory. I was looking forward to a civil debate with the 3 Republican candidates.

I support the tea party but not as a third party! History has proved if you vote 3rd party and your a republican Democrats win! Dont blow it guy's!

A GUARANTEED WIN FOR THE LEFT!

The Tea Party Movement is only beneficial if it serves to drag the Republican Party back to the right. However, if it becomes a 3rd party and splits the CONSERVATIVE VOTE it will guarantee HUGE DEMOCRAT MAJORITIES for the rest of time.

I simply cannot imagine anything more idiotic.

The idea is to run as a Republican on the TEA PARTY PLATFORM, not to run on the TEA PARTY TICKET which would give absolute victory to the left.

Wow, this will be disastrous if it picks up momentum.

Anyone remember 1992? 1996? 2000?

Three presidential elections in a row where a third party split the majority vote and the minority candidate won.

Fail to understand history, destined to repeat it. Pay attention, folks - third parties demonstrably do the opposite of what you intend. Republicans switching to a third party only ensures that Democrats will be re-elected.

It's a pretty good example of "cutting your nose off to spite your face."

Tea Party Candidates = Democrat Victory

You want to know why we got the RINO John McCain to run as POTUS? Because Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee split the Conservative Vote. If all Conservatives had voted to Romney or Huckabee, McCain would have stood no chance.

DO NOT start a 3rd party Tea Party people. If you do so, you are embecilic and not brave.

We don't need a third party. We need to take control of the Republican Party. Jane is playing into the Democrat and RINO's hands. All he will do is give the seat to a Dem and cost the tea party movement credibility.

Wow! I am disappointed to read how negative you all are concerning this!! Maybe you didn't read the Poll that came out about two weeks ago. They posted a third "straw man" party, which was the Tea Party and 41% polled said they would vote for a Tea Party canidate before a democrook or republican. I think 30 some persent would go dem. and only 18-20 would vote republican. The two parties are one in the same now. We NEED something different if we are to save our Republic!!! Wake up people and support the canidates that support the Constituion!!!

Remember that we got 8 years of Clinton because of Ross Perot. Conservatives should NEVER take this bait, they should take the GOP instead

This is encouraging news! As has been stated in previous posts, the lines are definately beginning to blur between the two current parties; really a system of 1.5 parties. JFK has been in the news lately; if he were running today, he'd be labeled as a "right wing, religious war monger"!

Small Federal gov't, States rights, lower taxes, strong borders and adhering to the Constitution... would seem like a pretty good platform on which to run. Good Luck!

One America. Two major political parties. The Democrats are on the wrong side of history and the issue of the day while the opposing party continues to waffle on that same issue. Soon, the voters get angry. The majority won't vote Democrat and they can't stomach what the Democrat party stands for.

But they don't vote for the opposition party because they are tired of the same old crap from them too.

So... what happens?

The issue: Slavery
The date: 1860
The party players: Democrats and Whigs

The result: Voters bolt the Whig party and form the Republican Party which stands against slavery and successfully pulls our nation through the American Civil War, resolving the slavery issue.

The Whig Party? Relegated to the ash-heap of history.

So... those who say 'A vote for a Tea Party candidate is a vote for the Democrats' is not aware of history. Maybe they are just afraid that their Republican Party for which they've committed their lives is about to go the way of the Whig Party.

Well, I say... vote what is good for AMERICA and not for what will benefit a petty political party!

http://www.cooljim.com/whatareyou.html

Good luck, Donn Janes!! Have at it!!

Jim Boyd

This is disturbing in that it will give democrats more power in the end by splitting republicans. We saw how the democrats exploited Ross Perot and his movement in the '90s and we ended up with 2 terms of Bill Clinton. I'm afraid that even with all the good intentions and coservative values being highlighted, that we may be about to repeat that nightmare again if this trend continues.

To those who think the Tea Party needs to work within the Republican party to change it....I could not disagree more.
I hope this candidate wins and does well in the election.
Since the last presidential election I refuse to vote republican at the national level ever again(unless some serious change comes, which I doubt it will).
Watching McCain run for the party was pathetic....I could not tell the difference between him or Obama.
I will to continue to vote third party for the foreseeable future.
Either way the current two party system is set on destroying this country, our currency and our economy. It is just a matter of which party gets to it quicker Reps. or Dems.

@Bill Mitchell
"DO NOT start a 3rd party Tea Party people. If you do so, you are embecilic and not brave."

************************************************

Wow....so you call those who do not vote the way you say as stupid....that is great. No possible way that those who disagree with the Dems or the Reps could be smart....

If I have to vote against the Reps. and Obama gets another 4 years in office....so be it. We are that much closer to a national reset.
How was Bush any better or conservative...and McCain for that matter.
How many social programs did Bush side with the left on??

Seth,, I will not be voting, Democrat or Republican, I will be voting conservative.

I dont care what letter is after the canidates name.

@TNVolunteer73

Amen brother.

It is a horrific idea. Yes, Ronald Reagan wanted us to be a party of bold colors and not pale pastels, but he STILL ran as a Republican in the primary against Gerald Ford to change it and make it so. IF this becomes a trend, and these folks start siphoning off conservative votes. The Republican party will have to track to the middle and beyond to siphon off dem votes to get elected. Then, instead of pushing them ideologically in the primary, they get a free pass and we end up with oodles of moderates to the tea parties 1 maybe 2 who will actually manage to get elected. It is bad for the conservative movement (we lose seats), bad for the tea parties (they become seen as the ones who killed 2010 and strengthened a liberal congress, and bad for the Republican party (become extreme in their moderation because of political realities). There are NO winners in this except the 1 or 2 who manage to get elected, which really makes this more about ego on his part not what’s best for the movement

LindaB the Republicans Tracked to the middle in 2008. they lost.

The only positive in the 2008 Campain was Palin, Who today is sitting in the Chair Ronald Reagan was sitting in 1977.

I am telling you. This is why the Liberals are so desperate to Distroy her they see it too,

Barak Carter is setting the stage for the Reagan Revolution part II

So, if a Tea Party candidate appeals to more voters, won't he or she win? Let the people decide.

The big problem with the republicans, maybe any party really....is that if Health Care gets passed, they will not repeal it. Any social program that has passed, has never been repealed....so we would be stuck with it...
Now the adding to the "Health Plan" (what it can do) would be slowed with Reps in control....versus the Dems. But it would not go away.

If the Reps. were serious about it, wouldn't you have started hearing chatter about rolling back The Health Care bill?? But they haven't.
So we will get stuck with it if it is passed.

I think a third party would stand a better chance of rolling it back....and putting something in place that would reform Insurance plans.

Sorry, but I feel the reps. are lost....especially when you watch them beat the race drum against Reid.
Honestly, what does that do.....???
They are all preaching to the choir on this one and makeing themselves look stupid. We all know there is a double standard....the Reps. need to get over it, and realize that Reid will lose his election.
So hoofing and tweeting on this issue is really a dumb idea.

Linda B is rite on the money. You will be useless if you cannot improve the Republican cacuss numbers in order to gain seats on different committees and raise our Republican numbers in the House and Senate. When I see a person do this i cannot help but wonder if this would be a Democrat plant. I think We should change the name of our Tea Party Movement.By changing our name to TPCSCR all the conservative candidates would be identified immediately and meet and vote in the Republican caucus, slowly dominating it to the point of having our common sense Republican party back. Then fight forever to never loose it again. Anyone running as an Independent or Dem. will not help us to get a majority in the House and Senate. I would be honored and proud to call myself a TEA PARTY COMMON SENSE CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN (TPCSCR) if I were running for office anywhere in USA. You would immediately get the support of some Dems an Independents. They would know immediately what you stood for even thought you was running as a Republican. How could any devoted American or(Maligned Democrat or Independent) that is for our Constitution and Bill of Rights and all the orginal intent and meanings of our founders not want get back home and revive this great Nation and to stand tall and be an individual ovement.

@John Kelley

Didn't the Reps. have the chance under Newt and his contract w/ America??
Then the Reps. Swept into power, and the election win of Bush....and then what happened?

They all forgot what they were supposed to be doing for "We the People"

So the Reps. were given a chance and they blew it.

"Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice....."

Reps. cannot be trusted in my opinion, sorry.

Let them wander the wilderness a little while longer. ;)

Seth,

I think you miss the point exactly what happen w/Gingrich. This is why the party needs to track back to the right w/conservative candiates. We need to get the party back to it's roots not create another party which in history has never worked. I am running for congress and will be running on my R ticket not another party that will send votes to the dems. Please keep up!

Bad idea.

Seth,

That is the point why we need to take the party bcak from the left amd move back to the right conservative party we once were. You missed the point. I am running for congress and will be running on the R ticket not a third party it is like committing suicide and will make the TP's irrelevant

Seth. I understand your anger and your argument I was in the same boat. You cannot say what has been is what will be. Have faith that us conservative Tea Party Republicans have more sense than the batch that we are replacing. Most every person in America have had a big awaking. No one will ever pull this on us again, in my lifetime, I hope. We must unite and dont't be fooled by the enemy trying to split us up. We are Tea Party Common Sense Conservative Republicans and no one can steal that from us again.

While Donn Janes may believe he is acting on principle, this is a huge political mistake. Even if the Democrat in TN-8 only gets 40% of the vote, he could win a 3-way race! Ross Perot with his 19% in 1992 gave the White House to Bill Clinton--what good did he do for conservatives?

Let's face facts--if we don't like what the Democrats are doing, we must vote for Republicans. If Donn Janes believes the Republican leadership is not conservative enough in TN-8, he should run in the Republican primary there, and let Republican voters decide who should represent them in the general election.

Who is the most successful conservative in recent history? Ronald Reagan! What did Reagan do? He campaigned on conservative principles WITHIN the Republican Party, and brought the party to his ideas, and won with them. This is what Donn Janes should try to do in TN-8.

United we stand, divided we fall.