German Student interested in U.S domestic politics

[50shadesofkraut]

Dear D.U members,

Hello, my name is Till (or Terry in english)
I am a german college student from Bonn and eager to learn about U.S politics.
If possible, I would like to video chat witch some of you to get a more concrete
idea about american culture as well .

[Tobin S.]

1. What would you like to know, Till?

We have two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans. Democrats lean to the left or are moderate. Republicans seem to be hard right now days. We have three branches of government that are supposed to act as checks on one another so no one branch has too much power: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. The ability to raise money plays the biggest role in our elections aside from the population actually casting their votes. We probably have the most expensive political races in the world.

[50shadesofkraut]

2. I have special interest in the regionalism of the tea party

Currently I am writing research paper in U.S domestic politics, concerning the rise of the tea party.
I am working on the question, how the tea party, which is generally percepted as a conservative (christian right) phenomenon from the south, was able to win against incumbent democrats.
Especially from liberal states.
I want to know if the tea party `acts´ more liberal in the north (compared to the south of course, these fellows are not liberal at all).
The problem is, the, let´s call it informal structure of the tea party, it is very hard for me to find a list of all the tea party canidates who won against democrats compared to the ones, winning against other GOP guys.

[Tobin S.]

3. As far as I know, the Tea Party doesn't have any liberal aspects to it at all anywhere.

But I'm no expert on them. The Tea Party made a splash a few years ago, but they are pretty much in decline now days. Personally, I think the movement was a reaction to Obama winning the presidency by the more racist aspects of the Republican party. I have no knowledge of a Tea Party member beating an incumbent Democrat from a liberal state. If that has happened, that Democrat must have been an unnaturally weak candidate for some reason.

[50shadesofkraut]

4. Yes it appears to be a very racist, reactive group

Since we (Germans) generally are said to be rather inpolite or even rude,
I am unsure on how to exactly express my opinion in a an nice way.
What comes to my mind is: Are They Nuts ?
Like with all the dixie flags and these politicans who rather seem to be activist preachers.
And, since you mentioned it, the racsim of course,
as a German I am a little insecure, on how to refer to it, given a past that nor really qualifies for a moral judgement
However Let´s say I it like this: it really freaks me out.

Don´t be scared joe !
.- santelli ^^

[50shadesofkraut]

5. Would it be possible to talk face to face with you ?

Via skype or google + or so ?
involving gestures and facial expression could help me a lot to communicate proper, also i am a little handicapped, therefor writing takes some time

[surrealAmerican]

6. I'm not convinced that the tea party ...

... is as strongly regional as you posit.

In the north, it holds very little appeal in major cities, but does have supporters in rural areas and some (less ethnically diverse) suburbs. This may be largely the case in the southern states as well.

[50shadesofkraut]

7. Thank you :)

This may not support my thesis but provides lots of insight,
for my research paper, however i have to prove that.
The problem: The tea party caucus is down and i have to list all the members (house of congress & senate) from every state from the year 2010 to 2014 then, I have to find out whether they won against a republican or a democrat.
Please get me right ! I do not want you to do my job
But since the tea party is not an actual party there is not something like a list
Have you an idea of how to find something like that ?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. This might help:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_Caucus

Good luck. And yes, they are lunatics.

[mnhtnbb]

9. Here's a list--organized by state--of Tea Party politicians

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_politicians_affiliated_with_the_Tea_Party_movement

[panader0]

10. Welcome to DU!

Tread lightly in GD, anything goes in the Lounge.