Where The Tea Party Meets The Democratic Party

Politico reports that key tea partiers are in sync with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other liberals, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates (pictured) in wanting to find ways to reduce the Pentagon budget.

Although generally hawkish and conservative with a libertarian streak — “we’re for strong defense” is an oft-repeated mantra in the movement — tea party leaders and allies contacted by POLITICO said that both fairness and common sense dictate that the military budget be scrutinized for such cuts, a view that puts them in sync with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and some of the most liberal members of Congress.

“Everything is on the table,” insisted Mark Meckler, a national coordinator with the group Tea Party Patriots. “I have yet to hear anyone say, ‘We can’t touch defense spending,’ or any other issue. … Any tea partier who says something else lacks integrity.”

But politics does come into play, and not all tea partiers are on board.

Social spending, “corporate bailouts” and President Barack Obama’s health care plan are much more popular targets of tea partiers’ anger than the Pentagon.

And Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana, a tea party favorite, supports spending that benefits his district.

Pence…supports the second engine for the F-35 JSF. Rolls-Royce — which has secured the first procurement contract related to the F-35 — is the second-largest employer in the Hoosier state. The company has more than 4,000 employees in the Indianapolis area alone, demonstrating once again that all politics is local, even for tea party backers.

So, tea party or not, spending will be okay with those who want to bring home the bacon.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.