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“Covenant of Liberty” author Michael Patrick Leahy on Rep. Ryan and Obama’s budget plans and the Tea Party’s impact on the Presidential electi...
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Despite having a big impact in the 2010 elections Democrats are writing -- the Tea Party influence this year.
My next -- says don't be so quick to do so.
Joining me is the author of the new book covenant of liberty the ideological origins of the Tea Party movement.
Michael Patrick -- great to have you with us.
We -- -- great pleasure to congratulations on your book the thank you so much it and let's start with but where those concerns us that are being voiced by Democrats but very conservatives as well.
Feeling the energy.
It's fair today is is in 2010 natives -- absolutely.
What you have is 3000 local tea parties around the country.
With the local leaders and local activists organizing to get out the vote.
We're not holding rallies because you know it's not about rallies right now it's about the vote in November and we will be there.
The vote in one of the issues is the integrity of that button.
Now I understand that the Tea Party is working there and and I -- if you bounce safe there the the energy of the movement I except that.
But the integrity of the voters -- crashed.
Whether it's they're going from the issues of voter.
Photo ID whether it is -- going to all sorts of activities that are taking place.
You know on both sides I suppose.
What is is a Tea Party being in involving itself in the integrity that there is a terrific product.
Project out of Houston Texas culture the vote.
And we worked with them in the Virginia State Senate elections by the way the Tea Party was very active in the Virginia State Senate and that's why the Republicans took it over.
We were key in four swing districts where we got -- about so there is a very active.
Voter integrity program going on right now.
And let's turn to some of the the policy issues that are important of course for the Tea Party.
At large and amongst them.
Pre eminently -- size of government.
And certainly -- governments -- we just report just going through its.
These numbers released today by.
All of the rhetoric surrounding the Ryan plan it doesn't even Begin to address.
This national debt.
Until 2004.
I loved your -- talked.
-- take on this Lou it is that we believe that the Ryan plan.
It's a small.
Timid step.
In the right direction my view is that we need to cut government spending in half.
In the next four years from 24% of GD.
He to 12% GDP now Brian over what period of time over the next four years we need to be -- search better because if we're not actively cutting -- The government by nature is going to grow even the Ryan plan if you assume a 3% GDP growth.
Or the next four years we twenty or 21% of GDP in 2017.
Obama we point 5%.
In twice seventeen and we know it's going to be more than that there and we do know this to about the Obama budget.
And in that chart partnership when -- now.
There's no in no way to the escalation of the national debt keeps going up it is -- in -- -- sheer madness this it's financially reckless extremism.
And the reason the Tea Party started was to be a voice of opposition to that reckless extremism.
Covenant of liberty.
We are delighted to have you with this and we are also linking to Michael Patrick -- Newport.
Covenant of liberty you can get -- in bookstores.
Barnes & Noble Barnes & Noble one of my favorite stores by the way.
And of course Amazon.com also one of my favorite places I've got lots of favorite places and great if you knew what a great pleasure -- -- thank you.
