Schumer calls me "extreme"

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was caught on a conference call referring to the Tea Party as "extreme" while speaking with three other Senate Democrats. I'm a tea partier, but I don't feel extreme. Specifically, Schumer is trying to paint the Republicans as beholden to the Tea Party as a possible government shutdown looms. It's important to remember that had the Democrats passed a 2011 budget last year, the American people would not be facing this dilemma.

Schumer's comments aren't surprising. On political talk shows, Dem spokespersons have been pushing the talking point that the "extreme" Tea Party runs the GOP. And the Democrats seem to be rooting for a government shutdown--so they can blame both of them.

The Tea Party stands for smaller, constitutionally based government. What's so extreme about that?

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