Politics & Government

Tea Party Members to Host George Allen Today in Lorton

'You can't tell a movement what to do'

If you're a tea party member running for the U.S. Senate, does that mean automatic support from fellow tea party members? Not necessarily.

So far, no one from the Democratic party has stepped forward to announce a run for the seat, although pundits predict that former Gov. Tim Kaine, currently chairman of the Democratic National Committee, may throw his hat in the ring.

On the Republican side, former Sen. George Allen and tea party member Jamie Radtke, a mother of three from the Richmond area, have announced that they are running.

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A group of tea party members is meeting at a get-together in Lorton at the home of Alice Butler-Short, second  vice-president of the Republican Women of Clifton, on Saturday for Allen, who is also a former governor of Virginia.

"George Allen was tea party before the tea party," said Daniel Cortez, a tea party member from Stafford County. "There's a lot of excitement for George Allen within the tea party. You can't tell a movement what to do."

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Chuck Hansen, spokesman for Radtke's campaign, stated: "The tea party isn't a monolith. The tea party folks are very independent people. That's one of the best things about it."

"Jamie has worked closely with members all over the state," Hansen noted. "She has a strong affinity for the tea party."

Cortez said he wishes Radtke well, but said he would like to see her work her way up to a run for the U.S. Senate. Radtke has not held any political office.

Hansen noted Radtke's years of experience in the private sector. "It's time for a new generation," he said. "What we have in Washington are career politicians with lots of experience who have put us into a $14 trillion hole."


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