Hindering the Cause?

The Wall Street Journal is reporting about an interesting tea party case in Virginia's fifth congressional district. The Republican primary featured Republican Robert Hurt versus tea party candidate Jeff Clark. Hurt won the nomination for the right to go against the Democratic incumbent. However:

Clark is not going away.

Running as an independent, he has demanded a place at the upcoming debates. Perriello has agreed, understandably. Hurt has said no way. And on Tuesday, the Jefferson Area Tea Party decided to flex its muscle on Clark’s behalf, issuing a statement “strongly” denouncing “the attempt by any person or organization to arbitrarily choose which eligible candidates may participate in upcoming Virginia Fifth District congressional debates and forums.”

I want to see the tea party succeed, but in order for this movement to survive its infancy we have to work within the parameters of the Republican party. We didn't win this one Mr. Clark, by continuing to be involved you are helping the Democrat in his cause for re-election. You don't want to bite the hand that feeds you...