Tea Party's roots likes in libertarian politics

From Eric Dondero:

Some libertarians often complain that social issues are absent on the Tea Party agenda, and that Tea Party rallies are "too dominated" by social conservatives. Not in one major Michigan affiliate.

From the Detroit Free Press, July 11, Tea party has GOP candidates' attention Groups have zeal, but will they back specific candidates?":

As Michigan heads to its Aug. 3 primaries, Republicans running for governor and Congress from the U.P. to southeast Michigan are paying attention and -- in some cases -- homage to the growing influence of the nascent, largely anti-government movement.

In Sault Ste. Marie, the tea partiers meet Wednesdays at Cup of the Day on Ashmun Street. Looks nice enough from the outside, but Tom Stillings -- a Republican candidate for Michigan's 1st Congressional seat -- says it's like facing the Spanish Inquisition in there.
It's easy to see why.

When the members of the Northern Michigan Liberty Alliance start asking questions, they mean business: Which laws is the candidate prepared to get rid of? Which government agencies would go? Should people be allowed to carry a gun in church? And under what constitutional authority does the federal government pursue the war on drugs?

"They're very tough," Stillings said.

The article went on to note:

The tea party's roots lie in libertarian politics, strict constitutional constructionism and a belief that in recent years -- particularly since Democrats took control of Congress in 2007 and Barack Obama was elected president in 2008 -- that government has run amok.

The Northern Michigan Liberty Alliance lists supported groups such as the Cato Institute, Macinac Center, and Andrew Breitbart's BigGoverment.com. A major rally for Northern Michigan Tea Party Patriots is scheduled for July 17 in Escanaba.