PHOENIX (AP) — A couple of thousand tea party members convening a weekend summit in Phoenix are determined to have a say in choosing the next Republican nominee for president.
The populist, conservative movement poses an enticing but complicated challenge for potential GOP candidates because it’s comprised of engaged voters who are generally skeptical of the political establishment.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Texas Rep. Ron Paul are the only big-name Republicans likely to run in 2012 who accepted invitations to speak at the Tea Party Patriots event. Both speak Saturday. All other well-known Republicans contemplating presidential campaigns cited scheduling conflicts for their absences.
Democrats are watching how Republicans jockey for tea party support. They’re eager to portray President Barack Obama’s eventual challenger as beholden to the political far-right.
