• Posted on Monday, February 8, 2010
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S.C. tea party activists find it hard to turn outrage into action

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While thousands have gathered at tea party rallies around South Carolina over the past 12 months, organizers are finding it difficult to turn their outrage into action.

Leaders of tea party and similar groups say their members disagree on the best way to build the movement.

Some want to endorse candidates and get involved in elections.

Others worry that aligning with major party candidates will undermine their principles, based on constitutional law and limited government.

The movement sprang up in 2009 as a response to President Barack Obama and his policies. A tea party organized by Greenville Young Republicans drew about 2,000 people last February, jump-starting other S.C. groups.

Tea party leaders held their first convention in Nashville, Tenn., over the weekend, announcing the formation of a campaign fund to aid candidates in 2010.

But some in the movement, including Columbia resident Allen Olson, think the tea party should not become the Tea Party - a formal third party.

Read the complete story at thestate.com

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