Politics & Government

Tea Party Launches Presidential Preference Poll

The Tampa Tea Party is seeking members to sign up on its meetup site.

Right now, Herman Cain is in the lead.

But the favorite for the Republican Presidential Primary in Florida on Jan. 31, the first presidential primary in the nation, is far from decided.

To help determine the area's preference for the Republican nominee for president of the United States, the Tampa Tea Party is polling members of its meetup group.

Find out what's happening in Bloomingdale-Riverviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Central Florida has had an exciting couple of weeks and some history in the making," said Sharon Calvert, Tampa Tea Party organizer. "The first national presidential debate co-sponsored by the Tea Party Movement was held in Tampa and the Presidency 5 debate and the first-ever Florida Tea Party-sponsored "Suite Tea" Hospitality Suite were in Orlando."

So far, 1,013 residents have signed up on the Tampa Tea Party meetup site at meetup.com/Tampa-Tea-Party.

Find out what's happening in Bloomingdale-Riverviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Tea Party is growing stronger in Florida, said Calvert, and it's critical for those who share the Tea Party's philosophy to get involved now.

"We are protesting the egregious spending for which both parties of government are responsible," said Calvert, adding that the Tea Party supports limited government, fiscal responsibility, free markets, individual liberties and a return to constitutional governance.

"We are educating, motivating and activating patriots on the march to take back our country from a far over-reaching government at all levels and to hold our elected officials accountable," Calvert said.

She added that, as the primary approaches, all eyes will be on Florida.

"Florida is a critical state to win in 2012 and our demographics mirror those of the country as a whole," she said.

Calvert said the group has set up an online poll to find out if locals have a preferred presidential candidate. It is not a scientific poll, and you must be a member of the meetup group to vote.

So far, 52 people have taken the poll, expressing an overwhelming preference (65 percent) for Herman Cain, chief executive office of Godfather's Pizza and the son of a cleaning woman and a chauffeur.


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