OPINION: If GOP treads carefully, tea parties will be natural allies

Edward F. Cox is the chairman of the New York State Republican Party.

Republicans have a huge wind at our backs this political season. We'll benefit from the Democrats' health care legislation and other federal big-government programs that are opposed by a majority of Americans. The scandals and culture of corruption that have enveloped Albany - which is now completely controlled by Democrats - will drive voters for a change in leadership.

My father-in-law, President Richard Nixon, maintained that the Republican Party would not grow unless it became "the party of the open door." The vision of a Republican Party open to all who share our principles and want to work with us for a better America is a worthy goal. We must be the party of inclusion, not exclusion, especially in states like New York where we are sorely outnumbered.

Absolute Democratic control in Washington and Albany has produced skyrocketing public spending and debt. It has increased government intervention in the economy and elsewhere, reaching into the personal lives of just about everyone. In November, forgotten and abused taxpayers will be inclined to give Republicans the opportunity to lead - but the stormy political waters must be navigated carefully.

The tea party movement has flourished in this unstable environment. The movement embodies the individual freedoms that are the natural birthright of every American and the core DNA of our party. The Republican Party is a natural political vehicle for the anti-tax, anti-spend, anti-big government sentiment behind this decentralized movement.

At the same time, Republicans should tread carefully as we work alongside tea party members to end the tyranny of one-party rule. Our relationship with them must be one of mutual respect and cooperation. Any inclination to co-opt the movement must be resisted.

Karl Rove recently marveled at "the dynamics of the highly decentralized galaxy of groups that make up the tea party movement." Potential excesses in this decentralization could cause collateral damage to an associated Republican Party, while a formal merger would stifle the driving energy of the movement. The merged whole would be less than the parts.

A recent Quinnipiac Poll examined the potential influence of the movement in November's elections. The basics look good for us: Voters indicate by 44 to 39 percent that they will vote for a Republican over a Democrat for Congress. But a stand-alone tea party candidate on the ballot pulls from the Republican and creates a path to victory for the Democrat, who will help assure the passage of the very government programs that are anathema to the tea parties.

Tea party members have become the public face of voter and taxpayer dissatisfaction. They are rightfully given credit for delivering a body blow to President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats with the stunning upset Senate victory of Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts.

Here on Long Island, Dean Murray, a 45-year-old East Patchogue businessman who organized tea party protests, won a special election to the Assembly. He's believed to be the first tea party organizer elected to public office. Murray's district had been in Democratic hands for more than a dozen years, and he is only the third Republican to hold the seat in nearly four decades.

As the tax revolt unfolds, New Yorkers are paying attention to issues and results more than ever. Tea party members are giving voice to what most people are feeling: We need to finally make the tough choices to save our state.

You need only look at the governor's race to see the impact of the movement. Political newcomer Carl Paladino is attempting to brand himself as a member of the movement to jump-start his nascent campaign. Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy is taking his record of eliminating Suffolk's $238 million budget deficit and his plan for tackling Albany's costly dysfunction directly to tea party groups across the state. Levy's experience cutting taxes, creating a better business environment and taking on public employee unions are in line with the core drivers of the movement and the public generally.

What has become increasingly clear is that the thin rhetoric of hope and change has given way to a desire for real results and specifics to set the state on the right path. It's not as much about party as it is about principle. That bodes well for Republicans and for a healthy relationship between the tea party and Republican candidates.

Whichever way tea partiers tilt the balance, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other national Democrats - who once dismissed the movement as "AstroTurf" (fake grassroots) - are now changing their tune. But no matter how much verbal camouflage they apply, they can't shed their political stripes.

The party of the open door must remain open and ready to work in parallel with these concerned citizens, who exercise their right as Americans to engage vigorously in the political process. The growing numbers of Republican candidates who are active tea party members and supporters demonstrate the benefits of an unforced and loose affiliation between our party and the movement.

And it is similarly natural that Republicans, as individuals, will participate with people of all political affiliations in tea party demonstrations. A year ago, I responded to calls from tea party organizers and participated in an early and successful rally on April 15, at City Hall in Manhattan, and I have continued to participate in tea party events. The Republican Party should involve tea party members in our activities and, of course, individual Republicans will be drawn, from time to time, to tea party events.

What tea party members share with New York Republicans are our core values and principles, and a deep concern for our country's future under the present one-party rule. Local party organizations will miss an opportunity to grow and succeed if they don't foster strong and constructive relationships with their area tea parties during these uncertain and pivotal times.