Tea Party Nation Founder endorses Newt for President

Judson Phillips, who started Tea Party Nation, today announced he is endorsing Newt for President in 2012. Here is the full story on Newt.org. Please read the full story, but here is a snippet:

Gingrich is the candidate who has the vision to fundamentally change the Federal Government. Gingrich has the unique capabilities to be the field general. He is the big idea man, much as Ronald Reagan was.

Gingrich against Obama is a great contrast. He has a track record of accomplishments and has worked at the national level. Gingrich can rightfully claim credit for everything from welfare reform to balancing the budget. Obama can offer nothing against him...

Newt Gingrich is the right candidate to not only help us take this country back from socialism, but roll socialism back.

I am thrilled to endorse Newt Gingrich to be the Republican nominee and the next President of the United States.

Newt's campaign notes the following facts as well:

-- Since the origins of the movement in February 2009, Newt has met with tea party leaders in 41 cities, from California to Connecticut.

-- He has spoken personally with approximately 3,000 tea party activists.

-- He also spoke at the first ever Tax Day Tea Party Rally in New York City to a crowd of 13,000 people.

-- As part of the Newt 2012 campaign, Newt launched Team Ten -- a grassroots online tool on Facebook to assemble ideas from Tea Party activists throughout the country on how to return power back to the states and the people, as the Tenth Amendment instructs.

Newt.org also brought up that this news is on the heels of the Columbia, South Carolina, Tea Party leader endorsing Newt.

Improving poll numbers, improving fundraising numbers, higher numbers of volunteers, and two important Tea Party endorsements. All adds up to momentum.

Newt moving up in the polls

Today, Public Policy Polling released a new national 2012 GOP Presidential Primary poll. Newt was in a statistical tie with Ron Paul for third place. And this poll was taken before Monday's CNN Debate, which went very well for Newt.

Here is the story on Newt.org. While you're over there, why not sign up to volunteer or contribute some money?

This news, of course, right on the heels of Newt being endorsed by the head of the Columbia Tea Party in South Carolina.

Gregory Tapis on Twitter wrote in response to the poll:

@Newt2012HQ I think this is a result of your heavy involvement in social media, your conference call, and you amazing ability to debate.

Newt endorsed by leader of Columbia, SC, Tea Party

Here is the statement Allen Olson, chairman of the Columbia Tea Party up until yesterday, released to the members of the group:

To my fellow Tea Party members,

There is only one candidate for president who is leading on what I believe are the underlying issues this country faces. Not only is this candidate talking about serious issues, he is providing real solutions.

It is with a great deal of hope and excitement for our country's future that I am supporting Newt Gingrich for President of the United States.

For me, the deciding factor in my choice to support Newt was his advocacy for the Strong America Now deficit-cutting plan. I first heard Strong America Now leader Mike George explain the plan at a Tea Party Patriots gathering in Washington, DC in November 2009. The plan, which uses a process called Lean Six Sigma to eliminate waste, will change the way Washington operates and allow us to implement necessary solutions. Newt was the first to sign the Strong America Now pledge and understands that it will take a new type of thinking to tackle the challenges we face as a country.

I believe too much bad government and the politics of both parties led to the mess we are in today. But Newt is talking about real solutions to fix these problems, such as breaking up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and repealing the Dodd-Frank financial regulations. We need someone in the White House who will return this country to a free market so that we get back to America’s greatness and back to "We the People." I believe Newt Gingrich is this person.

You should know that I deliberated over my decision to support Newt for some time. In fact, I even considered not endorsing any candidate at all. As you know for the past several years I've worked with you to build the Columbia Tea Party, and until just yesterday, I proudly and humbly served as its chairman. For the same reasons and values I started the Columbia Tea Party, I am joining with Newt to make sure our country has a leader who values our freedom first.

Over the next year I intend to help Newt and his team build a grassroots movement here in South Carolina and to spread word of his support for solutions like Lean Six Sigma and his support of the Constitution and limited government. With this endorsement I hope that others will look at Newt as the real alternative to what the establishment is offering.

I am proud to support Newt for president. I stand with him and I hope you will, too.

Sincerely,

Allen Olson

Please consider joining Mr. Olson and signing up to join the campaign here.