Corker Meets Privately with Tea Party Members

Tennessee Senator Bob Corker has been meeting privately with Tea Party leaders around the state. And while there are continued threats of a primary challenge from the Tea Party, some of the movement’s members are pretty happy with the job Corker has done.

Some Tea Party members have hassled Corker for voting to bailout banks and even his recent vote to raise the debt ceiling. But after being invited to a recent meeting with the Senator, Ken Marrero of Hermitage says Tea Party members can’t always draw lines in the sand.

“The senate is the art of the deal. Anyone who says they’d go up there and not make a deal, not make compromises, is probably not being honest.”

But Marrero says there are at least two schools of thought within the Tea Party, and some consider compromise a defeat.

Matt Moynihan of Gallatin says he’s not necessarily one of those. Still, he’s helping launch the campaign of a primary challenger named Zack Poskevich.

“For those who are principled and want to stand on principal and be courageous, they want an option. They see moderation as a sign of weakness.”

Any unknown candidate remains a long shot at unseating Corker, who has gained respect on both sides of the aisle. But Moynihan says if Tea Party groups outside the state get involved, a win is feasible.

A poll taken earlier this year by Public Policy Polling shows Senator Corker is popular among GOP voters though somewhat vulnerable to a Tea Party challenger. 43% of Republican primary voters in the state said they’d prefer a more conservative candidate.