When Mitt Romney was asked whether he’s a member of the Tea Party during a presidential debate, the former Massachusetts governor said, “I don’t think you carry cards in the Tea Party.”
Romney chuckled but his joke fell on deaf ears. The Tea Party does in fact offer membership cards.
Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich offered a link to one such membership card in an e-mail to supporters on Tuesday.
The e-mail directs supporters to TheTeaParty.net, a group that aligns itself with the national movement, where users are asked to donate at least $100 in return for a membership package that includes a paper card bearing the title, “Official Tea Party Member.”
Tea Party Patriots, another group that considers itself part of the national movement, offers a free membership card valid through 2011. The back of the card lists the group’s top three priorities: Fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets.
