David Webb: How the Tea Party can make 2016 a grand slam

April 15 of every year is a day of high stress and emptier bank accounts, but it’s also a dream of many Americans in the expected and moving target that is Tax Freedom Day. As taxes on individuals and businesses continue to be imposed on the city, county, state and federal levels, this moving target becomes more elusive. Is it really a date to look forward to or just a cultural wish?

I am one of the original founders of the Tea Party movement, and in spite of its many challenges, the nation cannot deny how much this populism married to a healthy skepticism is now rooted in our political discourse.

{mosads}There have been others along the way, including Occupy Wall Street, but that was never grassroots — rather, it was a leftist narrative with a dishonest “we are the 99 percent” outcry.

Deeper roots grow taller and stronger trees, and while we may not see redwoods yet, from the local level on up the change is really happening. This is reflected in part by the slew of state legislative seats that have changed from blue to red in the last election cycle, and will become more apparent as we head further into the 2016 cycle. 

There will still be some Tea Party rallies held around the country, but more importantly there are more organized and structurally sound organizations and coalitions that will not wither in the face of the leftist attacks.

As was once stated by Samuel Clemens, “the reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated.” The true principles of the grassroots Tea Party movement haven’t died, they have taken hold in an overburdened population and are here to stay. Most Americans, regardless of party affiliation, when asked about the issues prefer a limited, effective, efficient and constitutional government at all levels. 

Now to 2016.

It is baseball season, and here is the lineup, including those sitting on the bench. One is former Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). Three others are current senators: Republicans Ted Cruz (Texas), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.).

Still to come are one current and two former governors: Wisconsin’s Scott Walker, Florida’s Jeb Bush and Arkansas’s Mike Huckabee. There’s also a physician, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, and Carly Fiorina, a corporate giant.

Playing in the AAA of the political system are former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and a few others unrecognized by more than the loyal few. Donald Trump is the designated hitter who we are never sure will emerge from the dugout. 

Who will President Obama support? His missing support for his likely successor, Clinton, is more like his first pitch — one that bounced to the plate. White House press secretary Josh Earnest left it up in the air on Monday. This is not unexpected — the president is likely keeping his political powder dry in case Clinton’s campaign implodes. It may be also that he will throw his support behind someone more progressive, like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).  

What to expect during the dogs days of political summer? 

There will be swings and misses, a few home runs, but I would not expect a grand slam until the first debate takes place in August. 

On the right side of the field the bench is wide, but depth will be questioned. On the left side it seems to depend on one superstar whose depth comes more from being next to the seat of power, and who has questionable accountability. 

Whether we as Americans are in the stands, suites or the cheap seats, we all have the same say with a single-seat vote. We need something that is rarely available today, and that is a political franchise player who did the foundation work and will be faithful to team America. 

Webb is host of “The David Webb Show” on SiriusXM Patriot 125, a Fox News contributor and has appeared frequently on television as a commentator. Webb co-founded TeaParty365 in New York City and is a spokesman for the National Tea Party Federation. His column appears twice a month in The Hill.