This is a story very near and dear to me. I have a special interest in this candidate and he means a lot to me.
February 27th was a cold day in Chicago. It was snowing, the wind was blowing and hot coffee wasn’t quite doing the trick. Our organizers for the Chicago Tea Party had spent just six days preparing for the first first event to follow Rick Santelli’s rant. We had no idea who or how many would attend.
I remember thinking, at the time, that if 100 showed up we could deem it a success. Until 2009, gatherings of this nature just didn’t really materialize in Chicago. Everyone I know in politics told me to prepare for the worst… believing that few would actually show up.
I parked the car and got my signs, clip boards and handouts, and headed to Daley Plaza, the location for the first Chicago Tea Party of 2009. When I arrived on scene, there was a family standing to the side of the property with some signs. It was obvious that at least someone had come to be a part of the event.
Their names were Richard and Laura Behney. They had traveled from Indiana up to Chicago for the tea party, and they were eager to be a part. After a brief introduction and chat, I asked them to take the clipboards and ask attendees to put there information on them so we could stay in contact. They humbly accepted and were happy to help out.
Hundreds and hundreds would soon start flooding into Daley Plaza and I lost sight of Laura and Richard for the duration f the event. But after the tea party, they brought me the clipboards and wanted to know what was next. They were extremely excited about what was unfolding, and they would eventually go back to Indiana to become a very influential and hard working part of the tea party movement in their home state.
This morning I received a message from Laura that reads as follows:
On that freezing cold February 27th day, you met my husband, Richard and I at Daley Plaza for Chicago’s first Tea Party. We were the first ones there and you asked us to take your clipboards and ask people to sign in. And so began our involvement in the historic Tea Party movement.
From there, Richard and I founded the Indianapolis Tea Party, where on Tax Day we had over 13,000 Hoosier Patriots on the lawn of our statehouse holding signs reflecting the sentiment that they had had ENOUGH!
And from there, hundreds of Hoosier Tea Partiers and 912 Groups urged Richard to take on Indiana’s political dynasty, Evan Bayh. A master of fence-riding so much so that he must have splinters!
The road from regular citizen (we own our own small plumbing business) to Tea Party goer to Tea Party organizer to candidate for United States Senate has been one we never expected to be on and frankly, slightly ticks us off that we have to be on it. BUT, someone has to do something, so it might as well be us.
Now I don’t know about you, but I think Richard needs as much help as we can possibly give him. Richard and his wife were the first two tea party activists I met since this movement began, and they deserve the full support of tea party activists across the country.
I recommend we all blog about him, tweet about him, send him financial support, volunteer for the campaign, call friends and family in Indiana to ask for help… do everything possible to give this campaign a boost.
Not only do we need to rid the Senate of thugs like this, we need to replace them with patriots like this.
For Liberty,
-Eric Odom
[...] with the truth to the point of telling a lie. Consider the last line in that last passage. Richard Behney is a Tea Party activist running for Senate in Indiana. Adam Kinzinger is running with Tea Party backing for the 11th [...]
I talked with Richard in Wash DC just before he carried the Indiana State Flag down Pennsylvania Ave to Capitol Hill. I don’t know how many Hoosiers were there with us (lots of them) but we had over a million other people there too. It was a great day, but it only showed a little of the power we have when stand up to the crooks in Washington. Let’s throw them all out and start over with people who would rather not be there, but are willing to do their duty for a few years.
Let’s stick together in the primaries and get as many Tea Party candidates on the Republican ticket as we can!
This is what it is all about. We need more people like this.
Laura and Richard are true Patriots in my book. They recognize the need to “Throw the Thugs out”. After listening to the convoluted reasoning of Democrats during the Senate debate on Clothure yesterday, I’m convinced they are all either stupid, think their constituents are stupid, “on the take” or beholden to OBama for something! They certainly are not looking out for us. I wish you a successful campaign and do hope you will consider “term limits” as one of your top priorities, so that these politicians will no longer be allowed to make careers out of their Senate seats and stay long enough to be tainted by lobbists, special interests, etc… ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!
i wish Richard the best of luck, we need some good guys in washington now days. i have included a link to a song i wrote titled “please ring the bell,” i hope you all will take time to watch it. feel free to pass the link on to everybody you know. it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if the tea party wanted to use it for their battle song. i hope you all like it. let me know if you do. have nice day and keep fighting for our country, it will take us all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDndfRecq8M
GOOD LUCK, FROM THE LEFT COAST TO THE MIDWEST WE STAND BEHIND THOSE WILLING TO SACRIFICE THEMSELVES FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM. I STAND AND SALUTE YOU, TO SUPPORT YOU, AND WISH YOU GOOD LUCK. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND ALL THAT FOLLOW YOU.
“you have no power” “give up this unfocused group of teabaggers” ???? I’ve sat by and not worried about tomorrow until now. We are a great nation of many people. We’ve lost what we were at the birth of this nation. Time to voice what’s in our hearts and learn our Constitution and work this land with our hands and become honest once again. Get rid of cheating, lying, trampling citizens, 2000 pages of government crap when it should be written to be understood and not crammed with hidden agendas. The government is for the people by the people. Time to wake up.
Richard I will learn all I can about your plans, thoughts, and actions. I will vote for you if I know you have my interests at heart. Good luck and never stray from your heart, your family’s, and friends. God bless America
We’re behind you, Richard! You don’t have to be polished and suave to serve & protect the Constitution, hold to the truth, and do your duty for your country and constituents. We’re on a fixed income and can’t do anything much financially, but we’ll dribble a little along for your campaign. Together, we CAN be heard.
I remember that cold February day well, having driven in from the western suburbs to attend this first-of-many modern-era grassroots Patriot events. Best of luck to you, Richard, as your campaign unfolds. I will forward news of your candidacy to family and friends in Indiana that should garner support and VOTES.
And may I be the first of many Illinoisans to “vote early and often” for an Indiana candidate. (A little political humor for those of you in Rio Linda!)
Congratulations Richard!
The solidarity of Americans supporting the Tea Party movement is heart warming and encouraging, and I greatly admire your willingness to step up to the plate for our country. Best wishes for a successful campaign.
Way to go Richard!! Give em’ H@$L in Indiana. It takes one good person at a time. This ball is rolling and we must never look back. Good luck!
Its great to see that liberty loving people who are not part of the political establishment are starting to get involved. We need more of this
It takes a small person to dream large.My husband and I are 100% behind you in Missouri.Thank you for stepping up and helping us all.
Bettyejane and Robert Fitzgerald
[...] Tea party activists are stepping it up a notch all over the country to declare legitimate candidacy for office. This morning, we announced on the Tax Day Tea Party website that Richard Behney, an original Tea Party organizer who started a major liberty movement in Indiana, has tossed his hat in the ring by running for US Senate. [...]
We are in the mess we are in today because so many “under 40″ voted in the Saviour we now have who wanted CHANGE but failed to ask WHAT CHANGE!!! Talk about somebody who knows little to nothing about politics. Hellooooooooo. He served in the Senate only and did not vote during that term except to vote “present” and then someone has the nerve to say Bush made a mess for him to clean up. Pardon Me. I am still looking for the mess Bush made to half way compare with the mess Obama has left us in after his first year of service only!!!!
Go for it in your run for the Senate, Fella! What a great letter about an active couple from Indiana attending the Tea Party in Chicago. I never thought I would be as involved as I am now in the Tea Party although it has been a positive experience. If we all hang in there and do what we can one person at a time we will see changes being made toward getting our country back where it belongs - “in the hands of the people”.
Georgia Enloe
As a fellow Hoosier, I’m excited about what Richard Behney has accomplished with the Tea Party Movement. But I was at a recent debate and it is clear he is not ready for the big stage yet. I think it’s better the Tea Party candidates get very polished so that they are electable. This does not mean change your principles. But running for a high elected office and organizing a tea party event are two totally different things. To jump from nothing to US Senate is like running a marathon before learning to crawl.
I just campaigned for a man who ran for the Mayors seat . He started the Camden Watch Dog group here in St. Marys , GA to keep an eye on high property taxes from our local government . He lost by 41 votes only because too many were allowed to run at one time . We are now trying to change that . After seeing Richard charge to the front lines it would not be too far from the imagination to see our small town champ run for the Senate . There are good people out here that stand for conservative principles and they are ready to fight . Let’s take back our government one seat at a time ! Camden Watch Dogs have joined the new Camden Tea Party group whose organizer would like to run for office but it is a matter of gathering the funds . WE ARE OUT HERE TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE !!
WoW!!!! Kudos for Richard! We need some of the likes of him in VA to replace our Senators and some of the Reps. Hopefully they will come forth. All the best.
I have 2 questions? Who is Richard Behney and what is your back ground? We are supposed to blindly support this man because he is involved with the Tea Party movement? Uhh, excuse me, isn’t his how we got into this mess by being lazy and not doing our homework? I am sure Richard is a fine man and supports alot of ideas that I do. After being ripped off by Bush and this imposter we call Obama, I think we all owe it to ourselves to due our due diligence. Never Again will I take somebody’s word for it just because it sounds good. (That is how Obama was elected) I do wish Richard good luck and all the best.
In Liberty,
Scott Hamilton
Green Bay, WI
God bless you! I hope this inspires other patriots. I’m going to pass this story on!
That is such a great story. I hope they have great success.
with you all the way. need support we will be there. run run get the people to start thinking of a new party!!
Am convinced the key to success is educating young people and those who feel they can do nothing to make a change. I ask simple questions to those who advocate for our “oppressive” government. “Who is the Secretary of State? Who is the Vice President?” They don’t know. We have to teach them how an oppressive government uses people to justify their existence. We need to show them how they are being used.
Now we just need some one to run against Lugar!
Sorry czars and my ex wife%$#@@ Be a Rock.
Calling From AZ!!!!! Hey go for it, what we have to lose is more Important than to have anyone win, so if you can win for You good! and if the USA wins by You winning, you will be thrust into the biggest bunch of Crap ever welded into the fabric of society at any time anywhere. Remember the Horse that was put in the senate in Ancient Rome. That’s what we need is someone to throw the HORSE^%#^ right back at them. These guys don’t work for US they are in it for Who? I think I still live in the USA and I’m sure this long trek back to fiscal and sovereign sanity will be vast and take us down some dark roads but there is always light somewhere, find it hold it and sure as I know I won’t get any sleep tonight because of Obumma and his Czars you and my ex wife@#@%#%$2%, you will have a Vast herd of Sheeple I’m mean Citizens only kidding, following the light! Remember who your dealing with don’t let you guard down and keep your nose to the grindstone not up some Washinton butts. What out for the media and If you are a True American then you Must listen to Micheal Savage, RIGHT? And You’ll understand me and maybe 200 million People who can think for themselves. I was thinking of running out here to but my Knees are bad, I stick to motorcycling it’s much less a Headache. Never mind good Luck this is show business Break a Leg. Stone the Throws, and let us keep our Guns!
P.S. AND RICHARD . . .HOPING YOU MAKE IT TO CONGRESS . ..LOOK INTO PASSING A LAW THAT LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF BILLS THAT EACH CONGRESSMAN CAN SUBMIT . .PERHAPS THAT WOULD STOP A LOT OF THE USELESS STUFF THAT BELABORS OUR SYSTEM.
THANK YOU RICHARD AND FAMILY FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND COURAGE TO STAND UP FOR OUR AMERICAN FREEDOMS BY THROWING YOUR HAT IN THE RING. THE TEA PARTY MOVEMENT IS THE GREATEST THING THIS COUNTRY HAS UNDERTAKEN SINCE DECLARING OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM ENGLAND. IT IS TIME THE PEOPLE SPEAK . . . THROW THE CROOKS OUT OF CONGRESS . .WE NEED HONEST, COMMON SENSE PEOPLE TO REPRESENT US . .KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND HANG IN THERE AS AM SURE YOU WILL BE TORN APART LIKE SARAH PALIN.
The prospect of a congressman or senator who is NOT a lawyer is a breath of fresh air! Do you suppose he can come up with a bill that is less than 2000 words… one that anyone who’s able to read CAN read?
If Tea Party goers would send even one dollar to those who are picking up the standard for the rest of us, we could change this country!
Richard, you are a true Patriot and American! God bless you! You are doing what needs to be done and I pray this will inspire many others to take part to take our country back!
Why are my comments not posted?
Yes, that is what we need — a U.S. Senator who will save us from having our wealth diverted to unworthy, lazy people who can’t afford health care.
Please elect this man and save our money. Let those who don’t have wealth stop expecting that we are our brother’s keeper. It does not work that way for us Tea Party conservatives (conserve what we have, Hell to others).
Thanks for jumping in and becoming a true Tea Party Patriot. I will pray for you and wish you well on this journey. We need people that have integrity, are truthful, and will not run our country in the ground. Our constitution was made by men much smarter that the ones we now have in office and we need many more like you.
GO FOR IT RICHARD! I DO NOT KNOW YOU, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAVE! LET ME ASK YOU ONE THING. DO NOT RUN ON MORE EDUCATION. MORE MONEY FOR EDUCATION. WHAT WE NEED IS LESS MONEY FOR EDUCATION. STRIP THE UNION , (THE GREAT NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION) UNION! OUR GRANDPARENTS WERE MORE EDUCATED THAN CHILDREN TODAY. MOST ALL TEACHERS HAVE AIDS. SO WHAT DO THE TEACHERS DO. PROFESSORS DO NOT TEACH. TELL ME ANY OTHER JOB THAT HAS TENURE FOR LIFE?
WHERE ELSE DO YOU HAVE A JOB, AFTER ONE YEAR OF TEACHING EVERYTHING IS THE SAME FOR 30 (THIRTY) YEARS.
SO DO NOT RUN ON MORE MONEY FOR TEACHERS AND EDUCATION. POLITICIANS HAVE RUN ON EDUCATION FOR 100 YEARS.
LET’S RUN ON CLOSING HALF OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL OFFICES. LET’S PUT THE REST ON THREE DAY WORK WEEK.
SHUT DOWN THE MOON RACE. BRING ALL MILITARY HOME. CLOSE ALL BASES ON FOREIGN SOIL. BRING BACK JOBS FROM CHINA. EVERYONE WILL WORK IN AMERICA OR THEY DON’T EAT. SHUT DOWN TORT LAWYERS. SHUT DOWN ACLU.
Wake up folks. You have no power. A few thousand people here and there! We have won. Our health plan is just about to be accepted by the senate. The abuse of women by adding the abortion nonsense will shortly be removed. Women will have all the rights they deserve and have earned.
Why not just give up this unfocused group of tea baggers and join in the full support of the greatest president the US has ever had.
Stop criticizing him and stand up with him so he can become not just the best president of the US but the leader of this world.
We must support him so we can all share equally in the goods of this earth.
Don’t just eat a turkey for Thanksgiving make several of them and share with those who have nothing. Share your wealth with others.
Robert30@dslextreme.com
I remember that cold February day well, having driven in from the western suburbs to attend this first-of-many modern-era grassroots Patriot events. Best of luck to you, Richard, as your campaign unfolds. I will forward news of your candidacy to family and friends in Indiana that should garner support and VOTES.
And may I be the first of many Illinoians to “vote early and often” for an Indiana candidate. (A little political humor for those of you in Rio Linda!)
I first met Richard online when Glenn Beck had told us we were not alone and urged us to have a viewing party. Laura had offered to hold it in their house and said she would serve a few snacks. A few days later the party had outgrown their house and it was moved to their plumbing company. Two more days passed and the viewing party had outgrown the plumbing company. Their organizational skills are amazing.
They took their own money and rented out a convention center, catered in food, and only asked for love offerings. At that meeting, Richard read to us the declaration of Independence and then set it aside, looked us square in the eyes, and repeated the words our founders gave us. He promised right there that he would pledge his life, his fortune and his sacred honor to the fight to restore our republic and our constitution.
His next step was fulfilling that promise. He put his family life on hold and everything revolved around founding the Indiana Tea Party. They worked without fail to make sure every detail was perfect. Then without a word, he gave the fortune that he pledged by funding it and once again only asking for donations to help. He did not even come close to even, but that did not stop him from planning the July 4th party. Like the rest of us, the recession had affected his business, but winning back our nation was his priority.
I remember standing next to Richard as we set up for the April 15th event and asking him why he didn’t run for office. He laughed at me. He said he was not a politician. I told him that is why he would be so good. He can get things done, and will not back down.
We need to have as many of “us” on the inside as we can get. We have seen how well the politicians listen to us. They don’t. Lets all work to get one of our own on the inside and TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!
I agree with the Tea Party Movement and am an avid supporter of any one who will take on the established political machine. I do not have the funds to donate at this time but I will after the first of the year. I am proud of Richard & Laura and all who fight against the political powers that would starve us through taxation and financial bondage of excessive government debt. Just remember, good does’nt win unless it is very, very careful.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Not many of us can contribute, but we all can phone our representatives and tell them NO. We can vote and vote them OUT. Every last one of them. I was at the April 15th tea party in downtown Chicago along with a number of friends and family. The best sign I saw was a young boy’s sign that read something like “Stop stealing from my piggy-bank.” Little did we know, so early on, that this is exactly what they would be doing. Our government is shameless and selfish and a bunch of self-serving dummies lead by the biggest one of all. It is criminal what this administration is doing. They are not working for us and we MUST get them out of office. We are loosing our freedom’s one by one. The people who do not yet see this will someday be grateful to all of us who do, if we can continue to fight and WIN. They need to be thrown out and brought down. The word must continue to get out there and we cannot stop. Good luck in Indiana. Just remember we are all behind you and will be working in anyway that we can. Come on guys! FIGHT!
Videos of Behney Stumping:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMlxF7Qctik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COcygeOl0ec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_15pQjiRyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WabE7UPCMDI
It is so encouraging to see that the Tea Party movement is still alive and well despite what the media wants us to believe! Let’s keep fighting for our constitution and the values that our soldiers give their lives for every day. We’re working from the grassroots in my home state to bring strong conservative candidates to the ballot as well.
This morning, on the radio, the host was asking people to call in with one good decision that Obama has made since he took office. No one could come up with one good policy decision…and I didn’t think that the office of the presidency could sink any lowere than on Clinton’s watch!
Good for you Richard. Wish I could vote for you!
GOOD LUCK!!
I am so happy that I read this Tea Party email this morning. It contained the story of two folks, a husband and wife, traveling from Indiana to Illinois to join their first tea party. And they did great and continue to participate in tea parties in Indiana….now the husband, a plumber, is running for the Senate and hopefully all the Tea Party people across this great nation will assist him get elected and contribute to his efforts…and I cross my heart that he will be successful as we need good and honest people running our government for us.
We wish Richard and Laura the best in their run for the Senate seat in Indiana, they are dedicated and courageous Americans, true American Patriots! May God Bless them as they endeavor to fight to win back America for the working people.
I know Richard, personally, and professionally. You can see what Richard stands for on his website http://www.richardbehney.com
In a nut shell, he’s a common sense conservative, who wants to return government to the way it was originally meant to be…FOR THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE. NOT career politicians who vote by which way the money flows. Read for yourself, from his own words, he’s the real deal!!