Well, is he? I don't know.
The first rule of Tea Party is: You don't talk about Tea Party.The second rule of Tea Party is: You don't talk about Tea Party.
So let's try a little surmise:
Paul Ryan is a big Tea Party favorite. (2012)
"In Ryan, the tea party sees someone who adheres strictly to its core principles - individual rights, distrust of big government and an allegorical embrace of the Founding Fathers.
Tea party activists exalt his willingness to address the large-scale Medicare and Social Security cutbacks he says are needed to rein in out-of-control spending.
Ryan is at once a mainstream Republican and a tea party darling. He is genteel and even-mannered as he warns of the implications of a coming debt crisis.
He is equally fluent in the revolution-infused rhetoric that tea party supporters gleefully gobble up." [source]
Paul Ryan co-founded the GOP Young Guns Program (2007). He co-wrote the book, Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders (2010).
"The Young Guns Program, formed by Co-Founders: Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Budget Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), helps Republican candidates to build strong and winning campaigns through goals, benchmarks, and accountability.
In 2010, 62 of more than 90 Young Guns candidates were elected to the US House of Representatives helping Republicans win the majority.
Every Young Guns candidate plays a vital role in keeping our Republican team on offense and helps build a lasting and productive Republican Majority for the American people." [source]
Gary DeLong is named a GOP Young Gun. (2012)
"Young Gun is the top tier of the 'Young Gun' recruitment program.
These candidates have met a series of rigorous goals and established a clear path to victory through their ability to build a formidable campaign structure and achieve important goals and benchmarks.
These candidates are the GOP's best opportunities." [source]
Paul Ryan credits Ayn Rand as his political inspiration. (2005)
"...the reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one person, it would be Ayn Rand."
"...I grew up reading Ayn Rand and it taught me quite a bit about who I am and what my value systems are, and what my beliefs are.
It's inspired me so much that it's required reading in my office for all my interns and my staff. We start with Atlas Shrugged." [source]
Gary DeLong lists Atlas Shrugged as one of two favorite books on his Facebook page. (2011)
Screen shot (2011) | Current pages
Ayn Rand speaks. (1959)
Ayn Rand interviewed by Mike Wallace (video 27 min) two years after the publication of her book, Atlas Shrugged (1957).
By 1959, Atlas Shrugged had become an international best seller. Rand declares herself "the most creative thinker alive."
So, is Gary DeLong Tea Party approved? You decide.
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