Is the Tea Party here to stay?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Tea Party movement might just be getting started.
After a year of rallies and protests and a strong showing in the midterm elections, the Tea Party is getting significant support from the public.
A new USA Today/Gallup Poll shows Americans are split as to whether they want Tea Party-backed members of Congress or President Obama to take the lead in setting policy.
The folks at the White House must love this:
In the poll, 28 percent say Obama should have the most influence on government policy in the next year; but 27 percent want the Tea Party to set the course.
The traditional political parties trail behind, with 23 percent choosing Republican congressional leaders to influence policy and only 16 percent choosing Democratic leaders.
Experts say the nation's divided mood "guarantees that there will be gridlock." That's because government follows public opinion, and public opinion is all over the place about who should be in charge.
Meanwhile, here's another sign that the Tea Party could have some real staying power:
The Wall Street Journal reports many Tea Party groups around the country are focusing their agenda of limited government and penny-pinching on local governments.
Here’s my question to you: Is the Tea Party here to stay?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Ken in Atlantic City, New Jersey writes:
I hope so. People have got to unite to stop Wall Street, lobbyists, banks and corporations from sucking this country dry. For the uninformed, the U.S. government has 70 trillion dollars in unfunded liabilities. We are broke, but the politicians continue to provide corporate welfare and tax deductions to companies that outsource jobs and hire illegals, useless billion dollar war toys, farm subsidies to millionaires and tax breaks for the rich. It must end now.
Ralph writes:
The Tea Party will be here to stay only, and I mean only, if it can be a force that congeals and strengthens the Republican Party. Continued divisiveness (as seen with the Murkowski /Miller outcome) will not help its cause. I say this because if the economy strengthens before 2012, it would be daunting for a divided Republican base to defeat many Democrats.
Kurt writes:
Not likely. Ross Perot, Ralph Nader and the persistent Libertarians were never able to maintain a presence post-election. If the Tea-party were able to persist, it would suggest that our education system is failing worse than ever. Ultimately, this is less about conservative vs. liberal, or Republican vs. Democrat than it is about ignorant vs. informed.
Mark writes:
Yes, it's here to stay and for one good reason: the American people are sick to death of having to hold their collective noses every election year and choose between the spend-until-we're-broke Democratic Party and the kick-grandma-to-the-curb Republican Party. Maybe, Jack, we finally have a party that has an ounce of common sense.
Steve in Florida writes:
You betcha, Jack. Just because Dick Armey repackaged and stuck a new label on it doesn't mean it's anything new. It's always been here and probably always will be in some form or other. It's simply the hardcore right wing of the GOP. And they're just as loony and uninformed as they've ever been.
Amber in Austin, Texas writes:
No, Jack. When the economy finally improves, we'll all be able to afford coffee again. There will be no need for tea.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
First let me educate you Jack, the Tea Party is a movement, not a far right arm of the Republican Party. They are not bigoted, racist, or stupid. They probably know the Constitution better than you or I.
Mark....and yes, they're here to stay!
Jack,to soon to tell. These Johnny's come lately have yet to prove themselves as elected officials and later in a general election when voters of all persuasions voice their opinions at the ballot box.
I am not a republican, but I am sure they are going to find a way to put them out of business. I think they may irritate them more than the democrats and independents.
Jack, there's no real Tea Party. The so-called tea party movement was funded, engineered and driven by right wing Republicans. They've all but driven moderates away and I predict that once the indenpendents who have been lured in by the patriotism of lower taxes see the rest of the tea party plank, they will resume their independence.
The first tea party bought us a Revolution and couple hundred pretty good years, perhaps the second coming has some staying power too. People are pissed off enough to drop the politicians in the water this time around though instead of the tea.
I certainly hope not.
The candidates they supported, their apparent lack of any knowledge of what it takes to run our government, their me first attitude is not what our country or the American people are all about. And, with their quest for power and votes, the republicans are allowing these incompentent, sometimes radical people dictate to them.
If it does let's hope they can come up with some candidates who actually understand what our problems are. So far I have just heard them repeating the same old worn out catch phrases and sound bytes.
God help us if the answer to this question is "yes".
Jack,
The Tea party will soon join the dustbin of political party history, like their predecessors in the Greenback, Free Soil, Liberty, Whig, Anti-Masonic, and Know-Nothing party , the latter of which has unfortunately morphed into today's Democrats and Republicans.
The Dems hope that it is. In recent Senate races the teaparty was responsible for turning certain GOP wins into losses
Bob
Louisville, Ky
I believe that the tea party will be put in the closet by the republican. after the public see that they their revolt in the pass election has cost the country a major down fall, we will see who has the last laugh. it is the past being relived which should never happen.
Probably they are to the fringe group that supports them if they are concentrated enough in certain districts. The acid test for the Teab Party is going to be how they perform in Washington the next 2 years. My guess is the more extreme ones will not survive because of their actions, but then again that weird district in my state keeps electing Michele Bachmann, so who knows.
I don't think so Jack. The novelty is wearing off and people are only mad until things start to get better then they go back to being compliant and their normal everyday lives. A bunch of politicians got elected but we don't know if what we replaced will be any better then what we took out. I think we need to test drive these new tea Party politicians for a few years and see just what and how much has changed. If history teaches us anything it will be business as usual with different names on the front page making the headlines. These new politicians are new and naive. Once they learn the ropes they will be as corrupt as the rest of them.
I believe that people have the wrong idea about the tea party Jack. All they can talk about is reducing taxes when taxes are already the lowest they've been in 60 years; talk about cutting spending and reducing the size of government when neither party has seemed willing to bite the bullet and do that. So, my conclusion is that the tea party is a bunch of misinformed rabble rousers and fanatics without a true cause that will be realized. To answer your question Jack, No, I don't think they will be around particularly when the economy begins to improve.
Most certainly it's here to stay, we've witnessed what the wolves lurking in the shadows want to do to this country when we don't pay attention, taking our country and freedoms for granted, but you can rest assured we're wide awake now and watching.
As long as Obama is president and the Liberal press keeps on reporting with left wing propoganda, the Tea Party will be even get stronger.
You would think that Obama and the Liberals got the message after Scott Brown won the Senate seat in the most Liberal state, but no Obama has not changed and the Liberal press has not changed. That's why the President got the shellacking., they didn't learn from the Scott Brown win.
Yes Jack, I believe the Tea Party should stay. We've gone through hell in the Bush Administration and it has continued to be hell and embarassment thus far, in the Obama Administration. The country can't stand around forever to wait for things to really happen. Both Presidents Bush and Obama, and this Congress has demonstrated that they are beyond inneffective, and have poor communication with the American people. This is why the Tea-Party is gaining ground. The only two trustworthy politicans we have are Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich. We need people like that who actually know how to get things done, and don't sell themselves out to corporations and special interests.
– John
Lake Isabella, CA
The Tea Party, like the No-nothing Party of yesteryear, will be but a speed bump in our nation's history. Future generations will look upon this paragraph in history with humor and disbelief.
I could care less about the staying power of the tea party. All I want is to see is history repeat itself in the the same fashion as the last time America had a tea party. Sign me up for the revolution against elitists, corporations, the mega-wealthy, lobbyists, and those in the puppet gov't that pander to the previous. UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. Let freedom ring, with liberty and justice for all, not just the wealthy.
I hope not. While the intention of the Tea Party was good, it has been hijacked by extremists who think nothing of belittling and lying about people they don't agree with. Just look at what their darling Joe Miller is going in Alaska. The man is a proven liar and hypocrite, yet the TP backs him 100%, even in the face of overwhelming rejection by the people of Alaska. As long as these hateful people identify with the Tea Party it will not survive, but it may spur the moderate majority out of its lethargy so we'll change how DC is run, finally.
The Tea Party will be persona non grata once President Obama leaves the White House. Prediction? Nope. Just a fact Jack!
Considering their uncanny ability to point out problems, identify who was at fault and offer absolutely no solutions, I would say the political arena is the perfect place for them and that they are here to stay.
The Tea Party will be boiled in their own water, Jack, because once those TPers get into Congress, they are going to learn that they have to build alliances and make concessions, and they won't. They need to moderate, and if they do, they will lose their radical supporters.
The House will be Republican, all right - but a great number of the current House membership will not vote with the TPers consistently and they still have to get legislation through the Senate which remains equally split. Most of those new Representatives will probably fall by the wayside their next election for failure to fulfill all of those promises they made.
The Tea Party is like religious enthusiasm,it does not reason but it acts from the impulse of faith and sentiment. Middle class led reform movements always carry the seeds of its own abuse.
Give them two more years and they will disappear into the sunset, just hope they take Moose Palin with them.
As long as there are huge spending corrupt elected officials, special interests, lobbys, government failures like Fannie and Freddie, Amtrak, the Postal Service, unions and the thuggery and treachery they bring, bailouts, Acorn like scams, and out of control entitlements, expect Tea Partys to grow exponentially. Common sense is coming back.
I hope not, let's take a look at the people who they supported in this last election, enough said. I wish they, like Rand Paul, would stop saying they represent the american people. They don't represent me, I have faith in our President, and that's what this is all about. The Tea Party didn't come around until a month after President Obama took office. Where were they during the eight years of the Bush Administration when the surplus got squandered,the economy started going down the toilet, health care cost's skyrocketed, and we went to war with a country that did NOT have wmd's. I guess they were on vacation. Thomas Holgate, ohio
Nope, the TEA Party is the new Bull Moose Party. it's centered on a handful of charismatic leaders who are not going to get national support, and will fizz out. By the way, their goals appear to be designed for support by very conservative billionnaires, and if you extrapolate the results, not by many others. IMPHO TEA Party is a stick over the Republicans' heads.
swschrad, twin cities, mn
Forget Tea, lets get some coffee!
The Tea Party will be around now until our elected leaders stop eating lunches which are funded 40% by a loan from China.
No. It will stay but play a small part, mostly devisive.
Is the Tea Party here to stay?
Why not, if not under the name of the tea party than under some other name, perhaps some name such as the Georgia Washington party, the constitutional party, the funny people party, or just the Funny People!
Jack,
U.S. citizens spoke in the recent election – they see what too much government interference looks like, and they don't want it to get worse. What came before the heavy-handed liberal legislation of the Obama administration may not have been perfect, but it was a more acceptable form of government intrusion than what we now have. The Tea Party will stay with us to remind us never to return to the extremes we've experienced over the last year and a half.
Thank you,
Dina K Kim
Charlotte NC
It is here to stay. Your Politics are frightening the hell out of the rest of us in the sane world especially when it comes to the support of such a radical movement as the Tea party. The whole republican party will be a quagmire for the nation if it wants to join the progressive methods of the rest of the world.The World is changing and your country must change with it to survive and we all need you to be a strong nation. It " ain't Pretty" but reality never is.
If the history of third parties follows its pattern, the Tea Party won't be here for the long term. However, their priorities and concerns will be. This government, whether under Republican or Democratic rule, is not listening to the people about fiscal responsibility and about cutting BOTH spending and taxes. Until the government changes its present course, the Tea Party will be around for awhile.
I think the Tea Party will die after the '12 election. There is dissatisfaction in the country about the decisions that President Obama has made, but reasonable people will eventually realize that:
1. Anything that the president has done was necessitated by the mess that his predecessor created,
2. The full results of the president's policies will take a bit more time to become evident.
The Tea Party is right to encourage people to take a more active interest in their government, but the policies and leaders that they embrace are quite honestly two steps backwards.
The Tea Party has always been here. It has hidden under the many names of hate groups. The Tea Party name lets it pretend to be main stream and hide the hateful beliefs of the Tea Partiers.
Cluelessness existed before Tea Party, and it will exist long afterward.
Just the mere mention of this by such an outstanding organization as CNN gives credence to a group of people that even children know are completely unrelated to anything resembling common sense.
It is really a pathetic commentary on how far we have dopped off the map of serious problem solving talk in this country.
As long as there are idiots in America it will exist.
The tea party will split on policy and ideaology and therefore rendering itself useless.It does'nt take absolute power to corrupt sometimes a little in the wrong hands will do the job.
I hope not since that particular tea is poisoned. In a time when we need to move forward we have a movement that wants to take us back to the same bad practices that put us where we are today.
Doubtful. I don't think it will survive it's self serving leadership...
But it may do some damage before it runs aground for good.
This is a bogus poll........the United States of America has a polulation of 350 million, how in God's creation can the tea party speak for all? obviously the President would have way more influence because people have to pay at least some attention to him especially as he works to turn things around I don't think that an almost equal amount of people whould give a hoot what the Tea Party would do for the country they is not a political party nor are they governing the country..
I personally am sick to death of hearing about this group as if they are all knowing and all seeing. This media hype will fade eventually becaue they get talked about way too much and will eventually get on the public's last nerve. I suspect that people will just eventually tune it all out.
The tea party may be here to stay but that is a good thing. It gives the rest of us incentive to stand up and be counted. In other words no way are they taking us back to what they think was a good time. We need to move forward and figure out how to make the future a better place for future generations. The tea party just gives us that jolt we need to get it done.
Sure, the Tea Party is here to stay. But, similar to the Holy Roman Empire, which wasn't very holy, Roman nor ever an empire, the Tea Party prefers guns and crosses, not drinking tea, and, let's not forget, still isn't a party. What a future to look forward to.
Sure, the Tea Party is here to stay. But, similar to the Holy Roman Empire, which wasn't very holy, Roman nor ever an empire, the Tea Party prefers guns and crosses, not drinking tea, and, let's not forget, still isn't a party. What a future to look forward to.
Poland
God I hope not! I hope they are like the Moonies or any other cult and disappear in a few years. I realize they are not all extremist, but the ones who are scare the Hell out of me. I hope they fade into the history books looking like the insane nuts that they are.
The Tea Party has just started. If the republicans don't come through on debt reductions and smaller government, look for a third party.
If it is, Canada is about to have a population explosion.
All I want to know is are the Tea Party people with jobs or without
have insurance or without and have a stake in the sign companies?
How many are on unemlpoyment and in the bread line in there
home towns. Sure seems they have enought cash to travel the
counrty.
Is the Tea Party here to stay? Sure, just like pimples and hemorrhoids, both of which have a higher I.Q. than the tea partiers themselves.
My prediction is that it will be around for one or maybe two more election cycles, but in a weakened state. After that, I don't see the Tea Party as sustainable since it only seems to appeal to a specific generation, ethnicity and socioeconomic background all of which are beginning to lose influence as time ticks away.
About as long as Joe McCarthy lasted. For some reason I think we went through this back in the 50's with McCarthyism and after destroying many lives watched as people finally got sick of the crazy fruitcakes and turned on them
Not likely. Ross Perot, Ralph Nader and the persistent Libertarians were never able to to maintain a presence post election. If the T-party were able to persist, it would suggest that our education system is failing worse than ever. Ultimately, this is less about conservative vs. liberal, or republican vs. democrat than it is about ignorant vs. informed.
It depends. If they vote the same way republicans vote than Americans will just see them as an extension of the Republican Party, nothing more. If they stand up to their conservative allies, via votes not words, then that's something else. But all in all, it looks like its going to depend on how the economy does during the next two years.
Here to stay and if the other parties are not careful they will fall by the wayside. This is populist movement that seeks the common sense answers to our problems not government mandates.
As the Tea Party only votes Republican, they'll go away when a Republican becomes president again. Actual facts, like Republicans being just as bad as Democrats on spending, and worse on civil liberties, don't seem to bother Tea Partiers. That's why there are no longer any libertarians in the movement, and Ron Paul got pushed aside by neocons like Sara Palin, that would have our nation become a Christian version of Iran if they had their way.
Here's a novel idea......COMPROMISE! Are we that apethetic of a nation and government that one set of ideas gets to run the country and the rest of the people sit around and complain and protest? Get together, figure out what the priorities are and agree on how to move forward. Little kids can figure out in an orderly manner who gets to hold the jump rope and who gets to do the jumping, GROW UP AND DO SOMETHING.....
So where was all of this anger during the Bush years? We'll have to wait and see if the Tea Party is still around after Obama's second term when the country is really back on its' feet. It is disingenuous to believe that ANY person could inherit the mess that our current president did and magically wave a magic wand and fix much of it in the first two years. Come on, people. Grow up.
The Tea Party will last as long as they can all agree on which areas of Government should be smaller and which programs to cut.
In other words, they will last about as long as the honeymoon.
The Tea Party will be here to stay only, and I mean only, if it can be a force that congeals and strengthens the Republican Party. Continued divisiveness (as seen with the Murkowski / Miller outcome) will not help its cause. I say this becuase if the economy strengthens before 2012, it would be daunting for a divided Republican base to defeat many Democrats.
Naaah, Jack. Once the freshman baggers get into the beltway maze, they'll quickly realize how unprepared and unrealistic they are to accomplish anything. They might influence the veterans to readjust their stance a little to the right, but that's all.
The only tea leaves that anyone wil be paying some attention to are at Madame X's.
Although I disagree with many of their views, I do respect the fact that they seem committed to those views and are willing to fight for them. If only the Democrats had a similar, but not far left, group trying to clean up their act. But, in answer to your question I do believe that they are here to stay and let us hope that it can cause the Washington career pols to get out of the "family business".
The only reason the Tea Party exists is because Barack Obama was elected President. The Tea Party is made up primarily of white people who are driven by hate and anger towards our black President. The Tea Party will cease to exist when President Obama is no longer President, be that 2012 or 2016.
You mean the far right republicans? The "tea party" is just a new name for the far right. They'll crawl back under their bridges when the country elects a republican president.
Katie
Houston, TX
I sure hope not.
If this election is any indication, we should have other new parties joining in on the action. The Tea Party doesn't seem to be the answer, but it seemed to give hope that real change is possible. In other words, real change is not going to come from democrats or republicans. It is time for the citizens to step in. By the way, I'm not a die hard democrate or republican. I am an american first, and then an accountant who is disturbed at our debt financed spending. Our values from the very top to the very bottom in this country are not in sync with reality and vice versa. The system is broke, the barriers to enter the political arena have been set so high that the ordinary guy with a good idea and the willpower to see it through can no longer come to work. We need to do away with career politicians, and get back to making decisions that in line with strong core values (no, not strong as in continuing to build a militaristic society).
I sure hope so, they may be the last hope for this country to recover from decades of Republi-crats mass waste, fraud and expansion of government. As long as they can curb the progressive take over there is still hope.
The Tea Party is here to stay. The pendulum swung too far to the left and real Americans are fed up. We want our country back! Strong, proud, successful, and with real American values (not special interest groups or whiny immigrants calling the shots). America is coming back and everybody will have the Tea Party to thank.
Absolutely – just like Hydrox cookies, Carob, Esperanto, Earth shoes and the Thing.
Boston, MA
Oh yes, it is here to stay!!! We members of the Tea Party want our country back from progressives. We want the Constitution upheld, we are tired of being taxed to death, we no longer wish to be held hostage by labor and teachers' unions. We are PROUD of America, we openly support our military, we love small businesses and we HATE bailouts and government take-overs of private industries. In short, WE ARE HERE TO STAY!
If it puts an end to the old white rich men party, GOP, so be it!
One really hopes it doesn't last too much longer.
We've had enough of groups wrapping themselves up in our flag and proposing to cut taxes, knowing full well that it will hurt Americans on SOcial Security and Medicare, and equally endanger the standards of care we give our Veterans.
Take another look at the CNN story on Dan Wallrath, one of the CNN Heroes Top 10. Listen carefully to Dan talk about how we treat our Veterans, then tell the Flag Wrappers to go away.
Jack;
The "Tea Party" movement is already an old buzzword.
The current dem movement to throw Obama under the bus in 2012 is a much bigger movement. Let's start focusing on a new buzz word/label to project into every house hold on the planet this coming new year.
Gregory Turman
Dallas,Texas
it may not be in the tea party form but they are here to stay. what ever it takes to stop socialism.
But the big question Jack is whether that 27 percent actually believe in the Tea Party's agenda, or if it isn't a case of "put up or shut up"... The Tea Party is well versed in yelling about what they think is wrong, but no so clear on exactly what they can do about it. If they can't ACTUALLY improve people's lives they'll end up a one hit wonder.
Yes We Are, Yes We Are, Yes We Are... to take an adaptation of a familiar 2008 slogan
What kind of expert thinks that the government does anything because we want them to? Those "experts" should open a lemonade stand. The government does what suits them unless we behoove them to do what suits us. That's why the Teaparty formed, They're nothing but loosely organized angry Americans who aren't going away any time soon.
The Tea Party cost the Republicans the Senate and on a day when Republicans got some amazing results Tea Party backed candidates lost 61% of their races. I hope they are here to stay, they are the only reason why the Republicans did not do a whole lot better this November.
They will fail. Some of them might stay but they will become a part of the problem. How can millioniares with life-time benefits give a damn about any of us?
Let the Tea Party candidates govern for a while & see the reaction to their policies – they will join the Wigs in due time.
The Tea Party will fizzle out......and then be absorbed back into the Republican party.
Sure there's enthusism in the Tea Party but just like most Americans, they want lower taxes, less government spending but don't want anything of consequence cut from the budget. Once the elected Tea Partyers realize that their wishes are pipe dreams, the movement will fizzle and be reabsorbed by the Republica party.
I hope I'm wrong. I really do. I just don't have much faith in our political system and sometimes even less in the intelligence of my fellow American.
Since the Tea Party is nothing more than a front for the Republican Party, then I guess we'll continue to hear from them. They provide nothing new or innovative, rely solely on emotional instability and rarely present clear and practical solutions to anything. I guess that makes them a perfect fit for American politics.
I believe in freedom of speech. The tea party seems to me like a union for wealthy Americans. Perhaps I'm wrong. But their goals seem to lean very corporate. I'm pro business, but I don't feel that the money interests are wise enough to govern.
Socially, we have honed and sharpened a system for moving money, promoting money and encouraging people to want money, directly and indirectly. People base so much on money that really has nothing to do with money, that pretty much everything is about money anymore, like it or not. If you don't like it, you are somehow un-American.
The "Tea Party" isn't even one thing.....their members agree on little except they want things to be "different"....so what is the unifyibng constant about the Tea Party that's going to be around a long time, the name? The rather uncoordinated chaos of their fragmented ideas? The rather right-wing bent of their candidates? Their extreme paranoia in facing hard questions?
it's a little bit like asking if Christianity is going to be around for awhile Jack......specifically which one of the 34,000 different groups of Christianity are you talking about when you ask such a question? Each (of the 34,000) believes that they are "right." So which group in the Tea Party is "right?"
Are the neo-nazis still here? Is the Klan still here? Of course the Tea Party's never going to go away no matter how hard people try
Yes the Tea Party is here to stay but the real question is what's the counter balance. The Tea Party is attracting their share of the fringe right, but the left is just as guilty. The only way the Tea Party will be relevant is when liberal and progressives realize they must provide the American People with a true counter balance. Right now, the Tea Party does not have any competition.
Tea party movement stays with the people who value their divisive rightwing activism. As an independent, how i wish they are not bethroded to any of the traditional political parties, that would have been great.
I envision 1 of 2 scenarios.
The Tea Party will be absorbed by the Republican Party.
The Tea Party will absorb the Republican Party and the Republicans Party will disappear.
Either way the Tea Party will remain a player until the lobbiest show them where the money comes from and who really controls the country.
one can only hope that these ignorants will return to their caves and never darken our airwaves again.
As long as the American First party was!
It's repeat of what happened to us here in Canada. We had a far right party called the Reform Party that came out of so-called "grassroots" and within a decade had taken over the long-established Progressive Conservative Party, renaming themselves the Conservatives. The Tea Party is just going to become Republican Party 2.0.
No. They will try to fix the deficit problem, but will find out it is not as simple as they think. They will find out that they been lied to by the republicans about it not being a question of revenue, which it is and was caused the TRILLIONS of lost REVENUE costed by the Bush tax cuts and the lack of appropiations for the Medicare Drug program and finally the lack of revenue for the two wars. They will implode when they find out that popular programs will be eliminated, their retirement options will have to change and some taxes will have to be raised.
re
My prediction is that the Tea Party will either be completely absorbed by the Republican Party or vise versa. We only know right and left which means there is not a position for a third party. The Green party and others have tried to compete, but they all have been like a feather floating in the air – nothing serious.
The Tea Party has already been hijacked by neocons. Ron Paul's original anti-tax movement had its roots in liberty. You know, things like gay marriage, medical marijuana, free speech, anti-war – where does an interloper like Palin stand on these issues? Heck, for that matter, where does Obama stand on these issues?
Water eventually evaporates, so will Tea.
The tea party is here to stay just like the swine flu is here to stay. And the tea party, just like the swine flu, is more noise than substance.
This survey is relatively meaningless. Neither the new Republican majority in the House, nor the newly elected Tea Party candidates, have had a chance to demonstrate what they will actually do with their new powers. Wait a year to see what the actual legislative results are and then see how enamored the public is. Whether their goals are good for the country or not, the implementation will be painful and not necessarily popular.
Yes, they will continue to be used as tools by well funded special interest and their handlers. As a wise man once said, "there is a sucker born every day." Unfortunately, it is now every few minutes.
in some form, yes. more and more americans are seeing through the hypocricy of both republicans and democrats over the past few decades – it is indeed, a dirty business !
This nation was created through a tea party. It makes sense that they are still around. WIth government going away from what people have asked for, its no wonder we see the rise of this party once again. Will they stick around? They never really left.
It's very possible that what will happen is that they will be absorbed into the Republican party and drag them farther to the right. As far as becoming a third party–that wont happen. There isnt any room for a third party in this country, they have never succeeded.
I don't think that they will stay forever, but I am hoping that what they are standing for will make an impact on Republicans as a whole.
Jack, the tea party has already been on the ballot. Do you not remember Ron Paul? Are people now finally waking up to these ideas?
I hope they are only a knee-jerk reaction to our economic problems. If they stay around, I fear people like O'donnel (from Delaware) and Palin will get into positions of real power.
Something that should have been decades ago.and we are lookin into this now..why we slow on thing..all i ask!
That would be great if the Tea party was here to stay. I would love to have three legitimate candidates that I don not want to vote for
First of all before anyone sets policies he or she should know right from wrong. Most do not know. And yes, I believe the tea party is here to stay.
No, short term. Havn't heard any specific changes yet. Very specific info needed.
The core values of the TEA party ring true with a majority of Americans. Most Americans want smaller government and less spending. The only ones opposed to this concept are the folks on the far left and the special interest groups who depend on the government funds for their very existence. The opponents like to deflect by falsely claiming racism and overly religious views.
The TEA party is here until Washington D.C. and State governments get it.
Unfortunately the “Tea Party” is here to stay. If they ever get organized they may become more of a force that they deserve. For now they make up the attitude of America that states “We are fed up with politics as usual”. Only some of them want to go back to “Keep the wealth where it is and the races where they belong”. Maybe we need a Coffee Clutch party to keep them in check.
No. It is just the latest flavor of the month. Like the John Birch Society before, this too shall pass.
They will remain a thorn in the side of thinking Americans as long as there are people around who think the worst insult possible is to call someone a liberal
No, the Tea Party will probably be a short-lived phenomenon. It's a populist reaction by mostly ill-informed people who have no real solutions. Most of their candidates would do a far worse job governing than either the Democrats or Republicans.
Brett in Framingham, Massachusetts
America should only put their faith in the next Person or group that has intensions....911 is the answer behind every global government problem...whoever it is must expose 911 as its main platform ...911 is the most important issue for our future of global freedom
The Tea Party's existence is contingent on Obama's presidency. If he wins, they stay-if he loses, they go. Let's face it: These small government, penny-pinchers were supporters of the biggest government spending President ever, George Bush. If America didn't elect a Black Democratic President in 2008, they wouldn't exist.
The Tea Party reminds me of race car fans who go to the races not to see who wins, but to see who gets killed in the crash. When will American wake up
I'm all for limited government. Lets limit Tea-Party incumbants to the the Boston Harbor.
Jack,
When the people experience the reality of no services and pay a la carte for everything their tax dollars were supposed to pay for, the romance will be over.
Sure the government has bailed out the banks at the expense of the communities and Main Street, but the answer is to make the government responsive to the will of the people. Shrinking the government is not the answer for the only remaining Super power, ask yourselves, can you really have it both ways?
I believe that the Tea Partiers have every right to be their own sub party, nevertheless, just as the Dixiecrats did in 1948. The GOP will be split in the next major election, insuring a Democratic win.
To avoid bankruptcy, lets hope so. Ken Krieger Cape Coral Florida
Jack–The Tea Party is probably here to stay, as the counterbalance and antidote to the progressive movement. In fact, The Tea Party is the Frankenstein's monster of the hard left.
During this past election, they touted that they were not a shill of the Republican Party. They are, just further right. We are moving more toward a theocratic government. Apparently I am old, since I remember Eisenhower saw this coming with the John Birch Society and literally kicked them to the curb before they grabbed hold. Now those beliefs are being embraced. Scary!!
Nah Jack,
The Tea BAGGERS are a dying breed.
I am a retired Navy Submarine sailor and ran into a bunch of submarine retirees at a resturant and we greeted each other. They had just come from a teabagger convention. that's when I called the teabaggers. That's about the size of your brains.
Aloha
Joe in Kalifornia
Once people realize that these people basically want to do away with Social Security, the Department of Education, and want to do away with a health care law that provides health care for millions of Americans, they will say no to the Tea Party. If you want Sarah Palin running our country, by god I don't know what has gotten into you but go ahead and vote Tea Party.
Tea Baggers will drift away and be only bad memory as soon as it becomes clear that that have no solutions to any actual policy problems, only complaints. No more temper tantrums and no actual ideas. Poof!
NO Jack, The tea party will disapear when President Obama Disappers. This group was no where to be found when George bush was running up the defecits and spending like drunken sailors, they only started with the election of President Obama. this group consists of 99% of Mccain voters. Most of their signs on raising taxes make no sence considering MR Obama cut taxes eight times since he has been in office. These people are Obama hater's and that's it
Nothing last forever, but the tea party ideas of less government and lower taxes are here to stay. With any luck these ideas will take root in other countries as well.
I hope that Americans stand firm in their pursuit to downsize government. It is time to end Keynesian economics and get back to the basics of the Austrian economic model that the founders intended. Keynesian economics is the economics of neo-conservatives and socialist that love big government, and it is time to rid our system of this type of monetary policy that enslaves us to policing a fascist empire that both Democrats and old Republicans want so bad! Go Tea Party!!!
Yes, as long as the feelings that inspired the formation of the Tea Party persist. At least, until one or both of the major political parties attempts to represent those feelings - and I don't see that happening anytime soon.
The Tea Party seems to be simply another name for Libertarian. They will remain influential as long as they don't appear to be too extreme. I'm just waiting for the Coffee Party to get involved at the same level. At that point maybe we can start a Common Sense Party and get something done in Washington.
The Tea Party probably will be here to stay, since the Insane Asylum are getting full.
Well yes the tea party are just republicans like you...sure you might say your independent but an independent is just someone afraid to admit they are republican
"You betcha Jack", the Tea Party is here to stay and is not going away!
They really have no agenda and know little about what government is suppose to do. Will they be here tomorrow, probably, but not for long.
The President is a cat and the Tea Party is a dog. When theres no cat there will be no dog but, of course the dog will hang around for a couple months or up to a year.
Only if they can figure out a stand to take on issues other than taxes. That seems to be their only platform.
Is the Tea Party here to stay?
Ask the 63 Democrats who lost their seats in the House of Represenatives.
Yes. There has to be an alternative to the radical Democrats who have run all moderates out of the party of our fathers. The silent majority has at last awakened to where our country is headed. We want our country back!
I would say the tea party is too self serving to have any long lasting effect – except – I fear our entire society is becoming more and more narcissistic. If that is the case, the tea party is here to stay.
The "TEa Party" will disappear the very minute republicans regain control of the presidency. Why? Because they are nothing more than an arm of the republican party. Why can't people see that? It's obvious as all heck.
Moreover, the founder of the Tea Party said that one month after they had formed it, it was already being taken over by special interest money (which support republicans, such as the banks) – so from the start, practically, it's been a republican extension.
Mark my words-–get a republican as president, and the Tea Party has no more use. Until then, they will act as the republicans that they are.
In colonial times the "Tea Party" was a rebellion against the tyrannical government that was thinking more about themselves than the people. We need that rebellion again, as our country is falling apart thanks to Bush's ignorant actions that spilled onto Obama.
"WE" the American people need to question the established parties, and their roles in our nation today. Whatever happened to "We the people"..... Well it's now an Oligarchy.
I hope that the Tea Party is here to stay, and I hope to see some major changes in our country before we are forced to fly the Chinese flag.
If the TEA party manages to affect some change in Washington, they might continue to gain steam, otherwise the disappointment will stop them short. At any rate, they will have an impact and brings taxes and constitutional debate which is seriously needed. And Miller should step aside – like an adult.
I certainly hope so! If they are successful in achieving their stated goals of smaller government, less government control and meddling, a reduction of government spending and deficits and returning the power to the people. If that's right wing, then I'm all for it! Of course, I'll take any party that keeps the Socialist Democrats out of power. Let's get rid of the entitlements and welfare state deadbeat payments and let people earn their keep. I have to and so should they.
And could we please close the danged borders?????
Is the tea party here to stay?
Of course it is, with or without a prescription. What a country.
Orinda, California
It may be good that the Tea Parties are focusing on local coucils etc. When they realize that smaller government and lower taxes means fewer jobs that may affect their voter base, Think of how many jobs are linked to various levels of government? I suspect they will fall in line like everyone else. No, I suspect it is a flash in the pan
The Tea Party concept is not going anywhere as long as this special interest control of this global corporate takeover.......and it will get pretty radical here in the USA if DC doesnt pull its head out fast
The Tea Party's survival as an organized political party hinges on whether the party's leaders can maintain their principles as they gain power and influence. Power tends to corrupt. The elimination of corruption and excess in government are core to the Tea Party's platform, so if the party strays from these concepts, it will die. More importantly, the philosophy of limited government will likely continue to grow, independent of the party's survival. But I guess that's the point.
Let's hope they fade away. They have caused so much hate in our country. Where were they when the Bush started this mess? That is when they should have been shouting hate and Hitler. I also don't believe in whoever took this poll or any other ones. They can't all be slanted pro Republican. We have a great President that works for us and not just for the rich. Obama 2012.
Dear Jack, As soon as the tea party loses all funding in their communities for roads, parks, police, education, and even lighting on their streets(see Colorado Springs, Co.)they might quiet down a little. Will they go away? No, but the sane amongst us would hope so.
With any organization, especially a fringe organization like the Tea Party, there must be intelligence over ideology to succeed, that is one reason the two parties are flailing today and the Tea Party is a place where Americans can momentarily lose their senses. When they get them (senses) back they will once again look towards intelligence.
They'll be here until it becomes clear that they really don't have a viable plan to govern.... At which point they'll return to watching realty shows with zealous fervor...
Tea-Party comments make the real republicans appear sane. I so needed that perspective Jack. Thanks for bringing it up.
The limited government, responsible spending, and trimming of the fat part most of us can agree with. But the fact remains that the Tea Party is also extremely racist and would like to see the U.S. become a theocracy. Don't look now, but it already happening. The fact that, via ballot initiative, we can strip rights away from (or deny them to) any segment of the population (like gays) should scare the hell out of any freedom-loving American. The Tea Party better abandon that legacy of hate if they expect to enjoy more mainstream support.
The Tea Party members are radical idiots. The reason we are in this economic mess is because of not enough goverment and regulation on the banks and Wall Street. If the Tea Party and GOP were more concerned about the people of this country instead of their parties something could get accomplished. Instead we have partisan stalemate and no cooperation from these close minded political activists partying with the GOP. Since the GOP members of Congress did absolutely no work at all in the past two years I vote we take their salaries to help pay the deficit.
The teabaggers are nothing more than the GOP attempting to re-brand. Nothing new. Just as with the past when the teabaggers used and abused the evangelicals; for votes only. Now, they have the escapees from a Let's Make a Deal" show.
But of course, the Teabaggers are owned and operated by the GOP>
Let's hope not Jack... This was just an end around the polarizing politics of the far right republican party. With so much divisiveness in politics these days, the republicans found a very slick way to gain controlling seats in the last election. They really shouldn't be fooling anyone at this stage in the game... although I'm sure they would love to keep it going right through 2012.
Reality will come in January. It will be then when they realize what it takes to run a modern government that makes the US a world leader.
The simpleton view will come to an end when they are required to produce.
pkf CA
I think the tea party was conjured up and paid for by the GOP and their supporters to revive their party and get people out to vote for them. It will be around for as long as it’s useful to the GOP, just like Sarah Palin.
The Tea Party is borne of both real frustration with the economy and with ignorance. It's also easily led, as demonstrated by the fact that there were few if any caucuses and no conventions in which candidates were chosen by a mass vote – and those who were designated the darlings of the Tea Party were picked from a menu supplied by whoever was running the show. On top of that, millions of dollars donated by "anonymous" were supplied to those pre-selected candidates. The fact that Sharron Angle was supported by a group made up chiefly of people who want to greatly protect their Medicare and Social Security is an example of how easily they were led. I don't see the Tea Party being stable enough to last.
Unfortunately, probably so.
I do think we need alternatives to the Repiblicanms and the Democrats. And I do think what we need are perhaps two more parties that derive their power directly from the PEOPLE, and not from the biggest contributors.
And I do think that there needs to be at least one party deriving their power from the people, which espouses the "liberal" philosophy.
The process of cutting spending will show the true colors of tea partiers. They seem to believe that wasteful spending is so rampant that cutting 500 billions will be a snap. Well, it aint so! Then we'll come to cutting Medicare and SS. We'll see how many of these retired angry people will fall for that?
This is a premise of balancing the budget easy way, like castle on sand!
When times get tough, people seem to be more open to these types of fringe organizations. When things improve, they get distracted by all of the demands that their busy lives impose. In a few years when the economy is rolling again, people's anger will subside and their attention will be diverted. the die-hards will remain involved, further reinforcing its fringiness and driving others away. Isn't that right, Ross Perot?
They should be called the "CLUELESS PARTY", which is exactly what they are; I hope American wakes up and gives this group the rasberries.
Once they can come out from under the covering of the gop and people can see them as independent and not as an extension of the gop; they should be fine.
Wrong question Jack.
The Tea Party is just a name for the rest of us.
The question is, How much longer will Progressives have any influence on this country.
Answer, You have two more years.
The Tea Party is nothing but a group of people, most of whom are extremisit, that, no matter what happens, are always going to critize President Obama on everything his administration does. The Tea Party is, in my opinon, sometimes violent and somewhat racist. As to whether or not the Tea Party is here to stay, I hope not. But I will say this: If Sarah Palin is going to continue to act as the leader of the Tea Party, and unless the Tea Party and everyone in America wakes up and realizes that Sarah Palin knows little to nothing about our country or country's history (especially if she decides to run for president in 2012), then the Tea Party will be over with by the end of 2012?
No Jack. The American people will soon realize that the Tea Party is outdated and not what we need or want anymore. We need a government that realizes the people are not on the ranges, farms and living in the woods. Our people today need government to collect taxes and help people without healthcare, insurance for children and jobless aid. It is not a good thing to turn our backs on our people's needs for the sake of the dollar.
I pray not. But in reality, I must say that if they ever got a "leader" they could stay around awhile. I believe in time they will just filter themselves and their ideas into the Republican party. Sarah Palin likes to believe she is that "leader". There are too many Democrats and "pesky" Independents" to allow her and that ilk to be around long. And lastly, once Obama is no longer President (hopefully, not until January, 2017) their concerns will lessen considerably. No more socialism, no more birther issues, etc. Time will tell.
implying that there is an actual difference between republicans and teapartiers
The tea party is not even a party. It is a movement only. How stupid we must be to give it any more credibility than that.
If the American people open their eyes and minds, the tea party will be on their way out.
By supporting the candidates they did, having not a clue as to what it takes to run our country, their me first demands, they have proven their incompetence as legitimate backers for a better government.
Now, with the republicans quest for victory, power and support they are bowing to these irresponsible radicals.
We are not just a few "angry old white southeners" as some would have you believe, and we are not as they would have you believe "uneducated." We are here to stay, learn to live with it.
Not unless they become separate from the GOP, and mount totally separate candidates, as a third option.
We need more real choices, instead of the lesser of 2 evils.
It will be here long enough to give the Republicans a massive headache. Then they will buy out the Tea Party Leaders.
Hello Mr. Cafferty, I've carefully observed the Tea Party movement since it sprouted, which really, was not so long ago. I don't even live in the U.S.A. but I must say that I don't know whether to laugh or cry ,as "Teabaggers" seem to have taken "root" in your fine country. Up north here in Canada, we have a similar sort of dilemna. Dandelions are quite a nuisance but they have a natural way of coming and going, depending on the wind. You know, like the "Tea Party".
The simple answer is "It's the economy, studpid." If the economy improves the Tea Party implodes. If the economy doesn't the dissatisfaction will still be there and embodied in the Tea Party.
Only if it moves a little towards the left. Right now it's basically the republican party. In fact, their policies are exactly the same. I'm pretty liberal, yet I still realize our government is stepping way outside their boundaries. This started under the Bush administration and was continued during Obama's administration. Two sides of the same coin. We must limit our government before we lose more freedoms.
Of course they are here to stay-they're Republicans from another mother.
I hope not. While the intention of the Tea Party was good, it has been hijacked by extremists who think nothing of belittling and lying about people they don't agree with. Just look at what their darling Joe Miller is going in Alaska. The man is a proven liar and hypocrite, yet the TP backs him 100%, even in the face of overwhelming rejection by the people of Alaska. As long as these hateful people identify with the Tea Party it will not survive, but it may spur the moderate majority out of its lethargy so we'll change how DC is run, finally.
As long as our educational system continues its decline we will have people blindly buying into the Palin/Limbaugh/Hannity Tea Party line.
Hope not.Im tired of hearing a hour long segment on idiots that think there trying to do good,and five minutes on things that really matter like updates on how the economy is.Besides,what's the different between Replublican and Tea Party anyways?All the ideas are the same.Both Republicans and Tea Party ridicule Barack Obama for whatever he does.