Tea Party confuses tactical, ideological disagreements

By Philip Klein

Published September 17, 2013 12:00am ET

Add Washington Examiner on Google

Tea Party confuses tactical, ideological disagreements — Tea Party activists have come to see as their adversaries not only Republicans who support increasing the role for the federal government, but anybody who disagrees with their strategy for shrinking government.ÃÂ (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) | Manuel Balce Ceneta

Though the Tea Party movement came to a boil during President Obama‘s administration, the burner was first lit while his predecessor was still in office.

Over the course of eight years, President George W. Bush cast aside limited government principles that attracted many activists to the Republican Party in favor of “compassionate conservatism.”

Print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Digital subscriber? Click here to login/register your account.

Full midterm coverage.Deeper analysis.

Get unlimited access to Washington Examiner's reporting, expert analysis, and coverage of the midterm elections.

Get Unlimited Access

Cancel anytime.

Tag:

Affordable Care Act Analysis Columnists Congress Debt Ceiling Democratic Party Education Entitlements George W. Bush House of Representatives Medicare and Medicaid Philip Klein Republican Party Senate Tea Party