For the first time, the Democratic Party now trails behind the Tea Party movement — 45 percent view the Democrats unfavorably while only 35 percent view it favorably according to an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll. And fans of the Tea Party movement far outnumber those who support the Republican Party — 28 percent view the Republican Party positively, and 43 percent see it in a negative light. Meanwhile, the Tea Party movement is earning a 41-23 percent score.
This has led to reports that internal conflict has led to problems in the overall movement. One CNN story suggests that “some Tea Partiers have voiced anger and concern over whether the powerful groups are ‘astroturfing” what is supposed to be a grass-roots coalition — the idea that the movement is being organized by old-fashioned GOP bigwigs to promote their agenda.”
As one of the organizers of the first protests prior to joining the Examiner, I personally heard a lot of this concern from numerous organizers from John O’Hara to Eric Odom to many, many others. This was back when we were planning the Feb. 27 and April 15th protests. (Note: CNN gets the dates flat-out wrong in their story — these protests did not begin on tax day.) Odom went so far as publicly rebuking RNC Chairman Michael Steele for asking for the opportunity to speak at the protest.
Along with the concern comes the recognition that any politico in their right mind is going to make an effort to harness the power of a grassroots movement. (See also the drafting of Sarah Palin to the vice presidential nomination.) In February, we did reach out to many in Republican leadership who couldn’t care less about the protest. It wasn’t until April 15th rolled around, with all of its attendant coverage, that politicians had started clamoring for the opportunity to speak.
At the CodeRed anti-Obamacare rally, Steele was reportedly serving tea to protestors. It may be a pander, of course, but it’s a good thing, not a bad thing, that the so-called “bigwigs” are recognizing the importance of this movement.
As Andrew Ian Dodge notes, however, the involvement of larger, national groups should not lead to compromise on issues held important by the protestors. FreedomWorks got involved as a facilitator of conference calls merely because it had organizing power, but to say that Brendan Steinhauser or Dick Armey are calling the shots would make them uncomfortable because it’s simply not true.
No central organizing force can motivate people in about 700 cities to show up to protest — particularly when these people are typically loath to protest at all.
For the Tea Party to avoid getting coopted by the Republican Party, it merely needs to coopt the Republican Party itself. That means getting involved in local politics and forcing out the leaders who engineered such boondoggle nominations as NY-23.
UPDATE 2:19PM: Tom Blumer at NewsBusters looks at the data and wonders just what to make of a sample where 22 percent of those polled identify themselves as Strong Democrat versus the 12 percent of those who identify as Strong Republican.
Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Democrat, a Republican, an independent, or something else? (IF “DEMOCRAT” OR “REPUBLICAN,” ASK:) Would you call yourself a strong (Democrat/Republican) or not a very strong (Democrat/Republican)? (IF “INDEPENDENT,” ASK:) Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party, closer to the Democratic Party, or do you think of yourself as strictly independent?
Strong Democrat – 22%
Not very strong Democrat – 8%
Independent/lean Democrat – 10%
Strictly Independent – 19%
Independent/lean Republican – 13%
Not very strong Republican – 9%
Strong Republican – 12%
Other (VOL) – 5%
Not sure – 2%
Even given the large portion of “strictly independent” among those polled, it may be fair to say that the poll downplays the popularity of the tea party movement.
