What is it we’re witnessing? What are we watching with just thirty-six days until election day?
On one level, we’re witnessing a changing of the political guard. The GOP will undoubtedly take control of the U.S. House of Representatives—maybe the U.S. Senate. There is, however, something else in play.
This may be the election that marks the beginning of the Tea Party as a viable political movement. Sal Russo is a widely respected political consultant who works Tea parties across the country.
Yesterday, he told Bob Schieffer on “Face The Nation” that the Tea Party movement has survived criticism and is poised to become a player in our political system.
“One of the things that we’ve had to face since the beginning is that people have tried to demonize the Tea Party movement with a lot of false accusations,” he said.
“First it was that we’re all astro turf…then we’re a bunch of crackpots and nuts, then we’re a bunch of racists. And this movement keeps growing because it grows on the fundamental principle…and that is a belief that the federal government has become too big [and] too intrusive.”
Thirty-six days and counting to election day—and confirmation that the Tea party is no flash in the pan. It’s not about to burn out. It is going to elect candidates around the country. The Tea Party is here to stay.
