What the Tea Party Movement is, and what it is not

What it is
It is a grassroots movement of conseratives in the United States, normally uninvolved in politics and current affairs, that are now becoming active. About 40% of the country regards themselves as Conservative, only 29% as liberal, and yet the Democrats are in control. Why? A significant portion of the conservatives in this country are frustrated, apathetic, cynical, and see no difference in the parties. They rarely vote, and do not contribute to any candidate.

They are angry and upset at the political class, at both parties, and the President for their mismanagement and deviation from the founding principles of this country. Their stated principles are limited government, low taxes and spending, and free market principles. The Movement endeavors to become more effective in politics and not just a big protest that ends up doing nothing to change policy in Washington.

What it is not
It is not a political party. It is not a clearly-definable organization or political action committee (PAC). It has no central authority. Bill O'Reilly seems concerned that regular media outlets have focused on the extreme and unrepresentative groups that are part of the Tea Parties. He includes the birthers, a couple truthers, and separatists who want to rebel against the government. He thinks there should be some sort of clearly defined platform and centralized public relations authority. He is wrong.

The Tea Party Movement does not have a defined interest in protecting its image or becoming a public relations titan of any kind. How many protesters do you think care what the New York Times, Newsweek, or any other media outlet says about them? How many people do you think will not show up or support the Tea Party Movement simply because a single woman at one of these events put a swastika on her poster with a cross through it?

A political party or organization will always endeavor to control its image, its message, and have a potent public relations department. A movement does not. It is not a distinct organization and it is more in fact a criticism of the institutions that DO spend so much time on perfecting public imagery and message. They are an attack on the status quo in all of its forms. They have proven successful at recruitment, retention, and in energizing their membership without O'Reilly's help or any other national figure whether media or political.

Going Forward
The Tea Party Movement is learning, or at the very least portions of it are. They have chosen the Republican Party as their vehicle toward influencing national policy. They are now running to become precinct captains, committee leaders, and county chairmen within the State Republican Parties. This is EXACTLY what they should be doing. Start with popular support and sentiment, change the leadership at the lower levels and work your way up within one of the parties. Change out the weak and corrupt portions of the party that still exist. The LA Times recently had a story on this trend. It is beginning to work.

The Movement should also do their homework on candidates and policies before showing up to protest, support, or contribute. In many respects they are doing this. It is important they discern the career politicians so skilled at message and image control - from true principled men and women who will carry out the agenda they support. So far they have shown considerable ability in this area. In Illinois, for example, Ethan Hastert, the party favorite, was defeated by Randy Hultgren, a lesser known and less party-backed name that had the support of grassroots groups and the Tea Party. Hultgren won and now has a chance to unseat democrat Bill Foster.

That is how you change a party. Find new candidates, recruits, and support them in challenging the existing party leadership. Criticizing or voting against the leadership is not enough and leads to what we have now. A weak Republican Party and a dominant Democratic Party. You don't like your choice of Congressman, Senator, Governor, President or other - find a challenger. Don't just sit there and NOT vote, essentially handing a democrat the victory.

That is what the Tea Party is about. Political action rather than apathy and frustration. It is channeling long dormant but powerful sentiment among the conservatives in the country toward activities that will have a more substantial impact on national and local politics. Kudos to them. All they need to do is to continue learning new methods and teach their grassroots group how best to succeed in influence. I think they are doing that. Don't listen to Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity or these national media types and also do not listen to hacks that are only trying to take advantage of the change in public opinion by calling themself a candidate of the Tea Party.