Look To Your Left, Look To Your Right…Everyone Is A Tea Partier!

by Glynnis MacNicol | 3:22 pm, April 5th, 2010

» 13 comments

Interesting new poll numbers out today that I imagine will result in a lot more politicians addressing the Tea Party movement with increasing sincerity between now and November. Turns out no matter how in the habit the media is of using ‘Tea Partiers’ as a byword for crazy, fringe, offensive sign-bearing Americans, they are actually the opposite. Namely, everyday Americans.

Gallup found that of the people polled 28% described themselves as Tea Party supporters, compared to 26% that identified as opponents. Safe to say, 28% does not a fringe make. More like mainstream. Equally interesting is that only 49% of those people who described themselves as Tea Partiers also identified as Republicans. That compares to the 43% that identified as Independent and the 8% that identified as Democrat.

Conclusion in all this? A few things. One, the Tea Partiers are not a temporary phenomenon. Two, a lot of people may be angry at the government right now, but these numbers suggest that just as many are angry at the Republican party. Says Marc Ambinder:

Yes, the lion’s share of the other half say they’re independent. But they’re not: they’re Republican-oriented conservative voters who are dismayed by the direction of the GOP and who don’t want to identify with the party’s brand.

The problem with that conclusion being that ever since the election the GOP has been struggling to find a brand, or a brand other than being the party of ‘No.’ In fact, in the last seven or eight months it would appear that the GOP has increasingly relied on the Tea Party to provide the GOP Party with direction. Which is more like the tail wagging the dog than a political party ready to lead its followers into the next election. Either way, the Tea Partiers are definitely here to stay.

Gallup, GOP, Midterms 2010, Tea Party Movement, The State of Politics

The Real Royal King

To quote a great American: Do you hearing that big sucking sound?

I think the Republicans are about to be Perotized, again. It’s Poppy all over.
itzmec

polls are a joke
Moderate

“28% described themselves as Tea Party supporters, compared to 26% that identified as opponents.”

Anyone who pays no taxes should oppose the Tea Party. Surely there is a larger group of opponents.
sueNaustin

How happy can anyone be that the Tea Party is here to stay?
http://www.anonymousfinch.com AnonymousFinch

“Turns out no matter how in the habit the media is of using ‘Tea Partiers’ as a byword for crazy, fringe, offensive sign-bearing Americans, they are actually the opposite. Namely, everyday Americans.”

Glynnis gets it. I’m speechless.
sueNaustin

Finch, I respectfully disagree with both you and Glynnis. Tea Party people are not everyday Americans.
Ted

Define “everyday Americans.’ I submit most are not insane (See Tea-bag leader Glenn Beck).

There is also a poll that shows The Tea-party movement at a favorable 37% , while 36% have a positive view of socialism. So, does this mean that “everyday Americans” are socialists?
NORBIT

Finch, I’m new to the site, but keep up the good, honest posts!!

Ted – msnbc polls don’t count.

Remember the beatdown – caught on videotape – that the SEIU Obama supporters gave the black teaparty protestor? Um, WHERE’S ALL THE RIGHTEOUS OUTRAGE FROM GOOD LIBERALS?…………How do you spell: H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-S-Y?
Snipzor

Mainstream = Majority/Political Hegemony (At least in this instance)
Majority = >50%
<50% = Fringe
28% = Tea Party = Fringe voting block

I've also read a 13% figure. But that would be irrelevant because it only further points out they aren't bloody mainstream or part of the political hegemony!
Jim R

70% are conservative and had the question been asked I’m sure less than 10% voted for Obama, so the meme peddled today that they’re just average folks from all walks of life doesn’t hold up, rather they sound more like disgruntled Republican sore losers trying to overturn an election.
http://www.anonymousfinch.com AnonymousFinch

Snipzor:

That’s ridiculous. Anything les than 50% is the “fringe”? By that definition, Obama supporters are also the fringe right now since his approval rating is well under 50% (44% in the heavily democratic leaning CBS poll).
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen-Hilton/1334543387 Stephen Hilton

Sue I am an everyday american, and I personally know people in the tea party, from white, to black, to cuban, to Filipino.. None of them are racists, or want people to die, or want to shoot anyone or whatever else has been flung their way.. They like myself, just want both the GOP and the Dems to stop spending our money, pushing things on us that half of the country does not want, to be honest, which neither of them are doing, and to listen to us, because we are their bosses..
The whole “we know better than you” mentality is not going to cut it. It did not cut it with Bush and the Gop when they were in power, it will not cut it when Obama and the Dems are in power. People like myself and my friends who are everyday normal people frankly are tired of the crap. I am still registered democrat at the moment, but the first chance I get I am going Independent. From now on, people will have to earn my vote, and they are going to have to listen to what we say, or they will see themselves voted out of office.. Period.

We need to all be looking at who we vote for, not because they are a Dem or a Repub, but because they are the most honest fiscally responsible person there is. Someone that has honor, and will stick to their word. Someone that does not mock the other side because of their faith in their god, their right to free speech, and someone that will not make brash judgements, and will take the time to make the right choices.. Not rush the american people into a war because of weapons of mass destruction, or Jam a Healthcare bill into law that you have not even read yet..

Oh and Tjl, should you like to troll me yet again, cause you seem to oddly follow me around on my posts, let me just say this… You questioned and even mocked me because I railed against the democrats.. Well forgive me for expecting more out of a party that I had joined that is out of touch with half of America, if I was a republican, I would have the same expectations, but BOTH parties are corrupt. I should note that our president, and a number of people that work for him are self proclaimed Progressives, not democrats. There is a difference, and if you were somwhat educated, you might just understand that, and take a more realistic view at what I am saying.
Sunnyr

Progressives/Marxists/Commies in Congress are in for a very rude awakening in November. The Tsunami is coming…………..