[Cerek]

Originally Posted by SpiritWarrior Problem is the lines are blurred. Many see the tea-party as a direct offshoot of the Republican Party - and from observation they are the craziest, most extreme parts of the party. After all, their most famous speakers and leaders are all Republican.

The lines are blurred because too many don't bother to look past the surface and make assumptions based on soundbytes.

Libs especially seem to go into convulsions at the mere mention of "Tea Party" because they seem to think it embodies the absolute worst elements of Repubs taken to the most extreme degree. They never bother to realize that, while the Repubs have tried to align themselves with the Tea Party, the Tea Party members consider Repubs to be as much of the problem as they do Dems. Anyone willing to look past the surface presented in the media would discover that for themselves.

It's true the Tea Party doesn't do themselves many favors and their lack of cohesive leadership and objectives leads to any member claiming to be (or being presented as) representative of the whole group.

I don't endorse the Tea Party, although I agree with some of their ideas, like smaller government, less spending, etc. They don't have the political clout to create change on a wide-scale, but they do have the power to influence local elections, which can put new people in Congress, Senate and Governor chairs and might slowly bring about some of the changes they seek.

In the meantime, the ballistic reactions they provoke from the Lefty Libs provides plenty of entertainment.