What? No mainstream media covering this? Shocking!

[kandrathe]

The non-progressives.

I seem to recall accusing you of abusing that word to the point of meaninglessness - I suppose I can't be terribly surprised that this has not changed.

At least I'm consistent in my stubborn definition of "progressive". I suppose it might be different where you live. Republican progressives, like Ariana Huffington, or Arland Specter tend to switch eventually to the democratic party.

Karl Rove is so last administration. How about Michael Steel? Or Sarah Palin? Or Newt Gingrich? Dick Armey? They've all expressed their support for the Tea Party, shown up at rallies, etc... These are not small players. These are the public faces of the Republican party, the movers and shakers: the head of the RNC, the former house majority leader, the last VP candidate.

Sorry. They are in the poser class. It's them we've got to worry about. The "Tea Party Express" is a part of the Republican machine, which is where most of these Republicans have attended.

Do you really need Karl Rove specifically to see the glaringly obvious?

I dunno. It's hard to say. I see a lot of fear from the Republicans, and the Democrats at the angry mob of "tea party" activists coming at them. Both are running for cover. One, through demogogery, the other by assimilation and camouflage.

Covert Republicans? How about *overt* Republicans? Look at any of the polls. The overwhelming majority of both participants and support are from the Republican party. A handful are either independent-lean-Republican, which are basically Republicans, or too-right-for-the-Republicans fringe lunatics. Almost none are from any other political orientation.

Why yes Mr. Peabody I have seen the polls...

How many small government democrats are there?

That fits fine with my point. The party obsessed with "small government," or at least the party that uses it as a constant catchphrase, is the Republican party. Out of whom is a small-government protest faction likely to be comprised? You guessed it... Republicans!

The frustrated group of people who *really* want smaller government, and who are disenfranchised by "The Republican Party", as represented by Mr. Steel, and company who talk about small government on the campaign trail, but act differently in DC.

Generally, Tea parties don't endorse...

"Generally," Tea Party movements, both national and local, have been endorsing rightist candidates across the country, primarying moderate Republican incumbents and trying to win seats for the movement. This would be the exact opposite of "generally not endorsing candidates." They've only existed for two years, and already they've endorsed dozens of candidates for everything from dogcatcher to senator.

Check out this one as an example.

There is a grave danger from being consumed by the Republican brand, but that is not what it is about.

Om nom nom. Eated already. I can haz moar?

{Flee}