Michael Vick or Barack Obama?

… around half of the electorate now identifies with the Tea Party and up to a quarter view themselves as members. – UK Telegraph

To the chagrin of both major parties and the mainstream media, there is a new game in town — the Tea Party.

That half of the electorate identifies with this movement is rather amazing. More amazing is that 25% view themselves as members is even more so. I don’t have the figures, but I would guess that the Dems and GOP do no better than 25%. More people consider themselves independents than any other choice. There is the possibility that respondents might consider themselves members of the Tea Party and members of one of the other categories.

As A. B. Stoddard pointed out, this movement of only 19 months, has completely reshaped American politics. The effect is independent of whether they win or lose elections. They have forced both parties to redefine their stances on issues.

President Obama, ideologue that he is, seems oblivious.  He continues marching to whatever socialistic dream (only?) he sees. His Dem troops are distancing themselves in every way. Virtually none mention the “great achievements” they imposed on an unwilling American public. Virtually none want to be seen in public with him. Given the choice of having to appear in public with either President Obama or Michael Vick,  most Dems would choose Michael Vick, especially if he is coming off a good game on Sunday. Obama has had no “good games” in months.

The above quote appeared in the Daily Bell. You might want to read their take on the Tea Party movement which they view as merely a small movement within a larger process:

… just possibly, a new Renaissance is upon us, a rediscovery and increased acceptance of free-market thinking, of limited government, judicial modesty – as a result of an increasingly forceful confrontation with the Money Power conspiracy that has haunted the West for the past 200-300 years.

I believe the DB is correct in assessing the Tea Party as part of a larger process. That is not to say that the Tea Party is not important or does not play a major and necessary role. It is important and may even eventually displace one of the existing major parties.

Shifts as envisioned by the DB are massive and do not happen overnight. Hopefully, the Tea Party movement is merely the tip of the first spear.