TEA PARTY

Has the Tea Party usurped control of the Republican Party?

My recollection is that the Tea Party was started as a new party.  It was not part of the Republican Party; it was on its own.  The Tea Party ran its own candidates - albeit in Republican primaries when it was most efficient.   It had narrow goals; strictly adhere to the Constitution, reduce taxes and minimize government. These goals coincided with conservative Republican principles.

For a long time, we've had a Libertarian Party.  It's goals are very similar to the Tea Party but are more broad and extend to individual freedoms in all facets of society.  The Libertarians offer their own slate of candidates.  I think these Libertarians have been melded into the Tea Party.  

The Tea Party was a valuable adjunct to the Republicans and allowed them to control the House of Representatives.  Now, it seems, the Tea Party is in control of the Republican Party - some think it IS the Republican Party.

On the local front, it is helpful in some locals to be in a Tea Party controlled Republican Party.  Over the whole Country, it is not.  National elections, I suggest, will not be won by the Republican Party as long as it is seen as controlled by the Tea Party.
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