Insightful Fox News Tea Party Poll

[skinnay 0]

What Is the Tea Party Movement About?

Small government and fiscal responsibility 7% (31,886 votes)
Exposing Democrats' socialist agenda 1% (2,590 votes)
Voicing outrage at out-of-touch politicians 3% (11,951 votes)
Fruitless mix of racism, conspiracy theories 89% (389,413 votes)
Other (add your comment) <1% (1,749 votes)

Total Votes: 437,589

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/02/09/think-tea-party-movement/

[remibond 0]

Well that one backfired

[RonD1120 58]

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What Is the Tea Party Movement About?

Small government and fiscal responsibility 7% (31,886 votes)
Exposing Democrats' socialist agenda 1% (2,590 votes)
Voicing outrage at out-of-touch politicians 3% (11,951 votes)
Fruitless mix of racism, conspiracy theories 89% (389,413 votes)
Other (add your comment) <1% (1,749 votes)

Total Votes: 437,589

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/02/09/think-tea-party-movement/

Updated February 09, 2010
What Do You Think Tea Party Movement Is About?

Are those stats still true?

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[airdvr 197]

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Well that one backfired

Asking folks what they thought it was about...not the actual members.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[billvon 2,402]

>Asking folks what they thought it was about...not the actual members.

The actual members seem to agree, and indeed the Tea Party is fracturing due to all the hate and anger:

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Tea Party movement threatened by internal rifts

Washington (CNN) -- It emerged in anger and it threatens to split in anger.

One major group in the Tea Party movement -- named after the famous Boston Tea Party -- is set to host its first convention in February, with former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin as its keynote speaker.

But there are fractures in the movement that threaten its future. And if history's any guide, such movements tend to flame out. . . .

While anger over economic issues sparked the movement, it has come to represent anger in general -- from anger over health care reform to just anger against politicians, like Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

At rallies over the summer and fall, crowds carried signs portraying Obama as Hitler and likening his policies to those of Nazi Germany. In one case, heavy criticism forced a Tea Party group in Danville, Virginia, to cancel a bonfire in which an effigy of Pelosi was to be burned.

"The Tea Party combines the best elements of civic activism with some of the worst elements of fringe extremism," said GOP strategist and CNN contributor John Feehery in a CNN.com commentary. "While most Tea Party activists are genuinely concerned about the future of the country, some others see conspiracies around every corner and use unacceptable rhetoric to communicate their displeasure with the president."

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Sarah Palin's Tea Party Dinner Disaster

Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips likely assumed that scoring a dinner speech by the former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate would guarantee a huge turnout for his National Tea Party Convention, scheduled to start Feb. 4 at Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Hotel. But according to Tea Party insiders, the tickets for the Palin banquet aren't selling—and some conservative activists who have already paid to attend are now demanding refunds.
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From TaxDayTeaParty:

Two strikes for Sarah Palin

I was hoping this type of post could be avoided this year, but Sarah Palin just committed what I believe to be an unforgivable sin.

First Palin openly endorsed John McCain in Arizona’s primary for U.S. Senate. . . .(The second) one is much worse, though. Yes, Sarah Palin just endorsed Carly Fiorina in California.
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Scott Brown snubs Sarah Palin, bags Tea Party rally

U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, whose stunning victory in January was fueled in part by Tea Party anger, has snubbed the fiery grassroots group and declined its invitation to join Sarah Palin Wednesday at a massive rally on Boston Common, the Herald has learned.

Brown’s decision to skip the first big rally in Boston by the group whose members are credited with helping him win election has some experts saying he’s tossed the Tea Party overboard, as he prepares for re-election in 2012.
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[airdvr 197]

Sure you can find some negative articles but you expect people to believe 89 % of the members think what they stand for is fruitless? Please.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[billvon 2,402]

>Sure you can find some negative articles but you expect people to
>believe 89 % of the members think what they stand for is fruitless?

Not at all. But from what I can tell, there is no "one 89%" you can point to; there's too much infighting and disowning going on, and a lot of "I want tax cuts as long as I get my free stuff" thinking. A few quotes from tea party supporters:

"I don't want government-run health care. I don't want socialized medicine. And don't touch my Medicare."

"If you like the post office and the Department of Motor Vehicles and you think they're run well, just wait till you see Medicare, Medicaid and health care done by the government."

"That’s a conundrum, isn’t it? I don’t know what to say. Maybe I don’t want smaller government. I guess I want smaller government and my Social Security. I didn’t look at it from the perspective of losing things I need. I think I’ve changed my mind."

One of the reasons the Tea Party is falling apart, I think, is that people are finally realizing what the last commenter realized - that they might have to give up their "stuff" if they force the government to end programs. The problem is discussed here:

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Tea party remains obscure even as it shakes up US politics

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Diana Reimer and her husband depend on his U.S. Navy pension, Social Security and Medicare health insurance — all from the government.

Even so, the 67-year-old quit her job at a Philadelphia department store to become one of the better-known organizers of the small-government, low-tax tea party movement in the state of Pennsylvania.

Ultraconservative tea parties have swept to prominence in the United States like a wildfire across the prairie. Some say the movement will intensify an expected Republican resurgence in November elections. But the movement's true shape and texture often seems obscure. It includes people like Reimer who depend on the government while wanting it out of their lives.
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[kelpdiver 2]

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What Is the Tea Party Movement About?

Small government and fiscal responsibility 7% (31,886 votes)
Exposing Democrats' socialist agenda 1% (2,590 votes)
Voicing outrage at out-of-touch politicians 3% (11,951 votes)
Fruitless mix of racism, conspiracy theories 89% (389,413 votes)
Other (add your comment) <1% (1,749 votes)

Total Votes: 437,589

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/02/09/think-tea-party-movement/

only got a couple dozen more votes since.

These sort of polls are part of the silly fight between interest groups on the internet. Everyone loves to stuff the ballot and make a non scientific poll even less representative.

Funniest one lately is a contest for Sexiest Woman. Lane Kiffin, former coach of the Raiders and the Tennessee Vols was nominated and a lot of angry Vols are doing their best to get him a 'victory' over Danica Patrick.

[Andy9o8 0]

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What Is the Tea Party Movement About?

Small government and fiscal responsibility 7% (31,886 votes)
Exposing Democrats' socialist agenda 1% (2,590 votes)
Voicing outrage at out-of-touch politicians 3% (11,951 votes)
Fruitless mix of racism, conspiracy theories 89% (389,413 votes)
Other (add your comment) <1% (1,749 votes)

Total Votes: 437,589

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/02/09/think-tea-party-movement/

Updated February 09, 2010
What Do You Think Tea Party Movement Is About?

Are those stats still true?

Yep. See for yourself: click on the link; vote; then see the stats it generates.