When the Tea Party movement made its official debut on April 15, 2009, it made quite a political splash with events across the country protesting President Obama’s policies on that Tax Day. Four years later, that splash looks more like pebble thrown into a pond. …
One reason why the Tea Party, four years later, has moved from a political force to relative afterthought is its unpopularity. … Yet perhaps the biggest explanation for the difference between four years ago and now is because the Republican Party essentially co-opted the movement. [cont.]
Mark Murray, NBC News
Recent polls: Tea Party