Is the Tea Party Dying Down?

[CeeKay]

I hope not, they were always so entertaining.   I'm guessing it's only because it's still early in the year.

Perhaps the most important undercurrent in American politics that the Iowa Republican caucuses reveal is that the raging Tea Party enthusiasm fever of 2010 that led to historic Republican election victories has broken.

Participation in the Iowa Republican caucuses was strong. Over the past four years, participation in the Iowa Republican caucuses only slightly outpaced the state's population growth. Four years ago, 118,696 people participated in the Iowa Republican caucuses compared to 122,252 in 2012, an increase of 3.0%. Over this same period, the eligible population increased from 2.20 million to 2.25 million, an increase of 2.4%.

Not unexpected, turnout for the 2012 Democratic caucuses was significantly lower than 2008. The Iowa Democratic Party reports that "more than 25,000" people participated in the 2012 Democratic caucuses, compared to 236,000 in 2008.

But, participation in the Iowa Republican caucuses should have been stronger. If the Tea Party was still in full swing, we should have seen higher turnout propelled by their enthusiasm.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-p-mcdonald/the-tea-party-fever-has-b_b_1183794.html

[Ironrod]

They are victims of their own success. The obstructionist freshmen Republicans in the House, tea partiers all, are the reason our deadlocked Congress has record-low approval ratings.

[Eco-Logic]

The congressional approval ratings were abysmal prior to them being elected. Nice try though.

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[raydude]

The congressional approval ratings were abysmal prior to them being elected. Nice try though.

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Correction. They were low prior to them being elected. NOW they are abysmal.

[Exodor]

The congressional approval ratings were abysmal prior to them being elected. Nice try though.

True - but they're even worse now

[Isgrimnur]

Where were you on 18/11?

[Autistic Angel]

Not unexpected, turnout for the 2012 Democratic caucuses was significantly lower than 2008. The Iowa Democratic Party reports that "more than 25,000" people participated in the 2012 Democratic caucuses, compared to 236,000 in 2008.

What a bizarre factoid to drop in the middle of an unrelated article!  "Wow, read this, honey!  Democratic turnout in Iowa was way down!  I guess there really is a huge enthusiasm gap!"

The point Mr. McDonald forgets to make is that Democrats have no one to caucus for.  It's a non-binding opinion poll with only one name on the ballot.  They might as well be voting for which of Earth's moons they like the most.

-Autistic Angel

[leo8877]

Good riddance!  How long until those newly elected get shown the door?