Grand Old (Tea) Party?

Is the angry, irrational mob known as the “Tea Party” one and the same as the Republican Party?

After a summer of yelling about “socialism” and “death panels” at town hall meetings, they have mobilized behind a number of Republican Senate candidates. We saw how energized they were in Massachusetts. If more of these candidates are elected in November, it will become harder and harder to make any progress in Washington.

We’ve read the tea leaves. Here’s our take on who’s riding the tea party bandwagon:

Florida: Gov. Charlie Crist for Senate? The Republican establishment rejoiced! But can he even get the Republican nomination? Enter Marco Rubio. The former Republican House speaker and all-around right-winger has gone from virtually unknown to tied with Crist in the polls to the cover of the New York Times Magazine. “The First Senator from the Tea Party?” the headline reads. This race keeps getting more and more interesting.

Connecticut: Facing a number of well-funded primary opponents, Rob Simmons saw the writing on the wall. He knew he had to do something to appeal to the tea partiers. So he – what else? – attached a tea bag to the U.S. Constitution he carries in his pocket. Effective immunization, or pathetic pandering? Only the tea partiers know for sure.

Colorado: A series of events have proven that Jane Norton is just the type of candidate to rally Republicans’ tea party base. First, Norton spoke in favor of shutting down the Department of Education – an idea that hasn’t been in vogue since Newt Gingrich was skittering around the halls of the U.S. Capitol. Then, during a meet-and-greet event, Norton failed to correct a woman who called President Obama a Muslim multiple times and in a way to make it sound sinister. Instead, Norton praised their “passion” and said Glenn Beck’s 9/12 groups and the tea party movement are the strength of the Republican Party. If all that wasn’t enough, Norton most recently gave a speech in which she said President Obama is more interested in protecting the rights of terrorists than in keeping Americans safe. One lump, or two?

Kentucky: Rand Paul, son of Ron, is giving the “establishment” Republican candidate, Trey Grayson, a run for his money in Kentucky. All the tea party passion is with Paul. One poll that has Paul leading Grayson by 19 points said that “Paul is having a particularly good amount of success with folks who think that the Republican Party in Washington has become too liberal.” One word: Wow.