The Tea Party

I used http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/tea-party-movement as a start for looking at the Tea Party, the site gives a clear over few of The Tea Party and constantly updates with articles regarding up and coming news within The Tea Party. From here I was able to find out who are the Tea Party and what what they aim to achieve. The term Tea Party deriving from, the Boston Tea Party which occurred in 1773 this being a protest by colonists objecting against the British tax on tea. The movement today by conservatives in America has similar motives in which they oppose taxation much like the original tea party they also endorse reduced government spending and the reduction of national debt, this being just a few of the areas which sparked the Tea Party movement. The site links us to the ‘Five parties to watch’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/04/five-tea-parties-to-watch here saying “The Tea Party is a political party that isn't – it has no leader, no national committee, no website. Instead there are many groups who vie to lead and speak for the movement” As the movement has no official party it allows for many different groups to form within the Tea Party title.

Within the Tea Party there are many groups, the founders of the modern tea party being the FreedomWorks, they are a “key ideological powerhouse of the movement” and use the powers of social networking very affectively to gain followers. The Tea Party Patriots like the FreedomWorks use the internet as a platform for unity many smaller groups that arise across America with the same ideals. Their focus, like FreedomWorks is very much “economic rather than social conservatism”. The most well known and influential of the groups is the Tea Party Express. The organisation “has rapidly grown from its base in Sacramento, California, into one of the richest and most influential parts of the movement.” They are able to spread the Tea Party ideas by the use of a “luxury bus” which tours America promoting the Tea Party. Other smaller organisations such as Tea Party Nation; an early attempt at trying to give the “movement a national structure”, and The 9/12 project the latest of the groups which ideas arose in order to “capture the spirit of patriotism and purpose that had defined America on the day after the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/04/tea-party-five-to-watch Despite not having a leader it does however have many key figures, such as Dick Army; a very influential ex republican politician. Glenn Beck ” the anti-patriot Obama”, Sarah Palin; a much publicised figure within the party, Beck and Palin having close links as they aim to “Restore honour”. Sal Russo a key player in getting right wing candidates nominated this political consultant is behind the idea of the Tea Party Express, the “largest money-spinning group”. Finally David Koch has used his wealth to back conservatives, in founding his own campaign “Americans for Prosperity”. What unites these key players are the common dislike like for Obama and his ideas. Their aim is to spread Tea Party’s anti-government message, and with the looming re-election no expense will be spared to end Obama’s reign.