The Tea Party is weird and can't be explained easily.

For what it is worth I see the Tea Party as a top down structure created by elements of the very wealthy and designed to attract angry and dissatisfied elements from any part of the US political spectrum. But given the top down structure, those who have organized it have control of what elements and what issues are allowed access to the media and to have their actions funded. Opportunists who can figure this out and who are unencumbered by conscience or scruples then take off in the intended direction, benefiting both from the money and from the base of angry, dissatisfied Tea Party member support. It has become AstroTurfing on steroids.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."