You have to admit...the Tea Bagger rage was a brilliant tactic in the election...

[rfranklin]

Just think about it. The Republican party was on its last legs. They had the baggage of Idiot Son tied around their necks. They had driven the economy over the cliff and into the abyss. They had started and prolonged two unnecessary wars. The voters threw them out. They were on the ropes and going down for the count!

Suddenly the Tea Baggers (claiming to be something other than Republicans) appear and the conversation was suddenly shifted and all the ills were loaded onto Obama's shoulders. The Republicans were rebranded. Next thing you know, like the poltergeists in the movie, they're back! And now they are implementing their most destructive dreams, finishing off the job that started under Reagan and almost brought to completion under Bush. And once again, Americans are seeing that they were bamboozled. But this time and election may not be enough to reverse much of the damage--and it's to far down the road.

You got to hand it to the Koch Brothers and their ilk. They played it brilliantly!

[shraby]

1. I think the correct description would be over-played it. They are

under the gun now with recalls, referendums and mad voters.

[leftstreet]

3. But the politicians don't care. They'll get their legislation passed

Mission accomplished

:puke:

[Drale]

2. It was a horribly unethical tactic and

now they are feeling the backlash.

[Ninga]

4. It is because a true movement makes room for many voices, and a true movement will last if it is

authentic.

The sad media, boosted the sad Tea Party, and the sad under informed voters fell flat on their faces for the scam.

The good progressives are left to clean up the mess.

[Cronus Protagonist]

5. Whose team is Obama playing on?

Sad for me to say, but honestly, I can't tell.

[HereSince1628]

6. You've got to give some of that credit to abandoning the 50 state strategy

In Wisconsin there were only 2 candidates really in the gubenatorial race, if we'd have taken just 2.5% away from Walker it would all be different.

[leftstreet]

8. +1

[KansDem]

7. It was just a matter of time...

First Reagan, then FOX News with Limbaugh, followed by Limbaugh-wannabees Beck, Hannity, Coulter, O'Reilly, etc., and FOX News wannabees;

Then the Bush Family followed by Clinton's impeachment;

...all the while forcing "non-issues" into the public arena, like immigration, abortion, God, anti-government fervor, etc.

...while the corporatists worked behind the scenes to maximize profits by stealing our tax revenue.

They struck on all fronts: media and politics working hand-in-hand to establish fascism.

[renate]

9. I think you're right, and I don't think I'd thought of it that way before

Even though I knew long ago that it wasn't a grassroots movement at all, I hadn't thought of it as a deliberate rebranding--I actually fell for the notion that it's a whole new party. Yes, I agree--they played it brilliantly (even if they may have overplayed it a bit, to the point where people like Michelle Bachman can seriously become a presidential candidate, get air time, and be exposed for the epic idiot that she is). I don't know whether I hope they peter out by 2012 because they're so extremely scary and irritating or whether I hope they stay in and split the dumbass vote with the Republicans.

[WingDinger]

10. Fuck fake populism, we gotz the straight dope.

[Stevenmarc]

11. The Teabaggers were simply willing rubes on a smart marketing leash