What is the long term fate of the Tea Party Republicans ?

[0rganism]

11. Similar to the fate of Green Democrats: marginalization with lip-service

First thing you have to understand is they're an essential part of the Republican base. They've always been there, they were just less visible before we elected President Obama. That was like throwing gasoline on a flame.

Long term, they'll continue to be an active vocal minority within the party, essential for the GOP's ground game, and a focus for lip-service from politicians during primaries. However, as it's becoming apparent that their agenda is essentially impossible to implement in our current system of government, their financial clout will gradually evaporate as conservative mega-donors look for an easier-to-swallow platform with easier-to-control politicians presenting an easier-to-sell message. There will always be some successful teabagger reps in local politics and on the fringes of their caucuses, but they'll be ideologically marginalized. And they'll be proud of it, especially since their ideology promotes hatred of representative democracy -- they can say "I'm a conservative and I consistently vote Republican but I'm not like those shysters I voted for who don't represent my values, the values of true conservatism."