Tea party outpolls Democratic, Republican parties -- will anger fuel 2010 elections?

The new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll is getting a lot of traction. President Obama's approval ratings are down, casualty of the political flak he is taking by sticking his neck out on the issues. Public pessimism is up. Faith in Congress is down.

But one of the most startling findings is that the tea party activists -- those angry opponents of healthcare reform and government spending who flooded last summer's town hall meetings -- are now more popular than Democrats or Republicans.

“This is stunning to me just because it shows how angry Americans are,” said MSNBC "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough. “The parties are dying.”

According to the poll, 41% of likely voters now have a favorable opinion of the tea party disciples, compared with 35% for Democrats and 28% for Republicans. In short, if the tea party really were a party -- and former House Republican Majority Leader Dick Armey is certainly raising money like one -- it would be at the top of the food chain.

Which kind of makes you wonder: Why aren't the Republicans benefiting from all those grass-roots anger at the Democrats?

-- Johanna Neuman  

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Comments

[JSA26]

"President Obama's approval ratings are down, casualty of the political flak he is taking by sticking his neck out on the issues. "

That's an interesting spin from the left. More conservative publications see it more as a result of rhetoric not matching action. "Does not a dime of increased taxes for those making under $250,000" or "Will not add anything to the budget deficit" ring true with you?

Interpreting polls is an interesting art. Seems almost impossible to do without introspection into one's own feelings about the topic.

[Give me a break]

Give me a break, this is why the White House was so exasperated with Fox News, the LA Times should take information from that source with a large grain of salt.

The source of this information is the Rasmussen Report, a supposedly "objective" resource favored by far-right groups because of their unnaturally frequent supportive "findings". In fact Scott Rasmussen, its founder, was a paid consultant for the 2004 George W. Bush campaign.

The Tea Party are a gaggle of the Angry Stupids, misled by the likes of anger-monger Rush Limbaugh, Libertarian ideologues and surreptitiously sponsored by monied interests (like lobbyists and Fox News' Rupert Murdoch) who are using them as foot soldiers to protect their financial privileges in such areas as income tax, health care and the financial industry. The average actual understanding of history and economics by Tea Party members is limited to what most of them learned from Ripley's Believe It Or Not or at local swap meets.

Seriously, from listening to them I'd wager that less than half of them completed some junior college education. Swap Meet Republicans.

Their marching mantra is that any government regulation is bad and our troubles are to be blamed on the losers and poor people whereas, in fact, the current financial catastrophe is a direct result of insufficiently regulating wealthy thieves to require honesty; where profits for the private health insurance industry adds about an 11% surtax to the nation's medical bill (and administering the health care system for profits rather than health care), and any proposed tax increases they so desperately oppose only effect the top few percent of millionaires (their own taxes are actually lowered).

Tea Party members should be pitied if they weren't so dangerous, they were sold a load of hogwash that makes them want to turn the clock back before even Herbert Hoover (lauded for bringing good business regulation as Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s), before even Teddy Roosevelt (who broke up the trusts) --the want to go back to the Robber Baron era as some sort of hazy (non-existent) utopian USA past. They are being used.

But I am not surprised they have want such a stupendously vapid, nasty and unqualified person as Sarah Palin as their queen. All they need now are some brown shirts and arm bands for everyone.

[Ster]

GiveMeABreak said: "The source of this information is the Rasmussen Report, a supposedly "objective" resource"

Um.... you might want to check yout history and facts. Rasmussen has been the MOST ACCURATE pollster of any of the major ones. Rasmussen even predicted the last two presidential elections within ONE PERCENT!

Perhaps it is the other ones with thier formed/biased questions that are really biased. Hmmmmm?

[Ster]

"President Obama's approval ratings are down, casualty of the political flak he is taking by sticking his neck out on the issues. "

What? He hasn't stuck his neck out on ANYTHING. He left Congress to write the stimulus, healthcare and cap&tax bills. He has done NONE of it.

[Ster]

"But I am not surprised they have want such a stupendously vapid, nasty and unqualified person as Sarah Palin as their queen."

Ah... yes... as usual, personal attacks as they cannot attack her any other way.

If you ask me, it's the empty-suit, vapid (never done anything), nasty (Rahm-esche) and EVEN MORE UNQUALIFIED THAN PALIN President we have in the White House now that is your King.

[Dan Beliveau]

Give me a break, you sure seem to have all the answers. Atleast it's what all those mindless multitudes like you seem to think. Or is it that people like myself are tired of not being able to see much difference between the parties.
You seem to think that we're just a bunch of trailer park trash. Well good for you, when you and your socialist friends have destroyed whats left of the constitution. We won't be able to thank you because your too cowardly to print your name!

Being a bunch of angry stupids [wow that really hurts, lol], were not sapposed
to notice that the Obama Admistration is trying to take over more than 60%
of our nations economy. Sorry, I guess that goes along with the global warming,
that your hero Al Gore can't back up with real facts.

Thanks so much for bringing Sarah Palin into this. since she's so unqualified.
Although I don't remember Give Me A Break running any state. Oh Ya,
I forgot your to cowardly to print your name.

Well from one of those stupids, God Bless you, and Merry Christmas!

Maybe I should watch out, I might get arrested for saying that.

[Frank R. Castellano]

Would it not be our right to have a government by the people and for the people, for a great change? All this taxation for no representation. I for one am tired of making payments for the lemon government. I love my country USA all the way.

[fbowman]

Give me a break: Check before you call others stupid.

Tea Party Movement Tops Established Parties in NBC/WSJ Poll. Where is Rasmussen mentioned?

The questions and participants were even slanted against the Tea Party Movement and they still topped the R's & D's.

Results:

(VP=Very Positive; SP=Somewhat Positive; N=Neutral; SN=Somewhat Negative; VN=Very Negative; DK=No Opinion):

Tea Party Movement: VP-20%; SP-21%; N-21%; SN-10%; VN-13%; DK-15%
Democratic Party: VP-10%; SP-25%; N-19%; SN-19%; VN-26%; DK-1%
Republican Party: VP-5%; SP-23%; N-27%; SN-24%; VN-19%; DK-2%

Question:
As you may know, this year saw the start of something known as the Tea Party movement. In this movement, citizens, most of whom are conservatives, participated in demonstrations in Washington, DC, and other cities, protesting government spending, the economic stimulus package, and any type of tax increases. From what you know about this movement, is your opinion of it very positive, somewhat positive, neutral, somewhat negative, or very negative? If you do not know enough to have an opinion, please say so.

NOTE THE "Most of whom are conservatives" part of the question. Not fair!

Now the really funny part. A majority of those polled considered themselves Strongly Democrat.

Strong Democrat - 22%
Not very strong Democrat - 8%
Independent/lean Democrat - 10%
Strictly Independent - 19%
Independent/lean Republican - 13%
Not very strong Republican - 9%
Strong Republican - 12%
Other (VOL) - 5%
Not sure - 2%

Chew on that!

[Bill H]

The reason the GOP are not benefiting is that they refuse to distance themselves from the likes of Rush Limbaugh. They, as much as their Democratic bretheren, refuse to listen to the citizens, opting to maintain the status quo. Here's a clue: GIGO. If you're a techie, you get that. If you're not, you had better learn -- Democrat or Republican, if you're IN now, you need to be GONE next election -- Garbage IN -- Garbage OUT!

Mr or Ms. Member of Congress: Go back to OUR roots and try reading Washington's Farewell Address. Yes, THAT Washington. Read it a couple of times, just in case you're as slow as you appear in public and in the press. Washington, the Father of our Republic, understood that politics wasn't an OCCUPATION, it was a SERVICE to your citizens and country. Today, all YOU appear interested in is raising the next buck to win the next election so you can vote yourself the next Congressional pay raise. (Yes, we notice that your INDIVIDUAL income is 2.5 times the national average for a 4-person family (your figures, by the way)...TWO AND A HALF TIMES!...and you had the audacity to vote yourselves another raise? On what grounds?...certainly not performance!

Are the citizens fed up? YUP? You know what is criminal? That you don't have a clue; or that you don't care. Either way is the same result in the end. You serve SELF, not the country. So...many of us are now in a position to do the right thing: If you're an incumbent, you need to GO. Garbage is IN, so Garbage needs to go OUT. It's the only language you seem to understand. You need a pink slip.

You wonder why some of us believe in term limits? Washington (the General, not the city or state) had it right; there IS a time to move on for the good of all. So here's some advice: Get a J-O-B....and good luck with that in the economy you have the rest of us struggling to survive in.

Merry Christmas.

BH
Gulf Shores, AL

[brjam]

You deserve a break. Right across your head. You are obviously angry and frightened that you are wrong, and that the President, his ideas and party you love is either wrong or turned evil. Most Tea party members have a far greater knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, it's history, and it's meaning and it is the socialist(s) that have controled, convinced and threatened our media into reporting, ignoring and perverting it's meaning and definitions. Most people that I speak to that still support Obama are intellectual pretenders. Many of which are intelligent but a completely deficient of common sense. Both parties have been infitlrated and are under the influence of the millionaire elite. If you cannot see this then your your brain is dead and you are under hypnosis. We have to vote these people out of power and level the playing field.

[Dwight Looi]

The Tea Party movement and their supporters are neither Radicals nor Stupids. In fact, they represent the majority of view of Americans. That's not a right wing or left wing statement. That's a fact.

There have always been a lot of Americans who believe that the government should "Take Less and Do Less".

This is neither a radical view nor a stupid view. It is actually quite a common view.

These Americans want to keep as much or their paychecks as possible. They don't care much for paying into our current mosaic of social safety nets and entitlement programs. These Americans want the ability to choose the services they want to pay for and the private businesses that will provide them. They look over the pond at socialized Europe and they want to go in the opposite direction. These Americans don’t want to redistribute wealth; they want to create their own wealth. If you deem such views as radical, it is your definition of the word "radical" that is radical!

Recent polling confirms that 70% of Americans will like to see lower taxes and reduced services. 68% prefer a Capitalistic Economy. 58% oppose sanctuary cities. 56% oppose the currently proposed health care reform, including 46% who strongly oppose. These may not be what the proponents of a "social democracy" want to hear. These numbers contradict the hope and believe that the democratic will of American public shares their socialistic vision of a society with collectivized health care and generous entitlements to personal well being. The fact that Americans actually want -- paraphrasing Hillary Clinton -- an "on your own society", is so unfathomable and reprehensible to them that they try to pass it off as radical and/or intellectually lacking.

Let's look at the basic make up of American voters. They are comprised of:-

36% Democrats
33% Republicans
31 % Independents or 3rd Party

2008 is not representative of this distribution. 2008 is representative of an energized Democratic base -- because of displeasure towards the Bush Administration and the demo-graphical sympathy towards a young, minority candidate. A severely unmotivated Republican base -- because the overwhelming majority of Republicans felt that the Bush white house and the Republican Congress have been practicing neither conservative principles nor fiscal responsibility. These, and an unhappy bloc of independents voting against the incumbent party. Heck, many voters don't even know much about Obama's views or ideology, just that they are tired of Dubya. This should not be taken as a popular endorsement of left wing values and/or socialist "change".

Let's say that all democrats support the Obama/Pelosi agenda and ideology. Let’s say that all Republicans oppose them. In reality, that's probably pretty close to the net figure given that Democratic and Republican rebels probably cancel out. That's about 1/3 of America for each side. The big deciding factor is, and has always been, the Independents.

The Tea Party is a force to be reckoned with not because of the signs they carry or the slogans they chant. They are a force to be reckoned with because, right now, about 2/3rds to 3/4ths of the independents share their views. Because right now, even an NBC poll worded with some bias against the Tea Party movement showed that they are viewed more favorably than the Donkeys or the Elephants.

[RichardBF]

I agree, healthcare is a joke and Obama should show a birth certificate. This is what will take the country back in 2010 if Republican push this one fact: OBAMA NOT LEGAL NOT CITIZEN MUSELIM

[Response to a Statist (Givemeabreak)]

People like, "Give me a break" are the precise reason for the outrage today. Just keep demeaning and ridiculing the people who don't share your Statist ideology, I'm sure we'll come around. We're just "Angry Stupids" as you pompously put it, encouraged by all those evil hate-mongers like Limbaugh, Beck, O'Reilly, Murdock, Coulter, Levin, Hannity, Cheney, Halliburton, Bush, Big-Oil, blah blah blah, obviously oblivious to historical occurrences such as the Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Quartering Act, and Townshed Acts that led to the American Revolution. Finally, bravo for the derogatory Sarah Palin quip and Nazi reference, no unsubstantiated liberal rant is complete without them.

[wolfen244]

Johanna,

>>Which kind of makes you wonder: Why aren't the Republicans benefiting from all those grass-roots anger at the Democrats?

Do the math Johanna. GOP + Tea Party = Conservatives. If the Tea Party becomes a real party they will ensure landslides for the dumbocrats in perpetuity by inhaling votes from the GOP.

The Tea Partiers are outraged GOPers and a smattering of Dems and many independents. If the Tea Party melds with the GOP - as it had professed the other night - then we may be able to rid the world of democrats that started last month in Virginia and will certainly run roughshod into this coming Novemeber and hopefully will glide Sarah into the Oval Office and rid the world and America of the monster in the White House who desperately wants to destroy America and all we stand for.

[Dwight Looi]

The Tea Party movement and their supporters are neither Radicals nor Stupids. In fact, they represent the majority of view of Americans. That's not a right wing or left wing statement. That's a fact.

There have always been a lot of Americans who believe that the government should "Take Less and Do Less".

This is neither a radical view nor a stupid view. It is actually quite a common view.

These Americans want to keep as much or their paychecks as possible. They don't care much for paying into our current mosaic of social safety nets and entitlement programs. These Americans want the ability to choose the services they want to pay for and the private businesses that will provide them. They look over the pond at socialized Europe and they want to go in the opposite direction. These Americans don’t want to redistribute wealth; they want to create their own wealth. If you deem such views as radical, it is your definition of the word "radical" that is radical!

Recent polling confirms that 70% of Americans will like to see lower taxes and reduced services. 76% prefer a Capitalistic Economy. 58% oppose sanctuary cities. 56% oppose the currently proposed health care reform, including 46% who strongly oppose. These may not be what the proponents of a "social democracy" want to hear. These numbers contradict the hope and believe that the democratic will of American public shares their socialistic vision of a society with collectivized health care and generous entitlements to personal well being. The fact that Americans actually want -- paraphrasing Hillary Clinton -- an "on your own society", is so unfathomable and reprehensible to them that they try to pass it off as radical and/or intellectually lacking.

Let's look at the basic make up of American voters. They are comprised of:-

36% Democrats
33% Republicans
31 % Independents or 3rd Party

2008 is not representative of this distribution. 2008 is representative of an energized Democratic base -- because of displeasure towards the Bush Administration and the demo-graphical sympathy towards a young, minority candidate. A severely unmotivated Republican base -- because the overwhelming majority of Republicans felt that the Bush white house and the Republican Congress have been practicing neither conservative principles nor fiscal responsibility. These, and an unhappy bloc of independents voting against the incumbent party. Heck, many voters don't even know much about Obama's views or ideology, just that they are tired of Dubya. This should not be taken as a popular endorsement of left wing values and/or socialist "change".

Let's say that all democrats support the Obama/Pelosi agenda and ideology. Let’s say that all Republicans oppose them. In reality, that's probably pretty close to the net figure given that Democratic and Republican rebels probably cancel out. That's about 1/3 of America for each side. The big deciding factor is, and has always been, the Independents.

The Tea Party is a force to be reckoned with not because of the signs they carry or the slogans they chant. They are a force to be reckoned with because, right now, about 2/3rds to 3/4ths of the independents share their views. Because right now, even an NBC poll worded with some bias against the Tea Party movement showed that they are viewed more favorably than the Donkeys or the Elephants.

[Joshua]

be very careful americans.... political parties are not in anyway what this nation is based on. you may be being duped, with all this. YOUR ALLEGIANCE IS NOT TO FACTIONAL PARTIES BUT TO THE CONSTITUTION. YOU ARE THE GOVERNMENT. NOT "THEY"....YOU.... PARTIES ARE EVIL, AND TERRIBLE FOR? THIS UNION. UNION, NOT FACTION.
DO NOT BE FOOLED. TYRANNY IS QUITE CUNNING. NOW I MUST GO, damn appendicitis .......stay true to the constitution only 1804 ------ know yor enemy america - ENGLAND.

[GJ]

Are you kidding with this last question? We hate both parties!

[Brendan]

Good. Democracies need to remain competitive marketplaces of ideas. Hopefully in 2010, the Tea Party/Parties will pick up some seats in Congress.

I, for one, am dying to watch them try to shout their way through actual policy-making.

[Raymonty]

~ The Great Gettysburg Tea Party Convention, March,2010; time to start marching and be part of history, - Raymonty/GoodTroll.

[vallan]

We, the American people, have become frustrated to the point that most are no longer able to palate the rancidity of what the political establishment has or attempted to force upon us. Both parties, the status quo, are simply the collective wills of special interest groups. They groom and select their operatives, package and present them to the voters as candidates of choice with the illusion that somehow there are profound defining characters, philosophical or ideological differences between them. They sell themselves on the basis that these perceived differences set them apart and provide choices in determining whom are worthy of governing in the interest of America and the American people. In reality these choices are only doubled headed coins, hedged and selected by greater masters, special interests, and beholden to serve those masters and themselves, not the people that elected them. Vote for a candidate in 2010 that is beholden to only one special interest, the American people. Vote for real change, vote out incumbents or party representatives whom have proven true what has been stated.

[theBuckWheat]

People like 'Give me a break' are so sensitive to an reference by white people about blacks being slaves, yet the instant we legislate a "right" that requires government to tax someone to provide a service, we have brought that dreaded institution back to life. We have forged the death certificate of the opening phrases of the Declaration of Independence: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

We are also setting about to appropriate the labor of doctors and other health care professionals. My dentist friend told me the last time, that is the very last time, he provided services to a Medicaid patient, it cost him $50 and he was reimbursed $19. He immediately unenrolled so he could never make that mistake again. He says he will retire rather than ruin his life's practice.

When the only health care professionals who are willing to work for below-market wages with below-market equipment and below market working conditions, are people with below-market English and below-market clinical skills, supporters of this plan will only place the blame elsewhere. They will be like supporters of Amtrack who are clueless why the train runs late.

And wait until conservatives start their litigation offensive against this law, should it ever pass. We have been watching the left get their way in court, and we have learned the same tactics. Now is is our turn. I relish how few milliseconds it will be between the time BHO signs this law, and when someone files for an emergency stay or restraining order. We'll just copy the boiler plate text from any recent injunction petition filed by Planned Parenthood. You know, undue burden, and all that.

And I can hardly wait until the 2010 Primaries. The backlash will only be getting warmed up.

DEM SUICIDE WATCH: November 2010

[mtnthc]

The proper term is teabag, as in teabagging,...or perhaps clueless morons.

[Anthony Sturgeon]

As long as Americans keep their minds on the politicians, the corporations will keep the upper hand on every bill written that benefits the people,, they will always have the majority in Government no matter how we all vote..

Until the people start holding the corporations that have taken control of our government accountable by boycotting their products or what ever other means the people have to effect company policy, nothing will ever change in America,,,,,,,,,the politicians are merely an extension of the corporations and voting really has never been enough......

[Best gaming PC]

I hope anger does not prevail during elections. Anger makes people irrational. And when the people are irrational or angry they make the wrong decisions. That would be a disaster!