Could the Tea Party idiocy actually become a threat?

[Kablooie]

We all know the Tea Party people are crazy. They deny facts and live in a world of their own strange fantasies. They are gaining influence in the Republican party and have begun to win elections over more established Republicans. We all assume that this will weaken the GOP since they will have a growing percentage of members that base their decisions on pure fantasy. The general assumption is that they will pollute the GOP platform with fantastical claims so that the general public will lose respect for the GOP, and the GOP will lose power and votes as a result.

This logic seems sound based on the current situation but what if the Tea Party folk actually become numerous enough to affect the outcome of governmental decisions? What if they gain control of the government? The assumption that voters are smart enough not to let that happen is not a certainty, particularly when you have billionaire puppeteers behind the movement.

I've seen enough unbelievably crazy decisions supported over the years to know that this is a real possibility. Just look at the McCarthy insanity of the 50's to see a case where the inmates actually took over the asylum. People are the same as then and if a particularly well heeled and persuasive spokesman gets the microphone, he might be able to overcome any force of logic that confronts him.

It's fun to laugh at them today but I believe it is a real possibility that they could become a controlling force in our government someday. I doubt there is any way to really defeat them other than let them keep growing and hope that the frivolousness of their philosophies become apparent to the public before they become too numerous.
But it is a worry.

[DJ13]

1. I think the biggest threat they pose is to a two party system

If they take over the GOP where would those traditional conservatives end up?

(Hint, it starts with a "D")

That influx of cons would be the death knell to any liberalism that remains in the current Democratic party, in effect cementing a right only electorate regardless of the people's desires for alternatives.

Of course, that may be the underlying reasoning for the big money types to fund the tea party in the first place.

[Owl]

2. I believe the answer is yes; plenty of stupid, ignorant, misinformed, and gullible people.

[Doctor_J]

3. They already are

There will be a number of teabaggers in the House next year, and at least two in Senate (AK, KY). I don't understand how anyone can still, at this point, write them off. Denial is epidemic here.

[notesdev]

6. Yep

The Tea Party crowd is more numerous and far stronger in their convictions than the bluebloods who have run the GOP for decades... this is a TSHTF moment for the GOP elites... the GOP as we knew it is gone. TP won't be a third party, by the end of the next two election cycles they will own the GOP outright.

[customerserviceguy]

7. You forgot the one coming to the Senate from Utah

There may be several dozen in elective office after the dust settles the day after the election.

However, I think the country club establishment Repukes will figure out how to co-opt them by giving them a limited amount of power.

[scheming daemons]

4. All it takes is one McVeigh-wannabe

[Initech]

5. It is a worry. But like the late great Frank Zappa said - they hate to be not taken seriously.

We have to laugh at them and revel in their idiocy. After all Beck was a morning zoo crew DJ.

[AlinPA]

8. Teabaggers=republicans. I don't buy the distinction. They are simply republican voters

more pissed off, more vocal, more ignorant than usual.