As mentioned in my last post, Tea Party influence has gone largely unmentioned, so far, in mainstream coverage of Governor Scott Walker's tectonic victory in the Wisconsin Recall election. In fact most of the headlines mentioning the Tea Party imply that the Tea Party is more beneficiary of the Wisconsin Recall outcome than a prime cause of it — Scott Walker Wisconsin Recall Win Boosts Tea Party Morale.
And here again we have yesterday's New York Times blog, The Caucus.
Q. What is the influence of “Tea Party” groups in Wisconsin? -Jeffrey C. Wilson, via Twitter
Tea Party groups have been visible across Wisconsin during the recall election of Gov. Scott Walker. For the last two years in the state, the rising Tea Party presence has helped invigorate the conservative movement in the state. The role of the groups was first evident in the 2010 elections when Senator Ron Johnson, Republican of Wisconsin, defeated Senator Russ Feingold, a Democrat.Yet it’s difficult to measure the actual influence of these groups and their supporters. Are they new supporters? Or simply conservative activists who are attending a Tea Party rally instead of a local gathering sponsored by the Republican Party? A Tea Party rally in Racine over the weekend drew a large crowd, but it also featured several Republican establishment leaders, including Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Representative Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, chairman of the House Budget Committee.
Local Tea Party groups across the state have been extremely visible and have attracted voters who are deeply motivated by fiscal concerns. But many of these activists simply consider themselves good tried-and-true Republicans and would have been involved even before the Tea Party movement came alive. — JEFF ZELENY
Mainstream journalists are confused, in denial, or both. But here's a clue from the Wall Street Journal:
The resounding failure by unions and Democrats to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on Tuesday is a significant moment for democratic self-government. It shows that an aroused electorate can defeat a furious and well-fed special interest that wants a permanent, monopoly claim on taxpayer wallets.
"Aroused electorate" equals "Tea Party." Get used to it.
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