From Gallup:
About 7 in 10 national adults, including 88% of Republicans, say it is important that Republican leaders in Congress take the Tea Party movement’s positions and objectives into account as they address the nation’s problems. Among Republicans, 53% rate this “very important.”…
Here’s the real kicker in the poll – 72% of Independents think that it is “very” or “somewhat” important that the Republicans in Congress pay heed to the TEA Party. This shows a couple things:
1. The GOP leadership ignores the TEA Party at its deadly peril.
2. The TEA Party is not viewed by Independents as a Republican entity – it is the mainstream.
This doesn’t mean the TEA Party gets to call the shots, but it does mean that this movement of the American people must have its voice heard in all debates. Any attempt to shove it out or to cut deals with the left behind closed, Congressional doors will spark outrage and lead to GOP defeat. Once again, the GOP had better have a TEA Party in 2012, or things will get very rough.
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