I agree! And I would also like to join DQ and thank Angle and O'Donnell here! I think the TEA Party movement gained some valuable lessons in this cycle. You know, we all say we want citizen-politicians instead of the polished career-type politicos we've been accustomed to, but therein lies the rub, citizens who aren't accustomed to being poised and polished campaigners, often have baggage or say stupid shit, because they are novices. The TEA Party generated an enormous number of first-time office seekers, and there were certainly some disappointments. But this is how the process works, this is how movements evolve. The TEA Party will take away some valuable lessons from this campaign season, and next round will be much more refined and focused. That's what should scare the bejesus out of Democrats.
I honestly think, many on the left, (and even some on the right), think the energy of the TEA Party will drop off, and this was all just a flash in the pan type thing. But I believe most in the TEA Party understand completely, this was just the first big battle, and there is still a LOT of work left to do. This was just a start. The monumental gain they made in this election cycle, was notoriety and respect as a viable political entity. That can no longer be disputed or ignored. They can't be discounted and dismissed as a bunch of extremist kooks who don't really have any political clout. No doubt, some on the left may still mistakenly view them as a branch-off wing of the Republican party, because they are still thinking of them in terms of a "party" and not a movement. TEA Party people are individuals, conservatives, republicans, libertarians, and even some democrats, committed to smaller limited government and responsibility in Washington. They're not going away!
