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I think one thing to keep in mind when it comes to how the party defines itself (both socially and fiscally) is that, assuming they gain traction, they're still a very young party trying to figure out its own role in the world. I would imagine over the next few elections you'll see all sorts of policy swings as the water tries to find its own level. In the meantime people are coming out of the wood work for a number of reasons hoping the tea party is the alternative choice they're looking for and in turn assigning their own values and beliefs to what they think the tea party is or should be. One person is all about pro life and taking down illegal immigrants while another is concerned about making a living while having to pay such high taxes, are both are feeling let down by the GOP? I would think eventually their stance on social issues will slowly begin to reflect the average beliefs of the majority of supporters. Some independent polls of Tea Party supporters might go a long way in understanding what the evolution of their social stances will be as they settle in.
It reminds me a bit of the excitement about Ralph Nader in 2000, of course we were dealing with a much more organized party, but it amazed me how many disenfranchised democrats (and even republicans) latched on to the Green Party and just assumed it stood for whatever they happened to believe in almost like an alternative, generic left wing. Sometimes people just want something different I guess.
Anyway pardon my random thoughts, I've been learning a lot about the tea party in this thread (great post above Will) and just opining publicly along the way for the sake of discussion.
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“My god I must have missed it...its hell down here!”
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