VCU Professor Says 'Tea Party' Movement a Major Factor in Elections
Mike Porter
VCU Communications and Public Relations
(804) 828-7037
mrporter@vcu.edu
9/17/2010
Despite attempts to discredit the movement and its members, the tea party’s influence can’t be ignored, according to Jennifer L. Thompson, J.D., political science associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.
In fewer than two years, the loosely aligned group of dissatisfied voters belonging to what is now called the tea party movement has aggressively challenged the votes of incumbent politicians, sponsored regional and national rallies and fielded candidates in some key special elections and primary races.
“I think because the tea party is such an unknown, both from the Republicans and from the Democrats, there’s been an attempt to paint them as being extreme, as being radical,” Thompson said.
Tea party members don’t always agree on candidates or even on issues, Thompson said. Generally, they embrace personal freedom and personal responsibility, oppose government cost and intrusion into their lives and believe the country isn’t going in the right direction. Politically, tea party members tend to favor Republican candidates over Democrats, but Thompson said having an “R” after a candidate’s name is not a guarantee of tea party support.
“Generally, members have conservative values or even Libertarian or independent values. That does not necessarily at all translate into being Republican,” Thompson said. “In fact, in many instances, who the Republican Party establishment has put up as candidates are not the same candidates that the tea partiers support, and there is a very fractious relationship between those two groups.”
Thompson said that conflict played out in a number of high-profile primary elections.
“We’ve seen the tea party have some very concrete successes throughout the country because they have been able to mobilize their base and to mobilize other voters to turn out for certain candidates. We’ve seen that in primary elections, such as in Kentucky, and in Nevada to name two,” Thompson said. “The question is are they able to maintain that momentum and build on it because the primary elections and the general elections are two very different beasts.”
Thompson said the tea party’s lack of a central organization has generated excitement, intensifying its appeal as a grassroots organization.
“One of the main things that tea partiers are trying to do right now is to organize outside of their fractured groups and into a more organized, cohesive unit that can actually have a very large significant effect at the polls in November in the midterm elections,” Thompson said.
Thompson expects significant gains for Republicans this November, thanks in part to the tea party movement.
“The midterm elections are going to show that not only did the tea partiers have significant effect, but that dissatisfaction across the board will trend toward Republicans and winning in Republican races, “ Thompson said. “I think we’ll see it in Congressional races. I think we’ll see it in Senate races. And I think we’ll see it in gubernatorial races.”
A July VCU Commonwealth Poll found that most of the Virginians surveyed weren’t aware of the tea party. Thompson said that is changing as the election approaches and the movement gets more publicity, particularly with a major tea party rally scheduled for Richmond in October.
“October is a very crucial time, given the election in November,” Thompson said. “It’s so important that the tea party movement tap into the wider base of dissatisfied voters, whether they identify as being tea partiers or not. That is why they are choosing this huge event in October. It’s part of a grassroots organizing effort.”
Though Virginia trended “Democrat” with the election of Barack Obama in 2008, Thompson said Republicans may turn out for the Richmond event to show Virginia continues to be a “red,” or Republican-leaning, state.
“The fact that the tea party event in October is being held in Richmond might be a taking back of the blue by the red. And so, it’s an ideal location for that as well.
Related videos
Republican gains in Congress alter relationship with the White House
The Republican takeover of the House and significant Republican gains in the Senate create opportunities for both conflict and compromise between Congress and the White House, according to Jennifer L. Thompson, J.D., political science associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.
View video
VCU political science professor reflects on the challenges ahead for new Gov. Bob McDonnell
Gov. Bob McDonnell’s success in leading Virginia will be shaped by his ability to cope with state budget shortfalls in the worst economy since the Great Depression, according to Virginia Commonwealth University Political Science Associate Professor Jennifer Thompson, J.D.
View video
VCU political science professor reflects on President Obama’s first year in office
Jennifer Thompson, J.D., associate professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, says that in nearly every regard, President Obama’s first year in office has been tough, marked by the worst global economy since the Great Depression, controversial business bailouts, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a bruising battle over health care in Congress.
View video
Back to top
