Tea Party Republicans

A newly-published Gallup poll reveals "significant overlap" between supporters of the Tea Party and those who self-identify as conservative Republicans. The poll, conducted March 26-28, May 24-25 and June 11-13, 2010, shows 62 percent of Tea Party supporters self-identify as conservative Republicans, and 17 percent identify as moderate/liberal Republicans. Six percent consider themselves "pure independent" and five percent identify as conservative Democrats. The poll suggests that the Tea Party movement is more of "a rebranding of core Republicanism" than a new or unique American political entity. It did show that Tea Party supporters are more enthusiastic about voting than the general American population, but that they are no more enthusiastic about voting than members of Republicans' traditional conservative base. Around 80 percent of Tea Party supporters said they would vote for the Republican candidate in their district. There are other similarities, too. Members of both groups overwhelmingly harbor unfavorable views of President Obama and the Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. The results lead Gallup to conclude that despite the heavy news coverage the Tea Party has received this year, and its portrayal in the media as a new and potent political force, the potential impact of the Tea Party on Republicans' chances of winning elections in November -- even if voters turn out in record numbers -- may be slightly less than anticipated.