What Hath the Tea Party Wrought?

There's lots of analysis going on today about the impact of the Tea Party on yesterday's elections.  They certainly have had a mixed bag of results.

Tea Party Senate candidates Linda McMahon in CT, Christine O'Donnell in DE, Sharron Angle in NV and Joe Miller in AK have lost (though in AK we may still have a RINO if Lisa Murkowski wins through write-ins).  It appears that Ken Buck will also lose in CO.  Rand Paul in KY, Ron Johnson in WI, Pat Toomey in PA and Marco Rubio in FL won.  You could easily argue that the Tea Party had a detrimental effect on our chances in the Senate, especially in Delaware where that seat was considered a sure GOP pick-up before O'Donnell won the nomination.  I'm sure the GOP establishment will be sure to scold the tea party activists for not listening to their wisdom (it's already begun).

However, you cannot discount the impact that the Tea Party had on voter enthusiasm throughout the country, and it was that enthusiasm that swept 60+ Democrats out of the House.  The GOP establishment couldn't do that.  In fact the establishment probably cost us some seats we should have won by refusing to support the candidates with finances.  They didn't see the big picture or appreciate the level of grass roots fervor.

So what happens now?  The Tea Partiers are expecting results.  With a Dem Senate some things like repealing Obamacare will never get to the president's desk, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be introduced and passed in the House anyway.  Nobody wants to hear excuses, they want action.  John Boehner and the GOP House leadership - show them you're serious about doing the will of the voters.

The Tea Party will get better at finding candidates who not only meet the philosophical requirements, but who can also win in statewide elections.  If the GOP doesn't listen, the Tea Party will do it without them.