2013 Tea Party

With the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial elections, Virginia will serve as a signpost for the current status and popularity and perceived chances of longevity for the tea party.  The Republican ticket includes current Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who believes that the University of Virginia somehow fraudulently funded research into global warming and that women's rights should be more reminiscent of the 1850s, and E.W. Jackson who compared Planned Parenthood to the KKK.  For a state that has been described as going purple, this is a fairly extreme party ticket.

Contrasted with this is the news that Michelle Bachman is not seeking reelection to her U.S. House of Representatives seat. As a (formerly?) prominent advocate of Tea Party beliefs, this news is not entirely surprising in light of the fact that tea party popularity seems to be waning.  Some say her decision is due to lack of confidence in her ability to be reelected - perhaps the tea party is weakening in Minnesota more quickly in Virginia.

Third parties are potentially a valuable shot in the arm for the two party system.  Libertarian and Green parties have straggled along as minority parties for years now, but have not gained mainstream traction. Perhaps the reason so much attention has been paid to the Tea Party is because it is potentially the first alternative party to garner nation-wide attention since the Republicans overtook the Whigs in the 1850s-1860s.  Virginia's November election results may determine the course of the party going forward.