The tea-party movement is the most powerful force in American politics today. It is the most potent; it has the greatest degree of energy and enthusiasm. It makes sense that major donors would now recognize this reality and support tea-party organizations as part of get-out-the-vote efforts. Underfunded tea-party candidates have won against party organizations. With resources they will be even more effective electorally and politically.
— Doug Schoen is co-author of the new book Mad as Hell: How the Tea Party Movement Is Fundamentally Remaking Our Two-Party System.