Of course... stuff like that maintains... because of stuff like this.
Twenty-eight percent of respondents identify with the Tea Party, compared to 26% who oppose it, and 38% who are neutral.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/90613-poll-28-of-americans-support-tea-party
They seem to be capturing the middle.
In several other respects, however -- their age, educational background, employment status, and race -- Tea Partiers are quite representative of the public at large.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/127181/Tea-Partiers-Fairly-Mainstream-Demographics.aspx
Less black supporters, but just as many non-whites in other demographics... which isn't surprising considering they are middle-right.
Note... 6% of Tea Party supporters are black.
1% of Republicans are black.
http://dnc.kgnu.org/2008/08/04/commentary-declining-republican-demographics/
That is the issue... the Tea-Party reaches minorities and reaches out to them better the the Republicans.
