Political parties are collective enterprises in which every individual participant finds their own rewards for their own motivations. Statistical sample surveys of self-identified Tea Party supports reveal that they are mainstream and traditional in their beliefs, as well as in their demographic parameters.

A CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL released Wednesday, April 14, 2010 (6:30 PM EDT) reported these findings.

FEELINGS TOWARDS GOVERNMENT IN WASHINGTON
Tea Party All
Enthusiastic 1% 5%
Satisfied 4 26
Dissatisfied 41 48
Angry 53 19

WHAT ARE YOU MOST ANGRY ABOUT?
(Tea party members angry with Washington)
Health care reform 16%
Not representing the people 14%
Government spending 11%

"When supporters of the Tea Party are asked to volunteer what they like least about the President, the top answer is they just don’t like him, mentioned by 19%. This is followed by 11% who say he is turning the U.S. more toward socialism, his health care reforms (10%), and that he is dishonest (9%)."

Favorable TEA PARTIERS: VIEWS OF…
Sarah Palin 66%
Glenn Beck 59%
George W. Bush 57%
John McCain 35%
Ron Paul 28%

Unfavorable TEA PARTIER VIEWS OF...
TEA PARTIERS: VIEWS OF…
Sarah Palin 12%
Glenn Beck 6%
George W. Bush 27%
John McCain 37%
Ron Paul 15%

Never Heard of (or Unsure)... TEA PARTIER VIEWS OF ...
Sarah Palin 21%
Glenn Beck 34%
George W. Bush 15%
John McCain 27%
Ron Paul 56%

Does the US Need a Third Party?
Yes 40%
No 52%

PROGRAMS LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE WORTH IT?
All Tea Party
Yes 62%
No 33

PROGRAMS LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE WORTH IT?
(among Tea Party supporters who receive HH Medicare or Soc.)
Yes 72%
No 22%

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