It would seem too many are thinking "party" when they should be thinking "country". Today's tea party is a wonderful "grass roots' movement..from the people up. Many of the people in the forefront of the movement have made it clear what the aims of the movement is. Constitutional, conservative, traditional, small government, minimum taxes, minimum regulations and less govt interference.
They hold the best ideas of the libertarians and the best ideas of the Republicans..as they once were. The aim is simply to elect the candidate who more closely reflects these ideals. If an existing party offers such a candidate they will back him/her, if neither does the tea party will offer an alternative. That is exactly what happened in the 23rd district of NY, and they nearly took the seat. Hopefully, the Republicans have caught on by now.
This grass roots movement doesn't even have a proper name, other than the one given it by the media (Tea Party). there is no titular leader either.
By clearly enunciating what they will support, either major party can sponsor a candidate which reflects the movement's criteria, as listed above. If they can for instance, convince the Republicans (the more likely one) to come back to their roots and original values, an amalgamation of the two would not be out of the question..call it Tea Party, Republican Party or Constitution Party..is of little import, so long as the country and people are properly served (a rose by any other name....).
One attitude shown here by some is the placing of hopes on one man..creating a "super hero" or "ubermensch" such as was done in for Der fuehrer Germany or "IL duche" in Italy in the 30s. It has been repeated here in the US with Jim Jones in Jonestown and Kim Jung IL in N Korea.
While I am not comparing him to any of the forementioned, and he is likely a fine candidate and good man..Ron Paul seems to have provoked a small number of "cult followers" who seem to think the sun rises and sets upon this one person. They seem to think that among 300 million Americans, no other person could possibly qualify for the highest office.
As I said, obviously he is a fine man & candidate, but he doesn't feed the 5,000 with a couple rolls & fishes or walk on water yet..and such adulation bordering on worship, is a bit over the top. ....SELAH.... (that means pause... and think about it)