Has the relationship between the Tea Party and the mainstream GOP changed?

It seems to me that it has. And it is not good for the Republican Party.

It may have begun with Mitch McConnel's primary race. He attacked his Tea Party opponent like no one before would dare.

Today, there is a Tea Party challenge to Thad Cochran in Mississippi. If Cochran wins, the Tea Party will not take it kindly. For the first time since its early days, we may see a fissure that cannot be easily repaired?

The GOP are shooting themselves in the foot and they don't yet realize it, in my opinion. A crack is developing between these two wings of the Republican Party. Unlike in the past, they will not unite as one before the next election. There is a rivalry developing and it should be interesting to see how it develops from today forward.