He does know it's the republicans doesn't he? Do you know how hard it is embarrass them? That's right, it can't be done!

they just don't care!

They had just lied us into a WAR and crashed the economy. The old saw, "patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel" fits with the revolutionary garb and the anger. They roped in a LOT of low information types who were appalled when they realized there was a black man in THEIR White House. The battle cry was "We want our country back" which had ZERO to do with protesting health care. On the "Taxed Enough Already" that was all about the myth that the only reason people pay taxes is so OTHER PEOPLE (guess what color?) don't have to work.

Republicans have a long track record of rallying fanatics to their cause. Look at the Taliban.

Doesn't matter. The Beltway loves the STORY that the Tea Party is a valid, grass roots movement that sprung up as a result of a conservative backlash because the Republican Party had grown far too Liberal.