An Examination of the Tea Party Movement

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The Tea Party has dominated political media coverage with their explicitly populist platform since 2009. The movement was initially shaped as a result of the anger felt toward President Barack Obama’s bailout of the banking industry. The Tea Party supports reducing government spending, lowering taxes and adhering to the original interpretation of the United States Constitution. While not officially recognized as a national political party, Tea Partiers generally endorse Republican candidates and the platforms they hold.

The Tea Party movement conveys both a sense of impassioned energy and a bitterness toward the status quo. Feeling that no one in Washington is concerned with the well-being of the average American, the party has hosted numerous rallies and grassroots efforts to muster support for their cause. Early Tea Party events were commonly held in response to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the health care reform bill.

The Tea Party has proven itself a force to be reckoned with in several Illinois elections. Localizing the matter, Chicago party efforts have experienced both victory and criticism. Most, if not all, Chicago Tea Partiers are fed up and looking for a fresh approach in Springfield and Washington alike.

Steve Stevlic, coordinator for the Tea Party Patriots in Chicago, claims to be a health care professional by day and part of an angry mob by night. While he has not earned a single penny for his position, he notes that the most rewarding job he has ever done is holding politicians accountable for their actions.

“We want elected officials to know your face, and we want them to be afraid of the questions you’re going to ask when you show up to their meetings,” said Stevlic.

The desire for accountability seems to be a common thread among Tea Partiers. John Garrido, an active duty Chicago police officer, attorney and candidate for alderman in the 45^th Ward, blames corrupt career politicians for many of the issues plaguing the state.

“I am fed up with machine politicians. I am fed up with being treated like an ATM. I am fed up with these ridiculously high taxes for poor services,” said Garrido.

Former White House correspondent and Columbia College Chicago political journalism instructor Nancy Traver harbors a more liberal opinion toward the Tea Party and its sustainability in Illinois.

“If you look at any of the maps that showed the state midterms election outcome, Chicago and surrounding suburbs are solidly blue. Since the bulk of the voting population is in Chicago, the Tea Party does not have a big role in state politics,” said Traver.

Branded as extremists, crazies and “tea baggers,” many individuals affiliated with the party believe the movement would stand a better chance if deemed something else. The heavily rooted negative connotations that accompany the Tea Party has undeniably affected its progress.

“In order to go in and actually win races, we’re going to have to run candidates who appeal to all voters. It has to be more of an independent thing,” said Garrido.

Tonia Members, wife of 17th Ward aldermanic candidate Antoine Members, supports her husband in his campaign. A recent Gallup poll shows that Tea Party supporters are typically educated, wealthy, conservative Caucasian males. A poised and intellectual African-American woman, Members breaks the stereotypical box many critics try to put party members in. Her mission is simple and clear: break down the racial barriers and defer any sort of negative party branding along the way.

“The Democratic Party has no problem talking about race and they have no problem with talking about gender,” Members said. “Unfortunately, we are the ones not doing anything. We need to have that conversation because we’re looked upon as being a group of rich, white men.”

Members added most African-Americans “believe Tea Partiers are a racist group of people who want to take back their country … they’re told the Democratic Party is the party that they have to vote for.”

Traver says Tea Partiers are “overwhelmingly white, male, conservative and wealthy. These people do not want to see their money going to programs they don’t support. They are basically wealthy people working to safeguard their own upper incomes. None of them objected when Bush cut taxes and started two very expensive wars, which pushed up the deficit. But when Obama tries to pass programs to help the working class, the wealthy cry foul.”

Founder of For the Good of Illinois and former primary candidate for Illinois Governor Adam Andrzejewski supports the Tea Party and its mission to return to constitutional government.

“Our message is seeping into the mean through the media via the conversations at home. I think that the Tea Party movement is going to prove itself to be the most significant movement in the last 150 years politically in the United States,” said Andrzejewski. “Tea Party candidates embrace the energy and motivation of this great nation.”

Regardless of personal politics, one thing is clear: The Tea Party movement and its loyal supporters don’t plan on laying down and rolling over anytime soon.

“The Tea Party was once dismissed as a fringe movement, but I think the midterm election results belied that prediction,” said Traver.