We all know politicians live by poll numbers, and this is one that they will definitely take to heart, or kiss their sorry asses good bye.

Republican voters remain strongly critical of how their party's representatives in Congress are performing and have a highly favorable opinion of the Tea Party movement that is pushing the GOP more to the political right.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 19% of Likely Republican Primary Voters believe Republicans in Congress have done a good job representing the party's values over the past several years.

Seventy-two percent (72%) say GOP members of Congress instead have lost touch with Republican Party members throughout the nation in recent years.
These findings have remained basically the same in surveys since November 2008.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of likely GOP primary voters hold a favorable opinion of the Tea Party movement, while only nine percent (9%) view the smaller government, lower taxes movement unfavorably.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/november_2010/most_gop_voters_critical_of_republicans_in_congress_like_tea_party

   Yes for now...but the key is the independents if they stay favorable to the GOP..

Quote from: zip on November 09, 2010, 10:09:02 AM
   Yes for now...but the key is the independents if they stay favorable to the GOP..

Based on the survey, they aren't so much loyal to the GOP, but rather the Tea party.

Republicans' feet will be held to the fire.

Quote from: Book_Worm on November 09, 2010, 10:51:27 AM
Republicans' feet will be held to the fire.

Or thrown in it!
One way or another, we will take the party back, or kill it!

Quote from: Solar on November 09, 2010, 11:07:09 AM
Or thrown in it!
One way or another, we will take the party back, or kill it!

After 2008, people expected the Tea Party to die. Instead it's grown in leaps and bounds. I think in 2012 we will see it grow even more. The Tea Party is not bias to any specific party, but deals with individuals who are conservative or not. The party contains people who are sick of government control and that includes a lot of Independents.

Quote from: Book_Worm on November 09, 2010, 01:49:58 PM
After 2008, people expected the Tea Party to die. Instead it's grown in leaps and bounds. I think in 2012 we will see it grow even more. The Tea Party is not bias to any specific party, but deals with individuals who are conservative or not. The party contains people who are sick of government control and that includes a lot of Independents.

You're right, it drew as much as 80% of the independent vote.
I wish I had kept the story link, but I'm sure someone will post it.