Dispirited Tea Party in Florida:

This is no surprise, considering how the Republican establishment has succeeded, or is about to succeed, in getting a Rockefeller Republican (Romney) to head the ticket this year.

CBS Evening News story:

In Florida, the Tea Party remains a powerful force. Monday's Quinnipiac University poll says 34 percent of Republican voters support it.

Tea partiers have helped elect a number of candidates in Florida, but CBS News correspondent Chip Reid found there is frustration in their ranks. (...)

Tea partiers seem to be split among the Republican candidates. Many are also dispirited by the absence of movement favorites like Michelle Bachmann and Herman Cain. [Alex] Berry [tea party coordinator for Boca Raton] plans to write in Ron Paul in November. Like many tea partiers, he would rather vote his conscience than win an election. (...)

"If Romney becomes the nominee, yes, I will vote for Romney, but I will not actively get out and bust my buns for him. I don't like him," [William] Benedict [co-founder of the Manatee County Tea Party] says.

posted by Quiddity at 1/30/2012 08:59:00 PM