Originally Posted by
Wei Wu Wei
That is a problem, but the figures who appeal most to the Tea Party base (michelle bachman, sarah palin, Trump, rand paul) usually don't poll well with independents. independents are FAR more likely to vote for a centrist Obama than a Tea Party candidate. The republican base is also FAR more likely to vote for a moderate republican than they would for any democrat.
If I were a republican, I think running a moderate would make more sense. Lots of the republican base wasn't happy with McCain, but how many people here "held their nose" as they voted R, because they didn't want Obama in office?
basically I'm saying the republican base is more willing to go out and "hold their nose" while they vote republican than are independent voters who are terrified of the Sarah Palins and Michelle Bachmans
I think these tea party candidates will be better off fundraising and going on campaign trails giving their support to whoever the establishment republican is, after all, their job is still the same: elect republicans.