“Tea Party” is not just membership - it is also a mindset... Active Tea Party members may just be 2 million ... But the number who align their political leanings with the Tea Party mindset is enormous. I suggest that the Tea Party support base is 10 to 20 times 2 million and growing.
I agree with you. . . “The number of people who align their political leanings with the Tea Party mindset is enormous”. . . I attended a Tea Party and I would say that 50 or more of my friends wish they HAD attended. . . : )