The Tea Party was an intermediate element that primed us for Trump
That is true. Now, it is election of Paul Ryan that will drive more Conservatives to Trump.
The plan is to pass amnesty and fully fund it right up to the 2016 election. So, that Cruz and Carson will not be able to stop it because they are both strong Constitutional Conservatives.
Trump, on the other hand will be willing to act by executive order.
You are correct about this. The Tea Party served its purpose which was to educate and inform a large number of non-political people. But it is silly to argue that it has the vim or vitality it had four years ago. I speak at these meetings all the time and they have steadily shrunk.