It's disingenuous of you to insist or imply that the Tea Party is invalidated because it didn't control the Republican party's nominating process in the last election.
It's a decentralized, grass roots, activist movement - not an organized political party. Yes, they have the power to affect the outcomes of elections by various means, but they don't have multi-millions of dollars at their disposal, massive influence in the halls of power, or members elected to government office.
The Tea Party may have enormous potential to affect the future direction of center-right politics in this country, but it's absurd to indict them for the failures of the Republican party, while that party is still firmly lodged in a position of power.
Perhaps the Tea Party will one day become a political party, but until it does, the Republican party owns the responsibility for its own stupidity, corruption, collusion with Democrats, and failures to support the kinds of candidates who honestly represent the center-right.
Second, to remind you, I mentioned that I had seen this decline for almost a year in attendance at various meetings which was also confirmed but TP leaders.
Third, I don't blame te TP for "not controlling the Republican Party," but then until it does or can, it isn't the force Levin makes it out to be. That is why I said if we are depending on a group that has declined in membership and not done particularly well in this year's election, then we are screwed. I don't take any satisfaction in that observation.