Sorta.
There have been those who believe in the power of a strong all-powerful central government forever. Mostly academics and elites who hold lifelong beliefs that, to paraphrase Orwell, “some animals were created more equal than others”. Namely, themselves.
I don’t see the Tea Party causing these people to retreat or change these strong views. However it can, and hopefully WILL, provide an example of a viable alternative for the vast majority of people - such as those that, in the absence of a good alternative, moved to the Obama side in the last election. (The hopey-changey crowd).
Only about 15% of Americans identify with the looney left. We’ll be fine even if we can’t flip any of them, as long as we get the independents and conservative-leaning Democrats.