Frankly, I think all the various semi-official factions of the Tea Party movement (those with TP like names and some with different names) becoming more interested in fundraising than anything else.
There was a report done a year or so ago about all the TP-like organizations and what they took in, what their expenses and overhead was, salaries and percentage that actually went to TP worthy candidates. Overall their performance was pitiful and a very small percentage going to the candidates. I know the one here in my state is nothing more than a scam in my opinion.
The TP was touted as a spontaneous movement with no leadership. Indeed it was. Ripe for folks to simply declare themselves part of the movement and use the notoriety in the press for self-enrichment.
“Tea Party” like the term “conservative” when used by politicians is meaningless. It can mean anything along the spectrum from strict constitutionalist, to status quo establishment Republican.
They are terms that are simply claimed, not awarded by any entity. That’s part of the problem, but also part of the appeal of the movement.
The fundamental issue is that politicians are liars, and want to take your money and award it to themselves through their cronies.
This is true for the majority of the GOP and virtually all of the democrats.
Political parties are not the friend of liberty. They give cover to those who would take your property for themselves - the jackboot is either red or blue, but it’s on your neck either way.
It doesn’t have to be that way, but we don’t have adults leading either party, so that’s the way it is.