I didn't say they were the same. But both organizations have been maligned by the left who perceived/preceives them as a threat.
The "Birchers" have been around a very long time. People think they know who they are, but are often mistaken. I worked a gun show years ago in a John Birch Society booth trying to prompt gunowners to take a more active part in the political process (vote). It's amazing how few would even talk to us. Some who did thought we were a "communist" organization! Amazing. It shows how effective the left has been in covering its true character and mischaracterizing the JBS who are anything but. It's an Americanist organizatino who purpose in principally educational in nature.
How many Birchers hold high office, what major place do they hold in politics, what legislation are they moving forward or reversing, where are they in the real world of government and politics?
The tea party is real and effective, it gets things done, it has high ranking politicians.