About a year ago there was a thread about whether the TEA party was doomed due to lack of "leadership". FReeper ThePatriotsFlag put it best:
Something special is happening with the Tea Party Movement of today. Of course people will try to gain control of it because it is a very powerful source of energy. But the concern that it is “not controlled” and therefore “doomed” is unfounded. It needs not be nor should it be confined ... to a leader, to an organization or to a specific plan. Such activity would nullify the greatness of what it has become to date and could grow to in the future. One needn’t worry ... one only need to join the energy, shun people who attempt its control and allow plans to be spur of the moment. With a leader, there is a target, with an organization, a counter-organization, with a plan, a thwarting of the plan. But as pure ENERGY ... nothing can stop it. Think of it is energy ... join it, and be a part of this historical change-making effort.
So long as we stay away from asll these self proclaimed "leaders" of the movement it will continue.
I believe that the Tea Party began in 1997 or was it 96, when Jim Robinson said, “I’m not taking anymore” and started Free Republic. As long as there is a Free Republic there will be a Tea Party.