Not at all. I think that the Tea Party movement is developing very much analogously to the original Revolutionary War Patriot movement. Started at the grass-roots AND among some of the "intelligentsia" (who may not have been so recognized at the time, cf John and Sam Adams). The structure grew organically as it was needed.
I'd personally say that with the Tea Party, things are well into the "Committees of Correspondence" stage. Of course, things will develop FAR more quickly today, given the speed and ubiquitousness of today's communication channels.
On another thread, I made a connection to the "Great Awakenings" of the past. Most historians connect those only to religious movements, but I think there have also been political ones. The first and greatest political "Awakening" was the above Patriot movement, and it resulted in the Revolutionary War. The second was the anti-slavery movement (and Civil War). I think the "Tea Party" has a good shot at being of equal magnitude and consequence.
When it comes to fiscal responsibility, I think the Tea Party movement is sound. When it comes to other Conservative policies, I’m not so convinced.
When the Tea Party took a pass on McCain, but couldn’t come up with the stones to back Hayworth, it told me this may be a nice moment, but I have a serious concern it will blossom to something we’re going to find sound overall in the long run.
Them allowing Palin to claim he was a Tea-Party enthusiast without question, didn’t impress me at all.
I hear what you are saying, but I’m not as convinced as you are that this is a defining moment. If it is, I’m not as convinced as you are that the definition is what we wish it were.
This election was going to go well for Republicans no matter what. Obama being ripe for the ‘Carter effect’, Congress was bound to see reversals.
It remains to be seen what the Tea Party will result in.