Worse, while the Tea Party, at least in OH , organized early, it has not ever come to terms with how old (and, overall, white) it is. The age thing is massive because despite the commitment of our regular Tea Party faithful, the movement is seriously lacking in energy and vision. That is its challenge---to broaden the appeal of its principles, not change them. It won't be easy. And maybe the time isn't right.
It is just pure delusional fantasy to think that a majority in this country would elect a Tea Party style presidential candidate. The votes just are not there.
The Tea Party, at its height, was all about fiscal conservatism. This had the makings of a coalition of traditional conservatives, fiscal conservatives, and Paulites.
Somewhere along the way, social conservatism came in and the Tea Party coalition splintered.
The Dems have figured out how to live together with disparate interest groups and the GOP needs to do likewise.