Tea Party projected to gain influence in Washington

Tea Party candidates are running for republican-leaning Congressional races. They are projected to do well running for Republican and Democratic positions. Nominees such as Rand Paul for senator in Kentucky and Dan Benishek for a retiring democrat house member. Though this party is small, the Tea Party could "exert outside influence" on Republicans to follow through on their promises to cut spending and taxes. This is an example of an elitist approach to agenda setting, where a small elite party obtains large influence. The Tea Party isn't nearly as big as the Republican Party, but they can still manipulate Republicans into focussing on issues like phasing out Medicare in favor of personal savings accounts.

Aria Greenberg

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/15/us/politics/15teaparty.html?ref=us