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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Conservatives ♥ Tea Party

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. gets a hug from a supporter during a Tea Party "Continuing Revolution Rally" on Capitol Hill in Washington earlier today. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

As Democrats accuse Republican congressional leaders of being co-opted by the Tea Party in the federal budget negotiations, a new survey shows that half of all conservative voters ardently support the movement. The University of Washington poll suggests that the popularity of the Tea Party movement is wider than many political strategists have estimated. And it bolsters perceptions of Democrats and others that Tea Party supporters are as conservative about social and policy issues as they are about the Tea Party's fiscal principles/Corey Dade, NPR. More here.

Question: Do you now think that the Tea Party is here to stay -- and is refashioning the Republican Party into its image?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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