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Yes, it's the year of calling any public protest a "Tea Party," regardless of its issue, ideology or the actual lack of any tea at the event. Orlando held its anti-Obama wingathon first, drawing about 4,000 people whose only commonality seemed to be hatred for our current president. Then the Tea Party moved to Tampa, where it drew about 500 for an afternoon rally and maybe 1,000-2,000 for a nighttime protest. It was a flop.
By summer, the Tea Party movement had found a single issue to rally 'round: Health Care Reform. Of course, it shot itself in the foot after one anti-tax crusader, St. Petersburg neurosurgeon David McKalip, forwarded an e-mail criticizing "ObamaCare" and depicting the president as a New Guinea witch doctor. It was roundly denounced as racist and McKalip apologized and quit just about every public board he sits on.
This article appears in Jul 29 – Aug 4, 2009.