To me the best reason to have hope for the Tea Party is the certainty that Republicans will shed their newfound small government facade immediately upon regaining control of government. Sure, many or most TPers will go right along with it like they did with Bush. However, it seems to me that a large number of TPers are paying attention to politics for the first time in their lives. They’re simply too green to understand how insignificant the difference between the parties are, and are buying all the small-government rhetoric. They’re being set up to be betrayed, and once that happens, many will become angry again… and where else will they be able to turn besides libertarianism?
I’m not saying this describes a majority or even a large minority of TPers - just that these people are mostly political newbs and the jury is still out on how their views will be formed. Their idealism is setting them up for a severe jading once their newfound political heros fail to deliver. On the balance, it’s a good thing that more people are thinking about liberty. I know it’s possible for a Republican Neocon to see the light because I used to be one myself. For me it took the sting of betrayal to force me to rationally examine my own beliefs, and I have all the faith in the world that the Republicans, once back in power, will not fail to deliver that same sting to millions more who today support them.