Tea Party

Republican Leaders Grab The Tea Party With Both Hands

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 11, 2010, 8:46AM

Kristi Noem (R)

The Republican establishment in the House is offering up a big old bear hug to the incoming class of tea party freshmen.

No matter where you go these days, you'll find establishment types on the Hill praising their tea party brethren. There's a good reason for that: if you believe the tea party rhetoric, Republicans have more to fear from the tea party than the Democrats ever did.

Though it was Democrats who the tea party successfully helped remove from power in the House, the GOP may have reason to worry, too. As longtime Republican insider Mike Castle -- among others -- learned over the summer, tea party-style change can be painful for establishment types.

So the House has set off to open the door to the tea party through praise and even a seat at the leadership table.

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