Why is the Tea Party even allowed to caucus with the Republicans?

[AmBlue]

This is a serious question. The Tea Party is obviously intent on blowing up the Republican Party as we know it. So why are they not ousted and treated as an entirely separate third party so that the *real* Republicans don't get splattered with with blowback from all the TP shenanigans?

[russspeakeasy]

1. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[AmBlue]

4. So the TP people are the only segment of the Rs with $$$$$$$$$$$$$?????

How did the Rs get along so well for so many years before the TP came along?

[arcane1]

2. I wonder if the repubs originally thought the TP would reignite their "brand"

but didn't realize just how f-ing crazy they really were

Whatever the reason is, it's been fun to watch them eat each other. My recent visit to my all-republican family in the south was very interesting, and entertaining!

[AmBlue]

6. That seems logical.... that the Rs thought the TP would help reignite their party.

But when you find out your *colleagues* want to eat you alive, it seems there should be an effort to evict them from the party. Instead the old Rs allow the TP to retool their party and now they are all judged by the TP standard of conservatism-- which is nothing but batshit crazy-- and they are all worried sick that they will be primaried. I'm just puzzled why this is allowed.

[northoftheborder]

3. They were elected as Republicans. If they changed their party label to Independent or TeaParty,

perhaps they could be ejected from the Repub. caucus. I know the Independents in the House now caucus with the Democrats, and are counted with them. Is that optional? We've had so few third party people in the House or Senate, there's not much of a precedent. Someone know the rules on this? Bernie Sanders Is an Independent but is counted as a Democratic vote for determining the majority. I can't remember an Independent who caucused with the Republicans.

[brooklynite]

5. Take the Republican Caucus, subtract the Tea Party and the Democrats end up in the Majority

Any questions?

[AmBlue]

7. Now that's a good point.

But I think at this rate the D's will likely be the majority party by 2014 anyway because ALL of the Rs are going to be tarred and feathered with this shutdown and default.

[arcane1]

8. Ding! I do believe we have a winner!

[Warren Stupidity]

9. They are republicans, and they are the largest voting block in the republican caucus.

So who exactly is going to oust them? Did you watch the republican presidential primary clown car parade? It was batshit crazy clowns each trying to out batshit crazy the clowns next to him. That doofus Romney had to pretend to be just as batshit crazy as the rest of them or he couldn't win the batshit vote, which is the largest voting block in the republican demographic, just like it is in the house caucus.

[AmBlue]

12. I guess i didn't realize the TP made up a majority block of the Rs in the House.

They keep talking about the 20-30 freshmen Rs that are giving Boehner fits so I've been thinking the TP was a vocal, well-funded minority. So, then, what is the breakdown in the House I wonder? How many Tea Partiers vs. moderate Repubs? Anyone know?

And yes, I saw the R clown show. Very scary stuff. I cannot for the life of me fathom how anyone could justify voting for ANY of those bozos.

[Luminous Animal]

10. The Tea Party is not an official party in any state

The vast majority of so called Tea Party reps and members are registered Republicans.

[Generic Brad]

11. Agreed

The Tea Party is the Republican party. They are one and the same.