Is the Tea Party going broke?
Tea Party groups have run into a fund-raising wall, reports Politico. Will that limit their impact on American politics this fall?

The Tea Party movement's push to reshape American politics has hit a big obstacle — money. As cash-strapped Tea Party groups gear up to back fiscally conservative candidates in the midterm elections, reports Politico, they're finding that their anti-establishment supporters resist traditional fundraising methods, and that most big-money conservative donors prefer to give directly to the Republican Party. Will the Tea Party's financial problems limit its influence? (Watch an MSNBC discussion about Tea Party enthusiasm)
Yes, this movement isn't financially viable: The antics of the movement's protesters have made it toxic to the major donors who bankroll conservative politics, says Jamilah King at Color Lines magazine. The Tea Party's "core principles" may have staying power, but as a political force its days are numbered.
"Tea Party searches for dollars — and sense"
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The cash issue is manageable — for now: Even without an overflowing war chest, Tea Partiers could help push Democrats out of power in the midterms, says Ed Morrissey in Hot Air. But the future is "murky." If Tea Party groups want to "gather energy long enough to help make Barack Obama a one-term president" in 2012, they'll have to accept that fundraising, no matter how "distasteful" to their base, is a necessary part of American politics.
"Does the Tea Party have a money problem?"
The Republican party will — and should — absorb it: Grassroots movements aren't supposed to last forever, says David Weigel in The Washington Post. They're "like bees — they sting, then die." So the Tea Party will fulfill its destiny not by figuring out how to perpetuate itself, but by folding itself into a Republican Party that it has pushed to become "more devoted to supply-side, pro-war-on-terror, anti-spending principles."
"Five myths about the 'Tea Party'
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 of the best kid-friendly scary movies
The Week Recommends Hardcore horror is for grown-ups only, but light scares can be startling fun for the whole family
-
Warner Bros. explores sale amid Paramount bids
Speed Read The media giant, home to HBO and DC Studios, has received interest from multiple buying parties
-
Proposed Trump-Putin talks in Budapest on hold
Speed Read Trump apparently has no concrete plans to meet with Putin for Ukraine peace talks
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies
Speed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are US billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'