Should the Tea Party movement affiliate with a political party?

This is a poignant question that I saw in an online forum recently. They person asking the question focused on whether the Tea Party movement should meld into the Republican Party, form their own party or line up with a third party. I was dismayed at the responses because most of the people responding either said they should go with Republicans or wait and what and "choose between the best two candidates", meaning ostensibly the Republicans and Democrats who caused this train wreck in the first place.

My first thought...? How unenlightened these people are. They recognize that deep ruts that are sinking the United States but they are continuing to stay the course and try to change it by simply throwing the incumbents out. Isn't that thinking what got us the current administration, the very regime the Tea Party folks are looking to topple?

If the Tea Party movement remains unaffiliated then I personally believe that it will eventually lose steam and become inconsequential. Right now there isn't much behind the raw emotion that is driving them forward. They recognize the problems but are unguided on how to lead them. The Republican Party certainly sees this leadership gap and is making the most of it. The movement should indeed find a home in a political party that is nationwide and can get them on the ballot immediately because growing a political party organically would take a long, long time and lots of resources. It would definitely waste much of the momentum that is on their side.

Personally, I am biased. As a member of the Libertarian Party I think that this movement should go home to the LP. Remember, the guys who were doing the tea party thing even before Barack Obama was elected?

The Libertarians have national affiliates in every state and are on the ballot for federal candidates in almost every state. And we are allies with the germination, heart and soul of the Tea Party movement. Remember, the Republican Party is part of the problem here folks! They were a big part of creating the morass that we find ourselves in. If the Tea Party movement tries to roost with them they are going to find themselves constantly fighting for control of the party from within, especially from the hawks and religious right.

Other alternatives? The only other viable alternative to forming a new party would be the Constitution Party, who are on the ballot federally in most states. But while I like this party's stand on many issues, I think they are over the border of separation of church and state.

My vote would be to support Libertarian Party candidates where it makes sense. Let them win a few here and there and meld into them. They have done lots of the hard work in forming the party and getting on ballots. A Tea Party / Libertarian Party alliance would go a long way quickly.