Report Examines Tensions Between Establishment Right and Citizens

By Paul Soutar on October 21, 2010

Surface Tensions, a new report by the Sam Adams Alliance, indicates that there are strong areas of agreement between the traditional establishment right and those identifying with the Tea Party movement, but perspectives differ on how best to achieve their shared interests.

The report illustrates the gulf between everyday citizens who seek more political power and the established institutions and power structures of the right that are faced with change not of their making.

Surveys conducted for the report show sharp differences in evaluation of Tea Party competence, in the need to collaborate, in political strategies, candidate preference and the way to victory.

The full report is available here.

Both groups believe the Tea Party movement has had an overall positive effect on the political landscape. The report says 40.7 percent of those in the political establishment on the right identify themselves as Tea Partiers.

Only 47.8 percent of the establishment said their organization or employer is working with the Tea Parties, and even less, 41.8 percent, said it was “very important” that Tea Parties work with them. In fact, 43.2 percent of the Establishment said that the emergence of the Tea Party movement had not changed the direction or strategy of their organization.

Tea Partiers, when asked to rate how helpful various organizations are, on a seven-point scale, on average gave more than five points to American Majority, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and Freedomworks. The Republican Party averaged 2.08 points.

Susan Estes, the AFP Kansas field director for Sedgwick County and Western Kansas, has roots in both party establishment and grassroots activism. She’s held various Republican Party positions in Sedgwick County and the state and has also organized Tea Party rallies in Wichita.

Estes told Kansas Watchdog she sees most people in the Republican Party identifying themselves as Tea Partiers. “They’re just as fed up as the public is.”

Estes said she thinks the Tea Party movement has been good for Kansas conservatives. “Having a new excitement and new blood and people willing to get out and help, has been very, very helpful.”

She does see a difference between national and local energy on core Tea Party fiscal issues. “I’m quite surprised that the kind of anger that exists at the national level for out of control spending isn’t directed at the Kansas Senate.”

She’s not sure when or if that energy will be directed at the Kansas Senate. “At the very least, by them getting out and knocking on doors, they made the incumbents wake up and take notice. I think you may see some of the incumbents move toward the right. If they don’t deliver this legislative session, it’s all over.”

Estes said a lack of party engagement with Tea Party interests could lead to emergence of a strong third party.

The Sam Adams report also showed disagreement on establishment and citizenry picks for presidential candidates. Establishment top pick Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels ranked ninth in citizenry preference. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie got the top nod from the citizenry but fell to fourth place in establishment preference.
To understand the establishment perspective, researchers interviewed ninety-seven individuals in government affairs, government agencies, legislative offices, the media, think tanks, as well as other 501c3s and 501c4s and other related organizations.

Researchers also worked with 118 Tea Partiers to understand the perspective of those seeking change by working outside the established power structure or by working to penetrate the established structure.

______________________________