There are no words to describe the disappointment and resolve of tea party activists who learned yesterday that Scott Brown had betrayed their movement.
I will be revising this column throughout the day, since the shockwave of what transpired yesterday in Washington, D.C. will ripple across the country and the Internet and the tea parties and well-meaning Republican, conservative and independent leaders nationwide.
For those on the grass-roots level, this is a dark day.
There are an estimated 16 million tea party activists.
That's a lot of people for Scott Brown to disregard.
There are several million more volunteers from all political and non-political corners of the country.
For those who worked so hard to elect Scott, it's a betrayal.
How many made calls for Scott Brown?
For those who were so happy the night he won, no poll can capture how they might feel today.
It's impossible to calculate the damage to the Republican Party.
It's too late to safeguard all candidates from the backlash.
Mad as hell and not going to take it anymore?
The ensuing protests will consume any lawmakers who don't heed the participatory movement growing nationwide.
It isn't reactionary, as that actor in Sacramento copped out. It's built on common sense, a page from Thomas Paine rather than Robespierre.
If we didn't have anarchy before, the United States will have something close to anarchy now. No ... not "lock and load" -- but something along the lines of a fierce determination to vote ALL the bums out come November 2nd.
Yes ... please vote all the bums out.
ALL ... both major parties ... all incumbents. Vote them all out.
It hurts more than anything else. There are no more icons or heroes on pedestals anymore in America (at least not anyone running for elected office). The trust and comfort level for Americans is damaged irreparably by Scott Brown choosing to be political expedient. It's "perfectly normal" for D.C. but not outside the Beltway. It's especially not normal for those new to the process.
Tea party activists don't want to look at an incumbent right now.
They probably don't want to look at any candidate either.
If there was any doubt that the tea party movement would avoid endorsing candidates this November, the sellouts in Congress who walked all over their principles yesterday have made it MUCH worse for their contemporaries. Whether you're running for the U.S. Senate or the House of Representatives, don't expect much help right away.
The wounds may heal. I personally doubt it. As a political consultant, I will advise candidates to step lightly. As a partisan, I expect to hear their frustration and distrust. If you're a candidate, be ready to be chased out of rooms.
How dramatic a reversal of fortune could this be for the Republican Party?
With more budget "reconciliation" right around the corner and coming right at them, Republicans better not blink.
It's probably too late already.
See you in November.
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