No doubt this is democracy at work, a quintessential part of America.
Will the latest political phenomenon become a society-changing movement influencing elections and beyond?
"We are people who understand something wrong is going on in this country, and we want to change it," says Dan Garner, a married 40-year-old sales representative from Carthage, Tenn., who is new to politics. Like so many others, he has had enough. "The core thing is a loss of individual liberty."
RelatedSarah Palin won't rule out 2012 White House runTea Party gets thumbs-up from Sarah PalinTea Party convention draws worldwide interest, scrutinyPalin: Tea Party movement is a call to action Tea Party convention stirs passion for politics, networkingHometown newspaper denied access to Tea Party conventionTN House Speaker sits out Tea PartyTea Party convention-goers ready to get down to workTea Party convention opens to more mediaTea Party convention raises questions about movement's futureRep. Jim Cooper sees hope on debt reduction despite Senate voteTwo key Tea Party speakers jump shipBachmann joins Blackburn in pulling out of Tea Party ConventionTea Party Convention in Nashville loses another sponsorIn epic upset, GOP's Brown wins Mass. Senate raceSarah Palin won't rule out 2012 White House runEnthusiastic Republicans crowd primary racesTea Party gets thumbs-up from Sarah PalinPalin: Tea Party movement is a call to actionTea Party convention draws worldwide interest, scrutinyTea Party convention stirs passion for politics, networkingTea Party convention opensRetirees, stay-at-home moms, small-business owners, corporate executives and everyone in between — many political neophytes who aren't hardcore ideologues — are using the latest technology to come together and vent their frustrations about their country and plot to install a new group in charge of the government.
They formed a loose network of grass-roots groups to speak out against President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress. They held their first National Tea Party Convention in Nashville over the weekend. And they're already having some impact on American politics.
The big unknown is whether their power is truly transformative.
What's more certain is, well, the uncertainty.
No one is quite sure what to make of this leaderless collection of people, born not even a year ago in communities from coast to coast.
But everyone seems to want a piece of it.
Republicans are trying to co-opt it. Democrats are trying to marginalize it. And people with personal aspirations — whether financial or political — are trying to take advantage of it.
"America is ready for another revolution, and you are a part of this," Sarah Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, told convention attendees Saturday. "You all have the courage to stand up and speak out."
Many Tea Party disciples view the former Alaska governor — also an author, a Fox News analyst and a potential 2012 presidential candidate — as their de facto leader. But she repeatedly dismissed that notion, saying: "The Tea Party movement is not a top-down operation. It's a ground-up call to action that is forcing both parties to change the way they're doing business, and that's beautiful."
(2 of 2)How to Repair Your Home Without Damaging Your WalletBill would let Mayor Karl Dean appoint housing agency director
