Wacko Birds: The Fall (and Rise) of the Tea Party

"Wacko Birds" tells the story of the Tea Party, the conservative movement that has become the backbone of political opposition in the Obama era. Loved by many, feared by many, the activists of the Tea Party and the political leaders they support have built a new constituency for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and constitutional restraint. In a few short years, they have restrained the growth of the federal government, pushed back against presidential abuses of power, and rolled back the clout of the public sector unions. They have succeeded despite unprecedented repression by the IRS and relentless demonization by the mainstream media. Yet the Tea Party has also failed in several important respects, especially in the quest for power. Ambivalent about governing, the movement has not yet taken charge of the Republican Party agenda, nor has it fulfilled many of its own policy goals. It has often proved adept at replacing Republican moderate incumbents, but less so in winning elections against Democrats. And at several critical moments, both the Tea Party and the “establishment” it often challenges have failed to find ways to work together toward achieving common goals or against common threats.The book tells the story of the Tea Party in two ways. First, it traces the broad history of the movement and its political battles, from the fight over Obamacare in 2009-10, to the debt ceiling negotiations of 2011, through the elections of 2012, the federal government shutdown of 2013, and the ongoing fight over immigration reform. Second, the book focuses on the roles played by particular political leaders and the issues with which they become most closely Michele Bachmann and leadership; Paul Ryan and the budget; Rand Paul and foreign policy; Ted Cruz and Obamacare; Marco Rubio and immigration; Scott Walker and public sector unions. The book also discusses troubled candidates who ran under the Tea Party banner, the exposure of the IRS scandal; the role of Gov. Sarah Palin; and the important role played by Andrew Breitbart and conservative new media in defending the Tea Party at several critical moments.Despite many setbacks, the Tea Party has persisted, and remains an important factor in our political system. Indeed, the success of the “Wacko Birds” remains crucial to the future of American democracy. Without the Tea Party, political opposition in the United States would be both weak and incoherent, and our republic would be in even greater danger than it finds itself at present. “Wacko Birds” provides a concise contemporary history of the Tea Party movement--as well as a criticism of its record so far, and a defense of its ongoing role in the “Joel Pollak writes a critical history of the Tea Party, in both opposition and government. This is a must-read for commonsense conservatives and patriots of all parties written by one of the intellectual voices behind this grassroots movement that has changed American politics forever.” - Sarah Palin, former vice presidential candidate "Objective political observers living through our current challenges understand and appreciate the historical importance of the Tea Party Movement. What Joel Pollak expertly does in his work is wisely demonstrate the imperative of the Movement's success for the future of individual liberty. Important reading for all who remain concern about our national plight.”- Rep. Tom Price (R-GA)