Jeff Nolan

"This traditional view is becoming less true, in part because of the large megaphone that the Internet allows. Attention can get raised on issues that normally stay behind the scenes, and those politicians responsive to public opinion will shift their view. The problem is that this power relationship only works when the politicians listen to their grassroots. And in general terms, that describes the Republican relationship to the Tea Party, not the Democratic relationship to their grassroots. The Tea Party has struck fear into their party; the progressive movement inspires laughter. And that’s why you saw the movement you saw yesterday."