Poll: Tea Party, GOP Not Really Into Each Other

The Tea Party movement continues to make its presence felt on Capitol Hill, but its influence over the American people is on the wane. A new Gallup poll shows support for the movement nearing an all-time low at 22%, compared to 27% who oppose the movement. Those who oppose the movement also feel more strongly about it than those who support it, the numbers show. But perhaps the more surprising finding is that the Tea Party and Republican Party aren't exactly synonymous.

Among Tea Party supporters, only 55% view the GOP favorably, compared to 43% who don't—which is a far cry from the 79% favorable rating that Republicans as a whole give the GOP. The ambivalence is mutual; only 38% of Republicans describe themselves as Tea Party supporters, with the majority of Republicans (55%) in the "no opinion" category. (More Tea Party stories.)