By Sean Miller
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Democrats break 66-15 against the Tea Party and half say Tea Party support makes them less likely to vote for a candidate. And 55 of independents and 53 of Republicans say Tea Party support will not make any difference for a candidate. Voters in battleground House districts held by freshman Democrats approve of the Tea Party more than they disapprove of it but say it wont influence their choice on Election Day.
The Hill/ANGA 2010 Midterm Election Poll of 12 crucially competitive districts found a 45-34 favorable-unfavorable rating for the conservative grassroots movement.
So a Tea Party endorsement would motivate Dems to vote against a candidate slightly more than it prompts Republicans or independents to vote for one. And only 19 of independents said a Tea Party affiliation made them more likely to vote for a candidate.
The Tea Party swayed several primaries said pollster Mark Penn of Penn Schoen Berland which conducted the poll but Im not sure its going to have a strong
influence over the general election."
Men in the survey were much more likely to view the Tea Party favorably than women did with 51 of men giving it high marks while only 40 of women did.
More men than women also said a candidate with Tea Party backing was likely to get their vote but Tea Party affiliation doesnt seem to be a determining factor with men.
Only 26 said it persuaded them to support a candidate while 25 of women said Tea Party backing made them less likely to support a candidate.
The Tea Party movement is made up of small local groups that have coalesced around broad policy principles such as limited government decreased federal spending and lower taxes. Each group has its own rules for endorsing candidates or working on their behalf.
Tea Party groups helped several Republican Senate candidates clinch their partys nomination this cycle but were less successful tipping House primaries. Alabama Republican Martha Roby who had the national partys backing was forced into a runoff against Tea Party-supported Rick Barber but she nevertheless emerged with the GOP nomination to face Rep. Bobby Bright (D).
The Hills poll did find some races where the Tea Party could help Republican challengers over the finish line in Arizonas 1st District for example where Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D) trails dentist Paul Gosar (R) by seven points.
Almost 60 of likely voters in the district said they have a favorable view of the Tea Party while 56 of Republicans and 31 of independents said they would be more likely to support a Tea Party-backed candidate.
Gosar is a favorite of the Tea Party and got the backing of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin during the
Republican primary. Gosar leads Kirkpatrick 2-to-1 among likely male voters. He also leads Kirkpatrick 43 to 37 among independents.
In Illinoiss 11th District 52 of voters gave the Tea Party high marks. And 56 of independents thought highly of the conservative grassroots movement.
Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.) badly trails her GOP opponent Adam Kinzinger getting 31 to his 49. In this historically Republican district Kinzinger has played up his ties to the Tea Party.
Elsewhere however the groups influence is more limited and could be a drawback.
In Virginias 2nd District where Rep. Glenn Nye (D) is battling for reelection 44 percent of independent voters have an unfavorable opinion of the Tea Party. Moreover only 18 percent of independents said that having Tea Party support would make them more likely to vote for a candidate.
Over in Virginias 5th District where Rep. Tom Perriello (D) is virtually tied with Republican Robert Hurt the poll found the lowest support for the Tea Party with only 41 percent viewing it favorably. When asked how it will affect their vote more than a quarter of respondents said the groups support would make them less likely to vote for a candidate.
