The future of the Tea Party and/or other political establishments.

During the Q&A section after the panel discussion on the Tea Party yesterday, I asked what the panelists thought of the future of the Tea Party, whether it would turn out to be a fad, or if it would turn into a longer lasting political movement. To my surprise, the panelists seemed to agree that the Tea Party will be around for many years to come.

What do you think the Tea Party has in store? Considering the clout it has gained in the last couple of years, and that is has a general set of interests that will keep it animated for some time to come, as I believe several professors pointed out, what will it turn into? Will it become a standalone party? (which I doubt) Will it become a long-lived branch of politics like the 'neo-conservatives' of the right or the progressives of the left? The panelists noted that the tea party is by its very essence unorganized. Will they coalesce around a leader or leadership group if the Tea Party dynamic changes? Will they develop their own intellectual class like those in the standard Republican and Democrat parties? Do you see any other group sprouting up in a similar fashion in the next few years based on other views? What if we have a Republican in the White House two years from now? Will a leftist equivalent now form? Will the Tea Party be content if we have a President Perry? Please add any thoughts you have on these questions or the tea party subject on the whole, just keep it classy, as always.