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What is a political tea party?

What do supporters of the Tea Party think about being referred to as "Tea Baggers"?

  • In the early days of the Tea Party movement, Tea Party supporters kept saying that they were going to "tea bag Obama." What is their opinion about being called Tea Baggers as a result of this?

  • Answer:

    The origin of the term seems to come from Griff Jenkins at Fox News, who told supporters to "Take a teabag, put it in an envelope and mail it to the White House," presumably with the intention of invoking the Boston Tea Party. Jenkins wasn't using "teabag" as a verb, but it seems to have been adopted that way quickly: one sign threatened to "tea bag the liberal dems before they tea bag you."  It's hard to imagine what that might mean in Jenkins' sense: were they imagining that the Democrats might make a mass mailing of packaged leaves? Liberals quickly leaped on their apparent unawareness of the sexual connotations.  "Tea bagging" is a dominant act; it's the one who is "teabagged" who is humiliated.  That seems to be the intent of that sign, in fact. Still, conservatives seemed to take umbrage at being associated with a sexual act, in particular one associated with homosexuality.  I've heard numerous Tea Party fans object to the term. Name-calling is never appropriate in politics, so I avoid "teabagger", regardless of the origin.  If I were to use it, it would be intended as an insult, and they would correctly hear it that way.  That's not constructive, so I avoid it.

Joshua Engel at Quora Visit the source

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I can tell you my parents used that term constantly and I kept procrastinating having the awkward conversation about it with them about its more vulgar connotation. A group in my hometown using the term Tea Party almost to the library closed. The group spokesperson wore a tricorner hat and had tea bags hanging from it. Members of the media should know better.

Marcia Peterson Buckie

Regardless of who originated it, I find the term "teabagger" in its most common form to be vulgar and inappropriate. But as with any ad hominem, you can always listen for it and take it as an indication of the quality and soundness of your opponent's positions.

Jared Rhoads

I really enjoy being called a "Teabagger" because of the dominate/submissive connotation.  I enjoy being called that because the name-caller does not understand that I perceive that they are the submissive partner seeking to be "Tea Bagged."  I do not see teabagging as a homosexual or heterosexual act at all. It is strictly an act of domination. And seeing as the TEA party movement has dominated the news and politics for more than two years I would have to say that the opposition are just becoming a bunch of whiny submissives.

Robert Jeffery

Bet they wish they were called tea bricks.  http://patriots.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/no-tea-bags-at-boston-harbor/

Keith R. Lavimodiere

I look at people that call tea party supporters"Tea Baggers" the same way I look at overweight people who gorge themselves at a restaurant, while sipping a diet soft drink.

Bruce Hubbell

I'm thrilled.  As someone who opposes statist policies, my position is going to be wildly mischaracterized, my intelligence questioned, my motives second-guessed whether I call myself a Tea Party member or Young Pioneer.  Name calling is as good an indication as any that I am annoying the people that need to be annoyed.

Anonymous

And seeing as the TEA party movement has dominated the news and politics for more than two years I would have to say that the opposition are just becoming a bunch of whiny submissives.Suggest Edits

Justin Puya

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