Ambinder: How the Tea Party Hurts the GOP

Marc Ambinder points out that almost every time the GOP nominates a "Tea Party" candidate, that they are weakening their chances in the general election:

Indeed, a case can be made that, in the states and races where the Tea Party has been active, just the opposite has happened: the Republican candidate has been weakened, and the Democratic candidate has been strengthened.

In Kentucky, Tea Party avatar Rand Paul's strict construction libertarianism has suddenly made the Senate race competitive, according to the last polls.

In Florida, there are two explanations for Marco Rubio's rise: 1) He was his own guy, very popular already, was already capitalizing on discontent with Charlie Crist, was quietly being aided by Jeb Bush's fundraising network, and received an assist from the Tea Party movement at county conventions. 2) The Tea Party made Marco Rubio.  In either case, Charlie Crist bolted from the party, and Rubio has less of a chance to win the general election now than he did -- meaning that a Democrat or an independent who will caucus with the Democrats might be able to pick up a Republican held seat.

What's healthier for the GOP? Focused anti-Obama energy, or focused anti-GOP-establishment energy?

...

Running a TP candidate in Nevada has given Harry Reid a chance to actually keep his Senate seat. How does that help the GOP in any iteration of any theory?

Click here to read more.