Two examples of how tea partiers aren't effective (big AP report, whoo)

All week, the tea parties line has been abuzz about the release of a new Associated Press article that was supposed to be a fair look at their movement. And, it's here.

Unlike other AP and mainstream media reports, it is generally fair to their side. But, because the tea partiers are what they are, they won't be able to see how it reveals yet again just how ineffective and generally worthless they are.

Out of the three people profiled, the only one who's having an impact is Eric Odom. I don't think what he does has a good impact; others no doubt disagree. However, at least he's doing something. The other two are basically just running around engaging in high-cost, low-gain activities like traveling to the "Woodstock of conservatism" in Searchlight, Nevada or handing out fliers. Both of them would seem to be smart enough to engage in low-cost, high-gain activities like working to discredit Beltway hacks. For just one example, with less effort, either of them could start a site dedicated to pointing out how ThinkProgress is frequently truth-challenged. Helping me discredit that site - or the Center for American Progress - would send a message to the Obama administration and would be a much more effective use of their time. Instead, because they're tea partiers, they want to do something without thinking things through first.