The Boys Next Door

The first substantive data showing us what demographic makes up the Tea Bagger movement is out and it's not surprising.

80% are white (with 8% not responding to the question)
60% are male
40% are college graduates
Over a third make $75,000 or more
50% live in rural areas
77% label themselves conservative
96% are Republican-Independent
87% say they will vote Republican for U.S. House

This data is not terribly surprising at all. It fits squarely with the people I know who are aligned with the fringe group. Actually of the 5 close friends I have that have either attended a Tea Bagger protest or sympathize with them 100% are college educated, middle class, come from a rural area, consider themselves conservative and will vote Republican next time just like they always have.

I do have to disagree with TPM's analysis of the data. It seems they are shocked that tea baggers went to college and have jobs. Even calling them "rich." But then again, most of Josh Marshall's staff are Ivy Leagues and are probably amazed that anyone but them exist in the first place. If you are shocked by this data then you really have no grasp whatsoever of what the group really is.