In times of great economic uncertainty, populist sentiment and calls for change always percolate in equal measure to the degree of anxiety. Given the difficult times we are facing, the mood is especially critical. In early 2009 with the Republican Party reeling from the elections, the Tea Party movement began to take shape. Defined more by what they oppose than what they actually stand for, the movement is comprised of various politically savvy insiders, libertarians and fringe groups that are tapping into this populist sentiment. They are predominately white, older, educated and very conservative. However, this is a new type of conservatism, born out of the Reagan ‘80’s, an era that gave rise to the Federalists Society and a new breed of fundamentalist perspective: the strict constructionist. Less government, lower taxes, fiscal responsibility, pro military, no governmental regulation, a literal interpretation to the Constitution.

On the ground level, this is a seemingly populist movement. But in the upper ranks, which is really what is driving this bus, are savvy political insiders who are building both a strong power base and great wealth. There is no one Tea Party group that is really in control. Instead, you will find a host of well-financed organizations all vying for control of the Tea Party message. This is where things are getting messy. Because there are competing issues – some are solely about economic conservatism, some are trying to bring in social issues – and a lot of money and power at stake, there is a power struggle to see who will come out of top.

In April of this year, I spent three weeks with one of these groups – The Tea Party Express – on a 7,000 mile journey across the country to see what they were about and who was showing up at the rallies. This edit is the beginning of a project to look at right wing fundamentalists groups in America and how they will seek to control the political dialogue.

To license these images, visit the LUCEO Image Archive.

In times of great economic uncertainty, populist sentiment and calls for change always percolate in equal measure to the degree of anxiety. Given the difficult times we are facing, the mood is especially critical. In early 2009 with the Republican Party reeling from the elections, the Tea Party movement began to take shape. Defined ...