Coffee, Tea or Gridlock?

Posted Mar 12, 2010 by Laura Fiorilli

Updated Mar 12, 2010 at 03:06 PM

Something new is brewing in American politics - the Coffee Party.

This coalition is still defining itself, even as it gains followers on Facebook. CNN did a feature today, which will add some fuel to the fire. So far, it seems to attract people who want a counterpoint to the anti-government attitude of the conservative Tea Party.

Here’s the group’s mission statement:

The Coffee Party Movement gives voice to Americans who want to see cooperation in government. We recognize that the federal government is not the enemy of the people, but the expression of our collective will, and that we must participate in the democratic process in order to address the challenges that we face as Americans. As voters and grassroots volunteers, we will support leaders who work toward positive solutions, and hold accountable those who obstruct them.

We now have two large-scale political movements named after beverages. (Can it be long before one of them gets a corporate sponsor?) That alone shows that Americans, even those with a strong interest in politics and current events, are increasingly unlikely to sign on with their local Republicans or Democrats.

They don’t have to, of course. Thanks to the Internet, groups can form and realign as they see fit. But realigning the Washington status quo is a different game altogether.