One of the perceptions the Tea Party movement has to face includes accusations that the group is a collection of a bunch of racists. Tea Party supporters deny that accusation.

According to all the surveys, Tea Party supporters are predominately older, white and men. But about a quarter of those surveyed are Hispanic, Asian-American or African American.

“I keep my distance because they are angry, white Republicans and many of them are racists,” Democratic Party activist and blogger John Cobarruvias said. “That’s all they are. I have very little respect for them.”

Clear Lake Tea Party Chairman James Bentley counters that he and others in the movement have tried to reach out to minorities and he stresses that the movement is about principles, not race.

“When it comes down to it, if you ask questions you will find we are not much different on the issues,” Bentley said. “It’s about education and getting a better understanding of what’s happening out there.”

Links

Clear Lake Tea Party

John Cobarruvias' Bay Area Houston blog

Gallup Poll on the makeup of the Tea Party supporters

CBS/New York Times Tea Party poll