1/3 Of Blacks Back Tea-Party Movement

A new poll released this week soundly contradicts critics' claims that the tea-party movement is "fringe," "white" and "racist."

PJTV's Tea Party Tracking Poll has monitored nationwide sentiments toward the tea party on a weekly basis since Aug. 2. The poll's most recent reports reveal the following results:

* The number of people who identify as "members" of the tea party has more than tripled over the last month alone, up to 21 percent of likely voters;

* Fifty-five percent of those surveyed said they support the tea parties based on the movement's positions on the issues;

* Among the likely voters who are black, 32 percent said they would vote for a candidate backed by the tea parties.

The last statistic caught the attention of PJTV.

"Questions of racism within the tea party have been raised for months now," said PJTV's Polling Director Vik Rubenfeld in a statement. "Our survey found that more than one in three African-Americans support the movement. Moreover, the data revealed that 32 percent are also likely to vote for a congressional candidate whom the tea party supports."

Joe Hicks, PJTV host and former executive director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said the poll "shows that, for many black voters, race no longer serves as a rationale for supporting policies that undermine their economic interests."

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