Last week, Time Magazine ran a three page article with the eerily prescient subtitle: "Angry rebels have upended Establishment Republicans in Kentucky, Nevada, Alaska, and Utah this year. Is Mike Castle next?"  On Tuesday, Mike Castle – the former governor and current Congressman from Delaware – lost to an unknown challenger named Christine O’Donnell. All across the country, the Tea Party movement has toppled establishment Republican candidates. This week’s Time Magazine cover depicts an elephant ostensibly trapped in a white teacup. "It's Tea Party Time," reads the main headline. The Tea Party movement is fascinating for any student of politics. But for progressives, the movement is especially important.

First, the Tea Party's success illustrates the power of grassroots support. Having the official support of the establishment is important when it comes to low visibility elections, where most of the electorate is apathetic. In highly publicized elections, however, the political establishment has far less influence. Voters are better informed and organic movements have tremendous potential (see Obama’s presidential campaign). What does this mean for progressives? It means we should emphasize -- not downplay -- our compelling narrative of inclusion and equality.  We can get serious mileage out of organizing on a grassroots level. The Tea Party – while wrong on many issues – can serve as a model for converting ideology into votes.

Second, progressives should take full advantage of the lack of unity within the Republican Party. Experts are beginning to predict the possibility of Democratic successes at the polls. But we must avoid complacency. Progressives must to work with the Democratic Party to create a unified message to voters. Now is not the time to laugh at the Republican Party's misfortune; we must work harder than ever to present a coherent alternative philosophy.