Michael Lind: The Tea Party -- "Newest Right" -- is not a populist movement

That is partially due to (in addition) the rise of identity politics and emphasis on wedge issues (such as guns, gay marriage, and abortion) by both the Democrats and Republicans.

Lind would agree.

Well, anything to distract middle class and lower class voters from the massive wealth transfer that both the Dems and Repubs are helping the One Percent manage.