The Tea Party: blowing steam in Denver

Older white men are more likely than anyone else to be "teabaggers," according to a poll conducted by CBS News and The New York Times. Surprisingly, this news has almost nothing to do with their scrotums.

The Tea Party is a conservative political movement that opposes Congress and the Obama admininstration on a number of issues. The name stems from the 1773 Boston Tea Party, in which American colonists destroyed a shipment of British tea to protest their lack of political representation in the colonies.

One of the movement's first plans involved sending tea bags to members of Congress who supported the bailout. Because of this and other similar events, the "teabaggers" nickname formed and stuck. Opponents were quick to capitalize on the double entendre and make jokes due to the sexual connotation of the nickname.

The first modern national Tea Party protest was held across several different cities on Feb. 27, 2009, just over a month after President Obama's inauguration.

"I've noticed that no one agrees on what the Tea Party actually is," wrote conservative journalist Michael Continetti. "The name is an umbrella that encompasses many groups."

The Tea Party Patriots web site features a mission statement that describes their core values as "Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets."

Meanwhile, TeaParty.org displays a list of "Non-negotiable core beliefs" including, "Illegal Aliens Are Here illegally [sic]," "Reduce Personal Income Taxes A Must," and "English As Core Language Is Required [sic]."

It is unclear how much of an impact the movement has had on everyday life up to this point.

"I don't really know much about it," said UCD biology student Luwam Teame. "I just know they're protesting things going on with the current administration."

"I heard of a story about a billboard they put up comparing Obama to Hitler," said CCD elementary education student Mark Hernandez. "It's a little out there, a little outrageous, but it's their beliefs."

The aforementioned billboard, paid for by the North Iowa Tea Party, was removed in July after stirring controversy.

Soon, the movement may have more political relevance.

In recent Republican primary elections throughout the country, several winners were either backed by or affiliated with the Tea Party, including in Colorado.

Ken Buck, the Weld County district attorney, won the Republican senate primary thanks in part to Tea Party support.

"I don't see myself as a Tea Party candidate," Buck said on ABC News' Top Line. "But clearly the Tea Party was instrumental in helping me with the primary and I think we agree on most issues. I absolutely want their support."

The ability of the Tea Party to have a more tangible impact on politics will only truly be seen after this fall's upcoming election.