According to the latest multi-state survey by the UW’s Institute for the Study of Ethnicity, Race & Sexuality, there are significant differences in opinions between self-described conservatives who support the tea party movement and those who do not.

Lead researcher Christopher Parker said he was interested in looking at differences in response to recent columns by conservative writers who expressed concerns that tea partiers were outside the mainstream conservative movement.

“Our data suggests the concerns of George Will and other conservatives are well founded. (Former House Speaker Newt) Gingrich and (former Arkansas Gov. Mike) Huckabee’s attacks on the president, apparently …

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A new public opinion poll from Rasmussen Reports shows GOP challenger Dino Rossi in a tie with Democratic incumbent Patty Murray for the U.S. Senate seat. Both have support of 47 percent of likely voters in a head-to-head race, about the same as a poll one month ago.

That may be bad news for Murray, according to Rasmussen’s analysis.

Despite the closeness of her race against Rossi in a year that so far seems to be going the GOP’s way, Murray has the powers of incumbency at hand in a state that trends Democratic. Still, incumbents that fall

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A poll out this morning has some details about the attitudes of tea party supporters in Washington state.

Unsurprisingly, tea party backers are less likely to approve of Democratic leaders and their policies than other voters. They have far more support for Arizona’s immigration crackdown and far less for federal health care reform.

The Washington Poll also asked respondents about their views on race.The disparity between tea party supporters and the electorate as a whole is not as wide on those questions as some others. Neither group agreed with the observation, “If blacks would only try harder, they would …

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Member of tea parties, including a Pierce County contingent, and other anti-tax groups plan to descend on Olympia and Seattle Thursday for rallies. Of course, April 15 marks the day federal income taxes are due, but also comes on the heels of the state Legislature passing several tax increases.

A state Capitol rally starts at noon, while one in Westlake Park starts at 5:30 p.m. Read the press release below for more details.

April 13, 2010

Tea Party groups to protest in Seattle and Olympia on Tax Day

Olympia – Washington’s tea party groups and the Evergreen Freedom Foundation will come together to bring citizens “Tea for Two,” an all-day, two-part rally that will take place on both the State Capitol Campus and in downtown Seattle. The events are scheduled for Thursday, April 15, from noon to 3 p.m. on the North Capitol Steps in Olympia and then at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Seattle’s Westlake Park.

The event is hosted by Pierce County Tea Party, Seattle Sons and Daughters of Liberty, the Freedom Foundation, Tea Party Patriots, and South Sound Tea Party.

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Here’s how you could tell today’s pair of protests at the capitol apart.

WAR CHANT

Morning: “No more taxes!”

Afternoon: “Kids not cuts!”

PUNCHING BAG

Morning: The governor, whom a speaker called a liar. One sign said “Hi, I’m Chris and I Have a Spending Problem”

Afternoon: Tim Eyman, of whom Sen. Ed Murray said: “The American Revolution was about getting rid of a king. But somehow, Washington State ended up with King Tim.”

TYPICAL SIGN

Morning: “We are not your credit card”

Afternoon: “We are the safety net”

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As mentioned in a previous post, protesters braved the rain and took to the steps of the Capitol today for the “Sovereignty Winter Fest” event organized by “Tea Party” activists.

Here’s some video of sign-wielding protesters and speeches from two lawmakers.

BY BRAD SHANNON
And MAKS GOLDENSHTEYN

As many as 300 protesters stood in rain on the Capitol steps to hear speeches about state rights and what some consider the federal government’s abuse of power Thursday.

The “Sovereignty Winter Fest” event, spurred by “Tea Party” activists, drew a few speeches from Republican lawmakers as well as appearances by at least three hopefuls running for seats in Congress. State troopers estimated the crowd at 250-300 people.

“I believe we’re here today especially because Washington, D.C., isn’t just out of touch with the people, they’re actively working against us,” state Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, said, hoping to create a showdown with the president and Congress over what he thinks is overstepping.

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Reports coming in that the Tea Party Express was met with a packed house in Puyallup, with upwards of 5,000 people. I’m regretting that we didn’t cover it. Check out the video here.