Report: Hate Groups Decline in U.S.

[pampango]

11. "Tea party figures have adopted views that previously only existed outside the political mainstream"

Despite a steady downward trend in the number of hate groups identified by the SPLC, there are still far more such organization than in the past. There were 602 hate groups in the U.S. in 2000, rising to 1,018 in 2011. In 2013, according to SPLC, there were 939 hate groups across the country.

The power of hate groups is largely rooted in their ability to exist as an alternative to mainstream political debate. In recent years, as local, state and national political figures affiliated with the tea party movement have adopted some views that previously only existed outside the mainstream political system, the far-right has struggled to rally support for its organizations. Various scandals within the hierarchies of some hate groups, as well as deaths and arrests of some leaders, have also hurt organizations’ ability to recruit and build their ranks.

If immigration reform becomes a reality in Congress this year, far-right groups could be re-energized, according to Potok.

“If comprehensive immigration reform moves forward in any serious way and there is not an extremely hot reaction from those within the political mainstream,” Potok said, “these groups will start to grow again.”

Certainly not a good thing that one factor in the decline of hate groups is the adoption by tea party leaders of some of their views thus stealing much of their thunder. Sad that part of one party's base has stolen the thunder of far-right hate groups.