Another crucial thing the tea party did really well is to focus in on the folks who are more or less on your side, and make sure they are as bold as possible.

The bottom line is that every single member of Congress has to get voted into office every two or six years. That means they need to look really good in their home district and state. That means good local press. That means people in their district thinking, "Man, I really don't like Congress, but I like Senator Bob."

To the extent that we can shine a light on the bad things being done, that's going to have a positive impact.

I really do not think there is a serious split between Republicans and Democrats in Congress in how responsive they are to constituents.

The tea party had a lot of nasty tactics that were needlessly aggressive and petty and scary. But they proved it is indeed possible for a committed, relatively small number of folks across the country to make Congress listen to them and to slow and stop an agenda.

It is really crucial that folks focus on their own representatives. If you call or write a member who does not represent you, I can tell you that contact is going to be a waste of time. You might as well just talk to yourself in your living room.

You have to be local. You have to focus on your local members of Congress.