At the peak of its popularity two years ago, the Tea Party enjoyed the support of nearly a quarter of American voters. But now the party’s popularity has plummeted.

According to a new Rasmussen Reports poll, only 8% of voters claim to be Tea Party members.

The movement’s high-point came just after the adoption of the federal healthcare reform law in April 2010, when its support was at 24% among voters.

When asked what they think of the Tea Party today, only 30% of respondents told Rasmussen that they think favorably of it.

Nearly half (49%) don’t look kindly on the movement.

The perception of Tea Party members in the U.S. House isn’t much better. Just before Speaker John Boehner came up for reelection to his leadership post, a small group of Tea Partiers plotted to overthrow him.

The attempt failed miserably.

Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ) told Bloomberg Businessweek that the plot amounted to “a ridiculous miscalculation on the part of a sincere, but completely inept” group of colleagues.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Just 8% Now Say They Are Tea Party Members (Rasmussen Reports)

John Boehner's Hapless Tea Party Opposition (by Joshua Green, Bloomberg Businessweek)

Will the Tea Party be sidelined in 2013? (by Juan Williams, Fox News)

Tea Party Caucus Members Took $1 Billion in Earmarks (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)