Journalist and author Kate Zernike from Bob Edwards Weekend by Sirius XM Radio

Over the past year, the Tea Party has increased in both size and visibility, making it the wildcard in next month's mid term elections. Tea Party candidates have beaten establishment Republicans in a number of recent primaries, but how will those candidates do in November? KATE ZERNIKE is a New York Times reporter who has been covering the Tea Party and has written the first definitive account of what she says is a vastly misunderstood movement. Her book is titled "Boiling Mad: Inside Tea Party America."

Download the partial podcast of the Bob Edwards Weekend show here. We just finished reading a copy, and apparently, this whole movement's roots can be traced back to Keli Carender, "a half-Mexican math teacher with a nose piercing who enjoys doing improv theater on weekends." It's a matter of perfect timing, because then, "the rant happens." Read the NPR piece about it here, or download the All Things Considered podcast.