How the Tea Party can help American Democracy

With the conclusion of the 2010 midterm elections in America showing that the Tea Party is a very real movement, the question is how will they shape American politics. Widely viewed as a product of the Republican party, though self identifying as a nonpartisan small government movement, the Tea Party has gained key seats in both the upper and lower houses. Although I personally disagree with much of their views the way they expanded so quickly, utilizing Fox News among other outlets and general discontent, is commendable. I think that the Tea Party has an opportunity to strengthen American democracy over the next two years.
If the Tea Party wants to solidify their gains and attract people from both sides of the aisle they need to formally separate from the GOP. Forming a new party between now and the next presidential election would do more for Washington than the Democrats and Republicans could do combined. America is in desperate need of a new party. The two party system is no longer viable. Adding a strong third party, with members already elected to both the Senate and Congress which gives them a legitimacy that no other third party has, would revitalize American politics. With the backing of Fox News it is likely the Tea Party's presidential candidate would get a lot of press coverage and possibly even a podium at the debates.
With a third party in the mix it is not far fetched to believe that there would soon be a fourth or fifth party on the scene. A solid Green party who advocates for clean energy, universal health care and social justice would help America clean their tarnished image. With two parties on both the left and the right, the government and it's policies would naturally move to the centre.