The Hill News

A Democratic senator up for reelection in 2012 said he's not counting on the Tea Party movement to fade away by then.

Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) said he anticipates the Tea Party movement â€" a crowd of grassroots conservative activists â€" to be a long-term force in American politics.

"The Tea Party hasn't done me any favors, but I can understand the sense of anger of people who are in that movement," Webb said at the Washington Ideas Forum, organized by The Atlantic. "I think it's part of a long-term movement â€" a long-term force in this country."

The future of the Tea Party movement beyond the 2010 election cycle, in which it's had a pronounced impact, is a topic of speculation for members of both parties.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)! had called the movement "just unsustainable, because they can never come up with a coherent vision for governing the country." (Graham's since done extensive outreach to the Tea Party community, which has waged successful primary challenges against some GOP incumbents this year.)

Webb's up for reelection in 2012, and Republicans are optimistic about winning back the seat, especially in the wake of Gov. Bob McDonnell's (R) victory in 2009. Republicans' fortunes next cycle could be shaped in a big w! ay by the kind of candidate they nominate in Virginia, a more ! solidly battleground state.

Webb said he saw recent political movements as part of the ebb and flow in politics.

"There's a big bellwether culture in this country that moves from one party to the other," he said.