The Hill News

Tea Party Patriots co-founder Mark Meckler warned that the president's move to require insurance companies to eliminate co-pays on contraception would "invigorate the Tea Party" in 2012.

"One of the fundamental tenets of the Tea Party is constitutionally limited government, and really they're intruding on the Constitution in the most fundamental way, they're intruding on the right to religious freedom," Meckler said during an interview Monday on Fox News. "They think it's a big deal. I think it's a big deal."

Meckler said Tea Party activists were already hoping to exert their influence in the coming elections, and acknowledged issues like the recent contraceptive fight could draw supporters back into the movement.

"Every issue like this can invigorate the Tea Party," Meckler said.

"You're going to see a much bigger Tea Party wave in 2012 than you did in 2010," he predicted.

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