Yes, it is.

Both.

First up, the grass roots part. You simply cannot deny with any credibility that this is a mass movement by ordinary, everyday citizens, mostly Republican to be sure but still ordinary folk tired of what they see as oppressive government.

And then on the professional side, you have Dick Armey’s FreedomWorks funding and organizing much of the marketing campaign, FoxNews making it a huge marketing campaign and official Republican Party operatives promoting the tea parties (see Jared Woodfill quote). And if that isn’t enough, just look at the speakers for the various events:

So, as much the organizers and others want to dismiss the talk about it being a Republican affair, they really can’t do that with any amount of credibility any more than the critics can say that there is no citizen involvement.