By Julia Terruso and Richard Khavkine/The Star-Ledger

CRANFORD — On a recent evening at a Cranford diner, a dozen members of the Union County Tea Party of New Jersey sat around a long table decorated with American flags, sipping coffee and discussing how to take back their country.

"We’re going to battle," said Vikki Jensen, founder of the group. "What’s happened these past four years; it’s scary."

Two years ago, Jensen’s discontent with the Obama administration and Congress led her to start a tea party organization in one of the most Democratic counties within a consistently blue state. Hers is a lonely vigil.

The tea party movement, a loose association of conservative, anti-tax groups nationwide — united by its opposition to the policies of the Obama administration — has left its mark on American politics. It has upset races around the country, hardened conservatives, and claims credit for a vice presidential candidate pick with Republican Mitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate.

But here in New Jersey, political experts say, the tea party seems more like a shadow play than a viable political movement. They point to two big factors: Jersey’s two mainstream parties are too deeply entrenched for the tea party to gain a strong following. They also were soundly beaten in their one serious state race two years ago. Tea party members say don’t count them out, they are in this for the long haul.

"I get the sense that they peaked in 2010 and really have been somewhat overwhelmed in the presidential election, with this being a blue state," said Brigid Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University. "There’s no evidence that the tea party in New Jersey has experienced any resurgency, or that they are coming out of the woodwork to support Romney."

The groups here have garnered some attention over the years, participating in Washington demonstrations against health care reform legislation and supporting conservative candidates for congress. Their biggest moment in the spotlight in New Jersey came during the 2010 race, when grassroots help from tea party supporters — known as "Anna’s Army" — propelled then-Highlands Mayor Anna Little to an upset primary victory in the 6th congressional district against the well-funded and GOP-backed candidate.

But her long-shot campaign against Democrat Frank Pallone saw little coattails from the national tea party movement, and Little fell far short in her bid to unseat the long-term incumbent.

Little is back in the race again this year for another shot against Pallone. However, despite the reboot in the 6th district, Rutgers political science professor Ross K. Baker said the movement has seen little visibility in the state and doubts it will play much of role in this election.

"New Jersey is not prime tea party country," said Baker, noting that much of the movement’s support came out of the Sun Belt states. "They’re certainly less conspicuous, but I believe they are highly motivated in the presidential election."

ON A MISSION

Tea party activists in New Jersey say their groups here vary in size and mission, but remain on the same page for November: elect Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

"We’re all different," Jensen said. "But we’re united in rage."

James Lefkowitz, leader of the Somerset County Tea Party, said his group, which began with 20 members, now claims hundreds, is attracting more interest from voters not affiliated with the nation’s major political parties.

"In 2010, we were the extremists," he said. "It’s not so today."

Lefkowitz said his group includes members who have learned how to run for elected office, wining seats on planning boards, school boards and town councils in communities such as Warren and Bridgewater.

According to Lefkowitz, his group has found success by sticking to a narrow range of issues – taxes and property rights — and supports Romney because of his financial philosophy — making calls from home and knocking on doors of independent voters.

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"We believe in capitalism," Lefkowitz said. "We believe it works and is important to the future of America."

Jeffrey Weingarten, president of Morristown Tea Party Org, said the selection of Ryan as Romney’s running mate has helped the movement. He claimed more people are calling to offer support.

"2010 was a building wave," he said of the tea party’s influence. "It didn’t just happen all at once but by the time of the November elections, our side was incredibly hopeful. This is the same sort of pattern."

Even nationally, though, political experts say there is little love by the tea party movement for Romney and less-than-enthusiastic support for the Republican candidate.

"The sense I get, nationally, is they are focused a lot of their energies on the congressional races," observed Harrison. "They are ideological purists and it’s hard for them to get past Romney and his past positions on health care."

Baker agreed. "Like so many others, their principal motivation is die-hard opposition to the Obama," he remarked.

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Related coverage:

• Poll: Obama leads Romney by 14 percentage points in N.J.

• N.J. tea party falls short with Anna Little's attempt to unseat Rep. Frank Pallone in 6th Dist.

• N.J. officials pay little attention to tea party candidates running in upcoming election