In other peoples eyes, he was of importance.
Maybe because he was important? I'm not saying history is infallible, but you don't get to become the figurehead of a massive social movement because you're just a good preacher.
I know what you mean, but I think that it's just some Tea Party members who may run on a basis of racism, and older religious principles.
I'd just like to point out that the Tea Party Movement is an economic political movement, not a social one. They have no official stance on any sociopolitical issues, including but not limited to race, loveual orientation, and marriage.