Who is credited with being a catalyst in the early formation of the Tea Party movement in the US via a televised statement in 2009?

Rick Santelli is an editor for the CNBC Business News network. He joined CNBC as an on-air editor on June 14, 1999, reporting primarily from the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade. He is credited with being a catalyst in the early formation of the Tea Party movement via a statement he made on February 19, 2009.

He drew attention for his remarks made on that day about the Homeowners Affordability and Stability Plan, which was announced on February 18. While broadcasting from the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Santelli was very critical of the government program and raised the possibility of a "Chicago Tea Party". The Tea Party remark was credited by some as launching the Tea Party movement.