Mike Lee looks for Tea Party strength in 2014

Speaking to the Washington Examiner this week, Utah Sen. Mike Lee said he plans to continue drawing conservative Tea Party politicians to Washington by supporting the underdog candidates during the 2014 election cycle:

"I got behind Ted Cruz early in the 2012 election cycle, and there are several others who I got behind in the 2012 election cycle, and I anticipate that I'll get behind some in the 2014 election cycle as well," Lee told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday.

Since Cruz joined Lee in Washington, the two have become quite a dynamic duo and have garnered support for representing conservatives disillusioned with the establishment GOP.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, center, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, walk to a closed-door meeting in the Old Senate Chamber. (Image: AP)

As for those moderate Republican "shysters" who have shunned the conservative wing of the GOP (ahem, Peter King), Lee believes more debate within the party may ultimately strengthen it:

"I welcome the debate on questions of policy and on questions of strategy and tactics, but ultimately what we need here is really more debate and not less," Lee said.

"And I also think it would be better for the party if people inside the party — especially elected officials within the party — would cease and desist from the personal attacks," he said.