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ARMEY RETREATS

Dick Armey Resigns from Tea Party Group

Freedom Works struggling with direction, claims of unethical conduct

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by Lisa Fine

Staff Writer t

Image: AP

Former Rep. Dick Armey has resigned as chairman of Freedom Works, the influential tea party group, in a move that reflects the post-election turmoil of the far right.

The group's leadership disagreed over the direction of the nonprofit group that helps organize and fund tea party efforts and events, the Washington Post reported. Armey wanted to work more alongside GOP leaders, while others at the group balked at the idea, the Post said.

But tensions went further than that. Armey accused the organization's CEO, Matt Kibbe, of unethical behavior. Armey felt it was wrong for Kibbe to profit personally from a book written with Freedom Works resources and that he should put the earnings back into the organization, the, Daily Caller reported.

Of course, this coming from a guy who, news reports say, accepted an $8 million payout from the organization to leave.

Via Politico, Mother Jones, Washington Post, Daily Caller
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Comments (view in Forum)

  • PoliticalSpice
    !
    Well only political junkies that would visit a site like this. But this type of thing is symtoatic of what is going on right now, how repubs are divided over which path forward to take, and in the sense that so far the divide has been between traditional repubs like bhoner and the tea party congress reps, that this is between actual tea party pols is a signifigant indication of the emerging differances being faced by them in deciding what direction to take forward. Me and you differ politically, but still I would think you want to know how this is playing out amount those who are leading the movement you support. Have you been reading any of the debate on redstate?
  • PoliticalSpice
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    That is something. Army, who was thrown out of congress for unethical conduct, accusing Kibbe of unethical conduct. Takes one to know one. Bitter tea...
  • Capt_Morgan02
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    After four more years like the last four, I would say common sense has got to kick in. Fiscal conservatism will make a comeback. The Republicans are compromising themselves into irrelevance.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    If the focus had been merely on fiscal conservatism the election might have turned out differently. Problem for those on your side of the political spectrum is the social conserves scare people away. The debate ceases to be about spending and goes onto crazy stuff loke whether or not the rape is legitimate. I have an uncle voted gor reagan and we were debating it, and he told me "well i don't agree with him on thosr social issues, but i am concerned about govt spending" before that he had voted dem for about 30 years. That doesn't happen today cause the social conserve rethoric scares people like him away before he can hear the econoc argument. Works well for me, but for your political perspective this stuff is killing you guys in elections...
  • Capt_Morgan02
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    @PoliticalSpice I can't argue with you on that. If they can stay focused on the money and stick with a libertarian message of freedom to live how you want to live then they will be fine. What kills me is that now republicans are doing the opposite. They are caving in to the fiscal stuff and holding out on the social issues. They are over.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    @Capt_Morgan02
    Well as I tell my uncle who shares your veiws, I wish repubs were over, but politics don't work that way. There is always another chance, people have very short political memories. But boy are you right on the social stuff. Do you read redstate? That is exactly what some are saying. Bottom line, there is a tremendous amount of disagreement, legitimate debate that closely divides on issues of tax, fiscal policy and libertarian values. If tge repubs stuck to them and stopped distracting people with bedroom politics it would be a lot harder for dems.

  • View all 7 replies >

  • Locutus
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    I wish I would have 8 million given to me when I got fired. Another Dick to help us protect ourselves from the boogie man.
  • MRMacrum
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    Contrary to the idea that the Tea Party is completely whacked, I believe they have within their ranks some sane and reasonable people. But do they have enough sane and reasonable members to overtake the fire breathing ideologues? That was my question when they first stormed onto the American political scene. After this recent election, I am not sure they can save themselves. If for no other reason than they cannot or will not give enough on their individual ideals in order to move their agenda as a whole forward. They seem determined to self destruct.
  • u
    momofthree
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    No, they won't recover power and the GOP will become more reasonable and moderate. The GOP believed the nation wanted extreme conservatism and many GOP leaders played along. I think the moderates are realizing that only a small number of individuals wanted an extreme GOP and now accept that the Tea Party has put them at risk of losing all power. It's all damage control from this point.
  • DerivePI
    !
    The guiding principle of the Tea party is to reduce Federal Government power. This further breaks down into three specific goals: 1. Reduce government spending, 2. Reduce government taxing, 3. Reduce government meddling (regulations, codes, restrictions). These goals are an anethema to any self aggrandizing politician and, effectively, in our current system, impossible to implement. However, pragmatism is worthless unless guided by an underlying ideology.
  • DARSB
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    It's looking like the Teapartistas have peaked. Speaker Boehner's housecleaning this week, removing ultra conservatives from important committees, is one clear sign, and the outcome of the fiscal cliff talks may be another. If the President gets a tax rate increase and/or a debt ceiling boost that will be a further indication of declining hard right influence in the GOP.
  • CanisCanemEdit
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    I think the TEA Party has had it's day. There was a time when they were poised for a rise in power, but that is over.

    Dick Armey was done back in 2010 when he claimed that Clinton and Gingrich were drinking buddies and that they exchanged details about their affairs over brandy and cigars.

    We need a Common Sense Third Party OF THE PEOPLE that embraces the best of both Dems and Repubs but eliminates life long politicians and deep pocket private agendas.
  • truthsayer
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    A third party in power whose only agenda is the citizens of the US and the elimination of life long politicians is the only hope to save and reestablish the Constitution and freedom in this country. A little common sense would go along way.
  • jessejaymes
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    I've been saying it for at least 20 years. This country is doomed because of the extremism of every segment of politics. I can be pro gun, anti abortion, pro English, Pro closing the border, pro balanced budget BUT if I'm in favor of socialized medicine then all of a sudden to the religious zealot right I'm a "liberal". Same thing goes for the looney tune left. Disagree with them on a single issue and all of a sudden you're a "right winger". This nation has lost the ability to compromise and look beyond one issue to build consensus on another. Our leaders are a reflection of us as people. And it don't look good.
  • lmpauls
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    I'm afraid that the "Devil", is in the details! It may be to late for our whole Country! It seems we now have a Country of takers, not producers! Until people start thinking of others, before themselves, our Country is doomed!
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