
In the latest example of RNC Chair Michael Steele attempting to tie his party to the Tea Party movement, Steele rhetorically out tea-partied a movement leader, Dick Armey, on a conference call the two shared this morning.
"I'm tired of this congress thumbing their nose and flipping the bird at the people of this country," Steele said during one of his many rants that sounded like it could have come from the podium at at tea party rally. He wielded the angry vehemence and promises to get revenge commonplace among tea partiers during the health care debate to set the stage for the GOP next year. "I intend to have my foot on the throat of the Democrats on this issue [health care reform]," Steele said.
For his part, Armey was the calmer one on the call, though welcomed Steele's passion and told reporters that he has a "clear sense" that Steele "wants to lead the party back to being the the champion" of the values tea partiers hold dear.
Armey called the GOP "quite capable of serving the cause of liberty." He said that he and Steele have had conversations about how they can work together on health care reform, though he pushed back on claims that he was the leader of conservative protest movement.
"I'm not audacious enough to say I'm leading the tea party movement," he said, calling himself one of many "grassroots activists" pushing the tea party movement forward. But as a former House Republican leader, Armey said he knew his former party could be the home for the tea party movement.
"I can say there's not a place I can turn except for the Republican Party," Armey said. He called for a return to the Reagan era when he says the GOP was focused on "liberty" and other tea party values.
It's not clear that Armey's supporters in the movement agree with him yet. Steele's GOP has reached out to the tea partiers, but TPMDC's conversations with the conservative protesters that have swarmed around Capitol Hill in the past few months as well as polling data suggest that the grassroots aren't ready to support the party many feel has betrayed them in the past.
ClosetLuddite
December 21, 2009 1:34 PM
By definition Armey can't be a "grass roots" leader. He's establishment from jump street. Like that matters.... After all, what's in a name anyway?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Rich in NJ
December 21, 2009 1:39 PM
Steele has to be one of the top ten stupid living Americans.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
geofu54
December 21, 2009 1:57 PM in reply to Rich in NJ
Yes, and top ten useless.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Rich in NJ
December 21, 2009 2:26 PM in reply to Rich in NJ
Actually, I'm right up there:
It should read stupidest
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
December 21, 2009 3:42 PM in reply to Rich in NJ
As long as they have Palin, he'll never be number one. Must be galling.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Rich in NJ
December 21, 2009 4:47 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
Good point. The list may need a golf-like handicapping system to give everyone a fair shot at #1.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
texscubarat
December 21, 2009 1:42 PM
"that sounded like it could have come from the podium at at tea party rally"
That's because he is really a tea partier in disguise...
"promises to get revenge"
Is he serious? Revenge, really!!! Wow, what a nutcase.
"I intend to have my foot on the throat of the Democrats on this issue [health care reform],"
And how exactly does he plan to do that. he has absolutely no power or clout. No self respecting Democrat cares what he has to say. What an embarrassment to the RNC.
I mean really, who does he think he is and why does he want to lead this "fight" over something that helps the American people. I know - dumb question!!!
Mikee, I hate to say this to you bud, but you really are a joke. And a pretty darn good one at that. Thanks for the laughs man...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
superking
December 21, 2009 1:50 PM
Armey is right, he isn't a "leader." His astroturf PAC just provided the impetus and organizational infrastructure for the movement to exist.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
superking
December 21, 2009 1:52 PM in reply to superking
...And their talking points.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
texscubarat
December 21, 2009 1:51 PM
And this just in - The AMA has endorsed the Senate bill. You know Mikee, you may be "getting tired" of the so called "Flipping the Bird" (although it's actually being flipped at you and you ilk), but long standing organizations (unlike the flash in the pan, fly by night tea partiers) AARP, AMA, and other highly respected organizations are endorsing this (as well as getting tired of your desperate, fear mongering, hate filled rhetoric).
Kind of makes you feel a bit lonely there, doesn't it Mikee???
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
twirling fartknocker
December 21, 2009 1:58 PM
they're trying to put the genie back in the bottle. that's rich
sorry for ya, fellas, it's too late now and the teabaggers you unleashed will have their feet on the throat of the GOP soon enough -- your party is doomed for division and disintegration as it heads for the history books with only a few southern school board electees
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Matt Jones
December 21, 2009 2:04 PM
Has Mr. Steele ever been asked by the press about the small but vocal wing of the teabaggers that protests with signs like, "Take back White America" and so on?
Yes, it's not *all* the teabaggers, but the racist sentiment is still there. Does he just try to ignore them?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Homefries
December 21, 2009 2:06 PM
Michael my friend, if you're tired of Congress "flipping the bird", why are you still a Republican?
Happy holidays to you too.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
nfbloch
December 21, 2009 2:09 PM
Mr. Steele has actually admitted that many of the teabaggers are afraid of him because he's a brother. Of course Steele is no brother. He's an Uncle Tom toady. The guy's a joke and so are the teabaggers. How much longer is the press going to bother reporting on these idiots.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Steaming Pile
December 21, 2009 3:38 PM in reply to nfbloch
I'd say he was a double-stuffed Oreo, but that would be racist. I would just say he's been trading on the fact that he's an African-American Republican since his days as Maryland Lt. Governor.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
thomas1
December 21, 2009 2:13 PM
If we check our history we will be remeinded that the D theme song, 'Happy Days Are Here Again', is not only because the D's were taking charge after the R's totally F'ed the country it was also because prohibition was going to be history.
Rethugs are the party of tea, D's are the party of beer.
With whom do you want to party?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
benintn
December 21, 2009 2:21 PM
Shocking... former House GOP leader Dick Armey says he likes the GOP.
Dear Jesus, this astroturfing is making me ill.
There has been absolutely no indication whatsoever that the GOP has changed one iota from 2003 or 2006 or 2008.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jbentley4
December 21, 2009 2:25 PM
I noticed that GOPers and tea people keep throwing around the word "liberty" as if it's some sort of sacred conservative ideal. Can anybody fill me in as to what they actually mean, or is it just something they think sounds good?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
wbgonne
December 21, 2009 2:43 PM in reply to jbentley4
I'll help. Liberty is just like freedom. When a TeaBagger demands liberty or freedom, he is insisting upon the right to continue getting gouged by the Oligarchists who run the country (and the Teabaggers).
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
warbaby
December 21, 2009 4:32 PM in reply to jbentley4
Liberty is a safe word like Christian, conservative or green balloons.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
acf_ma
December 21, 2009 5:28 PM in reply to jbentley4
I've noticed that the Republican party, and the tea partiers are one and the same. There is no Republican party beyond them.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
slb
December 21, 2009 5:30 PM in reply to jbentley4
Liberty to a tea bagger means that nobody can keep them from doing what they want, but the tea baggers themselves can keep anybody else from doing things the tea baggers take exception to (because it is their country, after all).
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Walter Mitty
December 21, 2009 2:26 PM
Steele is notorious for playing to his audience. He's rather disingenuous like that...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
stefsstuff
December 21, 2009 3:20 PM
Armey "I'm not audacious enough..." ROTFLMAO.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Steaming Pile
December 21, 2009 3:34 PM
This guy has been a joke since he was the Lt. Gov. of Maryland.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
sabatia
December 21, 2009 4:22 PM
Michael the Buffoon meets Dick, the corrupt manipulator of "The People", or at least the Teabaggers, for the worst of the corporate and wealthy interests. I'm beginning to think that this "winner" issue--health reform--for these selfish and self-righteous jerks may not be the political gold vein they hope it will be. And, sorry, I can't help but say it: These people and the rest of their crowd are self-serving scum.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jsdc007
December 21, 2009 4:22 PM
But you're clearly not tired of Americans flipping the bird at you and your ridiculous party.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jeffgee
December 21, 2009 5:15 PM
So?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
elle a
December 21, 2009 6:03 PM
liberty?? what kind of platform is liberty??
they just keep screaming about their freedoms....what in the world are they talking about??
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
breakspear
December 21, 2009 6:11 PM
Yes Michael go right ahead and keep your foot, with those expensive Ferragamo or the like shoes youre wearing, on the Democrats throats. Yeah thatll relate you to the teapartiers youre trying so hard to suck up to. youre so not even close to relating to them you silly token. a lot of them probably dont care for the 'likes' of you. youre just a means to an end. i mean cmon Michael even you have to know that in the back of your mind. youre a useful idiot. no more, and no less. thanks Lenin.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Peter Principle
December 21, 2009 6:16 PM
It would be great if the Dems could figure out some low-key and unobtrusive way to support and/or promote the more extreme Tea Party groups that are attacking the GOP as the party of sell outs -- like the Republicans quietly worked behind the scenes to help Nader and the Green Party in 2004.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Kittylc
December 22, 2009 12:04 AM in reply to Peter Principle
I dunno, they keep thinking we're scared of Palin....maybe we could use that.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Kuyleh
December 21, 2009 7:42 PM
Lead them, please...Off a cliff.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jsdc007
December 21, 2009 10:56 PM
The GOP is terrified that Tea Partiers will desert them for even crazier people. Erego, fake teapartier Republican Dick Armey to the rescue. Let the GOP be known as the teabagger party from now on. That should put off a lot of people and if nothing else, get lazy Democrats to the polls in 2010.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
31tudor
December 21, 2009 11:01 PM
It's official, Steele is a Dickhead, PERIOD!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
chitowner
December 21, 2009 11:59 PM
Repubs really picked a boob for chair this time. No shortage of unhinged socios in that party.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mardam
December 22, 2009 8:12 AM
This couldn't possibly end up chasing even more moderates into the Democratic Pary, could it?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?