The tea party may be in danger of losing one of its most powerful voices in Washington.The abrupt resignation of FreedomWorks Co-Chairman and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey last month was the culmination of a monthslong battle over the group’s advocacy strategy and its gradual shift away from Capitol Hill.As details of the internal squabble ricocheted through conservative circles this week, several prominent staffers headed for the exits amid accusations that FreedomWorks CEO Matt Kibbe was using the group’s resources to promote a book he wrote and profited from. Activists who had joined the organization when it first claimed the tea party mantel now are questioning its vision.With Armey at the helm, FreedomWorks played a key role in pressuring House conservatives to oppose Republican leaders and legitimizing the tea party brand.But now, as Congress confronts the fiscal cliff, the group’s remaining leaders are touting a record fundraising year, brainstorming another book and making preparations to send Kibbe on a 30-city speaking tour.
wait a minute, did the previous paragraph say this guy was allegedly skimming fund to sponsor his book, and they want to send him on a 30 day tour? what's he going to speak about how to rip an organization off and get a free 30 day tour
“It’s becoming more about building the email list, marketing Matt Kibbe and his book and raising money online — a nonprofit that wants to be in business to be business,” one source inside the organization said. “There’s a Cold War brewing here.”
The organization spent the past year building a massive fundraising network that delivered more than $40 million to campaigns in 2012, according to Brandon, almost double what it raised the year before. The group spent half of this year’s haul on advertisements targeting congressional candidates. The remainder, which was raised through a pair of nonprofits, was spent on rallies and, sources said, buying thousands of copies of Kibbe’s book to “manipulate the best-seller list.”
i've said before they don't care about character they just want a puppet, this guy ought to b arrested just on this article alone.
