Tea Party gripes: GOP leaders we’re trying to unseat ‘playing hardball’ by fighting back

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/10/tea-party-gripes-gop-leaders-were-trying-to-unseat-playing-hardball-by-fighting-back/



Tea Party gripes: GOP leaders we’re trying to unseat ‘playing hardball’ by fighting back
By David Ferguson
Monday, February 10, 2014 10:04 EST

Republicans in Congress are attempting to eliminate far-right pressure groups and purge the party of its more extreme Tea Party elements. The New York Times reported that FreedomWorks director Matt Kibbe complained of Republican Party stalwarts who are threatening to freeze out donors who give money to Tea Party groups.

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Sadly for many on the right, the dark money groups failed to have much of an impact in the 2012 election, squandering hundreds of millions of dollars on ultra-conservative candidates who frightened off voters with their retrogressive views on social justice issues, women’s rights, and minority voting.

FreedomWorks in particular has come in for criticism of its lavish spending habits. The group’s top brass treated themselves to deluxe Las Vegas weekends and installed an in-house craft beer bar at the company’s offices, all on donor money.

One year after the 2012 election, the group has found itself deeply in debt, torn by internecine squabbling, and floundering politically as the Tea Party’s influence wanes.