Posted on 01/04/2014 3:30:05 AM PST by Pharmboy
WASHINGTON — In the year since he stepped down from Congress, Steven C. LaTourette, a Republican from Ohio, has emerged as one of the top generals in the establishment Republicans’ war against the Tea Party.
It is a role that has benefited the Main Street Partnership, a corporate-backed advocacy group he runs, and its effort to raise millions of dollars to protect centrist Republicans from Tea Party challengers. It has also helped draw clients to a separate lobbying office Mr. LaTourette and his wife have set up across the street from the Capitol.
But this blitz of activity has led to complaints from Mr. LaTourette’s political opponents that under the guise of defending the Republican Party from extremists, he is profiting from his continued presence in the Washington spotlight. In addition, Mr. LaTourette’s activities have raised questions about whether, in his dual roles, the former congressman violated the federal statute that prohibits lawmakers from lobbying on Capitol Hill for a year after leaving office.
Mr. LaTourette’s situation underscores a new reality as the fierce divisions in the Republican Party unleash tens of millions of dollars in corporate funds, campaign donations and advocacy efforts, creating potential windfalls for well-positioned strategists and former officeholders. It also illustrates how vague the rules are governing lobbying by former members of Congress.
Snip...
His work for the Main Street Partnership, he said, is focused solely on helping lawmakers who believe in the government’s ability to solve problems to fight back against extremist groups like the Club for Growth, which he has likened to a “cancer that has attached itself” to the Republican Party for its role in challenging incumbent Republicans with more conservative candidates.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Taxed Enough Already Constitionalism now equals Extremism.
The Founders are rolling over in their grave at how far these politicians have departed from the Constitution.
Well put.
Betcha there’s rat money behind this group, in some hidden way. Only rats would benefit from this, therefore I suspect they are holding the football for Charlie Repub yet again.
You’re correct. See #58 above.
Don’t believe what you read in the NYT. Disinformation.
Real stand up guy there.
Thx, and ‘64 was a VERY good year! But keep yer’ mouth shut about THAT! (Age and all, you know.) %;)
Better believe, I am with you to the last candidate, and barely care whose camp I must crawl into to get the job done. The only thing is— what the Tea Party is trying to do to the Establishment, the Libertarians appear to be flaring to do to the TP, thinking Rand Paul, here.
Haven’t quite figured how that Libertarian business is going to break out, yet.
Perot has had a personal grudge match going with the Bush family dating back to the 1970s. He ran in '92 to make sure Bush the Elder lost. He ran in '96 because he got used to the media spotlight fawning over him as a spoiler.
At best, he's a crony capitalist and a social liberal.
But do not underestimate the power to surprise.
I can be obtuse. Trying to connect your reply to the comment #7, asking— whom would be surprised by whom that empowers whom or what? :)
Well the TP movement can pull off a political surprise, but it must run good canidiates.
Oh, yes, you’re so correct.
The TP has proved to be a force. That is why RINO’S will join forces this time with the Marxists, both sides aiming their money and voice to destroy the TP, hoping to drive them out of DC and blocking TP candidates from entering DC. Our generals have seen to it that we will be dishonorably discharged.
War against TP is the reality this election cycle, and openly declared by the Establishment as well as the Left.
You got it and the backlash against such forces will more likely come against them down the road.
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