Thread: TX Tea Party groups protest Hutchison's moves on health care

Tea Party groups protest Hutchison's moves on health care bill

12:00 AM CST on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

By TOM BENNING and TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News

WASHINGTON – Tea Party groups in Dallas, Austin and Houston gathered at the offices of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on Monday to protest her breaking ranks with a GOP filibuster aimed at stalling the Democrats' health care bill.

"We want to let her know that we are not happy," said Dallas Tea Party leader Phillip Dennis.

Dennis said the noon rally at the senator's office on North Central Expressway in Dallas was meant to underscore expectations that she take every step possible to block the health care bill.

Last week, Senate Republican leaders organized a filibuster of a defense spending bill, though that was not the real target. Hutchison said she supported the tactic, but once Democrats gathered the 60 votes needed, she joined Democrats – and two other Republicans – to force a vote on the defense bill. This move cleared the way for work to resume on health care.

A Hutchison aide said she voted as she did to show support for U.S. troops and noted that the filibuster would have been broken with or without her vote.

Her move has drawn attacks from rival Gov. Rick Perry, whose campaign has pointed to her repeated vows to fight the Democrats' health care bill.

Hutchison spokeswoman Jennifer Baker said the senator supports the Tea Party groups and isn't concerned that the rallies would reflect badly on her. Hutchison has been outspoken in her opposition to the health care bill, as have most Republicans.

The national Tea Party movement – a loose affiliation of conservatives who gained notice over the summer for well-attended rallies and attacks on moderate Republicans – is led in part by Dick Armey, a former Dallas-area congressman who served as House majority leader in the 1990s.

Armey has endorsed Hutchison's bid for governor, and there is no indication he is behind the rallies in Texas.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... e7e73.html

Related
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-182289.html

So who gets credit for the tea parties?

Dick Armey voluntarily gave up his Congressional seat in to "hand it over" to his son Scott, who was upset in the Republican primary by Dr. Michael Burgess, who continues to hold that seat. Rep. Burgess is a true conservative on issues of importance here, while also retaining an independent stance. I think it is a real shame that Dick Armey, who so much represents the "old way" of doing things in politics, is using his influence to "commandeer" the tea party movement in this way.

She didn't do it to the healthcare bill, it was a vote to appropriate funds for our military.