“Top Line” – FreedomWorks Pres. Calls KKK Accusation “A Smear,” Calls Tea Party Activists “A Very Diverse Group”
EmailABC News' Amy Walter reports: In an interview today with ABC’s Top Line, FreedomWorks president and CEO Matt Kibbe pushed back on remarks made yesterday by civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Walter Fauntroy characterization of the Tea Party as “interchangeabl[e]” with the KKK. Kibbe, whose group is linked closely with the Tea Party movement, called Fauntroy’s characterization “a smear” and argued that tea party activists are a “very diverse group.” When asked about his expectations for Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally on Saturday (FreedomWorks is not sponsoring the event, but they are helping to provide volunteers), Kibbe said he expected a turn-out in the 400,000 to 500,000 range. The National Park Service’s estimate is 100,000 people, while the Department of Homeland Security put expectations at 100,00 to 200,000. FreedomWorks is also hosting an event this evening in Washington, DC in which they will, in the words of Kibbe highlight their “our candidates we've endorsed that we think represent the true center of American politics today.” According to a speaker list on the FreedomWorks website , that includes senate candidates Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mike Lee (R-UT), David Malpass (R-NY), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Dino Rossi (R-WA). When asked if he thought candidates like Sharron Angle (R-NV), who has been attacked ceaselessly by Democrats as out of the mainstream, was part of that “true center” of American politics, Kibbe said yes. “I think she is and I think it’s not enough to be a Republican anymore to win a republican primary. You have to credibly say 'I’m going to go to Washington and actually cut some programs. I'm going to go to Washington and not use the earmark process to get myself reelected." Also joining Top Line was Washington Post reporter Perry Bacon Jr., who discussed the latest development in the Alaska senate race and the prospects for many of these Tea Party candidates this fall. – Amy Walter
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I used to be involved with the Tea Party, but I was shocked at the racism when they got together privately. I thought it was about lower taxes and smaller government, but all they talked about was Obama and black people in terms I thought died out in the 1960′s.
Posted by: Grant | August 27, 2010, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
grant …i used be be a democrat but all they talked about george bush and there hatred toward him and how evil business was and how the unions need to be protected.another note is that every group ive ever been around, left or right,had their racists.hating anyone based on color or the lack thereof is racism no matter who you are. thats why i am an independent.
Posted by: catman | August 27, 2010, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
Hatred does well here no wonder our simple and direct statement was removed, aaparently truth has nothing do with this site or it’s sponsors
Posted by: TravisPierce | August 27, 2010, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
They spring that old boring accusation of racism on the guest with 15 seconds to respond?
Looks like Fauntroy wasn’t the only one trying to smear the tea party and based on some of the comments here the warrantless accusations continue.
Posted by: Dougster | August 27, 2010, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
we don’t need an african american reverend to point out that beck and followers are lemmings from skinhead, inbred or braindead parents. everyone in any other country other than the u.s. sees how closed minded the freaky republican group is and how easy they find followers by spreading fear of other races.
and btw, i am a white anglo-saxon christian, but in my church, red and yellow black and white are the colours of his sight. being christian in any other country does not preclude a person from having an open mind and accepting and celebrating the differences in others.
Posted by: barry milljour | August 27, 2010, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
Until about two years ago, I watch mostly the so called main stream media. Now I found more and more people are watching FoxNews than CNN , CBS and MSNBC etc. The FoxNews and its star commentator Glen Beck are not racist as criticized by those ‘mainstream’ civil right group, whose members voted 100% for Dem. politicians in the elections for decades.
Posted by: austin | August 28, 2010, 1:35 am 1:35 am
When I was a kid growing up in Pittsburgh, I was reminded of a few sayings. The first “The first who smelt it is the one who dealt it”….which in this case, of course implies that the first to bring up the issue is the one who the issue truly pertains to. In other words, the first to bring up race as an issue is usually the racist or the one who has racial issues to deal with internally.
The second saying ” A skunk is the first one to smell it’s own hole”…of course this would pertain to the same situation.
Posted by: jon | August 28, 2010, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
ox and company only spill hate anyone that do not se this is brain dead america is made of of all colors and beliefs that the beauty of this country. If God wanted us to all look alike think alike God would not have to send is son to die for our sins. I want to know what honor they were restoring and who took our country and where did it go.
Posted by: Vivian Perry | August 28, 2010, 9:10 pm 9:10 pm
I’ve gone to several tea party meetups, and I found no racism coming from it’s members. They also were dealing with local issues and that was important to me.
Posted by: Cannon | August 29, 2010, 11:35 am 11:35 am
I heard the words of “Tawanna Al” (Sharpton) when he said “they would not let “them” take this day from them. I am not aware of title and ownership papers for the King legacy. When did MLK say, “I’m only doing this for black people”? The King family should be ashamed to let Sharpton use MLK’s name to promote hate and violence. JMHO
Posted by: Terry L. Kiser, Sr. | August 31, 2010, 12:40 am 12:40 am
WOW – and to think that all of the above electrons have given their lives in vain when they could have served their country by presenting meaningful political discourse. It’s so tragic. Such a waste.
Posted by: Anyone4Discourse | August 31, 2010, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm