Tea Party Leaders To GOP: Reduce Spending Or Get Ready For Primary Challenges

Tea Party leaders are staying true to an earlier promise to remain watchful of Republicans. Today, on the first full day of Republican control in the House of Representatives, Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips wasted no time in issuing a warning to Republicans through on open letter on his website that declared if federal spending is not seriously reduced, then all Republicans can expect primary challenges.

Phillips’ ominous words to new Speaker of the House John Boehner continued:

You did not become speaker because America suddenly fell in love with you or the Republican Party. You became speaker because America, led by the Tea Party, repudiated Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and the party of socialism.

Similarly, Tea Party Patriots co-founder Mark Meckler, told The Hill:

We know that Tea Partiers turn out to vote in greater proportions right now than the rest of the population. So we can have a tremendous influence in the primaries, and that allows local people to make sure that they have candidates running that reflect their values.

It’s unclear how much of a reduction in spending would be necessary for Republicans to get these Tea Party activists off of their back, but the Republicans now have to live with the uncomfortable but appropriate thought that every move they make is being closely monitored.

(h/t The Hill)

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