Former House Majority Leader Dick “To the victor goes the spoils” Armey has apparently forsaken some of his old buddies.
Former Texas Congressman Dick Armey, once a stalwart ally in the culture wars, appears to be turning his back on Christian conservatives and their leaders.
The former majority leader of the House of Representatives reportedly told Ryan Sager, author of a new book on the Republican Party, that values voters and their leaders – especially Focus on the Family Action Chairman Dr. James Dobson – are “nasty bullies.”
In the interview, Armey responded pointedly when Sager asked why he thought Christian conservatives seemed more powerful now than in the 1990s.
“To a large extent, because Dobson and his gang of thugs are real nasty bullies,” Armey said. “I pray devoutly every day, but being a Christian is no excuse for being stupid. There’s a high demagoguery coefficient to issues like prayer in schools. Demagoguery doesn’t work unless it’s dumb . . . These issues are easy for the intellectually lazy and can appeal to a large demographic.”
Schweeet. If you think there’s some intramural vitriol being spewed now among folks like that, just wait till the Democrats take over Congress. Start buying popcorn in bulk now. Link via Pandagon.
As more of a libertarian than a social conservative, Armey may not like the direction of the party, but there’s no doubt that evangelicals and Catholics have provided Rove/Mehlman a margin of victory in many important elections that they’ve overseen since the ascendance of W.
Too bad Armey quit politics when he did. He was someone to take seriously when he was active, although I don’t recall many progressives citing him approvingly. 🙂
Too bad Armey quit politics when he did.
Just to refresh the memory of his departure from politics:
“Barney Fag.”
He was someone to take seriously when he was active, although I don’t recall many progressives citing him approvingly. 🙂
I’ll help ya out, Kev … it’s sorta like all the Republicans who suddenly take Joe Lieberman seriously now, as opposed to the years 1988 through 2004. Or Republicans who take John McCain seriously now after blogging their angst at him prior to 2006. That sound like anyone you know?