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When Dick Armey was House Majority Leader, he was known for saying whatever was on his mind. In the 13 months since he left Congress, the Texas Republican’s outspokenness has continued to draw attention and, increasingly, the wrath of his former colleagues in the GOP leadership.
Armey, who now splits his time between the conservative group Citizens for a Sound Economy and the law and lobbying firm Piper Rudnick, has in recent months loudly criticized the current House GOP majority for its alleged free-spending ways.
Armey’s comments have angered Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and other top Republicans, prompting some of them to look for ways to retaliate or, at the very least, portray him as a hypocrite.
“We have started looking very hard at all of Piper Rudnick’s earmarks,” said a House Republican leadership aide.
As a senior policy adviser at Piper Rudnick, Armey leads the firm’s Homeland Security team. According to the company’s Web site, he helps to “counsel clients on emerging issues, obligations, and opportunities in the area” of Homeland Security.
In an interview, Armey said he did not see any conflict between his position with the fiscally conservative CSE and his work for Piper Rudnick, explaining that his advice to clients would simply help them compete for a share of existing federal spending rather than adding to the overall total.
“Money is going to be spent. There are going to be appropriations,” Armey said.
I really don't even know where to begin here. Consider that statement "...very hard at all of Piper Rudnick's earmarks."
(from reader ag)
...on a somewhat related note, Kicking Ass lets us know that even Orrin Hatch is persona non grata these day. They really are all starting to just go totally bonkers. Cheers!