House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) told reporters Thursday that his beef was not with the tea party but with outside groups who profit from attacking him and other Republicans.
“I have great respect for the tea party,” he said, praising them for bringing energy into the electoral process. “My gripe is with some Washington organizations who feel like they have to go raise money by beating up on me and others.”
His remarks were the latest in an ongoing tug-of-war between Boehner and wealthy conservative pressure groups — such Heritage Action, Club For Growth and FreedomWorks — who frequently criticize GOP leaders for compromising too much.
