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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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In Health Battle, Dick Armey Rides Again

Ex-House leader strides back onto national stage over health care

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(Newser) – This year's battle over health care reform feels like the early '90s all over again to Dick Armey. The former House majority leader and his FreedomWorks foundation have been at the heart of protests against the Obama administration, channeling conservative power in the same way the Christian right used to, Michael Sokolove writes in a detailed New York Times Magazine profile of the Republican.

Armey—who plans to carry the fight over to cap-and-trade—isn't shy of bucking the Republican establishment, Sokolove writes. In speeches up and down the country, he has been using his folksy style to push a hard-edged, libertarian-leaning message that Democratic initiatives are not just wrong-headed, but unconstitutional and un-American. "Armey understands that while the Republican brand has been damaged, most people in this country still lean center-right," one former Bush adviser says. "And he taps into the innate fear most Americans have about government activism and overreach."

Then-House Majority Leader Dick Armey gestures during a speech at the Christian Coalition's ''Road to Victory 2000'' conference September 29, 2000 in Washington.
Then-House Majority Leader Dick Armey gestures during a speech at the Christian Coalition's ''Road to Victory 2000'' conference September 29, 2000 in Washington.   (Getty Images)
Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, listens during a taping of 'Meet the Press' on April 19, 2009 in Washington, DC.
Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, listens during a taping of 'Meet the Press' on April 19, 2009 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
Trent Lott, Richard Gephardt, Tom Daschle, Dick Armey, Vice President Dick Cheney and House Speaker Dennis Hastert leave Federal Hall following a historic joint session Sept. 6, 2002 in New York City.
Trent Lott, Richard Gephardt, Tom Daschle, Dick Armey, Vice President Dick Cheney and House Speaker Dennis Hastert leave Federal Hall following a historic joint session Sept. 6, 2002 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
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The first and most pernicious goal of this whole health care push by the Democrats is their desire to control a major sector of the American economy. Pure and simple, it’s power. - Dick Armey

I’m an economist and, I don’t mind telling you, a damn good one. President Obama is a talented person who showed up at exactly the right time, but I don’t believe the man has ever been exposed to a serious economic idea. - Dick Armey

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5 comments
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shonangreg
Nov 5, 09 6:24 AM CST
Dick Armey: the astroturfing king. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
jamerican
Nov 5, 09 7:46 AM CST
The health bill is a farse and will help bankrupt the country and if the bill is so great why not mandate congress and nobama to sign up for the same plan if it is good enough for the people.
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
Face-Of-RNC
Nov 5, 09 6:32 AM CST
A bought and paid for corporate shill, with no remorse for the harm he does to the American people. Reply
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+3
divetrader
Nov 5, 09 6:58 AM CST
He is single minded. What will benefit him? That is all he cares about. Reply
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+2
cornelison
Nov 5, 09 9:57 AM CST
There's nothing unconstitutional about voters who want to live & vote for health care for everyone. Primaries, voting, writing letters to govt., organizing peaceful rallies, going door-to-door, calling voters, posting signs and VOTING. I hardly call that unconstitutional, Mr. Armey. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
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