Posted on 07/19/2010 7:30:17 AM PDT by kristinn
Mayhill Fowler has an extended interview with Mark Skoda, co-founder of the National Tea Party Federation, posted at the Huffington Post today.
Fowler notes that Skoda orchestrated the expulsion of Mark Williams and the Tea Party Express from the National Tea Party Federation, starting with a Facebook posting last Friday:
After reading the entirety of the [Williams] blog, I have come to the conclusion that a call for rebuke and removal is necessary. This is not the first time that Mark Williams has taken this approach. And while I can appreciate sarcasm, this "letter" is beyond the pale and reignites an issue that we were winning. I have already issued a press release from the Memphis TEA Party calling for his removal. As a leader he can either lead, or as an entertainer, entertain but he should not do both. This matter is too serious to let lie in such an incendiary environment."
Like Williams, Skoda is a local talk radio host in love with the sound of his own voice. Skoda now fancies himself as directing the movement
In an e-mail comment to Fowler this weekend, Skoda urged Nevada Republican Senate nominee Sharron Angle to follow his lead in dumping the Tea Party Express, the group that helped her secure the nomination:
"I don't think this will hurt Angle, however, she won't want to associate herself with TPE after the controversy. At least that's what I would divine from the status of things. Reid has done a good job of beating her up while she has been raising money. This will be a race to watch!"
Skoda will be disappointed to learn that Alaska Republican Senate candidate Miller has said he stands by the Tea Party Express, which has endorsed his candidacy against incumbent Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski:
Associated Press - July 18, 2010 10:54 PM ET
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A spokesman for U.S. Senate hopeful Joe Miller says the Republican isn't concerned with having the Tea Party Express advocating on his behalf.
Fowler writes the entire interview will be posted later at her site, MayhillFowler.com. A lengthy excerpt can be read at the Huffington Post.
Read the whole interview to form your own opinion of Skoda. Here's a sample of his verbosity to whet your appetite:
Just one final question. What would be a scenario where you think -- you talk about the need to get around balkanization -- a Tea Party group of leaders could come together and talk with a group of Daily Kos or MoveOn? Is that too pie in the sky?
I think that right now we're trying to fix the conservative movement, right? What I have found from my own experience is, when I was discussing things with the New York Times and several other more liberal papers -- one thing I was very clear about, and I felt I was treated very fairly in the interviews, the reflection of my comments in those interviews. One thing I didn't do was attack them or their institutions. I didn't have to, I didn't want to. I can disagree with you, but I can disagree graciously. And what I found was, in that opening, which I was very clear about in any interviews I took, is that people respected me for that -- I think. At least, were willing to have the dialogue. And reflect fairly my comments without making me to look like a cartoonish figure.
I believe that ultimately that is something that needs to happen. I think we are so polarized right now, it's going to have to happen later. It's going to have to happen under a different president. Because this president has very effectively balkanized this nation. Very effectively. In a way I don't think we've ever seen a more divisive figure. To go from what was "hope and change" with a lot of folks voting for him, 62 million folks voting for him, to where he stands today. Without having simply misled that group of people. And when you have imbued that level of emotion, and that level of expectation in an individual and that individual fails you, you -- I know a lot of people that were of that ilk -- they are hurt, they are unwilling to talk about it, they are unwilling to admit the problem. And until you get to that point, it is hard to have those dialogues. I would love to have a chance to talk, but just not right now. I think it would be good to have that dialogue -- not on the record, but to have that dialogue.
We talk about it here -- you and I had lunch in this city -- we have a very demographically bifurcated -- a very large African-American population here, and in South Memphis, and a very white population in the suburbs, although a number of suburbs like Cordova and Bartlett are not. It takes an effort to make those connections, to work together. It's something that we do on a local basis, that I do on a local basis. And so why wouldn't I want to do it on a political basis? But right now I have so much work to do in my quote unquote own party and the efforts I am undertaking, I don't know if I have enough energy or time for that today.
We are in a battle of hearts and minds, and I would like to say that the battle can be had in a way that is respectful but tough, very tough -- and we'll see how it turns out in 2010.
National Tea Party Federation kicked out the TPE, right? The TPE was organized out of Washington, right? By Dick Army, right? I’ve always been suspect of it.
Your post appears to be Alinskite to Separate out Skoda, Isolate him and then Destroy him. Let’s assume that it’s not. Do you have more information? I’d like to know more about the TPE and Skoda.
Skoda has a face for radio.
He’s not on any ballot in Memphis/Shelby County that’s for sure. And yes he is well informed, a strong conservative, and does not have a face for TV.
This sounds like some disgruntled person personal blogging.
Maybe that will help...
LOL
This might clear up the issue
http://www.wreg.com/news/nationworld/sns-tea-party-mark-williams-story,0,1911463.story
Correction: The Marxists will TRY TO come in and conquer the Tea Party."
LOL! In Czech, “Skoda” means “A pity.”
You are correct, and he was very involved in organizing that convention, which I thought was a worthwhile event. While we may disagree with Mark on this issue, labeling him “an Alinsky Leftist” as some are doing is patently absurd.
Oh, please. TPE has done a great job, and I do support the group. I don’t see anyone from TPE declaring themselves king of the tea parties and deeming any one member unworthy—as the guy in this case has done. Reminds me too much of Obama tactics to suit me.
Because the Tea Party has no leaders. It is individual dissent aimed at a grand goal of effecting real change.
I'd recognize JimRob as a leader of the Tea Party before this Skoda guy. Whoever he is.
“We should just loudly and repeatedly reject those claims”
Or better yet, just ignore them, since we know they are untrue and distracting from the issues is the left’s goal.
Agreed. United we stand, divided we fall.
This sounds like an attempt to divide.
Mark Williams wrote something that was stone cold stupid. Wether or not anyone really had the pull to fire him from anything is my question. I always considered the TEA party kind of a loose collection of like minded volunteers.
Mark Skoda, co-founder of the National Tea Party Federation, does not represent the Tea Party Express.
I’m just going to keep posting this everywhere I can until people see it and understand:
The Tea Party Express does not recognize the National Tea Party Federation.
The Tea Party movement is not represented by the NTPF.
The tea party is not another political party. It is a group of like-minded individuals who have similar goals, ideals and objectives.
It’s a movement that calls for changes - smaller limited government, drastically reduced gov’t. spending, less taxes, a secure border, state’s rights, strong national defense. We want our basic freedoms and liberties protected including gun ownership, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and protection of our property rights.
We are comprised of persons from all political venues, from all parts of the country, from all races and genders, all ages with the above issues special to our hearts foremost in our minds as we start the process of cleaning house.
Cleaning house the likes of which has never been seen. On both sides of the aisle. We don’t have the time or the desire to fight amongst ourselves. Our focus should be laser sharp and pointed at any element in any area of government that does not represent the Constitution or the freedom of American people
Either the libs don’t understand this, or they do understand it and are trying to shove us into a round hole in order to demonize the movement. It’s hard to do that to a faceless group of people.
I herebye call for the removal of Barak Obama as President and appoint myself in his stead. /s
He’s a good conservative, smart as you can get and speaks well.
I have no problems with Skoda and doubt he’s running for anything, he’s got a face for radio.
Bad leadership is worse than no leadership. Skoda and his associates need to step down and let the tea party be the headless monster that the political parties are so afraid of.
Who hijacked you? The fuzzy movement?
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