Amid the widespread protest of the Tea Party movement during Tax Day week, its leaders sought to define its goals, and in the process unveiled a list of friends and foes.
Richard A. Viguerie, chairman of ConservativeHQ.com, who spoke at an April 15th rally at Yowell Meadow Park in Culpeper, Virginia told activists their efforts could help restore the Founding Fathers’ vision for America.
"The Tea Parties are an unfettered new force of the middle class tapping into the anger and disappointment felt not only towards Republicans and Democrats, but most major American institutions," he said, listing Wall Street, education, Hollywood, the media and big labor as those who have "betrayed their public trust."
"This new force, unlike most conservative leaders, is unfettered by old relationships and ties," Viguerie stressed.
In a similar vein, leaders of the Tea Party Express marked Tax Day by revealing their list of "heroes" and "targets" ahead of the midterm elections in November.
Among the "heroes" was Sharron Angle, a former Republican member of the Nevada Assembly who is running against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on an anti-tax platform; California State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, who is vying with former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina for a Senate seat and Former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, who is facing off against Governor Charlie Crist for the GOP nomination.
Meanwhile, the list of "enemies" includes Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass.). 