The American Spectator

p> ARMEY DISMANTLED br> Re: The Prowler’s Armey Ambushed : /p>

During his tenure as Majority Leader, I tended to agree with Dick Armey’s views on the issues, but felt he was not a particularly gifted spokesman or representative for the Republican cause.

That said, I take issue with your headline “Armey Ambushed.” Yes, it sounds like people within the party were playing hardball. But reading between the lines, it looks like they in doing so, their weapon was the truth. You write, “Scott Armey found himself having to admit he caused an auto accident in 1982. His prior statements had indicated he was not at fault.”

p>Sounds to me as if Scott Armey was less than truthful in earlier characterizations of his involvement in the accident. If he had been frank in the first place, the accident might well not have been an issue. So rather than blaming the messenger, perhaps he and his father should look in the mirror. br> — Mark Finkelstein br> Ithaca, NY /p> p> Please get some facts before engaging in the Armey family’s pity party and conspiracy theory politics. News of Scott Armey’s 20-year-old accident was leaked? That “bombshell” has been in papers here, off and on, for 20 years. His arrogance and refusal to take responsibility for what was clearly his fault says a lot about his character, or lack of same. And, he had no insurance, somehow having missed out on all the notifications that coverage was about to, and then after nonpayment of the premium, expire. But not that any of this was HIS fault, you understand. And who leaked the fact that little Scott has never had a “real” job? He has been enmeshed in county politics up to his neck, and some of it is shady and self-serving. Are we as Republicans supposed to close our eyes to this sort of thing and send him to Congress when he already appears to be enough of a crook at home? Forget the “leak” theory and be thankful that the great unwashed still know bad character when they see it. Isn’t that what we disdained for eight years of the Clinton administration? br> —