Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) is at war with the Heritage Foundation's lobbying arm, Heritage Action for America.
This week, Rep. Boehner lashed out at conservative groups such as Heritage Action for opposing the current budget plan "without evening knowing its details."
Added Boehner: "They're using our members, and they're using the American people for their own goals. This is ridiculous."
Dan Holler, a spokesman for Heritage Action, rejected Speaker Boehner's charge that outside groups such as his have lost credibility by opposing the latest budget deal, reported the Washington Post. [Interestingly, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) has been shielded from the conservative anger.]
This morning, Heritage Action CEO Mike Needham went on MSNBC's The Daily Run Down and said that Speaker Boehner is picking a fight with outside conservative groups (such as Heritage Action) to clear the way for immigration reform. Mr. Needham added that Speaker Boehner is "being absurd."
Mr. Needham went on to compare Heritage Action to companies like iTunes and Napster, which upended the music industry. "I think we're the iTunes of politics."
In related news, Paul Miller, the Executive Director of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), was fired for reportedly sharing confidential details about Republican policy/tactics (such as budget plans) to groups such as Heritage Action.
Has Heritage Action sparked a civil war within the Republican Party?