An Open Letter to Eric Odom Regarding the Tea Party Express

Eric –

I want first clarify that I and my family have absolutely nothing against you.  I in fact like and respect your work.  I feel you are a true patriot working for the cause.  It was apparent though, that despite your denials, you were upset by the statements made on Facebook in regards to the Tea Party Express.  More specifically the statement that referred to the TPX as “bottom feeders”.  Your response in return was:

“As a person who will be traveling with and speaking on the tour I have to say I resent your comment. I do not get paid by the group and volunteer my time to do this. A tour such as this is costly, but trust me when I say no one is getting rich off of it. Please avoid the talking points that tear our movement down and try to stick to known facts.”

Let’s make some clarifications.  First, our opinion is that the “bottom feeders” of the Tea Party Express are those at the top of the food chain.  Specifically people like Joe Wierzbicki and Sal Russo.  I have not ever called into question the motives or efforts of such people as Lloyd Marcus, Diana Nagy, the Rivoli Review or yourself.  I believe those that are the “worker bees” and those that volunteer do so out of a love and respect for the Tea Party and America.  Your intentions are honorable

Moving on, you also stated that “the suggestion that something is happening that shouldn’t be is downright outrageous”.  But you immediately follow that up with “I too used to make assumptions”.  It seems you are saying that you had the right to question and assume things but now that you are on board with the TPX no one else can.  I think that is the outrageous statement here.

You asked that we “Please avoid the talking points that tear our movement down and try to stick to known facts.”  I have done the research.  In fact I would suggest I may have done more research than anyone in regards to the TPX possible mis-deeds.  I, via Twitter, attempted to address this with you and offered to send you the evidence.  You denied you were upset and never responded to my offer to supply that evidence.  With all due respect to ask for the proof and then refuse to even look at, much less consider it, is a bit short sighted.  That is why I have chosen to respond to you via this open letter.

Maybe I too, like you, could change my opinion of the Express if I were given proof to back up the statements of Joe Wierzbicki and other members of the TPX staff.  I have compiled complete FEC records of their activities.  I have asked Joe Wierzbicki the tough questions.  What I have received in return from him his name calling and accusations.  What I have never received from him is the proof backing up his statements.  If I am wrong about the Tea Party Express I will accept that.  But I will not accept “proof” that is nothing more than statements by individuals I do not trust.  I will ask you some of the same questions and about the same issues I have raised with Mr. Wierzbicki.  If you can get to the bottom of the issues I will gladly accept the answer.  All I ask is that the answers are facts with proof and not simply statement made by TPX members attempting to defend their actions.

Here are a few items that I have asked about and that have never been answered with any real truth, facts or evidence:

1) Follow the money:  FEC reports from Oct of 2008 to June 2011 show that about $3.7 million has been sent from the Tea Party Express to King Media and Russo, Marsh and Assoc.  That is 41% of all dollars spent by the TPX go directly back to companies owned and operated by Sal Russo and Janet King-Russo.  Add in salaries and commissions paid by the TPX directly to Joe Wierzbicki, Sal Russo and Janet King-Russo and that numbers jumps to nearly 42.5%.

2) Focusing on Joe W.: For every donated dollar to the TPX that Joe Wierzbicki claims to be responsible for, he takes a 15% commission.  This is in addition to his TPX wages.  Of the total monies collected $3.4 million was sent to Russo, Marsh and Assoc. where Joe also takes, I assume, another commission.  In addition he is a Principal at RM&A drawing a salary.  Lastly, more money is sent to King Media where Joe is the Director of Media Relation drawing a third salary.  By my accounting that amounts to three salaries and two commissions on the same donated dollars.  Do you think people who struggle to give $20 to the TPX would be happy to know this?

3) The First BIG Controversy:  One of the first big issues for the TPX was identified in the FEC report from July of 2009.  In the report, Betty Presley and Associates (the TPX accounting firm) shows a line item on 7/31/09 for $1597.29 cents.  The note field clearly states “Meeting Cost – Six Meals”.  This issue has been raised many times by many people.  Joe Wierzbicki just two weeks ago, along with a long inappropriate name calling tirade, stated he had told me before that it was a fundraiser for 75 people.  I suggested, as I did with the FEC report, that he shows a copy of the detailed receipt for that event.  That will clarify if it was for 6 meals or snacks for 75.  The FACT is I have repeatedly supplied the FEC report to prove my side.  He has not responded to my request for a copy of the receipt.  Additionally, I have spoken with a former employee of the TPX.  They said meals and drinks like this were typical for the group when they were involved.

4) Luxury Cruises: When the TPX was working for Joe Miller in Alaska there are line items submitted for over $100K for TPX staff and equipment to travel to Alaska via the Holland America Luxury Cruise Line.  According to statements by the TPX this was done to “save money”.  Do you buy that?  That also didn’t cover any additional cost for meals or lodging while on land.

5) My latest find: On the latest FEC report there is a line item paying $500 to JRuegner Car Rental in Sacramento.  I have done research on the internet and can find no record of a J. Ruegner Car Rental in the United States or anything similar.  The odd part of this is that the “business address” is the same as the home Address for Tiffany Ruegner who is on staff with the TPX.  I asked Joe Wierzbicki to clarify this but have received nothing in return.

6) Reported on Manta.com in 2010 the firm of Russo, Marsh and Assoc. had annual sales of $1 to 2.5M.  Consider that from October 2008 to June 2011 the TPX has sent $3.4M to RM&A.  It seems that RM&A is being funded almost completely from the Express activities.  This seems to follow the statements of Ned Ryun, President of American Majority when he said “I’m concerned they’re using it (the Tea Party Express) as a marketing gimmick to line the pockets of consultants instead of actually helping the Tea Party movement”.

I also think it is only fair to recognize that from day one that the Tea Party Express proposal was developed by Joe Wierzbicki that they saw you as a key player in the Tea Party movement as well as a potential thorn in their side.  Do not forget the words of Joe Wierzbicki:

“… because quite frankly we are not only NOT part of the political establishment or conservative establishment, but we are sadly not currently part of the “tea party” establishment (i.e. Michelle Malkin, Eric Odom of Don’t Go Movement, Smart Girl Politics, Top Conservatives on Twitter, Freedom Works, Newt Gingrich of American Solutions, etc…)

We can probably pull off a phenomenally successful tour without these big-ego establishment types…”

It is clear they know you have influence in the Tea Party movement.  They also know you can cause them great harm.  They of course will continue to play nice with you as they fear your turning on them.

Eric, I can understand that you support the TPX.  I personally believe they have corrupt intentions and are using the Tea Party movement to their own advantage. That is why I clearly state I support the Tea Party movement but reject the Tea Party Express.  But I can assure you I go forth and do my homework.  I have never used a talking point without verification.  I am more than happy to supply you with any of the facts and back-up paperwork I discussed.  But I think you should be fair and accept that I have done due diligence and that it is the Tea Party Express that has repeatedly failed to answer the tough questions.

NOTE: For anyone interested here is a link to the TPX FEC reports: http://bit.ly/9aac76

Bob Hastings

Battle Born Politics

www.battlebornpolitics.wordpress.com