Darrell Issa: Tea Party 'Not Angry Enough'

(AP) - Tea party activists who have protested government spending and pushed for the GOP to nominate more conservative candidates this year aren't outraged enough about government malfeasance and excessive spending, Rep. Darrell Issa of California said Saturday.

The Republican congressman told delegates at the state party's meeting in San Diego that the GOP hasn't been vigilant enough about reining in waste, fraud and abuse, including excessive spending during Republican administrations such as that of President George W. Bush.

"We have to say to the tea party: You're not strident enough, you're not angry enough and the government has gone far enough," Issa said.

"We've already squandered the legacy of our parents."

Issa, the senior Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and one of the most vocal critics of the Obama administration, said the GOP must be willing to tear itself apart and rebuild, stronger and more focused on core constitutional issues.

He predicted Republicans would retake the House in November, but said holding a majority is not enough, noting that government spending has continued to grow during the last two decades.

Issa called for the appointment of more inspectors to audit spending and greater transparency about where federal dollars are going.

"I'm ashamed that Republicans were not zealots about flaws in government that were pointed out by inspector generals," he added.

Issa spoke to a crowd of about 100 on the final night of the GOP's twice yearly meeting.