Grover Norquist Must Answer Critics
Grover Norquist, chief of the conservative Americans for Tax Reform advocacy group and co-founder of the Islamic Free Market Institute, is facing harsh criticism in some conservative circles for the latter organization’s ties to terrorist sympathizers. Norquist sits on the board of the National Rifle Association and was recently reelected to another term. But before his reelection, one of his staunchest critics, radio and TV personality Glenn Beck, brought up the Islamic Institute’s questionable link to radical Islamists Abdurahman Alamoudi and Sami al-Arian. Beck warned, “[I]f Grover Norquist remains on the board of the NRA, I don’t believe that I can remain a member of the NRA.” He was ultimately kept on the board, however, the NRA responded to Beck’s concerns by launching an internal probe, and according to an internal email Norquist “has voluntarily suspended his Board activities pending the outcome of the investigation.” While we don’t support fratricidal infighting among conservatives, Norquist should answer questions about his supporters.