Asked afterwards why FreedomWorks was launching the effort by targeting Jews rather than African Americans, whose absence from tea party events has been repeatedly cited by liberals as proof that the movement is racist, Kibbe explained “I think that there is a more open debate to be had (in the Jewish community), but there is no genius behind that. I had to start somewhere.”

He added that FreedomWorks would place DiverseTea ads in black community papers “next.” But he pointed out that the NAACP resolution that infuriated tea party activists by expressing concern about racist and homophobic elements within the tea party movement also contained a less-noticed reference alleging anti-Semitism.

In a statement announcing the resolution, NAACP President Benjamin Jealous said “The time has come for them to accept the responsibility that comes with influence and make clear there is no place for racism and anti-Semitism, homophobia and other forms of bigotry in their movement.”