FreedomWorks, the Tea Party, anti-liberal non-profit, that made hundreds of thousands of dollars from selling insurance policies, posted an article that boasts a poll that apparently indicates the country’s approval of the Tea Party and defunding of Obamacare.

According to the poll, released by Rasmussen Reports, the Tea Party has a 39 percent approval rating, and 78 percent of Republicans “think its at least somewhat important for congressional leaders to work with the Tea Party.” Now, before anyone should take these numbers at face value, it is important to consider the source.

FreedomWorks has an imperative interest in keeping Obamacare at bay, they make a little off of private health insurance. So, there is a blatantly obvious interest there. But what about Rasmussen? Surely, as reputable a polling group as Rasmussen wouldn’t or has never skewed polling numbers in any way. But they certainly have.

Rasmussen has made it standard practice to alter some of its polling numbers by outright discarding opinions of weak-to-average strength. Polling experts have heavily criticized Rasmussen’s methods, calling them “misguided.” Mark Blumenthal of Pollster.com said, in regards to polling of President Obama in 2009, “to report only those who strongly approve or strongly disapprove of Obama while neglecting mention of the aggregate numbers strikes me as more political spin than analysis.”

Former company president, Scott Rasmussen, was also a paid consultant to former President George W. Bush during his 2004 presidential campaign. From 2003 to 2004, Rasmussen received $141,000 for his work with the Republican president.  

Despite FreedomWorks identifying itself as such, this so-called grassroots group is anything but, as it has pocketed millions of dollars from corporate donors and Tea Party supporters. Last October, the FreedomWorks’ super-PAC received $12 million “through two newly created Tennessee corporations” to financially support Tea Party candidates in the last election.     

By boosting such a poll, FreedomWorks shows that it definitely has an interest in promoting Tea Party approval and anti-Obamacare numbers. The group has very strong ties to the health insurance industry, and it is only trying to protect its pockets.

Josh is a writer and researcher with Ring of Fire. Follow him on Twitter @dnJdeli.