Ironically, the very event at which Ryan mocked the idea of astroturfing was one of the many tea parties organized by Americans for Prosperity.
In addition to arranging for buses to bring people to the Madison tea party, Americans for Prosperity staff wrote press releases to publicize the event, coordinated logistics, and even distributed talking points. Matt Block, the Wisconsin state director for Americans for Prosperity, shared the stage with Ryan, delivering one of the keynote speeches.