Wayne Swan says the 'cranks and crazies' in the GOP are the biggest threat to the economy. | REUTERS Aussie pol's dire warning about GOP

There’s no love lost between Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan and tea party Republicans.

The finance chief from down under leveled stinging criticism Thursday at tea party-backed Republican leaders who he said have squandered goodwill in Washington.


“Let’s be blunt and acknowledge the biggest threat to the world’s biggest economy are the cranks and crazies that have taken over the Republican Party,” Swan said in Sydney, according to Reuters.

Negotiations to raise the U.S. debt ceiling last year, during which Republicans refused to budge on a compromise with the White House, showed that the “extreme” wing had taken over the party, he said.

“Despite President Obama’s goodwill and strong efforts, the national interest was held hostage by the rise of the extreme tea party wing of the Republican Party,” Swan said.

A Republican National Committee spokesman did not immediately respond to calls for comment.

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