Dick Armey wants the tea parties to start playing nice.

Activists have to be polite to lawmakers, use the media to their advantage, and work with like-minded groups to succeed, the former Republican lawmaker writes in his new book, "Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto."

Armey, who is chairman of the D.C.-based tea-party advisor FreedomWorks, co-authors the book with the group's president Matt Kibbe. They wrote it with two audiences in mind.

For outsiders, they provide a history of the movement, take critics to task for using "the race card," and draw from the tea party's Contract From America to explain what the activists want.

For tea partyers, they suggest activists try to take over the Republican Party.

"In the real world, third parties don't win very often," they write.

But to do that, activists may have to drop some of their old ways. Here are a few of the book's tips for the tea parties:

* Some hierarchy is needed. The movement may be decentralized, but Armey and Kibbe advocate for creating small chapters that each have their own leader, legislative liaison, spokesperson, membership director, and social director.

* Work with others. Hold meetings with other tea parties and groups that share your values.

"No one person or group needs to be in charge," the authors write. "The purpose of a federation is merely to keep the lines of communication open and to allow for greater cooperation between like-minded groups."

* Take advantage of the media. Tea partyers may believe the media is biased, but the authors argue that press coverage is an important part of activism.

Write letters to the editors, op-eds -- like the ones the authors wrote to promote this book -- and call in to radio talk shows, they advise.

"We can and should get our message out on traditional media outlets. To throw up our hands because of media bias would be foolish and counterproductive," they write.

* Be polite to lawmakers. Tea partyers were seen shouting at members of Congress during the health-care debate. Armey and Kibbe say that is not the way to go.

"You will never convince your lawmaker or their staff with rudeness, vulgarity or threats," they write. "There will be other issues in the future and you'll want to be able to meet with the legislator again."

* Conquer town-hall meetings. These events are about a lot more than showing up and expressing emotions.

Have half your activists stand outside with protest signs, and send the other half in to grill the lawmaker, the writers suggest. Follow-up with phone calls and letters until the lawmaker responds.

At the same time, Armey and Kibbe don't want the tea parties to lose their initial fervor.

"Be polite but firm," the write. "Be respectful, but don't be afraid to be animated and passionate."

-- Ambreen Ali, Congress.org