Michele Bachmann's Tea Party Agenda Will Disrupt the GOP
Andrew Romano
The Daily Beast
Michele Bachmann has certainly been keeping busy.
Within hours of winning her third congressional term in November, the colorful Minnesota Republican began campaigning for conference chair, the No. 4 position in the House GOP leadership. Why? Because "constitutional conservatives"—like her and, presumably, unlike the rest of John Boehner's team—"deserve a loud and clear voice!" A few weeks later, news leaked that Bachmann would be traveling to Iowa for a fundraiser—and that "nothing," according to her spokesman, "is off the table." Asked whether she was considering a presidential run, Bachmann told ABC News "I'm going to Iowa—there's your answer."
Then on Friday Bachmann announced that even though Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan is slated to deliver the official Republican response to President Obama's upcoming State of the Union address, she would be giving her own online rebuttal on behalf of the Tea Party Express "shortly after" Ryan's speech concludes.
Bachmann's post-election maneuvering isn't particularly surprising; the ultraconservative Minnesotan, who by one estimate appears on national cable once every nine days, is always looking for new ways to get attention. But the response her scheming has received in top GOP circles—a response that would best be described as arctic—suggests that the battle between disgruntled, absolutist Tea Party activists (who want to blow the system up) and their more realistic representatives in Washington (who plan to work within it) is only beginning.
(More here.)
The Daily Beast
Michele Bachmann has certainly been keeping busy.
Within hours of winning her third congressional term in November, the colorful Minnesota Republican began campaigning for conference chair, the No. 4 position in the House GOP leadership. Why? Because "constitutional conservatives"—like her and, presumably, unlike the rest of John Boehner's team—"deserve a loud and clear voice!" A few weeks later, news leaked that Bachmann would be traveling to Iowa for a fundraiser—and that "nothing," according to her spokesman, "is off the table." Asked whether she was considering a presidential run, Bachmann told ABC News "I'm going to Iowa—there's your answer."
Then on Friday Bachmann announced that even though Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan is slated to deliver the official Republican response to President Obama's upcoming State of the Union address, she would be giving her own online rebuttal on behalf of the Tea Party Express "shortly after" Ryan's speech concludes.
Bachmann's post-election maneuvering isn't particularly surprising; the ultraconservative Minnesotan, who by one estimate appears on national cable once every nine days, is always looking for new ways to get attention. But the response her scheming has received in top GOP circles—a response that would best be described as arctic—suggests that the battle between disgruntled, absolutist Tea Party activists (who want to blow the system up) and their more realistic representatives in Washington (who plan to work within it) is only beginning.
(More here.)
Powered by Blogger
1 Comments:
Did you see the results of the New Hampshire GOP 2012 Straw Poll ?
Admittedly, they only got 273 to participate (out of about 500), but Ms. Bachmann was only seven votes behind Tim Pawlenty who has been throwing his Freedom First PAC dollars to New Hampshire Republican candidates.
With Ms. Palin sinking and Huckabee realizing that it is a lot easier to get paid to talk on television and radio than govern, there is an opening ... so unless Mike Pence decides to run, Ms. Bachmann could garner a lot of support.
Remember the season starts in Iowa who picked Huckabee over Romney last time, so Ms. Bachmann could do well there ... then she only needs to make a good showing in New Hampshire before heading to South Carolina.
Also, Ms. Bachmann national profile will only be increased when she giving the TEA Party Express response to Barack Obama’s State Of The Union address this Tuesday while Paul Ryan gives the GOP response.
Yes, it will be fun to watch.
Post a Comment
<< Home