Michele Bachmann, tea party dame, announced yesterday on her facebook page that she is running for a top leadership spot in the House:
I am pleased to announce that I am running for Chairman of the House Republican Conference! Constitutional Conservatives deserve a loud and clear voice in leadership!
Republicans will choose their leaders this month. So far, John Boehner is slated as the speaker-to-be, and Eric Cantor will in all likelihood take the number two position as the House majority leader.
But Bachmann will face some opposition in her bid. Patricia Murphy at Politics Daily notes that Bachmann's run may pit tea party conservatives against establishment Republicans:
Bachmann's announcement sets up the first leadership contest between a tea party favorite and a member of the more mainstream wing of the House Republicans, Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas. Although Hensarling is a well-known among his fellow GOP members, he lacks Bachmann's star-wattage and broad following from the newly powerful tea party movement.
So far, Cantor has endorsed Hensarling, as has Mike Pence, the outgoing conference chairman who stepped down, rumor goes, to pursue a gubernatorial bid in Indiana or a presidential bid. As for Boehner's stance on Bachmann's run: on election night he promised tea party activists, "I will never let you down." Will Boehner stay true to his word?
By endorsing Bachmann, the newly empowered GOP leaders now have a chance to send a strong signal of communion to tea partiers--what will Boehner do?
Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, speaking yesterday on CNBC, said that the tea partiers are "in the mainstream of where political thought is right now...[It’s to] Get the deficit under control, get the debt under control and pass on to our children a country that is prosperous and secure."
Endorsing Bachmann should be a no-brainer for Boehner.
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May '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Strike while the iron is hawt. There do need to be some leadership positions filled by Tea Partiers. Can't ignore the role they played. Still, sort of sucks for Hensarling.
Aug '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Can't wait to see how the MSM handles allowing this much publicity for the GOP, regardless of the subject matter.
With a seige mentality, their wordsmithing will be pretty strained. One can imagine imagery like "handing over the executioner's axe" , "welcoming into their conspiracy" and " welfare networks wrecking crew" . Four horsemen of the apocalypse: environmental holocaust, welfare genocide, medical nightmares, and education devolution will all result as the tea party crashes the china shop in it's unwashed savagery.
Gosh I love putting Rich and Krugman's panties in a bind. Imagine the whole journolist shrieking in unison !
Edited on Nov 4, 2010 at 7:29amRe: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
flownover: Can't wait to see how the MSM handles allowing this much publicity for the GOP, regardless of the subject matter.
With a seige mentality, their wordsmithing will be pretty strained. One can imagine imagery like "handing over the executioner's axe" , "welcoming into their conspiracy" and " welfare networks wrecking crew" . · Nov 4 at 7:24am
How about insurgency imagery? Here's Politico:
Edited on Nov 4, 2010 at 7:32amNov '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Does anyone else wish the tea parties would remain grass roots? I don't like the idea of a relative few high-profile politicos taking what started out as grass roots activism at its purest and reducing it to political party status with all the influence peddling and power-grabbing that is sure to follow. I've attended several tea parties, and my sympathies are firmly with the movement, but more as a citizens watchdog group than anything else. They are at their best in attending town hall meetings to challenge officeholders' records and positions on issues, demonstrating/protesting as a means of drawing attention to issues, and holding elected officials accountable for their actions at the local level. It's a little disappointing to see the movement being folded into the DC political scene.
May '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
I dunno Sheila. Hard to wield power without being in DC. We just have to hover over their shoulders with clipboards, clicking the occasional Tsk or Tut.
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Sheila, I just came across this from Jay Cost. It's on the difference between Tea Partiers and Republicans. To Cost, the ideological label of "Tea Partier" may begin to fade into the label of "Republican"--if all goes well for the Republican party:
Edited on Nov 4, 2010 at 7:52amFeb '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Jeb Hensarling is a great person for the job-- a great spending cutter, very in line with the Tea Party ideals. He "co-authored a Constitutional amendment (known as the Spending Limit Amendment) that would prohibit federal spending from growing faster than the economy" (Wikipedia).
I would not describe this as a Tea Party vs. GOP Establishment fight as much as just two ambitious people jockeying for positions. To describe it as an intra-party ideological conflict is a destructive and provocative characterization.
Jun '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
I made this prediction about a week ago. And, yes, it bothers me. The best thing the Tea Party can do is rally at the Capital building on January 20th when the new Congress is sworn in. The nation's citizenry needs to remain vigilant and active.
Aug '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
This is a bit off topic, but not too far off. Where does the Republican leadership stand on Obama's $2 billion trip to India? Now we have this:
Thirty-Four Warships to Accompany Obama on India Trip
Press Trust of India, Updated: November 04, 2010 19:04 IST
New Delhi: The White House will, of course, stay in Washington but the heart of the famous building will move to India when President Barack Obama lands in Mumbai on Saturday.
Communications set-up, nuclear button, a fleet of limousines and majority of the White House staff will be in India accompanying the President on this three-day visit that will cover Mumbai and Delhi.
He will also be protected by a fleet of 34 warships, including an aircraft carrier, which will patrol the sea lanes off the Mumbai coast during his two-day stay there beginning Saturday. The measure has been taken as Mumbai attack in 2008 took place from the sea.
Arrangements have been put in place for emergency evacuation, if needed......
From Drudge this morning.
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette never dreamed of such extravagance.
Edited on Nov 4, 2010 at 8:04amRe: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Busy System Admin: Jeb Hensarling is a great person for the job-- a great spending cutter, very in line with the Tea Party ideals. He "co-authored a Constitutional amendment (known as the Spending Limit Amendment) that would prohibit federal spending from growing faster than the economy" (Wikipedia).
I would not describe this as a Tea Party vs. GOP Establishment fight as much as just two ambitious people jockeying for positions. To describe it as an intra-party ideological conflict is a destructive and provocative characterization. · Nov 4 at 7:52am
I see your point, but Bachmann is clearly a tea party star, whereas Hensarling isn't. Besides, to say that he endorsed a spending limit amendment simply puts him in the company of the establishment Republicans who authored the like-minded and milquetoast Pledge to America--not exactly a tea party endorsement.
Edited on Nov 4, 2010 at 8:04amFeb '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Emily Esfahani Smith, Ed.
... Besides, to say that he endorsed a spending limit amendment simply puts him in the company of the establishment Republicans who authored the milquetoast Pledge to America--not exactly a tea party endorsement.
Edited on Nov 04 at 08:03 am
Co-authoring is a lot different than endorsing.
I'm very sympathetic to the Tea Party movement, but is it now the rule by which we must measure everything? Bachmann and Hensarling are both good representatives-- need we split them into good/bad based on how active they have been in the Tea Party movement?
My point is that we are needlessly characterizing this an ideological divide where none should exist (that is, with regards to filling this particular position).
Edited on Nov 4, 2010 at 8:10amRe: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Busy System Admin
Co-authoring is a lot different than endorsing.
I'm very sympathetic to the Tea Party movement, but is it now the rule by which we must measure everything? Bachmann and Hensarling are both good representatives-- need we split them into good/bad based on how active they have been in the Tea Party movement?
My point is that we are needlessly characterizing this an ideological divide where none should exist. · Nov 4 at 8:08am
I've been critical of the tea party movement--and the monolithic thinking that can accompany it--but I think that in Michelle Bachmann, the tea party and the House GOP have a very articulate and intelligent leader. She has proven herself as a leader over the last two years more vocally and effectively (in political terms) than Hensarling has. Why shouldn't Boehner kill two birds with one stone and endorse her in this leadership position?
May '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
River: Communications set-up, nuclear button, a fleet of limousines and majority of the White House staff will be in India accompanying the President on this three-day visit that will cover Mumbai and Delhi.
He will also be protected by a fleet of 34 warships, including an aircraft carrier, which will patrol the sea lanes off the Mumbai coast during his two-day stay there beginning Saturday. The measure has been taken as Mumbai attack in 2008 took place from the sea.
Arrangements have been put in place for emergency evacuation, if needed......
Edited on Nov 04 at 08:04 am
That sort of rocks. Give them Indians a taste of real Empire. Course, this is what happens when you lose domestically.
Feb '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
If he decides to do that, let him do it on the merits of the particular candidate. Don't let it become a "Tea Party vs. GOP Establishment" proxy war, which is what some people seem to be trying to do.
May '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
The GOP establishment needs to do some things to keep the Tea folks engaged and let them know they appreciate being resuscitated. If that includes hurting the feelings of some unknown congressman who thinks it's his "turn," so be it.
If they don't make these tangible and highly visible acknowledgments to the Roots they will soon be embracing their inner Whig.
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Busy System Admin
If he decides to do that, let him do it on the merits of the particular candidate. Don't let it become a "Tea Party vs. GOP Establishment" proxy war, which is what some people seem to be trying to do. · Nov 4 at 8:18am
I think we'll see the extent to which it's a proxy war by the way the tea party reacts to it--if they're upset, happy, or neutral when/if Bachmann gets passed over for Hensarling.
Edited on Nov 4, 2010 at 8:24amJul '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
I agree to an extent about keeping it grassroots and not having a particular leader. But I also think more organization may be needed, maybe not...but I know this, we don't need it to get more power, the people showed plenty of power on Tuesday! As for the speaker, this is crunch time, we have to put favors and side bars behind, those are at the kids table, we are at the adult table now....Paul Ryan understands numbers and gets the concept fiscally in his head and can think logically on his feet. We need that right now!!
Feb '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Emily Esfahani Smith, Ed.
Busy System Admin
If he decides to do that, let him do it on the merits of the particular candidate. Don't let it become a "Tea Party vs. GOP Establishment" proxy war, which is what some people seem to be trying to do. · Nov 4 at 8:18am
I think we'll see the extent to which it's a proxy war by the way the tea party reacts to it--if they're upset, happy, or neutral when/if Bachmann gets passed over for Hensarling. · Nov 4 at 8:23am
Edited on Nov 04 at 08:24 am
People's reactions are affected by incendiary headlines like the one on this conversation. My point is we should try to unify our side not divide it at this point. We should hold the GOP accountable but not split it in half.
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
Busy System Admin
People's reactions are affected by incendiary headlines like the one on this conversation. My point is we should try to unify our side not divide it at this point. We should hold the GOP accountable but not split it in half. · Nov 4 at 8:33am
Give people more credit than that! : )
Also, I don't see this as a "we" thing or an "our side" thing--I see it as an interesting news item, a point of tension among conservatives that I'm eager to see conservatives respond to.
Feb '10
Re: Michele Bachmann's Leadership Bid Pits Tea Partiers Against Establishment GOPers
I'll be the first to agree if the GOP doesn't walk the walk, in the current political environment, they are quite likely to face the fate of the Whigs. I made that exact point in an earlier conversation. But let's not egg it on right now. Let's see how they behave in the next two years.
Yes, Tea Party-affiliated representatives need to get significant positions of power, but let's not start the fighting over this one just yet. Especially because Jeb Hensarling is also a great candidate for the position-- a strong spending cutter from Texas. He strongly opposed the stimulus and has a 95% rating from the National Taxpayer Union (Jim DeMint gets 97%, Ron Paul 96%).
So once again, I say, let this one be decided on the merits.
If the position does go to Jeb Hensarling, I still see this as a win for Tea Party ideals, not a slap in the face to the Tea Party from the GOP Establishment.
Edited on Nov 4, 2010 at 8:56am