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Bachmann Forms Tea Party Caucus

It poses a tricky question for Republican leaders

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 20, 2010 4:18 PM CDT

(Newser) – Tea Party favorite Michele Bachmann has formed an official Tea Party Caucus in the House of Representatives, a development that forces GOP leaders to answer what Politico terms an "existential question: Are you in or are you out?" For some, like Mike Pence, it's an easy call to join. For others, like Eric Cantor, who remains undecided, it's politically tricky territory.

They have to balance the rewards they would reap among the conservative base with the risk of alienating more moderate Republicans. "Until now, they have had the luxury of enjoying the benefits of tea party enthusiasm without having to actually declare membership," write Jonathan Allen and Jake Sherman. "But now that Bachmann has brought the tea party inside the Capitol, House Republican leaders and rank-and-file members may have to choose whether to join the institutionalized movement."

A file photo from Feb. 9, 2010, of Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 54 comments

minki

Jul 21, 2010 5:28 PM CDT

If lucky and Michele pulls this off it could possibly mean bye bye republican party and hello third party to go up against the Democrats. Ah, but one can only dream at this point.

michael

Jul 21, 2010 4:13 PM CDT

Bachmann is scarier than Palin...Palin is a greedy hack who is kind of transparent and probably will retire when she gets enough money....Bachmann is an ideologue who is a bit smarter than Palin and very mean. When an extremist religious philosophy gets tangled up in politics (oops...taliban....revolutionary guards...) then the sparks fly and they do not take any prisoners. She is dangerous and hopefully not smart enough

minki

Jul 21, 2010 11:21 AM CDT

I've believed and still do, that Michele Bachmann is and was and will always be dangerous, but the republicans always love her for dangerously outspoken mouth. It has become clear that no matter what she says the republicans will not disown her. But lets see if or when she actually does form a tea party caucus, will the Republican party boot her onto her butt. What better way to say America is angry by gathering all the Tea Klux Klan Party members and turn them into a voting block.

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Bachmann Forms Tea Party Caucus

It poses a tricky question for Republican leaders

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Congress • Michele Bachmann • Tea Party • Tea Party Caucus

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But Dems, GOP also too partisan, he tells Christiane Amanpour

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