GOP Rep: Republicans Complaining About Pelosi Are "Babies Sucking Their Thumbs"

Roll Call reports (subscription req'd)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) threw cold water on a key rationale House Republican leaders have been employing this afternoon to explain why they couldn't deliver more GOP votes for the Wall Street bailout package.

At a Monday afternoon press conference, GOP leaders argued that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) cost the measure a dozen Republican votes by delivering an overly partisan floor speech in support of it.

But Bachmann, speaking at a Republican Study Committee press conference, told reporters, "I want to assure you that was not the case. We are not babies who suck our thumbs. We have very principled reasons for voting no."

Bachmann was responding to comments Democratic leaders made dismissing the GOP leaders' claims. But she apparently confused the Democratic response with the initial charge by Republicans, and her comments mirrored those of the Democratic leaders.

UPDATE: More from GOP Rep. John Shadegg on Tuesday's Morning Joe:

Joe Scarborough: Let's bring in Republican Arizona Representative John Shaddegg. Did you vote against this bill because your feelings were hurt by Barney Frank or Nancy Pelosi?

John Shadegg: No, I didn't. It was a stupid speech by her. They didn't move any votes.

Joe Scarborough: Was Boehner wrong?

John Shadegg: Yes. It was embarrassing for leadership on both parties to lose the bill so they made a stupid claim.