Michelle Bachmann: Tea Party And GOP Are 'Merging'

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) rejected the idea that there was animosity between the Tea Party movement and the GOP in an interview on CNN Thursday, and instead said that the two sides were on the verge of coming together under a single mantle.

"Do the Republicans become tea partiers, do tea partiers become Republicans? How does this evolve?" CNN's Ali Velshi asked Bachmann on CNN's Newsroom Thursday.

"It's really merging into one single, solitary unit," Bachmann replied. "They have unified. A number of Tea Party groups from around the country are coming together, unifying under the umbrella of economic, fiscal conservatism because Americans, quite simply, feel like they're taxed enough already."

Those comments may not ring true to some conservative activists who have sought to distance themselves from the GOP. For example, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins (who has recently been critical of RNC spending missteps ) warned the GOP that "Republicans are not the only game in town," and said that the Tea Party was "taking on a life of its own."

Watch the video of Bachmann's comments on CNN (Tea Party remarks begin at 3:30 mark):

Comments

[BettyTC]

04:15 PM on 05/27/2010

CNN must be desperate to have that kook on.

[lindy49]

09:38 AM on 05/18/2010

Rarely would I use this worn out-dated commercial phrase, but it so fits here.
This woman is Cuckioo for Cocoa Puffs!

[Sooperbohl]

09:07 PM on 05/03/2010

The only thing she should merge with is a padded room in a nuthouse.

[vidyadhara]

06:09 PM on 05/03/2010

Is there a plastic surgeon out there who will sew her lips shut. And SPailin's too.

[Sock De Jour]

11:10 AM on 04/15/2010

Excellent. The GOP is finally showing us what they are really all about... Ignorance, fear mongering, misinforma­tion and bigotry.

[Nevervotesrepublican]

03:59 PM on 04/14/2010

Why is it the tea party now? The tea bagger name was much more apropriate­.

[Nevervotesrepublican]

03:56 PM on 04/14/2010

What a shocker!!! The tea party republican­???

[LetsGoSteve]

07:15 PM on 04/11/2010

It is simple. The Tea Party serves to press members of the Republican party into adhearing to the conservati­ve platform and principals­.

[Cacey]

11:35 AM on 04/11/2010

Does anyone remember the movie called The Bes Little Whorehouse in Texas" in which Charles During danced around the rotunda of the State Capital singing "I'm Going to do a Little Texas Two Step"? So many Republican officials are doing exactly that ritght now seemingly pandering to both sides and waiting for public opinion to determine their actions. Where is the leadership in the Repbulican Party?

[atexasdem]

02:13 AM on 04/11/2010

It took this long to figure this out? Those million dollar buses, cross country campaigns and private jets are not from the "grass roots" people. Grass roots people can't afford them.
Look at the crowd pictures and you tell me, do those people look like they have lots of money to donate? Do those people look like they can develop a nationwide campaign? If the tea party group ever was a "grass roots" thing it's long gone and taken over.

[Patriotichemp]

02:41 AM on 04/11/2010

yes, by the same folks that brought you Iraq ll Afgan23 and big oil & wall st. with well establishe­d political ties. The rich rule, that is how capitalism works. If the rich ruling isn't your cup of tea then, you might want to consider other ways to complete your sentence here on earth..

[LetsGoSteve]

09:01 PM on 04/11/2010

"Those People" are your neighbors, co-workers­, and perhaps members of your own family.

[Nevervotesrepublican]

03:58 PM on 04/14/2010

Not my family.

[freethinkergirl]

11:16 PM on 04/24/2010

My family is all very sane and are well adjusted Democrats.

[vinny]

01:05 AM on 04/11/2010

co-opted

[Patriotichemp]

12:51 AM on 04/11/2010

The rethulican partay is now represente­d by a minor congress person from a minor state, a self proclaimed rodeo clown, A drugged out fatbastard­, and a screechy illiterate Alaskan, and only one of them even holds an elected office. What would their hero, Ronnie Ray gun think of this sorry state of affairs?

[imsosure]

10:43 PM on 04/10/2010

I hope the Tea Party does merge into the GOP as it will make things so much easier to win in 2012.

[sandan]

12:09 AM on 04/11/2010

It might be more appropriat­e to say that the Tea Party and the GOP will make it more easier for the Democrats to win if they unite and hemorrhage through their fear tactics and un-America­n activities that are slowly uniting people like me.
Your presidents­, Harding, Coolidge and Hoover almost killed me by creating the Great Depression­, and had it not been for my grandmothe­r, I wouldn't be around today. Since that time, I was fortunate to work through poverty and become something, a retired military officer and retired teacher, without any help from self-cente­red Republican­s who are destroying our Great Nation.
You Teabaggers and Republiclo­nes better get up early in the morning because, over the past 77 years, I've seen enough of your nonsense and heard enough of your lies. RIP!

[Garbaj]

10:02 PM on 04/10/2010

lol...don'­t believe the hype...! the tea party and the gop merging is like saying the progressiv­e movement has decided to join the mainstream democratic party...!!­! while the news media and the blogospher­e revel in the glee to make this shit news because there isn't much else going on with the gop; erstwhile savvy minds know better. the tea party movement has ALWAYS been part of the gop; just not as vocal nor as visible. its the radical; fundamenta­list; ultra conservati­ve faction that likes to dress itself up in the flag; quote the founding fathers; blow up abortion clinics and arm themselves to the teeth as though the martians are about to invade planet earth. we're just seeing and hearing more about them now due to the fact that the political and demographi­c landscape has shifted away from their sphere of influence. at the end of the day its just an illusion of a new political faction...­don't believe the hype...!!!

[AZAFVET]

08:46 PM on 04/10/2010

My condolence­s to the GOP, a once respectabl­e political party. My dad would have been so ashamed.

[sandan]

12:16 AM on 04/11/2010

Amen AZAFVET. After almost eighty years and having served in two wars what the party of Teddy Roosevelt has become,is the party of "No" for the average American. Shame on them, Shame!
Their time will come!