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Pence To Join Bachmann's Tea Party Caucus
Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN)
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Michele Bachmann's freshly minted Tea Party Caucus has its first member of GOP leadership: Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence.
At a press availability this afternoon, Pence was enthusiastic. "You betcha," Pence said when asked if he'd join.
"I come out of a background -- I was chairman of the Republican Study Committee, I was chairman of...the House Conservative Caucus," he added. My hope is that this Tea Party caucus...will be an avenue for bringing some of the energy and the enthusiasm and the focus that I've seen, from the National March on Washington where I spoke on 9/12, to traveling around Indiana and all around the country, deeper into the well of Congress.
Pence has been solicitous of the Tea Party movement in the past -- the 9/12 Tea Party in DC was promoted heavily by conservative groups like FreedomWorks and right wing radio and TV host Glenn Beck. But his enthusiasm for joining the new caucus is a reminder that GOP leaders continue to flirt with the far right flank of their base.
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FreeRider
July 19, 2010 4:12 PM
That'll really boost his presidential ambitions!
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geofu54
July 19, 2010 4:53 PM in reply to FreeRider
Looks like he does believe so... lol.
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Overreach THIS!
July 19, 2010 8:28 PM in reply to geofu54
If Bachmann gets defeated in Fall, does this make him the Tea Party's Grand Kleagle?
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Cal Gal
July 19, 2010 4:22 PM
Lookin' for some of that Palin cash, I betcha.
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thomas1
July 19, 2010 4:52 PM
Wasn't the Republican Study Committee the first to declare the $20 billion from BP a 'shush fund' or were they the 'shakedown' crowd?
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FawkesFOX
July 19, 2010 4:57 PM
Oh wow, Mike! You were the chair of the BP Buttsmoochers?!! Well, you'll fit right in with Batshit Bachmann.
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zonk
July 19, 2010 5:04 PM
Good!
I encourage all recidivist republicans to join the club. If the worst of the GOP would all kindly align themselves within a single caucus, it makes it much easier to list out the miscreants that should be ignored when they speak, frozen out when legislation is negotiated, and otherwise targeted for derision and scorn.
It will be so much easier to just refer to this 'caucus' generally rather than having to waste time listing out individual names of whack jobs GOpers like Bachmann, Pence, Demint, et al.
I applaud this move and encourage other asshats to answer the calling.
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Captain Crunch
July 19, 2010 5:13 PM
Bat-Shit-Crazy-Nut-Balls of a feather stick together!!
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714Day
July 19, 2010 5:34 PM
Well good for lightbulb Pence; he's found his niche. Between himself and M. Bachman, there may be half a brain to be had.
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Texar
July 19, 2010 5:36 PM
Now THERE'S a Power Move for you! What. A. Moron.
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Ahmedsaid
July 19, 2010 5:51 PM
Mr. Pence had no defense. Michele is irrisistible, ravishing, dominant.
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BigBadBama
July 19, 2010 6:35 PM
With his killer W and Palin imitations, he will put the "party" in "tea party." His basic lack of sense will take care of the "tea" part, I guess.
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Richard L. Adlof
July 19, 2010 7:44 PM
How smurf-alicious . . .
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Maxdemon
July 19, 2010 8:20 PM
I thought Republicans were against position assisted suicide.
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PartTimeRoadie
July 20, 2010 6:49 AM
Hang on a second... I thought the Tea Party was all about standing up against the Washington Establishment? Could someone please explain what the hell is going on here then?
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Humpback
July 20, 2010 8:27 AM in reply to PartTimeRoadie
Hush! We all know the tea party was started by Republicans to fire up their base. But now the tea party recruits (who did not realize they were pawns of the party) want to exercise some control over their favorite politicians. So it will be fun to watch the internal strife as the Republican schism plays out.
Pass the popcorn.
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Steaming Pile
July 20, 2010 10:28 AM in reply to Humpback
And start making a list. I'll get you started:
Michele Bachmann
Mike Pence
Feel free to add to it as new caucus members become known.
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