Bachmann accuses Perry camp of 'stealth' political attack
(CNN) - Michele Bachmann accused Rick Perry's presidential campaign Friday of a "stealth" political attack - a charge the Texas governor's campaign flat out denied.
"If Gov. Perry has something to say to me, he can come out to the debates and say it," Bachmann said in an interview with CNN. "But this is egg on the face unfortunately for the Perry campaign."
At issue: tea party sponsor American Majority's urging for Bachmann to drop out of the presidential race. On Thursday, the group's executive director Matt Robbins told CNN that Bachmann's White House bid "is not a serious presidential campaign." His comments coincided with a blog statement from American Majority president Ned Ryun, who outlined reasons why "it's time for Michele Bachmann to go."
Among other claims, Ryun wrote that Bachmann's emphasis on social issues was damaging the tea party movement.
In an interview with CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer," Bachmann fired back, targeting the Texas governor.
"Well, of course, we found out that this is really a misstep on the part of the Perry campaign because these are Perry supporters that came out," Bachmann told CNN. "This was a clumsy move."
Bachmann continued: "This was meant to be a stealth move to make it look like this was tea party."
"It certainly isn't a blow to my campaign because I've had nonstop support coming out of the woodwork from tea partiers all across the country ever since this came out," she said.
When asked whether Bachmann had evidence that the Perry campaign was involved in American Majority's statements, Bachmann replied, "No."
"This is something that people have told us," Bachmann said.
Both American Majority and Perry's campaign deny they were working together.
"We learned about this from news reports today. We were not aware or involved in the group's action," Perry campaign communications director Ray Sullivan said in a statement to CNN.
The group's president called Bachmann's assertion "bizarre."
"I have no connection with the Perry campaign," Ryun told CNN, although he did publicly express support for Perry's tax plan revealed earlier this week.
Ryun also said it's "wildly illegal" for his nonprofit group to endorse a candidate.
"American Majority does not endorse. I'm not working for or with any campaign," Ryun said.
"It goes back to let's focus on the substance of what this whole debate was about to begin with. Where are your substantive ideas to actually advance the ideas of the tea party movement?" he added.
–Follow Shannon Travis on Twitter: @ShanTravisCNN
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In her pic, doesn't it look like she is singing "Oh say, can you see?"
The tea party support has certainly come out of the woodwork for Bachman, as she claims. And from under rocks, tree houses, and double wides in the swamps as well.
Bachman over Perry anyday!!!
Does the epitome of dolt still think she's relevant? What? Nobody told her April's Fool day isn't everyday?
"This is something that people have told us," Bachmann said"
Does this stupid, wretched, wingnut, wench never learn, to not repeat here say as fact i.e. the PV vaccine causes mental retardation(makes one wonder if perhaps she was the "case study")
And again, she proves the more she learns how irrelevant she is even with tea baggers(doesn't she lead a bagger caucus coffee clatch for them or something?) she screams more nonsense and just screams it louder! This walking set of boobs wold have us in WWIII because "someone told me they were going to attack us). THis loose cannon needs to be kept waaay awwwwaaay from any nuclear codes. I am concerned that she may actually have access to the Pentagon.
As Carville said maybe this shrill shill can be the butter for Rick Perry's toast and they will both leave.
Then we will be left with Willard the Weathervane, and Jon Huntsman, the new GOP stand up comic!
Go away Michele. This is the first thing I've agreed with the Tea Party. EVEN they are embarrassed about Michele pray away the gay Bachman. Never in the field of political punditry has a candidate has so little talent and so many weird ideas.. The rest of the world much think we've lost our mind that some one like Michele who is so unqualified for the office of president is actually running and has supporters. We are losing our country. Joe is plumber is now running for congress. Maybe this is all a bad dream???
Bachmann and Perry. Two self-promoting egotists, and neither with the "gravitas" to be president of the United States.
It's amazing how many times this idiot relies on the "someone told us" defense. Needless to say, she's completely impossible to take seriously.
Look, Mr & Mrs Michele Bachmann, why talk about 'egg on the face' when you yourself are toast?
Honestly, has this women ever told the truth about anything? She is the master of spin.. and anyone who believes anything that comes out of her mouth is a fool. She and her husband can cure all gay people and balance the budget and walk on water.
Hilarious.... Mo telling Curly he's not a serious contender!
Its a stealth attack because it is not possible that someone in the tea party wouldn't like bachman because she's the star of any show she attends, even the clown show.
The Tea Party is most definitly NOT the american majority!!
I tell you, "I am not a witch".
Big mistake by Bachmann to even acknowledge this group that calls themselves the "American Majority" because just acknowledging them gives the perception that they have more influence than they actually have in the party. When you compare Bachmann to the way that Palin strung her supporters along for months when she had no intention of running, its obvious Bachmann is serious about the run she is making. She may not wind up being the eventual candidate, but she is running as if she can be the candidate. You have to wonder if anything sort of the resurrection of Barry Goldwater would satisfy the tea baggers. Who is this guy Nunn anyway, head of the TP in 7 states, ohhhh we are shaking in our boots.
Not that I love Rick Perry, but my guess is Bachmann is accusing Perry to put some life back into her dying campain.
Not a good idea, and its not going to work.
One loser trying to outdo the other loser. Go home, both of you.
Oh damn, here we go again. Now she is alleging a 'stealth attack'? 15 minutes ago she was found to be exagerating something about the Obama administration. Now she is accusing Perry of misdeeds. Is this what a 'political death rattle' sounds like?
Neither Bachmann or Perry would recognize facts or truth if they slapped them in the face. These are two narcisstic opportunists simply trying to hoodwink the American public in order to stroke their massives egos.
The republican terrorist party is showing it's true colors. They even hate each other.
stealth political attacks cause mental retardation.. oh too late for bachmann
Michelle Bachman needs to stop playing the blame game and stop the sound bites she needs get serious and lay out her vision in detail. right now is all she is a side show. which maybe is where she needs to be but the silent side.
mj
What? Michele Bachmann making bold statements and assertions without any facts or evidence to back them up? Shocker.
Why are we concerned about these two candidates...neither one has a chance of securing the nomination of the Republican party.
"This is something that people have told us," Bachmann said.
This is the SECOND time she has said this about something yet AGAIN she has NO PROOF!!! Michelle if you really love America, please do your job as an elected member of congress to represent your district and get off the campaign trail.