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
Watch The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer weekdays at 4pm to 6pm ET and Saturdays at 6pm ET. For the latest from The Situation Room click here.
From CNN Politics
- Trump attorney appears before grand jury in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Judge says several Trump aides, including former chief of staff, must testify to Jan. 6 grand jury
- Harris hires Stephanie Young to be senior adviser
- Michele Bachmann Fast Facts
- Untitled
I am no fan of Rick Perry....the Texas idiot. But here we go again, Bachman making accusations she can't prove and claiming the info was passed on by a third party. Like when she said that hpv vacine caused retardation in a young girl.....Face the facts you ho bag, your presidential bid is toast,
Hey dimwit, your 15 minutes are up. Just go away.
I hope she stays in the race and that Perry keeps going to the debates. This is better than watching Loony Toons
lol...Wow! Another female politician with a victim mentality! Say it isn't so! Did she and Palin go to the same school or what?
Seriously, though. I shiver to think of any of these candidates ascending to the Presidency. This is the saddest bunch of candidates I've ever seen. Every single one of their campaigns is so transparent. They're all a bunch of fear-mongers, playing on our concerns and fears and not meaning or even understanding what they're talking about. The only thing I fear is the next leader who will lead us further down the path to ruin. God, this country needs an enema.
I'm no fan of Perry,.. and even less impressed with Bachmann,.. she's a liar,.. a loser and a looney.
Michele needs to stop repeating 'gossip' that she 'heard' or 'was told'. At least until it's been fact-checked.
That picture makes her look crazy. How dare you.
Michele, don't you get it? It's time to fade away, so beat it!
I find it strange that they call themselves the American Majority, when they're not in the majority... It's either wishful thinking, or they consider anyone that doesn't agree with them, American...
Non-player. Not qualified.
Who cares. Neither of you can win in the general election. Stop wasting other people's money!
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Ms Bachmann claimed she'd been attacked by a 'stealth' fig newton. Desperation is ugly, no matter who's wearing it.
Stealth? Perry probably can't even spell the word.
If the tea party supports Bachmann, why does she poll so poorly?
class...class...! QUIET! thank you.
Did Bachmann just call her Tea Party supporters roaches?
Once again Bachmann is just reporting some nonsense somebody told her. Her campaign was done a month ago.
No reason to get excited. None too soon most of these "candidates" will be voted off the Island. Good ridance.
What's the difference. You wouldn't know how to answer him anyway.
Evil little pill that she is
She's being called out by her own fellow Tea Party members and she still doubles down. I'm just glad that at least her own party are being honest about her qualifications for president. And what's the deal with pointing fingers at Perry when there's no evidence? Even I know that you don't make claims against your opponents without evidence because it only makes you look like a desparate liar.
Paranoia, always a side effect of crazy.
"This is something that people have told us," Bachmann said.
Starting to notice this trend of Bachmann constantly saying, "a businessman said, a woman said, people said" and then always having to back peddle when people call her on it (ie: Leno).
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.
There she goes again ...
Why doesn't she just pray the egg away?? Why does she refuse to produce her long form birth certificate for review?