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.
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You can't buy this kind of entertainment. I'm gonna go pop me some corn before the next act.
"Bizarre" is a pretty good description of all the Republican candidates ...
Man I'm glad I'm not that mic.
Mb- it's over. You can't even grasp straws. Save your money for your husband's ministry and for your future healthcare and private social security. You're going to need it.
It all makes sense now! Perry is part of the Gay Mafia along with Ms. Bachmann's stylist! They're stealthily conspiring with each other by getting her to wear those poorly tailored outfits, bland makeup and cheap highlights!
---"This is something that people have told us," Bachmann said.--
Kind of like that lady who told you about getting to be retarded from the Gardisil Michele? That kind of hear-say?
who cares what that woman says, thinks, does?
If she thinks she stands ANY chance at all of ever being nominated, much less actually be elected the President of the United States, she is even crazier than she appears, and the Newsweek cover made her look. In any case, whoever made the comments is right. She should drop out, she has no chance of winning anything. In fact, I'd wager her career as an elected official, is officially over.
The Christianist wingers have long ago settled into the world of the bizarre. Bachmann's obsession with gays, Perry's obvious ignorance, Newton's old school schmaltz, Romney's jilted lover routine. This isn't a group of candidates–this is a moronic reality show, a truly embarrassing period in US history. Thank God there are adults in the house.
Oh yeah, Herman Cain and his tobacco addicted chief of staff, blowing smoke in America's face.
Are people just NOW learning that Michelle Bachman is 10000% bonafide CRAZY...??? Have they NEVER YouTubed her?? Seriously, everything that comes out of her mouth is an argument for the loony bin!
Does anyone have a problem with: "tea party sponsor" or "American Majority"? I sure do.
Sounds like how they publish info on the "People's Democratic Republic of Korea" aka the "Hermit Kingdom."
Anyhow, who ever took Michele seriously as a candidate for POTUS? Waste of space and airtime. And money.
Bachman and perry are competing for the lunatic base of the party.
Bachman, do us all a favor and just fade away
Has anyone noticed everytime this woman makes claims it's always "someone told me"? This woman is simply batty and needs to go back to her husbands clinic and get some much needed help. It's over Michelle, simply over go home.
"This is something that people have told us," Bachmann said.
Wow, she thinks she can make up whatever BS she wants without any support or evidence, then just say "someone told me so." She keeps doing this. She would certainly make a comical president.
"The lunatic is on the GRASS " I don't think so , but it could possibly help her make some sense ??????? But then again ... never mind...... Winning ..... duh !!!...... Be a Tiger Blood drinking Mamma ! ??? What's are next angle ? Either of those work?
Surprised it took the Right Wing this long to come out against Michelle Whack-Job. They've suffered dearly as a result of her nonsense.
Get off the stage, Michelle. You are finished.Go back to Minnesota and do some work for the job you have abandonednin Washington.
Not to worry. She's just another menopausal woman who isn't ready to face up to reality.
Bachmann, Perry and all other Tea party candidates are irrelevant. They just cannot see it for themselves. But, they are fun to watch. It is especially fun to watch the GOP eat its own.
I think they should replace the republican primaries with a roller derby.
It just keeps getting better. All these personal attacks from the Republican candidates really show their true character. A funnier group of clowns could not be found.
Oops! Republicans/Tea Party keep shooting themselves in the foot. So stupid!!! If they keep this up, they will only make the president's purchase of the 2012 election that much easier. Oh well...
She sounds as looney tunes as when Ross Perot accused Bush Sr of disrupting his daughter's wedding.