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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Oh it was Perry who initiated it, at the orders of the Coke brothers.
Of course she has no evidence, or no facts, or no understanding of issues, or no solutions, but she does have a book coming out and that's all her campaign is about, ala Sarah Palin.
Both are the biggest Idiots of this century....period.
and the sound of one great big "snap" gets ever closer....
Sadly, the most credible Republican candidate can't seem to get enough traction among the torch and pitchfork right wing voters: Jon Huntsman, who has relevant experience on both a domestic (Gov of Utah) and international level (Ambassador to China). Once upon a time, Huntsman would have been the favorite of Repubs, but the party has gone so far to the extreme that it's become almost a caricature of itself. Pathetic.
You see, she believes what she's saying. At least she believes if she repeats it enough that you'll believe it and then, if you believe it, she'll believe it's true. As a Minnesotan, (proudly NOT in her district) I can attest that it has always been that way. Obviously, she's the guest at the end of the night who's still having a good time (in their mind) and refuses to go home long after the party is over. This is just going to get uglier. Look up "dignity" and "grace" MB, and attempt to extricate yourself from your ill-conceived ambition. Soon.
Perry is the poster boy for dirty politics, though that could be said about many in the GOBP deathcult.
They should all drop out of the campaign. The GOP candidates are a joke.
For once, I believe Bachmann. Perry is slime and is going nowhere.
this is the kind of stuff you do when your poll numbers are in single digits
These bi-polar republiCAN'Ts fight with everyone, now watch as they devour each other.
Bunch of psychopaths....romney, bachman, perry, gingrich....ad nauseum
More for the book lets boycott the book America.
They´re both losers who cares ?
Bachmann, PLEASE do as Palin has done go back home an shut your face YOUR A JOKE but thanks for the laugh's.
I'm pretty sure that Rick Perry doesn't even know what stealth means. If I were a republican, I would be looking for the head of the RNC to slap him upside the head. How embarrassing!
Doesn't she know that's how he works ALL THE TIME? What a dolt.
and, and, I'm going to tell my MOMMY what you said ! You'll get what's coming to you. Overheard while Bachman and Perry where at a playground.
Psssst, Michele. I have nothing to do with Rick Perry's camp, and EVEN I want you to get out. No stealth here . . .
Of course it couldn't just be that she is an OAF! It ALWAYS has to be the other guy's fault!
Whacko's everyone of those nominees.
As usual, the blogger's headline and tendentious and deceptive because it omitted the key fact: Ned Ryun is an announced supporter of Rick Perry's Presidential campaign. Also, Ned Ryun does not "speak for the Tea Party."
When asked whether Bachmann had evidence that the Perry campaign was involved in American Majority's statements, Bachmann replied, "No."
THIS is why she should drop out of the race.
Another Teahadist conservatard shouting accusations with no proof and eager to admit it.
Who would ever want people like this running our country?
is this YET ANOTHER false or pants-on-fire statement that bachmann is known for?
Micheles' support in this race is flatlining as it is. It won't be long until she is out of the running and possibly out of politics altogether. Actually, she gives Perry more credit then he deserves....makes him sound like some mastermind which he obviously isn't.
This woman is mental, another statement of someone told me this, so i'm going to go out and spew it just as if it is a fact. This woman truly thinks she has millions just clamoring to touch her and be in her presence and vote for her when in reality she has a very small core of nut cases just like her who think she is wonderful, the rest of the country who have any brains know she is a whack job even the majority of the teasackers