GOP Leaves Bachmann Alone, Hopes She Behaves

[Derechos]

By Jessica Brady
Roll Call Staff
Feb. 3, 2011, Midnight

House Republican leaders have a simple strategy for dealing with Rep. Michele Bachmann: Ignore her.

“We treat her like all Members,” a GOP leadership aide said.

Paying the tea party firebrand any special attention would only heighten her profile, empower her and potentially create schisms within the new House majority, Republican aides said.

Republican leaders might have reason to try to manage the conservative Minnesota Republican more directly, however. Bachmann hasn’t been quiet in the weeks since the 112th Congress began: She officially launched the conservative Tea Party Caucus and offered her own response to the State of the Union.

“I think there are a lot of people in the leadership that wish she would step back so the Republican Party can put up a face that appeals to moderate and independent voters, and she does none of that,” one Republican operative said. “She has a segment of the Republican Party or the tea party that’s staunchly anti-government, anti-spending, anti-tax. There is no middle appeal with her, and I think there’s a great deal of concern that the Republican Party is going to be branded as the party of Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann.”


http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_77/-203095-1.html

[DainBramaged]

1. I wonder if the mainstream GOP tries to take her out of the next election?

Working towards someone more in tune with their corporatist agenda in her district....

[foxfeet]

2. How's that hopie-she-behavie thing workin' out for them?

Ain't gonna happen.