In an interview with the Daily Caller, she emphasized her tea party ties as a selling point. "I think, quite frankly, that the new leadership going forward needs to reflect the result of last Tuesday's election," she said. "The Tea Party is really made up of people who oppose the Obama, Reid, Pelosi election and many of them are apolitical and independent. I really believe that that voice needs and deserves to have a place at the table." " In a second letter to congressional Republicans sent Monday, she again pushed the idea that making her conference chair would "ensure that all voices within the Republican Party are heard."
But The Hill's Jordan Fabian points out that while rival Rep. Jeb Hensarling was put on the GOP's transition team, Bachmann wasn't. (Two tea party winners -- Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Tim Scott of South Carolina -- were included.) House GOP Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) has endorsed Hensarling. Presumptive Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and outgoing Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) are behind him too.
As Perry Bacon wrote last week, Bachmann raised more money than any other House candidate this cycle -- her $11 million topped even Boehner's total. But some Republicans are getting annoyed with Bachmann for using the tea party mantle.
"Members are getting resentful of Bachmann, who they say is making the argument that you're not really a Tea Party supporter unless you support her. That's gone through the formation of the Tea Party Caucus and the formation of this candidacy of hers. It's just not so," one aide told the Hill. Sarah Palin has declined to endorse Bachmann, who she campaigned with earlier this year. And Dick Armey, leader of the tea party-funding group Freedomworks, defended Hensarling on Sunday as "not an establishment guy."
Bachmann served as Assistant Minority Leader, but was booted from the position when she was in the MN legislature.
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