GOP Rep. Spencer Bachus Plays Down Sarah Palin Critique

Spencer Bachus, Alabama Representative and the ranking member on the Financial Services Committee, is in position to become the committee's chairman.

/ AP Photo/Dennis Cook

A Republican congressman stepped up to the plate last week, citing Sarah Palin as the reason the GOP didn't gain control of the Senate, but he later downplayed the accusation.

At a meeting in Columbiana, Alabama last Thursday, Rep. Spencer Bachus denounced Palin and the Tea Party candidates she supported, according to the Shelby County Reporter.

"The Senate would be Republican today except for states (in which Palin endorsed candidates) like Christine O'Donnell in Delaware," Bachus said. "Sarah Palin cost us control of the Senate." He went on to concede that Tea Party candidates did fare better in U.S. House races.

Bachus, who is in line to become the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, went on to comment on the election results in general.

"If you think Republicans are in charge in Washington, you can wipe that thought from your mind. Democrats are in control of the presidency and the Senate," he cautioned.

"The American people don't trust either political party. They simply choose what they think is the lesser of two evils," he said at the same meeting. "The Republican party must prove to people we mean it this time, that we are serious about less government."

He had choice words for the rest of Republicans, and not just Sarah Palin.

"I hope my Republican colleagues have gotten the message this time. Voters want the local county school board to spend their money, not the federal government," Bachus added.

Questioned by the Associated Press Tuesday following his anti-Palin comments, a spokesperson for Bachus, Tim Johnson, downplayed the remark, saying it had been taken out of context.

The argument, according to Johnson, came from the widely held viewpoint that stronger candidates in Delaware and Nevada could have cinched victories for the Republicans. Instead, losses were racked up in both states, by Christine O'Donnell and Sharron Angle, both Palin-backed "Mama Grizzlies."

Johnson added that Rep. Bachus was "extremely complimentary" of both Palin and the Tea Party, according to the AP.

[crazyname]

Blame Pailin? Dummy, blame yourselves! The teaparty is the one that got the republicans in office, and people like this guy feel like they are better suited to represent people because he feels he is another godlike politian that knows what is best for us. He is what is wrong with politics, and why politians ahve not represented the people that elected them. They are run by special interests, and spend most of their time raising money for their next election. We don't need democrats or republicans representing themselves and their special interests in Washington anymore! Term limits, take away the perks, retirement and healthcare the receive after they are out of office. They are supposed to be serving the public.

[GirlinaDoll]

How's that Gravitas-thingy going for ya, Sarah? lol :)

[GirlinaDoll]

How's that Gravitas-thingy going for ya, Sarah? lol :)

[stn_sage]

As much as I've criticized Palin, and I have, I now find myself offering these words of support---don't attach 'the sins of the GOP' solely upon Palin! SHE didn't make any of the bad decisions that Bush/Cheney are responsible for, nor, did she spend the past year saying 'NO' to the vast majority of measures that Congress took up, ignored, messed up, and put off! And, on this basis, the voters cast their votes! SHE, didn't cost the GOP the Senate, the GOP cost the GOP, the Senate!

[sickofrepukes]

The republicans are a laughing stock becouse of bush and sara. Who you going to get next rush. The drug attick. Yea no one will catch that. You should be able to pull the wool over on americans. NOT Take a back seat for the next couple of elections , the rest of your life time. hahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahaha

[crazyname]

you don't have to go back to Bush and Cheney for bad decisions. The republicans have replaced more dems in the past electin than ever before. For almost 2 years, Obama, Nancy and Harry have done nothing but feed their backers, criticize the US, blame business and blame Bush for al our problems. The finger needs to be ointe at themselves. The silent majority,or at least many more stood up and wil hopefully put a stop to the Obama Pelozi madness. The re-election of Harry, and others in the country, just goes to show how uninformed the democratic supporters are!heeheeeheeeeeeheeeeeee

[sickofrepukes]

well. We waited til nov and we are still in charge . So now what is the new wait date . You repukes are idiots. The majority of americans are not going to vote for a party that started the second great depression. Theres a big difference in stealing americas money then injecting americas money to bail us out of a great depression. take a math class and try to run for president in about 20 years . becouse america will not vote the repukes in for atleast that long

[akcoins]

PatriotMike, Enough with the socialist dems. name calling. When you give up your socialist police, fire, and retirement protection then you can call them socialists. I am wary of anyone or organization that uses the word Patriot in their name, but as a veteran I protected yours and everybody elses right to spout whatever idiocy that comes to their mind.

[retiredgustav]

And when the teabaggers can't deliver throw them out too.