Michele Bachmann Says She May Not Back John Boehner for Speaker
Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann wouldn't necessarily vote for John Boehner for Speaker of the House should the GOP to take over the chamber in the midterm elections, Bachmann said in a Thursday debate on Minnesota Public Radio.
"Right now, we don't know exactly who the candidates will be. It may be John Boehner," said Bachmann, a conservative who has aggressively tied herself to the Tea Party movement. "If John Boehner's the only candidate running, I'll be voting for John Boehner."
But she emphasized that her support for him was not a guarantee.
"I would look at all the candidates and weigh it accordingly," she said.
CBS News Complete Coverage: Election 2010While no Republicans have so far emerged to challenge Boehner's leadership, Bachmann's comments reflect misgivings among the GOP's Tea Party-linked representatives in Congress about the Ohio Republican, who is known as a consummate Washington insider.
Sergio Gor, a spokesman for Bachmann, to some extent walked back the congresswoman's remarks on Thursday evening.
"Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has been clear in her support for John Boehner," he said according to The Hill. "The Congresswoman stated earlier today that as far as she knows John Boehner is the only one running for Speaker, and won't speculate on other candidates."
Bachmann is running for re-election to the House of Representatives in Minnesota's 6th Congressional district. CBS News currently rates the race a probable win for her.
