By Rachel Weiner
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) is delivering the official rebuttal to President Obama's State of the Union next week. But, thanks to technology and the tea party movement, it won't be the only Republican response. In concert with Tea Party Express, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is delivering her own post-speech message.
Ryan's response will air on national television after Obama's speech; Bachmann's will be streamed on the Tea Party Express Web site. The news was announced in a fund-raising email. Bachmann founded a Tea Party Caucus in Congress, and Tea Party Express named her a "hero" in the 2010 election.
Founded by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, Tea Party Express is more closely aligned with the Republican establishment than some other conservative activist organizations.
As the Fix reported a few weeks ago, Bachmann has been weighing a presidential bid.
It's hard to see where Bachmann sees herself fitting into the GOP presidential field -- particularly if Sarah Palin runs. Bachmann and Palin inhabit largely the same political space -- female, unapologetic conservative, tea party favorite -- but Palin carries with her a much higher profile and would be hard to usurp for those voters.
Bachmann also campaigned for -- but failed to obtain -- a leadership spot in the 112th Congress.
By Rachel Weiner | January 21, 2011; 3:47 PM ET
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