Michele Bachmann's biggest defeat was delivered by John Boehner who denied her a position in new House leadership after Nov. 2010 elections

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5/29/13, "What Bachmann's Departure Means for the Tea Party," Breitbart, Joel B. Pollak

"The most consequential defeat of Bachmann's political career did not come at the ballot box or on the campaign trail, but in the back rooms of Congress, when she was denied a position in the new House leadership after the Tea Party led the GOP back to power in the 2010 elections. Her exclusion slowed the Tea Party's momentum, as did targeting by the IRS--an agency for which, ironically, Bachmann had once worked.

And yet Bachmann arguably paved the way for other Tea Party leaders in Congress, notably Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who followed in Bachmann's footsteps this year by giving a separate Tea Party response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address. She also--as some on the left grudgingly admit--has been one of the most competent members of Congress, serving with distinction on the House Intelligence Committee.

It remains to be seen exactly why Bachmann chose to retire. She faced tough re-election prospects, and is fending off questions about her campaign's compliance with Federal Election Commission rules after a former aide filed a complaint against her. Bachmann insists that she has complied with all rules and that the investigation into those allegations has nothing to do with her decision. The full story will eventually emerge."....


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