Word is out this afternoon that
Rep. Michele Bachmann's newly formed
Tea Party Caucus will hold its
inaugural meeting tomorrow with Bachmann behind the gavel.
So far, some prominent names have joined Bachmann in the caucus, including GOP Conference chairman
Mike Pence, R-Ind., NRCC Chair
Pete Sessions, R-Texas, and Rep.
Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the ranking member on the Select Committee on Intelligence.
There are also a couple of Republicans who have specifically
declined invitations to join the caucus, most notably Minority Leader
John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Minority Whip
Eric Cantor, R-Va.
According to
MSNBC, Bachmann didn't inform GOP leadership in advance that she was going to start the Tea Party Caucus and "leadership aides have strongly hinted to NBC News that they were less than pleased at its creation." Take that for whatever it's worth...