The teabaggers are no longer useful to the GOP. At least until 2012.
We noted yesterday that Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) dark horse bid for GOP Conference Chair presents a challenge for likely House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), who must now choose between opposing a Tea Party favorite or helping a contentious figure rise into the party leadership.
However, other Republican leaders apparently have no problem disappointing Bachmann and her throng of far-right cheerleaders like Glenn Beck. As Politico reports, Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Mike Pence (R-IN) have already thrown their support behind Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), the "insider's choice" for the position.
Mike Pence thinks he's running for president. He might want to reconsider his support for Hensarling.