Monday, Sept. 5, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Opening a tea party-backed forum in this first voting state in the South, presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann is criticizing President Barack Obama's understanding of the Constitution and is pledging fidelity to the nation's founding document as she woos the grassroots activists who could deliver her the GOP's nomination.

The Minnesota Republican on Monday said the 2012 presidential election would hinge on each candidate's understanding of the Constitution, which she called "that sacred document."

Branding herself a "constitutional conservative," the former federal tax lawyer-turned-congresswoman challenged Obama's understanding of his powers. She cited Obama's political and policy advisers, whom she called "czars," the Justice Department's decision not to appeal a court's overturning of a federal marriage law, and his immigration policies. She says all were unconstitutional.

U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina is backing Texas Gov. Rick Perry's presidential bid and will advise the Republican on economic issues.

Mulvaney said Monday he would join Perry's White House bid and says Perry has a record that has cut spending and has balanced budgets. Mulvaney announced his support after a tea party-backed forum that Perry skipped to tend to wildfires raging in his home state.

Mulvaney was elected in 2010 and enjoys popularity among the state's conservative movement. He was considered a sough-after endorsement. The endorsement was first reported by CNN.

Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Rick Perry says voters at the ballot box are the nation's most effective form of term limits, beginning a busy day of politics that is drawing the top Republicans vying for their party's presidential nomination to the early voting state of South Carolina.

With Labor Day marking the unofficial start to the 2012 campaign, the contenders are set to pitch themselves to tea partyers and the GOP base during an afternoon forum with Senator Jim DeMint in his home state.

The event is designed to probe the candidates on their views of spending, taxes and the Constitution -- bedrock principles for the tea party activists whose rising clout is likely to shape the nominating process.

(Copyright 2011, The Associated Press)