GOP candidates to appear on Tea Party bus tour

The Iowa Tea Party kicks off its three-week bus tour across the Hawkeye State today in Council Bluffs, with an appearance by former New Mexico governor and GOP candidate Gary Johnson.

Iowa Tea Party Chairman Ryan Rhodes said candidates who make appearances on the bus tour stops will be able to meet people and the public will be allowed to ask them questions. All stops will be covered in posts on the publication Tea Party Review’s website, www.teapartyreview.com.

Rhodes has said any candidate or hopeful is welcome to engage with Iowa’s tea party activists. So far, confirmed guests include Johnson, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn), Atlanta businessman Herman Cain and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Rhodes said he is still waiting for confirmation from former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum‘s and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty‘s staffs.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been invited and “is greatly encouraged to come here,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes brushed off the idea that Gingrich should shy away from attending a stop on the tour, in light of his staff quitting en masse Thursday. Gingrich reported his intent to start his campaign over again in California last weekend.

“If he still wants to be a part of it, we will welcome him, of course,” Rhodes said. “If he does not, then we will let people know.”

A full bus tour stop schedule may be found at www.teapartybustour.com. It will end in Des Moines during Fourth of July weekend.