One outing by Bachman, that was below par, does not an abandonment of the Tea Party make. Broadly voters recognize citizen government when they see it, and know that it has long been exchanged for shiny, finished, groomed and well handled pols. Bachman could have done MUCH better, yes, but she is still a great example of coming from the people. No handlers, not very media savy, no life-long climber with no life but politics. Instead, she is a mother and much more with a real life for most of her life.
Having said that, she is capable of a much crisper performance than she gave and she looked unprepared, which is why she is taking the heat. If you know you are going to be held to a higher standard, for whatever reason, then you better deliver or call someone in who can. Common sense. And she was LATE. Sorry, but we have to take it to the people and teach in perfect pitch for awhile.
The only thing wrong with her address was the CNN camera angle. We can argue whether this was purposely done by CNN or not, but history would tell us it was intentional.
She chose to speak to the Tea Party camera, that I think was sending her speech out over the net. CNN cam got snubbed.