Bachmann savages Sorenson; Zaun taking over

Michele Bachmann accused her former Iowa chairman, Kent Sorenson, of betraying her for financial reasons and announced Wednesday night that state Sen. Brad Zaun is taking over her campaign.

"We are thrilled to announce that State Senator Brad Zaun is now Iowa Chairman of our campaign," Bachmann said in a statement. "He has tremendous respect across the state and he has worked tirelessly for our campaign. I am proud to have him as our State Chairman."

Then Bachmann took out the flamethrower against her onetime ally:

"It's clear that this was a deliberate move by the Ron Paul campaign to discredit our campaign and our growing momentum. Ron Paul is in trouble in Iowa and his campaign is worried about people learning about his dangerous stance on foreign policy and how he will make America less safe. "Kent Sorenson personally told me he was offered a large sum of money to go to work for the Paul campaign. Kent campaigned with us earlier this afternoon and went immediately afterward to a Ron Paul event and announced he is changing teams. Kent said to me yesterday that 'everyone sells out in Iowa, why shouldn't I,' then he told me he would stay with our campaign. The Ron Paul campaign has to answer for its actions."

The Paul campaign is already denying the charge.