By Mike Kaszuba

Republican Chris Barden, who is challenging state Attorney General Lori Swanson, a DFLer, was criticized by Swanson's campaign Wednesday for his ties to the Tea Party, the conservative grassroots group that is playing a role in politics across the country.

Swanson's campaign said Barden has solicited donations from Tea Party members, attended rallies, spoken at a Tea Party fundraiser and been endorsed by branches of the movement.

Barden, when asked about his view of the Tea Party, responded: "My experience with the Tea Party as I travel throughout the state is that they're mostly grandparents, and they're grandparents who are concerned about the massive debt that the government is leaving to their children and their grandchildren.

"They're absolutely normal, everyday Minnesota grandparents," he said. "Most of the Tea Party people that I meet fit that description."