Bachmann jokes that recent earthquake, Hurricane Irene were signs from God

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) joked in Florida this weekend that last week's earthquake and hurricane affecting the East Coast were signs from God, meant to grab lawmakers' attention.

The Tea Party congresswoman, who took her campaign for president to the Sunshine State this weekend, joked about the cause of those natural disasters during a stop in Sarasota.

"I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We've had an earthquake; we've had a hurricane. He said, 'Are you going to start listening to me here?' " she told the audience, per the St. Petersburg Times.

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Virginia on Tuesday and reverberated through the East Coast. There were no major injuries or fatalities, though some areas suffered property damage.

Hurricane Irene, meanwhile, blew up through the East Coast over the weekend, causing potentially billions in damage and at least 21 deaths, according to reports.

Bachmann finished her thought without further reference to either disaster.

"Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet and we've got to rein in the spending," she said.

She will continue her Florida trip with three stops Monday in the Miami area.

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