House Republican leader John Boehner called the "tea party" protests Saturday a legitimate "political rebellion" that is the result of pushback against Democrat spending -- as politicians on both sides continue to clash over what is motivating the growing movement.

Speaking to the Values Voter Summit, an annual gathering of the religious conservatives in Washington, Boehner blasted the Democrats for "bankrupting" the country. He said people are demonstrating and attending town hall meetings because "we're in the midst of a political rebellion in America."

Boehner said the crowd at tea party he attended over Labor Day weekend near his home in Ohio drew 18,000 people, with the message to Congress that "enough is enough"...