(Newser) – America's most prominent Tea Party political action committee will join forces with CNN to host a debate for Republican presidential hopefuls, Politico reports. The Tea Party Express—notable for helping many 2010 candidates achieve victory over "establishment" Republican candidates, only to suffer defeat against Democrats—will co-host the debate, to be held Labor Day week in Tampa, Florida.

While eyebrows have been raised over the partnership of a steadfastly neutral media organization with a Tea Party group, CNN officials say it's all in the interest of providing a stimulating discourse for viewers. It's folly to ignore the TPE, says CNN political director Sam Feist, as it is "a fascinating, diverse, grass-roots force that already has drastically changed the country’s political landscape.”