Michelle Bachmann (1 Viewer)

[Andy Dufresne]

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=MN06&cycle=2010This is more than was spent on any election across the nation so my question remains. Why?

It was played up that Bachmann's seat (tee hee) was one of those targeted by Pelosi for takeover. The Republican donors responded in kind.

 

[Biabreakable]

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=MN06&cycle=2010This is more than was spent on any election across the nation so my question remains. Why?

It was played up that Bachmann's seat (tee hee) was one of those targeted by Pelosi for takeover. The Republican donors responded in kind.

While mentioning Pelosi certainly spurs people to write checks I don't see how this seat is more important than others that were contested across the nation.There is something else to this than just that Andy.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=MN06&cycle=2010This is more than was spent on any election across the nation so my question remains. Why?

It was played up that Bachmann's seat (tee hee) was one of those targeted by Pelosi for takeover. The Republican donors responded in kind.

While mentioning Pelosi certainly spurs people to write checks I don't see how this seat is more important than others that were contested across the nation.There is something else to this than just that Andy.

It was Pelosi that mentioned Bachmann that caused the interest, not the other way around.That, and we're rich here in Minnesota's 6th district.

 

[Tiny Dancer]

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=MN06&cycle=2010This is more than was spent on any election across the nation so my question remains. Why?

It was played up that Bachmann's seat (tee hee) was one of those targeted by Pelosi for takeover. The Republican donors responded in kind.

While mentioning Pelosi certainly spurs people to write checks I don't see how this seat is more important than others that were contested across the nation.There is something else to this than just that Andy.

No, that's pretty much it. It's largely a product of gerrymandering. There just aren't all that many districts with competitive races. Of the ones that are competitive, there's almost never a high-profile incumbent like Bachmann involved. Most of the big names like Pelosi or Boehner win every cycle by huge margins, so there's no incentive to spend money in their races.

 

[Biabreakable]

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=MN06&cycle=2010This is more than was spent on any election across the nation so my question remains. Why?

It was played up that Bachmann's seat (tee hee) was one of those targeted by Pelosi for takeover. The Republican donors responded in kind.

While mentioning Pelosi certainly spurs people to write checks I don't see how this seat is more important than others that were contested across the nation.There is something else to this than just that Andy.

No, that's pretty much it. It's largely a product of gerrymandering. There just aren't all that many districts with competitive races. Of the ones that are competitive, there's almost never a high-profile incumbent like Bachmann involved. Most of the big names like Pelosi or Boehner win every cycle by huge margins, so there's no incentive to spend money in their races.

While I understand that competitive races will get more contributions and attention than ones that are not competitive, that still does not explain why more money was spent on MN district 6 than any other race across the nation.

 

[jon_mx]

While I understand that competitive races will get more contributions and attention than ones that are not competitive, that still does not explain why more money was spent on MN district 6 than any other race across the nation.

Because Bachmann is a lightening rod. Social conservatives love her, Liberals hate her with a passion. It is passion not logic which drives the donations from both sides. The race really was not that important. Outside of Sarah Palin, Bachmann is the most loved/hated person in politics. And Palin was not running for anything.

 

[Tiny Dancer]

While I understand that competitive races will get more contributions and attention than ones that are not competitive, that still does not explain why more money was spent on MN district 6 than any other race across the nation.

Like I said, a lot of it has to do with Bachmann's high profile and the fact that there are some people that really love her and some that really hate her and therefore are willing to spend money to try to either keep her in the House or defeat her.If you look at the Open Secrets top 10 list you pointed to, you'll see that some of the others on the list shared a lot of the same characteristics. Number 5 involved Joe Wilson, the guy that yelled "you lie" during the State of the Union. Number 9 involved Alan Grayson, the liberal guy who accused Republicans of wanting old people to die, among other things.

 

[Jewell]

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=MN06&cycle=2010

This is more than was spent on any election across the nation so my question remains. Why?

It was played up that Bachmann's seat (tee hee) was one of those targeted by Pelosi for takeover. The Republican donors responded in kind.

While mentioning Pelosi certainly spurs people to write checks I don't see how this seat is more important than others that were contested across the nation.There is something else to this than just that Andy.

No, that's pretty much it. It's largely a product of gerrymandering. There just aren't all that many districts with competitive races. Of the ones that are competitive, there's almost never a high-profile incumbent like Bachmann involved. Most of the big names like Pelosi or Boehner win every cycle by huge margins, so there's no incentive to spend money in their races.

Plus, donors realized that they'd have to invest even more money than usual into Bachmann's district because the district is 92% white and white people are ignorant. At least according to MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell:O'DONNELL: What makes those voters so ignorant? Well, for starters, they are whiter than the average district. 92 percent white in fact. (LINK)

 

[Tiny Dancer]

Plus, donors realized that they'd have to invest even more money than usual into Bachmann's district because the district is 92% white and white people are ignorant. At least according to MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell:

O'DONNELL: What makes those voters so ignorant? Well, for starters, they are whiter than the average district. 92 percent white in fact. (LINK)

I read the transcript as O'Donnell eliminating possibilities, although he doesn't say it very artfully. Here's how I read it:O'Donnell: "Why are her voters so dumb?"

Unstated suggestion someone might come up with: "It's a heavily minority district."

O'Donnell response: "Nope, it's a very white district."

Unstated suggestion someone might come up with: "It's a low income district."

O'Donnell response: "Nope, it's a middle class district."

Unstated question: "Well, what is it then?"

O'Donnell response: "I don't know, if you have any ideas, send them in to the show."

 

[Jewell]

Plus, donors realized that they'd have to invest even more money than usual into Bachmann's district because the district is 92% white and white people are ignorant. At least according to MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell:

O'DONNELL: What makes those voters so ignorant? Well, for starters, they are whiter than the average district. 92 percent white in fact. (LINK)

I read the transcript as O'Donnell eliminating possibilities, although he doesn't say it very artfully. Here's how I read it:O'Donnell: "Why are her voters so dumb?"

Unstated suggestion someone might come up with: "It's a heavily minority district."

O'Donnell response: "Nope, it's a very white district."

Unstated suggestion someone might come up with: "It's a low income district."

O'Donnell response: "Nope, it's a middle class district."

Unstated question: "Well, what is it then?"

O'Donnell response: "I don't know, if you have any ideas, send them in to the show."

I read it the exact same way. It's just interesting that's the first "possibility" that O'Donnell raises to dismiss is race. It's like an attorney saying: "Ladies and gentleman of the jury, did the defendant commit this crime because he's a Latino gang-banger who routinely beats women or did he commit the crime because of another reason?" Even if you dismiss those first "possibilities" you've already planted that thought in the audience's heads.

O'Donnell knows what he's doing and a comparable comment like that directed at another American racial group, even just as a possibility, wouldn't be tolerated.

 

[urbanhack]

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/03/bachmann-iowa-kent-sorenson-birther

 

[the moops]

I am so excited for her to run for the presidency. I want to see her and Palin in a debate. Maybe with a bit of Tom Tancredo as well.

 

[urbanhack]

I am so excited for her to run for the presidency. I want to see her and Palin in a debate. Maybe with a bit of Tom Tancredo as well.

+ newt

 

[Jewell]

I am so excited for her to run for the presidency. I want to see her and Palin in a debate.

You're going to be surprised by Bachmann's performance. She's been practicing which camera to look at.

 

[Gordo]

Link

In the race for the White House, Michele Bachmann is surging. A new Iowa poll, the first snapshot in the first-in-the-nation caucus state, found Bachmann statistically tied with frontrunner Mitt Romney among likely Republican caucus-goers there...

She will say something really stupid again soon, and be statistically done for.

 

[badmojo1006]

Link

In the race for the White House, Michele Bachmann is surging. A new Iowa poll, the first snapshot in the first-in-the-nation caucus state, found Bachmann statistically tied with frontrunner Mitt Romney among likely Republican caucus-goers there...

She will say something really stupid again soon, and be statistically done for.

She proposes a constitutional amendment making marriage between a man and a woman

 

[timschochet]

Link

In the race for the White House, Michele Bachmann is surging. A new Iowa poll, the first snapshot in the first-in-the-nation caucus state, found Bachmann statistically tied with frontrunner Mitt Romney among likely Republican caucus-goers there...

She will say something really stupid again soon, and be statistically done for.

I don't think so. She's said plenty of stupid things in the past (like when she said that "The Lion King" was a recruitment tool for homosexuals) and her supporters still love her. I think she's going to win Iowa.

 

[the moops]

I think she's going to win Iowa.

I sure hope so. The comedy value has so much potential.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Link

In the race for the White House, Michele Bachmann is surging. A new Iowa poll, the first snapshot in the first-in-the-nation caucus state, found Bachmann statistically tied with frontrunner Mitt Romney among likely Republican caucus-goers there...

She will say something really stupid again soon, and be statistically done for.

I don't think so. The end of many campaigns can be traced to a single stupid statement or moment. But not every stupid moment ends a campaign.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

I think she's going to win Iowa.

I sure hope so. The comedy value has so much potential.

It will be interesting to see what Romney does if it starts looking like 08 again.

 

[squistion]

Chris Wallace Asks Michele Bachmann: 'Are You A Flake?'

WASHINGTON -- As Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-Minn) presidential candidacy grows more serious, and as her position in the Iowa polls continues to strengthen, she will, undoubtedly, be asked about some of the more provocative avowals she's made in her past.

Sunday was -– sort of -– one of those moments. While Fox News Chris Wallace didn't press the Minnesota Republican on any specific statement -- whether it be that President Barack Obama was creating a gangster government, that anti-American sentiment existed in Congress, or that NATO air strikes had killed up to 30,000 civilians in Libya -- he did touch on the broader point.

"Are you a flake?" he asked.

Bachmann seemed offended by the line of inquiry. "I think that would be insulting to say something like that because I'm a serious person," she explained. She then went on to tout all the ways in which she was, indeed, serious.

"I'm 55 years old. I've been married 33 years," she said. "I'm not only a lawyer, I have a post-doctorate degree in federal tax law from William and Mary. I've worked in serious scholarship … my husband and I have raised five kids, we've raised 23 foster children. We've applied ourselves to education reform. We started a charter school for at-risk kids. I've also been a state senator and member of the United States Congress for five years."

The exchange wasn't particularly illustrative of anything, save Bachmann's adeptness at turning a question she doesn't like into a platform to discuss her best attributes. So Wallace asked again.

"Do you recognize that now that you are in the spotlight in a way that you weren't before that you have to be careful," he said, with the tone of a professional counselor as opposed to an interviewer.

"Of course a person has to be careful with the statements they make," replied Bachmann. "I think now will be an opportunity to speak fully on the issues. I look forward to that."

Link

 

[Trey]

She's going to win the straw poll in 2 months.

She's going to win Iowa.

But her problem is that she is relying on a Huntsman, Giuliani, etc. to keep Romney's numbers down in New Hampshire. If she were to pull off a close second in New Hampshire...

I've been saying since the start that it is unwise to take her lightly. She has a viable path to the nomination.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

This article is an interesting read. It argues that Bachmann is not a Palin-like flake: she is worthy of being taken seriously.

On the other hand, here are a few articles cataloging some of the wacky or false things she's said:

Politico.

PolitiFact.

Mother Jones.

 

[Don Quixote]

Chris Wallace Asks Michele Bachmann: 'Are You A Flake?'

Link

Sunday did not seem to go well for her. I was watching Face the Nation and Bob Scheiffer said at the end to her something approximating, "I once again asked you a question and once again I don't think you answered it, but thanks for being on here."

 

[timschochet]

Sunday did not seem to go well for her. I was watching Face the Nation and Bob Scheiffer said at the end to her something approximating, "I once again asked you a question and once again I don't think you answered it, but thanks for being on here."

The worse she does with the national media, the better she will do with the people who will be supporting her campaign.

 

[the moops]

2004: Songwriter Melissa Etheridge has breast cancer. That's bad news. But there's good news too, Bachmann tells the conservative education group EdWatch: maybe the cancer will give her time to reflect on her sinful lifestyle: "Unfortunately she is now suffering from breast cancer, so keep her in your prayers. This may be an opportunity for her now to be open to some spiritual things, now that she is suffering with that physical disease. She is a lesbian." In the same speech, she alleges that "almost all, if not all, individuals who have gone into the lifestyle have been abused at one time in their life, either by a male or by a female."

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Here's the Face The Nation interview.

I thought she did very well. I don't agree with all of her positions - but she's certainly not a flake (not that it was Bob Schieffer who asked that). And she's no Sarah Palin.

 

[Dragons]

Watching her this morning on Face the Nation was painful. I don't think she's capable of directly answering a tough question. What's sad is my in-laws are infatuated with her.

 

[kutta]

Two years ago I thought there was no way Obama wouldn't be elected for a 2nd term. With the economy and unemployment where it is now, the Republicans have a golden opportunity to steal this election. But they will find a way to screw it up by nominating someone like Bachman or Palin.

 

[Don't Noonan]

Two years ago I thought there was no way Obama wouldn't be elected for a 2nd term. With the economy and unemployment where it is now, the Republicans have a golden opportunity to steal this election. But they will find a way to screw it up by nominating someone like Bachman or Palin.

You could very well be right. I think I read that no President has ever been re-elected when the unemployment rate is above 7.4%. Something is going to have give if the Republicans put up a longshot because there is no way the unemplyment rate will be below 8% in a year.

 

[NCCommish]

It's going to be easy for someone to win Iowa. The big guys are pulling out. Romney isn't going.

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

This article is an interesting read. It argues that Bachmann is not a Palin-like flake: she is worthy of being taken seriously.

On the other hand, here are a few articles cataloging some of the wacky or false things she's said:

Politico.

PolitiFact.

Mother Jones.

Still don't think she's worthy of being taken seriously. She's genuine about who she is but her positions are too far out there. She will get hammered in debates once opponents start challenging her on her positions.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

She's genuine about who she is but her positions are too far out there. She will get hammered in debates once opponents start challenging her on her positions.

Name one with the spine or cojones. If they're not going after Mitt, I seriously doubt they go after her. They're all hoping the media does their dirty work for them.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Here's the Face The Nation interview.

I thought she did very well. I don't agree with all of her positions - but she's certainly not a flake (not that it was Bob Schieffer who asked that). And she's no Sarah Palin.

Where specifically do you think she performed well?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

This article is an interesting read. It argues that Bachmann is not a Palin-like flake: she is worthy of being taken seriously.

On the other hand, here are a few articles cataloging some of the wacky or false things she's said:

Politico.

PolitiFact.

Mother Jones.

Excellent. Thanks for sharing MT.

.Politics→ Elections, Offbeat, Race and Ethnicity, Top Stories

PreviousPage 3 of 3.Michele Bachmann Said What!?

Your guide to the Minnesota firebrand's most outrageous, outlandish, and out-there remarks.

— By Tim Murphy

Mon Jun. 6, 2011 3:00 AM PDT

DonateNewsletter

150 Comments | Post Comment.. 2010: Bachmann warns that critics of the Affordable Care Act will be denied coverage, based on their political beliefs. As evidence, she cites a conversation with a Japanese man who told her that in Japan, health care reform opponents are afraid to speak up: "'Well why is that,' I asked. [He said], 'Because they know that would get on a list and they wouldn’t get health care. They wouldn't get in. They wouldn't get seen. And so people are afraid. They're afraid to speak back to government. They're afraid to say anything.' Is that what we want for our future? That takes us to gangster government at that point!"

2010: After House Democrats propose using a relatively standard parliamentary procedures to pass the Affordable Care Act, Bachmann calls for an investigation: "Well, yeah, and the other thing is treason media. Where is the mainstream media in all of this not telling this story? This is a compelling story. That the Speaker of the House would even consider having us pass a bill that no one votes on. That should laugh her out of the House and there should be people that are calling for impeachment off of something like this."

2010: Ever vigilant of bureaucratic waste, Bachmann alleges that President Obama's trip to India will be more expensive than the entire war in Afghanistan: "The president of the United States will be taking a trip over to India that is expected to cost the taxpayers $200 million a day. He's taking 2,000 people with him. He will be renting out over 870 rooms in India. And these are five-star hotel rooms at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. This is the kind of over-the-top spending." An exasperated White House spokesman later said the charges, which stemmed from an anonymous official in the west Indian state of Maharashtra, had "no basis in reality."

2010: Remember that whole bit about Obama being "anti-American" back in 2008? Yeah, forget that. Bachmann tells Bill O'Reilly: "Candidate Obama was a very reasonable fellow."

2010: Redundant Redundancies, vol. II: "That's what the Bill of Rights is all about—to secure our individual liberties from an overweening huge bureaucratic large big government."

2011: In a speech to New Hampshire tea partiers, Bachmann crafts an alternative history of the American Revolution: "What I love about New Hampshire and what we have in common is our extreme love for liberty. You’re the state where the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord."

2011: As the House GOP prepares to vote on a continuing resolution to fund the government, Bachmann urges her colleagues to hold the line: "This is our mice or men moment. We need to show whether we are mice or men." The bill passes; we're mice, apparently.

2011: Bachmann suggests an unlikely fix to the nation's long-term deficit: "I think if we give Glenn Beck the numbers, he can solve this."

Classic

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Here's the Face The Nation interview.

I thought she did very well. I don't agree with all of her positions - but she's certainly not a flake (not that it was Bob Schieffer who asked that). And she's no Sarah Palin.

Where specifically do you think she performed well?

I thought she did well throughout the interview, not any one specific place. He was trying to get her to say her business experience equaled Romney and she deflected and said that her business experience was substantial and sufficient for the job. I think the only low point was the silliness of the limos which plays better at a rally than a sit down interview like this - but other than that - I don't think she did a "painful" interview at all. I think she's been pretty shrewd about drawing distinctions between her and Romney (considering they're both pro-lifers) by saying she supports an amendment while he won't even sign the Susan B Anthony List (I'm MORE pro-life than him!) which will play well in Iowa and the primaries, while at the same time repeating that she's for letting the states decide, which contradicts the amendment but plays better in a general election.

I disagree with her views but she came across as an intelligent candidate with a spine who is unapologetic about her convictions.

 

[badmojo1006]

Here's the Face The Nation interview.

I thought she did very well. I don't agree with all of her positions - but she's certainly not a flake (not that it was Bob Schieffer who asked that). And she's no Sarah Palin.

Where specifically do you think she performed well?

I thought she did well throughout the interview, not any one specific place. He was trying to get her to say her business experience equaled Romney and she deflected and said that her business experience was substantial and sufficient for the job. I think the only low point was the silliness of the limos which plays better at a rally than a sit down interview like this - but other than that - I don't think she did a "painful" interview at all. I think she's been pretty shrewd about drawing distinctions between her and Romney (considering they're both pro-lifers) by saying she supports an amendment while he won't even sign the Susan B Anthony List (I'm MORE pro-life than him!) which will play well in Iowa and the primaries, while at the same time repeating that she's for letting the states decide, which contradicts the amendment but plays better in a general election.

I disagree with her views but she came across as an intelligent candidate with a spine who is unapologetic about her convictions.

I watched about 5 minutes and she was not answering his questions. And ignoring him when he brought up facts disputing her claims. And she stumbled a couple of times

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Here's the Face The Nation interview.

I thought she did very well. I don't agree with all of her positions - but she's certainly not a flake (not that it was Bob Schieffer who asked that). And she's no Sarah Palin.

Where specifically do you think she performed well?

I thought she did well throughout the interview, not any one specific place. He was trying to get her to say her business experience equaled Romney and she deflected and said that her business experience was substantial and sufficient for the job. I think the only low point was the silliness of the limos which plays better at a rally than a sit down interview like this - but other than that - I don't think she did a "painful" interview at all. I think she's been pretty shrewd about drawing distinctions between her and Romney (considering they're both pro-lifers) by saying she supports an amendment while he won't even sign the Susan B Anthony List (I'm MORE pro-life than him!) which will play well in Iowa and the primaries, while at the same time repeating that she's for letting the states decide, which contradicts the amendment but plays better in a general election.

I disagree with her views but she came across as an intelligent candidate with a spine who is unapologetic about her convictions.

I watched about 5 minutes and she was not answering his questions. And ignoring him when he brought up facts disputing her claims. And she stumbled a couple of times

Cool. One of the reasons I posted the link is so people can watch and make their own opinion. I watched the whole thing.

 

[flufhed]

Here's the Face The Nation interview.

I thought she did very well. I don't agree with all of her positions - but she's certainly not a flake (not that it was Bob Schieffer who asked that). And she's no Sarah Palin.

She says some crazy stuff, but she is a pretty compelling lady. Obviously I would never vote for her, but I bet there are plenty of people who would. At least, unlike Romney, she's a real person.

 

[NCCommish]

Here's the Face The Nation interview.

I thought she did very well. I don't agree with all of her positions - but she's certainly not a flake (not that it was Bob Schieffer who asked that). And she's no Sarah Palin.

She says some crazy stuff, but she is a pretty compelling lady. Obviously I would never vote for her, but I bet there are plenty of people who would. At least, unlike Romney, she's a real person.

Yeah but her real person is a loon. Paranoid schizophrenics truly believe doesn't make them less off the tracks.

 

[roadkill1292]

The middle generally decides elections and I can't see it voting for this lady. The middle may indeed be looking for decisive leadership but Ms. Bachmann is most definitive on issues in which the middle has swung to the opposite viewpoint.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

The middle generally decides elections and I can't see it voting for this lady. The middle may indeed be looking for decisive leadership but Ms. Bachmann is most definitive on issues in which the middle has swung to the opposite viewpoint.

Are you talking about the general election or the Republican primaries?

 

[badmojo1006]

The middle generally decides elections and I can't see it voting for this lady. The middle may indeed be looking for decisive leadership but Ms. Bachmann is most definitive on issues in which the middle has swung to the opposite viewpoint.

Are you talking about the general election or the Republican primaries?

I think she has a decent chance of winning the primaries, but very much doubt she could win the general election. Too extreme

 

[Andy Dufresne]

She's just fine as a Congresswoman. She is not what our nation needs as a President.

 

[badmojo1006]

Chris Wallace apologized for his "Are you a flake?" question. Must have gotten a lot of pressure from up above at FOX.

 

[flufhed]

The middle generally decides elections and I can't see it voting for this lady. The middle may indeed be looking for decisive leadership but Ms. Bachmann is most definitive on issues in which the middle has swung to the opposite viewpoint.

Are you talking about the general election or the Republican primaries?

I think she has a decent chance of winning the primaries, but very much doubt she could win the general election. Too extreme

I thought we were just taking about the primaries. I agree there is no way she couuld win the general.

 

[Fennis]

The last time the Republican nominee was someone from the House was 1880. I doubt Bachmann is the one to change this pattern.

 

[TobiasFunke]

The last time the Republican nominee was someone from the House was 1880. I doubt Bachmann is the one to change this pattern.

Generally politicians have to demonstrate a broad enough appeal to win over at least a single state before they can think about appealing to the entire nation.

 

[roadkill1292]

The middle generally decides elections and I can't see it voting for this lady. The middle may indeed be looking for decisive leadership but Ms. Bachmann is most definitive on issues in which the middle has swung to the opposite viewpoint.

Are you talking about the general election or the Republican primaries?

I think she has a decent chance of winning the primaries, but very much doubt she could win the general election. Too extreme

I thought we were just taking about the primaries. I agree there is no way she couuld win the general.

If we were, my apologies for not following closer. I was thinking of the general.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Chris Wallace apologized for his "Are you a flake?" question. Must have gotten a lot of pressure from up above at FOX.

It was a fantastic question. I've written this before, but she is either: a) 100% sincere about everything she says, in which case she is a moron or b) mostly insincere and pandering to a conservative base, in which case most of what she says is intellectually dishonest.Either way, I have no idea why anyone with a brain would support her.