Response to Craig Westover

Craig Westover's been beating the Dean Johnson story to death on his blog for the last 3 weeks. Even the Drama Queen seems to have moved on to other topics. This coming Wednesday will be Craig's third column in a row on the topic of Dean Johnson. I posted this on his comments: Well then we'll have to call the judges before the legislative ethics committee to get to the bottom of this and determin the truth. And because memories aren't perfect, it's hard to say whether we will. Remember the thing Michele told you about TABOR, Craig? According to Phil Krinkie, Bachmann initiated this bill - but didn't do the work of getting people ready to testify on the bill. There was nothing stopping her from accepting the invitation from having her bill heard in the State Senate. I've got Krinkie's interview on this topic on tape - and if the tape works, will be posting it. Ken Avidor came with me and did the video taping. Eva Young 03.26.06 - 11:17 am | # This got Craig's goat. Eva -- You are manufacturing a controversy that doesn't exist, playing fast and loose with the truth to make your point. I challenge you to show specifically where I am playing fast and loose with the truth. I posted a letter from Sen. Larry Pogemiller which said that Bachmann refused multiple opportunities to have her TABOR bill heard. I've backed up what I say. You say Bachmann didn't do the work of getting people ready to testify on the bill. Fact is, the support for the bill wasn't there, testimony or not, and she faced a political decision of whether in the long run it's better to hold a hearing and have the bill go down on a vote, or wait until there is more support. I didn't say this, as I said in my comment, Phil Krinkie said this. You can view my interview with Krinkie here: Did you get your version of events from Michele Bachmann? Did you check your version of events with Phil Krinkie? Criticize her if you must for not being able to build support in a year for a bill that is still trying to get traction after six years in Wisconsin. An ignorant position, but at least it's fact-based commentary. Criticize her political acumen for not having a hearing. Instead, you've been running around implying that not having a hearing is some kind of nefarious action on Bachmann's part. That's not reporting or even valid commentary. It's blatant speculation of the kind that gives blogs and bloggers a bad name. My point was that Bachmann makes a point of promoting her efforts on TABOR. I am simply pointing out that if she was so committed to TABOR, why isn't she doing the work of getting supporters to committee? Why does she refuse the opportunity for a hearing? If there's no support in the legislature for TABOR, what does that say about Michele Bachmann's ability to work with her colleagues and convince them to support her efforts? There's more to legislation than holding grandstanding press conferences. Both Jim Knoblach and Phil Krinkie understand this. I happen to disagree with both Knoblach and Krinkie on a number of issues, but I have respect for both of them as legislators. I have no respect for Michele Bachmann's legislative record because grandstanding on the floor, not going to committee meetings and grandstanding in the press has alienated her colleagues in both parties. This might appeal to her base of supporters, but it does not appeal to me. Update: DB Contributor Mark H comments - The TABOR question is controversial not because the disconnect gets talked about on this blog and on Lloydletta's Nooz. It's controversial because Saint Michele wants her slack-jawed, mouth-breathing disciples to believe she's out there getting it done. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Anybody with an election certificate can author a bill and call a press conference to blow hot air about it. A working, effective legislator builds positive relationships with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and establishes credibilty through accomplishments within the legislative process, not running around the country doing speaking gigs for Focus on the Family. Mark H