Worldnet Daily Asks Whitehouse to Comment on Ellison and Qur'an

Here. On another issue that also involves Congress, Snow was asked whether there was a White House opinion on a plan by Congressman-elect Keith Ellison of Minnesota to be sworn into office with the Quran. "Does the president support this request, because he believes the Quran teaches nothing contrary to the freedoms in our Constitution? And if so, would he support the Book of Mormon being used to swear in LDS members of Congress if they ever ask for that?" Snow was asked. "That is an issue that the president does not need to adjudicate, and therefore, will not," Snow said. Missouri Congressman-elect Emanuel Cleaver II noted the U.S. Constitution sets out the requirement for an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution, but also notes that no religious test ever shall be required. The use of the Bible during swearing-in ceremonies is traditional. "I do not believe that the law or rules should be changed to require one official holy book for use in administering our oath of office," he told a constituent. "As a Member of Congress and as an ordained minister, I believe America's founders erected a wall between church and state – not to keep religion or faith out of public discourse – but instead, to keep the government out of an individual's faith and out of churches or other places of worship. I recall that our founders prohibited any religious test to qualify for public office and our Constitution already protects public prayer and other public observances of an individual's religious expressions. Imposing one holy book for the administration of a federal oath of office will diminish the religious liberties of all Americans, including my colleagues in Congress who do not share my Christian faith but may be Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Buddhist, Atheist or some other belief," he said.

Michele Bachmann Fails to Do Her Homework

MPR: Sixth District Rep. Michele Bachmann, also beginning her first term in Congress, has a much less clear idea of what should be done. Bachmann says she thinks visiting Iraq would help her figure it out. "I don't believe we have all of the information in front of us. As a member of Congress that's why I want to go to Iraq as quickly as I can. I want to get the best information in front of me," she told Minnesota Public Radio. She's been campaigning for two years. Why hasn't she informed herself about this issue before? This was one of the major issues during the campaign. She's talking about Iraq at a Republican candidate forum when all the candidates were running to the far right. Was this the advice she got from her new press secretary from the failed Kennedy campaign. Rep. John Kline bravely ran away from MPR: The only member of the Minnesota delegation who declined to discuss with Minnesota Public Radio News what should be done about Iraq was Republican 2nd District Congressman John Kline. After repeated requests for an interview, a Kline staffer said Kline will, "sit this one out for no particular reason." Jim Ramstad responded clearly and directly: Republican Jim Ramstad from the 3rd District says he would not vote to cut funding for the war and he's confident that won't be necessary because he's expects the new Congress will begin applying more much pressure on the White House. "We have a bully pulpit too, and we can exert pressure on the administration in various ways. For example, the letters we send, by speaking out publicly. Let me just say that I think the administration is starting to get the message and it's a bipartisan message that we need to apply benchmarks," he said. Ramstad says the benchmarks will determine when the Iraqi government takes more responsibility for the nation's security. Ramstad says he will wait to hear the president's case before making up his mind on whether more troops are necessary. This will be interesting.

Is Opposing Michele Bachmann "anti-christian"?

That's a self-serving claim by Michele Bachmann. Daretosayit is among those who make that claim about the Dump Bachmann blog. He was unhappy about Eric Zaetsch's post urging DB readers to ask libraries to purchase a book by Chris Hedges about the theocratic right. Daretosayit is encouraging people to ask libraries to purchase anti-muslim books: Anti-Christian blog pressures libraries The anti-Christian blog http://dumpbachmann.blogspot.com/ has recently begun to pressure local libraries into purchasing the book American Facists, the Christian Right and the War on America, by Chris Hedges. Michele Bachmann, Pat Robertson, Lou Sheldon, Fred Phelps, Bob Enyart, Jerry Falwell et al do not speak for all christians. In fact, many christians in mainstream congregations believe that Michele Bachmann and this other assortment of charlatans give a bad name to christianity. Daretosayit: This is a quote from Eric Zaetsch, a writer for Dump Bachmann and lead Christian basher: "Force the librarians to assure their collections are balanced and representative of a spectrum of thought or be, in part, responsible for the biases that others wrongly insinuate into such public organs of information dissemination." Hedges book is far from being a best seller or even known, but if local libraries cave in to pressures from the anti-Christian left and purchase this book, shouldn't they be fair and stock books which are critical of Islamists? They are much more of a threat to western civilization than Christians. Please contact your local libraries, especally if you deal with the ones in Anoka County, and ask that your tax dollars are spent more wisely than on Christian bashing books. Eric's post pointed out the Anoka public library had 29 items by James Dobson. He was suggesting balance - which is what libraries should aim for. DB contributor DavidD posted: Hey- I am a DB contributor; however, I am not anti-christian. I am against the intrusion of government in church and church in government. I think it is only right that you associate the "anti-christian" postings to the author of the post rather than to all the contributors. Often times I disagree with a lot that is posted on the blog. If you look at my history, it's been focused upon the anti-gay issued related to MB, not the other stuff. I am not a liberal nor a democrat so it isn't fair to associate those postings with me. I've been reading your blog once in a while as it's on the MDE blogroll. Hopefully you'll have more now. I encourage you to do more than an anti-DB blog though. Thanks! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Anyone who has read the blog for a while knows that Dump Bachmann contributors do disagree about various issues. Posts do not go through a review process, and people should assume the opinions expressed in individual posts reflect the position of the individual - and do not represent the consensus of all Dump Bachmann contributors. The one area that Dump Bachmann contributors agree is this: Michele Bachmann is a fraud and a charlatan and does not belong in a public policy making role. Voters in the 6th district disagreed with that assessment, and the voters in the area of the district that voted for Bachmann deserve what they got. Voters in Stillwater (who know Bachmann best) did not vote for her, and do not deserve that notoriety.

Michele Bachmann Supporter, Anti-Immigrant Activist and Regular DB Commenter: Daretosayit

Anti-immigrant activist and Michele Bachmann supporter, Daretosayit pouted in DB comments: Damn, You never post any of my comments! I feel so neglected. 01.05.07 - 9:13 pm I think other readers of DB will want to read some of Daretosayit's words of wisdom on DB. Here are some: As long as Michele Bachmann works to lower our taxes, stop the flood of illegals into America, and fight Islamic terror, I don't care how many committees she's on. dare2sayit.com 01.04.07 - 6:45 pm | # If Americans who voted were in a serious sweat over a federal marriage amendment, the November results would have been very different. MarkH 12.30.06 - 11:34 pm | # Mark H, Part of why the Dem's gained seats is that Bush failed miserably in protecting our borders from the invasion of illegal aliens and conservatives are fed up. Bush was certainly not my first choice even though I support him on the war on terror. dare2sayit.com 12.31.06 - 12:29 am | # MarkH - Dare2, aka R2D2, is a robofascist. He can't help it. He was programmed that way at an early age before any of his synapses matured. Programmed in parallel with a Terminator robot, sort of as in the film Twins. When not on the web he reads Tim LaHaye books to sharpen his wit and pick up style pointers. Seriously, none of that is true. D2 appears to represent a part of the spectrum of belief in MN 6. An admitted Bachmann voter, probably an Olson voter, and if things shake out as appear likely, probably a Kiffmeyer voter for a second time within months. Perhaps though, he'd at least admit Ralph Kiffmeyer's brief legislative stint proved him an idiot. Perhaps not. I think he would, and that he would admit Mark Olson is not a 100 watt bulb, and is far to the left (1 sigma, at least hopefully not 2-sigma toward the left, on the IQ distribution). But D2 speaks his mind, which is not that prevalent a thing in MN 6. And he appears brighter than Mark Olson. It will be difficult times in the district when some of the mortgage foreclosures hit and the rest of the Bachmann voters say, "Huh?" And Bachmann tells Heidi to say the functional equivalent of, "Let them eat cake." Or Heidi works that one out on her own while they put their heads together to trot out a diversionary amendment aimed to deny benefits to gay veterans. eric zaetsch 12.31.06 - 10:22 am | # Eric, What's this D2R2 reference? I'm not familiar with that term. If Mark Olson has anger management issues, the Republicans did the right thing by distancing themselves from him which is much more than we can say about the Democrats who stick by DFLer Keith Hakim Ellison. Even liberal extremist Barbara Boxer is starting to question the Ellison and terrorist supporting group CAIR. Ellison was also involved with the racist group Nation of Islam, but liberals still chose him over more honerable candidates in the name of diversity. You can bring up Mark Olson all you want, just compare how the Republicans and Democrats treat problem party members. I really doubt that Bachmann who have anything to do with denying benefits to ANY veteran. If that is the case, she shouldn't hold office, but again, she wouldn't support that. dare2sayit.com 12.31.06 - 11:24 am | # If the front page piece on Pawlenty is any indication, there will be a stampede to the left by GOPers aiming for re-election. It will be fun to watch Michele try and keep up. Maybe Marcus will finally come out of that closet. Richard 12.31.06 - 6:19 pm | # Any Republican who moves to the left should not be re-elected. We need to get the RINO's (REPUBLICANS IN NAME ONLY) out of office. dare2sayit.com 01.01.07 - 9:14 am | # In the words of Minnesota's most famous bard, "The times, they are a'changing." Republicans who don't move back from the fascist Neocons will not be electable. Richard "First of all, we are to be very afraid of gays, terrorists, liberals and the MSM." Richard, I don't know of anyone who is afraid of gays, people just don't want the rediculous notion of gay marriage crammed down their throats. People are also disappointed with liberals and the leftist MSM which supported Keith Hakim Ellison who has known ties to CAIR which supports Muslim terror groups. I've been to Germany and other parts of Europe several times myself, and know that they suffer from a socialist way of thinking. They have high unemployement and extremely high taxes, and depend on Muslim immigration to pay for their policies. Europe is now called by many "Eurabia" and Muslims will radically change Europe for the worst if they don't change their policies. In any case, I don't care if the Socialists in Europe choose to bad mouth America, especially since they are going down the toilet themselves. dare2sayit.com 01.01.07 - 3:46 pm | # So how does that not make the present administration fascists? How does that not make you a fascist? Richard 01.01.07 - 4:18 pm | # How do you define facist? Does being critical of our borders being over-run with illegal aliens, or importing thousands of Muslim Somali's who support a terrorist government in Somalia make me a facist? You can call me anything you want, but I love America and want to keep us safe and free. dare2sayit.com At least Michele is honest about her Christianity. I can think of a DFL Congressman from the 5th district who is a complete phony. dare2sayit.com 01.03.07 - 6:37 pm | # Here ya go dare2.. But It's Thomas Jefferson's Koran! By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts Wednesday, January 3, 2007; Page C03 Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, found himself under attack last month when he announced he'd take his oath of office on the Koran -- especially from Virginia Rep. Virgil Goode, who called it a threat to American values. Yet the holy book at tomorrow's ceremony has an unassailably all-American provenance. We've learned that the new congressman -- in a savvy bit of political symbolism -- will hold the personal copy once owned by Thomas Jefferson. lavndrblue 01.03.07 - 8:26 pm | # dare2 won't get it. he believes that Jefferson was a christian. Anonymous 01.04.07 - 9:28 am | # Sorry about the Eric-like post, but this is good. It's from WorldNetDaily: Thomas Jefferson, as we all know, was a skeptic, a man so hostile to Christianity that he scissored from his Bible all references to miracles. He was, as the Freedom From Religion Foundation tells us, "a Deist, opposed to orthodox Christianity and the supernatural." Or was he? While Jefferson has been lionized by those who seek to drive religion from public life, the true Thomas Jefferson is anything but their friend. He was anything but irreligious, anything but an enemy to Christian faith. Our nation's third president was, in fact, a student of Scripture who attended church regularly, and was an active member of the Anglican Church, where he served on his local vestry. He was married in church, sent his children and a nephew to a Christian school, and gave his money to support many different congregations and Christian causes. Moreover, his "Notes on Religion," nine documents Jefferson wrote in 1776, are "very orthodox statements about the inspiration of Scripture and Jesus as the Christ," according to Mark Beliles, a Providence Foundation scholar and author of an enlightening essay on Jefferson's religious life. So what about the Jefferson Bible, that miracles-free version of the Scriptures? That, too, is a myth. It is not a Bible, but an abridgement of the Gospels created by Jefferson in 1804 for the benefit of the Indians. Jefferson's "Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth Extracted From the New Testament for the Use of the Indians" was a tool to evangelize and educate American Indians. There is no evidence that it was an expression of his skepticism. Jefferson, who gave his money to assist missionary work among the Indians, believed his "abridgement of the New Testament for the use of the Indians" would help civilize and educate America's aboriginal inhabitants. Nor did Jefferson cut all miracles from his work, as Beliles points out. While the original manuscript no longer exists, the Table of Texts that survives includes several accounts of Christ's healings. But didn't Jefferson believe in the complete separation of church and state? After all, Jefferson's 1802 letter to the Baptists in Danbury, Conn., in which he cited the First Amendment's creation of a "wall of separation" between church and state, is an ACLU proof-text for its claim that the First Amendment makes the public square a religion-free zone. But if the ACLU is right, why, just two days after he sent his letter to the Danbury Baptists did President Jefferson attend public worship services in the U.S. Capitol building, something he did throughout his two terms in office? And why did he authorize the use of the War Office and the Treasury building for church services in Washington, D.C.? Jefferson's outlook on religion and government is more fully revealed in another 1802 letter in which he wrote that he did not want his administration to be a "government without religion," but one that would "strengthen … religious freedom." Jefferson was a true friend of the Christian faith. But was he a true Christian? A nominal Christian – as demonstrated by his lifelong practice of attending worship services, reading the Bible, and following the moral principles of Christ – Jefferson was not, in my opinion, a genuine Christian. In 1813, after his public career was over, Jefferson rejected the deity of Christ. Like so many millions of church members today, he was outwardly religious, but never experienced the new birth that Jesus told Nicodemus was necessary to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Nonetheless, Jefferson's presidential acts would, if done today, send the ACLU marching into court. He signed legislation that gave land to Indian missionaries, put chaplains on the government payroll, and provided for the punishment of irreverent soldiers. He also sent Congress an Indian treaty that set aside money for a priest's salary and for the construction of a church. Most intriguing is the manner in which Jefferson dated an official document. Instead of "in the year of our Lord," Jefferson used the phrase "in the year of our Lord Christ." Christian historian David Barton has the proof – the original document signed by Jefferson on the "eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord Christ, 1804." The Supreme Court ruled in 1947 that Jefferson's wall of separation between church and state "must be kept high and impregnable. We could not approve the slightest breach." Judging from the record, it looks like the wall some say Tom built is, in fact, the wall Tom breached. The real Thomas Jefferson, it turns out, is the ACLU's worst nightmare. dare2sayit.com 01.04.07 - 6:52 pm | # Mr. Lavender Blue, Thomas Jefferson would turn in his grave if he knew that a Congressman with ties to the racist Nation of Islam and the terror supporting group CAIR was using one of his books to be sworn in on. dare2sayit.com 01.04.07 - 6:56 pm | # Dareto - many of the claims made by David Barton of documents by founding fathers are fabrications.... I would not put much stock in that source. Worldnet Daily is full of items like this: Soy is making kids 'gay' Eva Young 01.05.07 - 1:02 am | # Dare2 - "Wing Nut Daily" is hardly a credible source of info. If you believe it is, then you're too far gone to be even taken seriously. Anonymous 01.05.07 - 9:50 am | # Ha, like your quote "absolute nonsense", that sure sums it up in two short words Matt Matt Rush If you want to read more of Daretosay it, he has a blog.

Screen shot of Michele Bachmann's Website for Michele Bachmann's Scrapbook

Thanks to an enterprizing Dump Bachmann reader who got me the screen shot. She has now gotten her bio up there: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is the first Republican woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota. Before being elected to Congress, Bachmann served three terms in the Minnesota State Senate where she championed the Taxpayers Bill of Rights. In fact, Bachmann was offered hearings on TABOR by Tax Chair, Larry Pogemiller and she turned him down. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Bachmann spent five years as a federal tax litigation attorney, working on hundreds of civil and criminal cases. Michele actually was a tax collector. Congresswoman Bachmann is a fiscal conservative who is dedicated to reducing the tax burden on Minnesota families. Why didn't Heidi Frederickson mention her major focus on theocratic positions: Attending 10 commandments rallies at the capitol, her single minded obsession with gays and gay marriage, her promotion of creationism being taught in the public schools. Congresswoman Bachmann's experience as a former federal tax attorney makes her a perfect fit for the Financial Services Committee. This committee is tasked with the oversight of numerous financial sectors including housing, real estate and banking. That's interesting. She wants to be on the same committee Keith Ellison is on. The 6th Congressional District of Minnesota contains 6 counties stretching from Stillwater past St. Cloud, including parts of the Northern suburbs. Now Michele seems to know what district she lives in. The District encompasses one of the nation's largest financial services sectors, making Congresswoman Bachmann's position on the Financial Services Committee crucial. How? Congresswoman Bachmann is a graduate of Anoka High School and Winona State University. Bachmann and her husband, Marcus, live in Stillwater where they own a small business that employs 30 people. The Bachmann's have five children Lucas, Harrison, Elisa, Caroline, and Sophia. In addition, the Bachmann's have opened their home to 23 foster children. That "small business" is a mental health clinic that among other things promotes "pray away the gay" therapy. According to a Senate District GOP officer, the Bachmann's used the clinic to recruit caucus participants when she packed the caucuses. The bio is a total white wash. There is no mention of Bachmann's actual record in the state legislature.

Michele Bachmann Gets Her District Right Finally

Last night I posted that Michele's congressional website indicated that she thought she lived in the 7th congressional district. I received no thank you call from Michele Bachmann's office for bringing this to their attention. DB commenters weigh in: THAT is freakin' hilarious!!!!! Anonymous 01.05.07 - 9:45 am | # Ditto Anonymous. 7th district West? Let's hope she didn't go West to that Washington state BC, British Columbia instead of DC this week... AnswerToJob 01.05.07 - 12:35 pm | # Her site shows the 6th district now. lavndrblue 01.05.07 - 1:53 pm | # Save those screenprints for the Michele Bachmann 2007 Scrapbook! Rats, no high resolution photo yet... AnswerToJob 01.05.07 - 2:25 pm | # As of this comment timestamp, district info is correct. However, I used the search window, "marriage amendment" and NO HITS. NO HITS. OUR BACHMANN, AND NO HITS ON "MARRIAGE AMENDMENT." WHO IS THIS IMPOSTER, THIS FALSE POSEUR, THIS SITE SPOOFER? eric zaetsch 01.05.07 - 8:02 pm | # The web creater who made the mistake was probably a democrat. dare2sayit.com She doesn't have democrats working for her. The question is who was responsible for her website. I didn't grab a screen shot. I'm hoping to get one. If you happened to get a screen shot of this for Michele's scrapbook, email it to: dumpbachmann@gmail.com. UPDATE: Andy Birkey has the screenshot up at Minnesota Monitor.

Michele Bachmann: Farm Expert - Reprise

From the DB Peanut Gallery: Michelle's farm looks more like a tax writeoff and magnet for farm subsidies. Sly Di 01.05.07 - 1:15 am | # What is it with all these valentines the papers are sending Bachmann these days? First the PiPress, now this nonsense about how "area farmers should be glad to know they have one of their own" headed to Congress. It's obvious the writer knew nothing about MB's record on farm issues. If you want to know, check out the "Bachmann on Farmers" link on www.thebachmannrecord.com. Dairy farmers' friend my ass, she even voted against vending machines to sell milk to public school kids! Bill Prendergast 01.05.07 - 3:15 am | # I wonder how hard it is to milk cows while wearing high heels? Soon the entire country will have the opportunity to ask of Michele: "What the fuck is she talking about?" Karl 01.05.07 - 12:29 pm | # Perhaps Michele Bachmann is the great "Da Iry" the spacemen seek for her wonder elixir? (milk, not kool aid). AnswerToJob 01.05.07 - 12:40 pm | # At least, so far, she's not shown herself to be a crook, in DC or the St. Paul hilltop. Faint praise, okay, but it's a step ahead of others in politics. She's had six years and people watching, and can say the cable bill thing was "misunderstanding." So, Bill P., even I can give her one "honeymoon" comment, here on DB. That's it, Michele. Your nice comment for 2007. No more Mr. Nice Guy, this year. eric zaetsch Over at Democratic Underground they are asking what Bachmann said when she voted for Bohner for speaker. She said more than just his name.

Klobuchar, Bachmann sworn into Congress

What, no updo? WASHINGTON — Minnesota’s new Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar and Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann from the 6th Congressional District were sworn in Thursday. Klobuchar took her Senate oath flanked by former Vice President Walter Mondale and Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. Former Democratic Sen. Mark Dayton walked behind them. Klobuchar said during a Capitol Hill reception that she assumes her new job with a “Minnesota work ethic.” “We can get things done for our state,” she said. “I’m here to do one thing, and that’s the people’s work.” She said she wants Congress to “stop passing laws that favor the few” and “tilt the plane against the middle class.” Bachmann, who is the first Republican woman elected to the House from Minnesota, said she is ready to work with Democrats to get things done for Minnesota. It isn’t the scenario that I envisioned. I had hoped the Republicans would be in the majority, but I think I can be very effective in working for the overall good,” she said. Bachmann said her first priority would be to reduce taxes. She acknowledged that would be difficult in the Democrat-controlled Congress, but she said she is optimistic the American people will demand tax cuts Klobuchar, who made the Iraq war a centerpiece of her campaign, said the U.S. needs to change course in Iraq. The Bachmann is still on the tax cuts issue not concerned about ethics reform, health care or the war on the middle class. Is anyone else getting tired of the same old rhetoric from her? There is nothing original nor (it seems) does she have an original thought, it is all programmed and the program is in a loop. Read the rest of the article to get the glaring differences between Michele Bachmann and Amy Klobuchar. The only thing that Amy and Michele have in common is that they are women.

Michele Bachmann: Farm Expert?

Monticello Times: Dairy farmer may not be the first thought that pops into people's heads when they think of newly-elected congresswoman Michele Bachmann, but her former ties to farming may serve local Monticello area farmers well, when she heads to the House of Representatives at the Capitol. ********snip***** On the local level, area farmers will be glad to know they have one of their own headed to Congress. Bachmann, with a family background in dairy farming, said she is interested in agriculture concerns in the district. And in addition to those farming interests, Bachmann said she is in support of the nuclear power plant in Monticello and said she will aid efforts to expand energy. WTF? GR Anderson at City Pages did a better job covering Michele Bachmann at Farmfest: A few days earlier, Bachmann was on a congressional candidate panel at Farm Fest 2006, in Redwood Falls, far out of her district. There were displays of farm equipment everywhere, and about 300 people had gathered under a white tent to hear the candidates field questions. Bachmann immediately made a point of saying she "married a dairy farmer" and spoke of the days when she and Marcus would milk the cows on his father's farm. "That's something that certainly doesn't fit with my image of Michele," chuckles Michael LaFave when told of this. Bachmann is petite to the point of looking frail. She often is surrounded by people—supporters, staffers, fellow politicians, Marcus—who seem intent on sheltering her from any outside forces. From a distance, she looks youthful and composed. Up close, she appears at once older and less self-assured. In short, she's made for television. At Farm Fest, she looked completely out of her element. There were complicated questions about farm policy—What's your stance on crop insurance? Should the current farm bill be extended?—that, in fairness, made sense to only four or five of the nine candidates on the panel. But while some candidates simply admitted as much, Bachmann repeatedly referred to "marrying into a farm family" in weaving answers that never quite got around to the questions. In response to a complex question about setting up a permanent disaster fund for farmers and ranchers who raise beef cattle, Wetterling balked and admitted she didn't really understand the question or have an answer. Bachmann, by contrast, dove right in. "I appreciate the question, because on our dairy farm, we raise beef cattle as well," she began. "One thing we can never, ever, ever get away from is that we are not two separate entities: Commodities. Livestock. If there's anything that can interact, it's commodities and livestock. Without commodities, you don't have livestock. It's just that simple." She concluded by noting that, as a mother of the sum of 28 children, she has learned that when families don't get fed, "they get cranky." This drew a small chuckle from the crowd, but it was an uncomfortable one. One farmer turned to the one sitting next to him, shaking his head. "What the fuck is she talking about?" he wanted to know.

Michele Bachmann's Congressional Website is Up

Here. She doesn't seem to know which district she lives in. Keith Ellison has the same website design - but he has his correct district identified. Tim Walz has real content on his website. Update: Bachmann's office fixed this the day after it was reported by Dump Bachmann. An enterprizing Dump Bachmann reader captured the screen shot before the website was corrected.

Monticello Times Swallows Michele Bachmann's Spin

Here. This was a real laugh: She said that she has grown used to a fast- paced and heavy workload from her time spent on the farm to her six years in the Minnesota Senate. Her new title, however, may carry with it the busiest schedule of all, and is one that has still not registered with her. Karl Bremer describes Michele Bachmann's workload more accurately here. When I think of State Sen. Michele Bachmann, hard-working aren't the first words that come to mind. Self-serving maybe, but not hard-working. Bachmann has the lightest workload of any state senator. Although she serves on only three committees, two of them meet at exactly the same time. That means Bachmann only attends a maximum of four committee meetings a week. The rest of her colleagues' calendars, with the exception of two in leadership positions, are filled with anywhere from six to 11 committee meetings a week. According to the Secretary of the Senate's office, senators are "strongly discouraged" from requesting assignments to committees with conflicting schedules. An aide in Bachmann's office says she often attends committee meetings in lieu of the senator. Is this the kind of representation Washington County voters elected in November? The Monticello Times continues: If Bachmann has her way, Monticello residents could be assured of some financial support being thrown their way, as Bachmann said her first priority in Congress would be working on obtaining tax cuts for all Americans. Bachmann said she hopes to use her background as a federal tax lawyer in St. Paul and her position on the tax committee during her days as a Minnesota senator to influence fellow congressional voters. "My bottom line is to cut taxes for all Americans, whether it is businesses, singles or family members," Bachmann said. "I want to cut people's taxes, and in order to do that, we have to get a grip on out of control government spending." She said she hopes to create a national tax payer's bill of rights which would attempt to limit federal government spending. If passed, it may also lead to a reduction in taxes for Monticello residents and businesses. While it remains to be seen where the democratic majority in Congress will place tax cuts on its list of priorities, Bachmann said she intends to work in a bipartisan manner to achieve her goal. On the local level, area farmers will be glad to know they have one of their own headed to Congress. Bachmann, with a family background in dairy farming, said she is interested in agriculture concerns in the district. And in addition to those farming interests, Bachmann said she is in support of the nuclear power plant in Monticello and said she will aid efforts to expand energy. "I am a friend to the nuclear industry, so I will be a strong advocate for nuclear power in the United States Congress." I think I need a Michele Bachmann barf bag.

DB Commenters on Michele Bachmann's Minnesota Office Director

Over 615,000 residents in the 6th CD, and Bachmann had to hire someone from OUTSIDE the district to run her office. I guess serving as an employment service for losing Republican legislative candidates is more important than picking your congressional district employees from within your district. Karl # The cited item indicates Neinow is close to Mike Jungbauer and it was Jungbauer who cosponsored a lot of the pointless and objectionable legislation that Bachmann also fostered. Birds of a feather that way. A fresh look might show Neinow cosponsorship also, but I'd have to check - the name rings no bells. Jungbauer won my state senate district. He spent a ton of money getting reelected, mailings two-a-day it seemed, targeted mailings, and it was a close election to not turn out the incumbent - as happened with Nienow. It's another suggestion that the Sixth District has problems the remainder of the State has overcome, in most decisively voting out that bloc. Locally, a friend of Jungbauer, Matt Look, was elected to the Ramsey city council. I view that as a vast, vast, vast improvement over the incumbent. Look is bright and is a fiscal conservative and the council here is spending as much and as foolishly as a drunken sailor. Other peoples' money, etc. Matt is in the Jesus camp, but he will be very good for this particular city council, at this point in time, if he sticks to his guns on proper and improper uses of government power and spending. The cited article talks of Neinow-Jungbauer real estate coventuring before the market tanked. Would you buy real estate from ones in that camp? Neinow is unknown to me, Jungbauer's politics are alien, yet I would fully trust Matt Look to deal fairly. But he's in a different business, I believe, not real estate. I voted for the guy knowing his friendships and belief system. He won decisively. I expect he's what the city council needed, for balance. He may advance to county government, but is in Abeler's house district and Jungbauer's senate district so his future here is local unless/until one of them retires. Each race ultimately is between two individuals and not two ideologies. Matt Look will not present any conflicts of interest. He won and deserved it. It is not a monolithic thing. What role will Andy Parrish and Connie Slama have, for Bachmann, with this choice of district leadership? eric zaetsch # He says he enjoyed working with Bachmann in the State Senate. He must be the only one! Most were glad she was running for Congress so they could get rid of her one way or another. lavndrblue

Absolute Nonsense from the Pioneer Press on Bachmann

Here. Wetterling-Bachmann. On Oct. 27, we argued that Michele Bachmann, the Republican candidate for Congress in the 6th district, went over the line in her faith-based politics by telling a church group that God called her to run for the office and has "focused like a laser beam'' on her race. "We used to call that the sin of pride,'' we wrote. "The issue is not that she believes. It is that she builds political support by claiming to know which side God is on. We say that's unknowable.'' The Other Side. Religious faith and political beliefs are branches of the same tree. All of us rely on our core beliefs to evaluate contemporary issues. Bachmann and other Christian conservatives intermix their faith with their activism in the same way that civil rights activists did in the 1960s. Bachmann is open about her faith. She should be judged on her public views, not on her private beliefs. (Bachmann easily won the race.) Was that Craig Westover who used the civil rights analogy to defend Bachmann? Michele Bachmann is a modern day Bull Connor. Update - DB Commenter Karl points out: The editorial is accurate. They just didn't say WHICH side of the civil rights movement Bachmann would have been on. In her crusade to deny civil rights to gays, Michele mixes her religion and politics just like the white crackers in the Deep South did when DENYING civil rights to blacks. Karl

Nienow Gets District Director Position in Michele Bachmann's Office

Here.

Michele Bachmann Among the Weakest Winners

Strib: Bachmann Among 'weakest Winners' Last update: January 02, 2007 – 8:57 PM Dems eager to put stamp on new Congress Rep.-elect Michele Bach-mann, who won in November with 50 percent of the vote, was among the nation's "weakest winners," according to the National Journal, a weekly political magazine, which ranked the victors according to their percentage of votes. She won a three-way race, with DFLer Patty Wetterling getting 42 percent of the vote and Independent John Binkowski getting 8 percent. Michele Bachmann is contrasted with Keith Ellison in the Strib: Whether he likes it or not, however, Ellison arrives in Washington with an international profile rooted in his religion, even though he tried to run as a peace candidate and rarely mentioned his Muslim faith. That stands in contrast to Republican Michele Bachmann, an evangelical Christian who told a church group during the campaign that God called her to run for Congress. Her remark barely registered a blip on Capitol Hill, where she has vowed to cut taxes and fight for "life, marriage and family life."

Spotty Challenges Captain Fishsticks on Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann apologist Craig Westover wrote a Pioneer Press column challenging the DFLers in the state legislature: Given its druthers, the DFL-controlled Legislature would prefer to bury the debate along with the proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage, which the DFL buried in Senate committee last session. I oppose the amendment. But for the DFL to kill the debate without questioning the wisdom of the current Minnesota law banning same-sex marriage may be, for same-sex couples, "the unkindest cut of all." Westover is exactly on point on this one. Many of the progressive bloggers howled over this, including Andy Birkey, who does the GLBT beat on Minnesota Monitor. I commented that Westover had a point - and this called out former state senator Alan Spear in defense of the Democrats. Spotty responds here. Sticks can be sarcastic, too, can't he boys and girls? Now it must be remembered that Sticks supported Michele Bachmann in her bid for Congress. She was, of course, one of the sponsors of the Bachmann constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions while she was in the Minnesota Legislature. It is her bill that was "buried in a Senate committee" as Sticks says. You got a lot of damn gall, Sticks, commenting on the courage of the DFL from the perch you roost on. Conservatives, including Bachmann, revved up in advance of the last session of the legislature to get the Bachmann bill passed and the issue on the ballot for the November election. The DFL blocked it, but it came at a price--the Majority Leader of the Senate, Dean Johnson. Conventional wisdom has it that Johnson lost over the gay marriage issue. That isn't the case. The hooks and bullets crowd took out their frustration because Johnson failed to deliver on an amendment to the constitution to increase the sales tax for a dedicated fund for outdoors projects. MCCL went after Johnson because he helped keep a draconian abortion bill from coming to the floor. Johnson is pro-life - but you can never be pro-life enough for the MCCL.

Michele Bachmann Makes Hal Kimball's Worst Person in the State

Patty Wetterling and Matt Entenza also make the list from liberal blogger Hal Kimball. 10. Patty Wetterling. Ran a horrible campaign. Outraised her opponent significantly and could not carry a swing district in a strong Democratic year. I was so disappointed. 9. Matt Entenza. Sorry I had to put another DFLer up here, but his problems, which should have been fully vetted as a candidate, put the party at risk early in the election cycle. Then, lobbying with Conservative PAC's against DFLers for Law Enforcement? Come on Matt... 9. Mary Kiffmeyer...nuff said. 8. Michael Barrett. Had no plan, purely ran on immigration issues. His signs were outrageous. "Stop the Invasion!" Collin whiped him! 7. Bachmann supporters. Those that put Bachmann stickers on Wetterling and other DFL signs, as well as marched through the DFL contingent at some parades. Oh I wish they had tried to do that to me... 6. GOP Bloggers (MDE and his colleagues). The National Enquirer has more integrity. 5. Governor Pawlenty. Has never won a Statewide election with more than 50% 0f the vote. Has now become a moderate, advocating for many of the areas he gouged in 2003. 4. MCCL: Continuing your practice of flyering cars in Church parking lots the weekend prior to the election...stay classy MCCL. 3. Mark Olson. Search my blog if you have any questions. 2. Ron Carey. GOP Chair. His daily press releases coming after DFLer's for anything and everything really got old. Plus, he screwed the GOP over, had no plan 1. Michele Bachmann. She was divisive and to steal a Boschwitz line, "Embarassingly Conservative". Wonkette has high expectations for her... There is my Top 10. Just like Fox, "Fair and Balanced"

Michele Bachmann: Biggest Minnesota Loss

Jeff Fecke: Biggest Loss for Minnesota Politics THE ELECTION OF MICHELE BACHMANN (R-MN06) It’s not that Michele Bachmann is my #1 pick for most likely to become the female Bob Dornan. It’s not that Michele Bachmann is certifiably insane. It’s not that Michele Bachmann will likely go clubbing with Marilyn Musgrave and Tom Tancredo. No, the problem with Bachmann’s election is that someone, somewhere is going to end up thinking all Minnesotans are insane thanks to her. And that just sucks. My thoughts exactly.

Reaction to Heidi Frederickson's New Job for Michele Bachmann

From DB comments: But we do want Mark Kennedy's campaign staff on Bachmann's team,given their record of success. Here's a toast to Michelle Bachmann's recycled Mark Kennedy staff to keep up the good work. jonerik 12.30.06 - 11:18 am | # I wonder if Heidi was the one who offered Markie the sage advice to talk up a troop escalation in Iraq about the time everyone but BushCo was running away from their support of the war. Maybe she can advise Michele on how to drum up support for nuking Iran. Karl 12.30.06 - 5:35 pm | # Maybe Heidi will push her in the direction of bringing up the Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage. I'll bet that would endear her to 'Shooter' since his daughter and her partner are having a child together. Go Heidi! lavndrblue