Elwyn Tinklenberg Interview Part 1: Transportation

Dump Bachmann Interviewed DFL candidate Elwyn Tinklenberg on December 20, 2007. In the first part of the interview, Tinklenberg introduces himself to Dump Bachmann readers, and discusses transportation. I will post part 2 tomorrow, where Dump Bachmann interviews Tinklenberg about gay issues and embryonic stem cell research. Click To Play

Bachmann A No Show For Endorsement

On Wednesday, January 9th, I will be attending the Education Minnesota Congressional District 6 candidate screening. Challengers Elwyn Tinklenberg, Bob Olson, and John Brockberg have scheduled times with which to interview for the endorsement. From my email: The following candidates will be screening: Elwyn Tinklenberg (D) 5:00 pm Bob Olson (D) 5:45 pm John Brockberg (I) 6:30 pm Michele Bachmann did not reply to Education Minnesota's invitation to screen. Each candidate will be given 30 minutes. A set of standard questions will be used for each candidate. Copies of the AFT & NEA questionnaires, along with a biography for each candidate, will be printed for all volunteers. Interestingly, Michele Bachmann has decided that even appearing is too much to ask. Conservative educators (many of whom teach in my district) throughout the district should take this as a sign that Bachmann does not particularly care whether she gets their support. While it is easy to say that Bachmann would not have gotten the endorsement in the first place, it is the sign of a leader for someone to go to the very people that disagree with you and try to convince them of your standpoint. Far too often in politics today we stick with only those whom we agree and are therefore never challenged in our perceptions of given issues. I recall another occasion on which I sat on an endorsement committee. While I disagreed with her on many things, Betsy Wergin gained my ultimate respect simply by showing up and discussing with us what she believed and even opened her mind to try understand what we believed. It caused me in that instance to vote for a non-endorsement for either candidate in the race. Even easier than saying Bachmann couldn't get the endorsement anyway, is not even making the attempt. Cross Posted on Liberal in the Land of Conservative

Michele Bachmann Supporter's Race-Baiting Comment

Not deserving of re-election? Kathy. Kathy. Kathy. You don't live in the 6th... you don't understand the 6th. How many LTEs begin, "I voted for Michele Bachmann... but now..." Answer = NONE Do you know why? That's right. It's because a MAJORITY of the voting population in the 6th share the views OF Michele Bachmann. If Barack HUSSEIN Obama is the Dem nominee, you'll see the good ole boys of the 6th turn out like they've never turned out before! ... and Mrs. Bachmann will be re-elected in a LANDSLIDE! That, folks, is politics! Rex Johnson Others respond: OH MY GOD! Obama's Middle name is HUSSEIN!?! Well, that does it. I'm burning my Democratic registration and switching parties. Dare said, "I think the main reason Bachmann doesn't have a lot of "appearences" is because there are so many wacko's on the left who would make the event a very unpleasant experience." A lot of appearances? Try any Dare. And Dare, if an constituent services events scare Ms. Bachmann, she should be reconsidering if she has the constitution and courage to do the job. Waltz and Ellison - hell even Kline have the balls to get out there and face a potentially unpleasant constituency but that's part of why we elect representatives. Doug Rex says "Barack HUSSEIN Obama" Rex, take your ugly bigoted trash talk somewhere else. Isn't "Rex" the name of a famous child molester? Karl The attitude expressed by Rex fits right in with the Free Republic post reacting to the Barack Obama victory. Is Hussein Obama the weakest Dem for the General election? Iowa Caucus ^ | January 3, 2008 | nwrep Posted on 01/03/2008 9:07:11 PM PST by nwrep Did the weakest Dem candidate for the general election won tonight? I think so. By sending forth Hussein Osama out of Iowa, Democrats have unwittingly weakened their general election prospects. Hussein's exotic mixture of radical liberalism, Kwanzaa Socialism, antipathy towards the unborn, and weakness against his jihadi brethren will all come back to destroy him against almost any Republican opponent, even the snake-grope from Hope. I think we as Republicans should be celebrating tonight at the coronation of Hussein, in whose presence millions of Democrat women, from elementary school teachers to journalism majors to law school grads to dykes on bikes will go weak in their knees. As defenders of this great Republic, and of the pinnacle of Western civilization that it represents, we should all come together tonight and agree on a common strategy that will keep the White House from becoming a madrassa. God Bless America, Land of the Free. After getting this post linked, Free Republic deleted the post. FACT: The U.S. health care system serves the most diverse racial and ethnic population of any country in the world. This fact adversely affects every statistic by which we are compared to other countries. Black women, for a variety of reasons, are more prone to underweight babies than are Caucasian and Asian women. It is not surprising that Sweden has a lower infant mortality rate, or that Japan has a longer life expectancy than the United States does. They are nearly racially pure: we are not. It also fits right in with the Minnesota Majority "racial purity" statement. Michele Bachmann's ideological Twin, Mary Kiffmeyer defended the statement on the record in the St Paul Pioneer Press: Kiffmeyer said the page dealing with health care and its mention of racial purity must be understood in context. That phrase, she said, is simply descriptive. "That's a genetic term," said Kiffmeyer, who is a nurse by training. "It does matter when you are doing medical studies." Drew Emmer, the communications director for the organization, said Kiffmeyer is the organization's executive director and Jeff Davis, who has been active in pushing for a Minnesota anti-gay marriage amendment, is the president.

Another Taxpayer Funded Campaign Piece from Michele Bachmann

Dump Bachmann has obtained a copy of another taxpayer funded glossy mailer by Michele Bachmann. What a laugh. It says: RESPONDING TO YOUR QUESTIONS Thanks to all of you who were able to join in my recent telephone town hall meetings. During those calls, many of you raised important questions about the issues affecting our community and about the services offered by my office. I hope this answers some of your questions and provides helpful information that you can use. Why not have some in person town hall meetings for your constituents, NonRepresentative Bachmann?

Michele Bachmann & The Recession Proof Economy

In November, Michele Bachmann spoke to a group of loyalists on the economy and how we are currently living in a "recession proof" economy due to the tax cuts graciously bestowed upon the wealthy in 2003. She made this claim: “That’s what happens when you stimulate the economy from the private sector,” she said. Such stimulation makes an economy “recession proof,” she said, marked by “competition and prosperity.” It is evident that Bachmann takes her economic cues from George W. Bush by living by the theory that if you say something long enough it becomes truth but here in the world of reality the economic forecast paints a far different picture. Previously, I gave significant evidence that this economy is far from great and certainly not "recession proof" as Representative Bachmann claims (see here, here, here, and here). Touting conservative economic stimulus ideas is one thing but Bachmann represents a vision so divorced from reality that it is inconceivable that she could possess the leadership needed to get us out of the current economic situation. From the Washington Post: Jobless Rate Hits 5 Percent, 2-Year High By Neil Irwin and Howard Schneider Washington Post Staff Writers Friday, January 4, 2008; 4:27 PM The jobless rate rose to 5 percent last month, up from 4.7 percent in November, the Labor Department said today. That marks the highest jobless rate in two years and the largest single-month rise in joblessness since the 2001 recession. There are 1.1 million more people looking for a job but unable to find one than there were a year ago. Bachmann can claim that the economy is growing all she wants, but the reality is that evidence over the last six months shows that while this economy has been prosperous for the wealthiest amongst us, the poor and even the middle class continue to lose ground. The people of the 6th District need to be reminded over and over again that Republican economic principles benefit the few over the masses and that despite their rhetoric that someday you may be one of those few it becomes increasingly difficult for anyone without a hefty trust fund to survive under this type of system. "We are on the verge of recession now," said Robert Dye, senior economist at PNC Financial Services Group. "We are teetering on the edge of the precipice, and it will not take much to push us over." Economists have been counting on a strong job market to fuel Americans' incomes, helping make up for the loss of wealth due to dropping home values. Thus, the weak report was a deep disappointment. The stock market fell on the news, with the Dow Jones industrial average closing down 257, nearly 2 percent, at 12,800. The Standard & Poor's 500 index lost nearly 2.5 percent, dropping 36 points to 1,412. The Nasdaq composite gave up 98 points, about 3.8 percent, to end the day at 2,505. We may not be in a recession as of yet, but to make a claim as bold as "recession proof" is utter nonsense and whomever wins the nomination to run against Bachmann had better highlight this complete disconnect from the realities of every day life for people in the district, across the state, and across the country because avoiding it would be absolute foolishness. If we are unable to pull out of this economic tailspin, Bachmann is going to be in real trouble using phrases such as "recession proof". Cross Posted on Liberal in the Land of Conservative

"PRT Guys" Ray Cox and Vance Norgaard Lose Election to Kevin Dahle

The Northfield News: Dahle won today's special election with 55 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Ray Cox of Northfield with 42 percent and Independence Party candidate Vance Norgaard of Northfield with 2 percent. Ray Cox claimed in a debate that there was a PRT facility in Duluth. Cox later admitted to Eva Young and PRT promoter David Gow the facility did not exist. Message to Rep. Mark Olson and Michele Bachmann: Being a PRT supporter doesn't win elections. Click To Play

Huckster Wins Iowa With Lots of Homeschooler Support

The homeschoolers were a big part of Michele Bachmann's campaign. Wouldn't she make a great VP candidate with the Huck?

Star Tribune Netlet: Bachmann Doesn't Even Acknowledge Us

h/t to Ollie Ox and Bluestem Prairie: At the Star Tribune, an online netlet discusses our three new Representatives (Ellison, Walz, and Bachmann). Here is what she had to say about Bachmann: Michele Bachmann, on the other hand, ignores a significant segment of the people living in her district. Bachmann was elected by capturing just over 50 percent of the votes. Yet she continues to carry forth her extreme conservative agenda and blithely disregards the views of nearly half of the people in her district. I think it would be great if Michele would give us a "pat on the back" every now and then with an honest attempt to represent all the people in her district and not just the those of her own party. MARY CURRAN, MARINE ON ST CROIX One need only look at her voting record and her constituent services to understand that Bachmann doesn't even hold those that voted for her in much regard as she spends more time courting the likes of Freedomworks, George W. Bush, and Jason Lewis than she does courting the people of her district. It takes a particularly arrogant character to spend so little time within ones district and expect to keep the support of those that voted for her let alone those that did not vote for her. Whomever the nominee for the DFL may be had better highlight the complete lack of constituent services by this Representative or they are missing a huge opportunity to show how little Bachmann really cares about the people of this district. It shames me that every time I visit Bluestem Prairie I see another fantastic opportunity for the people of the 1st District to meet with their Representative in person while we in the 6th must be satisfied with shock jock radio appearances and phone meetings. Cross Posted on Liberal in the Land of Conservative

Bachmann Challenger Olson in another SC Times LTE

Here is an excellent LTE in the SC Times today! I am a working person and one of the many disenfranchised by the actions of 6th District U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann. I also have learned from paycheck to paycheck that members of the U.S. House and Senate of both parties have left millions of us out in the cold. That's why I find it refreshing that we have a candidate like Bob Olson running for Congress in the 6th District. Olson is not just another slick politician or professional lobbyist. He is an individual who, as a tax attorney and community banker, understands three of the major issues confronting working people: A predatory corporate financial system. An unjust tax system that favors the rich and corporations at our expense. Our addiction to oil and its adverse social, economic, political and environmental consequences that fall on ordinary working people. Olson has the knowledge, skills and ability to improve our quality of life. He is an intelligent, honest, hardworking and plainspoken man whose core beliefs are grounded in social, economic and political fairness and justice for all residents of the district. He is not afraid to tackle tough issues, to stand on principle, and he is not just another politician or lobbyist representing special interest groups or corporations. ... Bachmann's term in office has been a disaster for working people. Bob Olson is the best possible candidate to replace her. Ordinary working people can make a difference through our active participation in the DFL Precinct Caucuses, as Bob Olson delegates to our DFL Senate District conventions and DFL 6th District Convention, and, ultimately, by voting for Bob Olson to be our congressman. Exactly, with precinct caucuses coming up February 5th, its becoming more and more important to show the differences between Bob Olson and Elwyn Tinklenberg. Mr. Kaehler nailed it. Bob's not the slick lobbyist with political aspirations that will in turn, be the Congressional Representative of the corporations and special interests. Olson will be a Congressman of the people. Cross posted at Blueman.

Michele Bachmann is on the DCCC Targeted Seat List

MyDD: AK-AL: Don Young AZ-01: Open AZ-03: John Shadegg CA-04: John Doolittle CA-26: David Dreier CA-50: Brian Bilbray CO-04: Marilyn Musgrave CT-04: Chris Shays FL-08: Ric Keller FL-09: Gus Bilirakis FL-13: Vern Buchanan FL-24: Tom Feeney ID-01: Bill Sali IL-10: Mark Kirk IL-11: Open IL-14: Open MI-07: Tim Walberg MI-09: Joe Knollenberg MN-03: Open MN-06: Michele Bachmann MO-06: Sam Graves NV-03: Jon Porter NJ-03: Open NJ-07: Open NM-01: Open NM-02: Open NY-13: Vito Fossella NY-25: Jim Walsh NY-26: Tom Reynolds NY-29: Randy Kuhl NC-08: Robin Hayes OH-01: Steve Chabot OH-02: Jean Schmidt OH-14: Steve LaTourette OH-15: Open OH-16: Open PA-03: Phil English WA-08: Dave Reichert WV-02: Sheley Moore Capito WY-AL: Open The question is whether the DCCC will learn from it's pathetic ad strategy the last time. The biggest problem for democrats is they are very good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Welcome Daily Mole Readers

Steve Perry at The Daily Mole: Tireless video muckraker Ken Avidor writes to point out his recent Dump Bachmann post reprising Michele Bachmann’s now-infamous State of the Union smooch with the president, which got a G-rated gloss from the Strib’s Kevin Diaz in his story about Bachmann’s first year in Congress. Read More at The Daily Mole.

DFL Avoids the "G" Word When Putting Out Attack Piece on Michele Bachmann

This memo on the Michele Bachmann record is another example of why gays should just say no, when the DFL asks them for money. When are the democrats also going to call Bachmann out on her anti-gay rhetoric - there was a sign that said "Death Penalty for Homosexuals" at one of her capitol rallies that was supposedly for "traditional marriage"? That would help innoculate the democrat when the RCCC will put out direct mail pieces saying the dem supports gay marriage. In fact, a smart DCCC piece would be a piece that would expose Bachmann's antics in the state senate on this topic. When she headlines a rally where there were signs that said Death Penalty for Homosexuals, she was clearly exploiting hate for political gain. The DFL's memo includes this: Bachmann Voted Against Rectifying Pay Discrimination Against Women. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (H.R. 2831) rectified a Supreme Court decision that victims of pay discrimination must file their claims within 180 days of the employer's first decision to pay them less based on discriminatory reasons, by restoring a longstanding interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. [Vote #768, 7/31/07; New York Times, 5/30/07] Bachmann voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Hate Crimes Act. Is the Minnesota DFL afraid of the "G" word? Do they only target the gay community by putting that message out in publications like Lavender, while avoiding the issue - and thereby letting Michele Bachmann define the issue as "traditional marriage", rather than what this is really about, which is marginalizing Gay Americans for political gain. It reminds me of the recent Larry David joke about Transgender people at an Al Franken fundraiser at the Kaplans, where the "progressives" all laughed. Al Franken does have a history of making jokes about transgender people, and has had to apologize after getting called on it. MEMORANDUM From: Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Date: December 18, 2007 Re: Michele Bachmann’s Real Record: Corporate Special Interests and Bush’s War First, Minnesotans Last Below is a memo from the Minnesota DFL Party with the facts on Representative Michele Bachmann’s real record in her first year in Congress. Highlights include: * On the home front, whether on children’s health insurance, middle-class tax relief, energy independence or the affordability of a college education, Bachmann has consistently put the special interests of corporations and Big Oil ahead of regular Minnesotans’ interests. * When it came to funding for reconstruction of the I-35W bridge or Northstar commuter rail, as well as for funding for her own earmarks, Bachmann consistently put George Bush first, ahead of Minnesota’s needs. * On Iraq and national security, Bachmann voted no on every opportunity to change the course of Bush’s failed war policy in Iraq. On more than one occasion, she also demonstrated her very limited understanding of Iraq and foreign policy. On the Home Front: Putting Corporate Special Interests First, Minnesotans Last Bachmann Voted Four Times This Year Against Health Care for America’s Children. The legislation extends health coverage to over four million additional people, in addition to the 6.6 million already enrolled. Bachmann and Kline voted twice earlier this year against SCHIP. One of their four votes is a vote to uphold President Bush’s veto. [Vote #1009, 10/25/07; Vote #982, 10/18/07; Vote # 906, 9/25/07; Vote #787, 8/1/07; Washington Post, 10/3/07, 10/25/07]. Just-Vetoed Version of SCHIP Legislation Allayed Concerns Bachmann and Kline Outlined in Letter to Bush. Bachmann signed an October 18 letter to President Bush outlining “general principles” for SCHIP, which the new legislation addresses. “The new version will underscore that illegal immigrants will not have access to the expanded program. It will ease adults off the program in one year, rather than the two in the vetoed version. And it establishes a firmer eligibility cap at 300 percent of the federal poverty line, just more than $60,000 for a family of four.” [10/18 Letter Attached; Washington Post, 10/25/07] Bachmann Against Alternative Minimum Tax Relief by Closing Tax Loopholes. Bachmann voted against the AMT Relief Act (HR 4351), which protected 21 million Americans from being swept in by the Alternative Minimum Tax. “…The alternative minimum tax relief legislation would also raise revenues, mostly by cracking down on offshore tax avoidance by hedge fund managers, and it faces a veto by President George W. Bush.” [Vote #1153, 12/12/07; Reuters, 12/12/07] Bachmann Voted Three Times Against Making College Educations More Affordable. Bachmann voted twice against the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the biggest increase in college aid since the G.I. Bill. Bachmann also voted against the College Student Relief Act. Except for Representative John Kline, all other members of Minnesota’s House delegation supported these bipartisan bills. [Roll Call #864, 9/7/07; Roll Call #613, 7/11/07; Roll Call #32, 1/17/07] Bachmann Voted Against Historic Energy Legislation. Representatives Michele Bachmann and John Kline voted against H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007. Among other measures, H.R. 6 would: increase fuel-efficiency standards by 40%, for first time since 1975, saving 1.1 million barrels of oil per day by 2020; require 15% of utility-generated energy to be renewable; impose higher energy-efficiency standards on appliances and light bulbs; and impose a renewable-fuels standard. [Vote #1140, 12/6/07; Washington Post, 12/6/07; New York Times, 12/7/07] With Vote Against Energy Bill, Bachmann Protected Big Oil. The bill’s $21 billion cost is paid for in large measure by scaling back $13 billion in tax benefits for five largest oil companies. [Washington Post, 12/6/07; New York Times, 12/7/07] Bachmann Voted Against Requiring Medicare to Negotiate Prescription-Drug Prices. The bill required the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower covered Part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. [Vote #23, 1/12/07; Govtrack.us, accessed 12/17/07] Bachmann Voted Against Rectifying Pay Discrimination Against Women. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (H.R. 2831) rectified a Supreme Court decision that victims of pay discrimination must file their claims within 180 days of the employer’s first decision to pay them less based on discriminatory reasons, by restoring a longstanding interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. [Vote #768, 7/31/07; New York Times, 5/30/07] On 35W Bridge Funding and Earmarks: Playing Partisan Politics and Putting Bush Ahead of Constituents Two Days After Bridge Collapse, Bachmann Voted to Adjourn House Before Bridge Funding-Authorization Bill Even Came to a Vote. According to Politico.com, “You can't blame a freshman for voting with her party, but Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann should have thought twice before voting with her Republican colleagues on two procedural measures to clear the way for a bill giving her home state $250 million in reconstruction fees after the tragic bridge collapse in Minneapolis Wednesday.” As St. Cloud Times reporter Larry Schumacher put it, “this was perhaps Minnesota's most important day in Congress in at least a decade, and everybody knew the bridge bill was coming up for a vote later.” All DFL representatives plus Representative Jim Ramstad voted yes each time. [Vote #817, 8/3/07; Vote #818, 8/3/07; Vote #819, 8/3/07; Politico.com, 8/3/07; St. Cloud Times “Democracy at Work” blog, 8/6/07] Later, Bachmann Introduced Redundant Bridge-Funding Bill of Her Own. The bill was redundant because the funding was already part of the federal Transportation legislation, and the State of Minnesota was already eligible for emergency funds. [Star Tribune, 10/17/07] Then When It Came to Appropriate Funds for the Bridge, Bachmann Voted No. The $195 million in federal funding for reconstructing the I-35W bridge was part of the appropriations bill for the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. All DFL representatives plus Representative Jim Ramstad voted for the bill. [Vote #1102, 11/14/07] With No Vote, Bachmann Also Voted Against Funding for Northstar Rail in Her District. The bill also included $55 million in federal funding for the final, construction phase of the Northstar commuter-rail project that runs through the Sixth District. [St. Cloud Times, 11/14/07] Although She Opposed “Pork-Barrel Spending” in Bill, Bachmann Had Earmarks of Her Own in It. See p. 383 of .pdf for an $820,000 earmark for “Replacement Small Buses, St. Cloud Metro Bus, and p. 446 for $500,000 for “Highway 241 Improvement.” Bachmann criticized Congress for “using a tragedy to help pass billions in excessive, pork-barrel spending.” [H.R. 3074 conference report; Star Tribune, 11/15/07] Bachmann Also Voted Against Her Own Earmarks in Labor/HHS Bill. Bachmann also sponsored earmarks in the Labor/HHS appropriations bill (H.R. 3043), then voted against it three times: first when it was paired with veterans’ funding, then after veterans’ funding was stripped from it, and finally to sustain President Bush’s veto. See p. 307 of .pdf for a $315,000 earmark for Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis; p. 318 for $500,000 for HealthEast Care System, Saint Paul; and p. 333 for $350,000 for Northland Medical Center, Princeton. [Vote #1050, 11/6/07; Vote #1075, 11/8/07; Los Angeles Times, 11/14/07; Vote #1122, 11/15/07; H.R. 3043 conference report] Bachmann Made Hasty Promise to Bush Months Before Bridge Collapse That She Would Uphold His Vetoes of Appropriations Bills. Last spring Bachmann, along with 146 other House Republicans, signed a letter to Bush from the right-wing Republican Study Committee in which she pledged to uphold his vetoes of appropriations bills. [Letter to President Bush, 5/18/07; Republican Study Committee press release, 6/13/07; Rep. John Campbell blog, 6/14/07] Bachmann Took Two Final Votes Against Bridge Funding. Bachmann voted twice more against I-35W bridge-reconstruction funding when she opposed the omnibus appropriations bill. [Vote #1171, 12/17/07; Vote #1172, 12/17/07] On War and National Security: Clinging to Failed Bush Policy… On the War in Iraq, Voting Straight Down the Bush Line: * Bachmann voted against a resolution disapproving of the “surge” [Vote #99, 2/16/07]; * Three times against versions of emergency supplemental funding that would require troop withdrawal to begin in 2007 and be completed in 2008 [Vote #186, 3/23/07; Vote #265, 4/25/07; Vote #276, veto override vote, 5/2/07]; * Against mandating that troop withdrawal begin within three months and be completed in six months [Vote #330, 5/10/07]; * Against providing funding for the war through July 2007 [Vote #333, 5/10/07]; * Against requiring troops to begin withdrawal from Iraq within 120 days and maintain only a limited presence thereafter [Vote #624, 7/12/07]; and * Against a $31-billion appropriation for Afghanistan, any expenditure of which is prohibited in Iraq [Vote #1172, 12/17/07]. * Bachmann voted only for a supplemental appropriations bill that provided war funding with non-binding benchmarks for Iraqi progress [Vote #425, 5/24/07; Sourcewatch.org, accessed 12/17/07]. …And Simply Blundering Bachmann Said “Surge” Couldn’t Be Judged, But Mischaracterized Length of Time It Had Been in Place. Following a brief, highly protected visit to Iraq, Bachmann stated the surge “hasn't had a chance to be in place long enough to offer a critique of how it's working…The surge has only been fully in place for a week or so.” But surge had been completed by mid-June. [St. Cloud Times, 7/10/07; Washington Post, 6/16/07] On Trip, Bachmann Had Little Exposure to Real Conditions in Iraq. “Security conditions in Iraq prevented Bachmann from meeting any Iraqis, leaving the Green Zone or staying in Iraq overnight.” [St. Cloud Times, 7/10/07] Bachmann Forced to Backtrack on Earlier Unsubstantiated Comments on Iraq. Representative Bachmann retreated from an earlier statement that Iran had a plan to partition Iraq and turn half the country into a “terrorist haven.” Bachmann declined to state how she knew of the alleged plan. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/23/07]

Michele Bachmann's Worst Moments: 2008

From the comments: Bachmann's "Bachmannistan" interview with Lawrence Schumacher. Avidor 12.29.07 - 8:49 am | # One moment comes to mind regarding Bachmann's comments about the partitioning of Iraq, with Iran controlling a good portion. Where did she come up with that assessment?? In a dream??? KathyC 12.29.07 - 2:28 pm | # Here are six moments: 1) Bachmann's junket last summer to the Green Zone in Iraq to "study" the progress of the surge in America's never to end war on the Iraqi people; 2)the second one last week in which she apparently didn't even go to Iraq; 3) the firing of former Mark Kennedy staff and replacement with arch-Bircherite Julie Quist; 4) Bachmann's vote against health care to poor children ; 50 her second vote against poor children; 6) her motion to adjourn Congress before a vote to fund the replacement for the I-35 bridge. With Avidor's Bachmannistan moment and the Presidential kiss at the SOTU, that makes 8. jonerik | Homepage | 12.29.07 - 5:18 pm | # Pretending to be a broadcaster by guest hosting the Jason Lewis show. Awful, just awful. DJ Danielson Here's two I can think of. Bachmann telling WCCO Radio: "[W]hen he and I were back visiting the collapsed bridge, he reached over because he wanted to give me a kiss ... and I had pulled back, and he said 'What'? you know, 'you don't want to embrace?' And I said, you know, the people of Minnesota love you, Mr. President, but I think one kiss was enough." Getting a photo op presenting the Clearwater Fire Department with a check for money she doesn't have a record of supporting. Any others?

Bachmann Wins, Yet The 6th District Still Lost

Well, it wasn't actually a clean victory (she tied for first place with Carol Molnau) but Michele Bachmann has attained the title of Worst Political Person in the State. Bachmann worked very hard throughout the year in order to move from 6th worst person in the state to number ONE! In one whole year this woman single handedly molested a President, exposed a secret Iranian plan to divide Iraq, held ZERO public forums or town hall meetings, handed out grant checks which she knowingly opposed, complained about working five whole days in the week, tried to adjourn the House of Representatives before funds could be made available for the I35 Bridge, voted with the Republican Party 92% of the time, and the list goes ever onward. It takes a lot of effort to accomplish so little but provide so much news. Unfortunately, these "victories" for Bachmann represent a significant loss for the very people she purports to represent. From the 2006 mnpACT results: #6 -- Michele Bachmann: Where do we begin? I know it is hard to believe that someone who has God's stamp of approval can be on this list, but I'm doing it anyway. Don't pity this "fool" for Christ. She is an armed and dangerous Christian soldier. She has devoted herself to be the last line of defense against "gay marriage" and for the 3 day Congressional work week. Michele plans to take the 110th Congress by storm. Anyone taking bets on how long it will take her to say something truly assinine? Anyone? To think, it took only 20 days for Mindeman to get his question answered! From the 2007 mnpACT results: We have a tie for #1 this year. Couldn't figure out who was worse, so they will share the "honor": T-1: Michele Bachmann: The evangelical and right wing darling lived up to her unpredictable description in 2007. From the Presidential kiss to the "secret" plan for Iraq from Iran, Bachmann found her way into the news over and over. She has been less controversial lately because she has kept her comments to herself, but she has let her votes do the talking. Votes against SCHIP and for the Iraq War dominate her partisan outlook. But her recent votes against the funding for the I-35 Bridge are the most mystifying. Exactly how does she define representation? Right now it seems to mean -- check the White House talking points and then vote accordingly. Maybe that "star crossed" infatuation with the decider in chief has affected her judgment. Oh well, maybe God will intervene. The Lord can still overrule Bush can't she? The people of the 6th District have a choice to make over the coming year. Will we continue to take a back seat to the wishes of the Republican Party, George W. Bush, and Freedomworks or will we elect a representative that will put our wishes first? Cross Posted on Liberal in the Land of Conservative

Forest Lake Times LTE: Bachmann IS The Problem

A letter in the Forest Lake Times takes Michele to task for her vitriolic radio address given just days before Christmas. My 90 year old grandmother (a loyal Democrat herself) would have taken Michele by the elbow and chastised her soundly for behaving in such a manner this close to a holiday such as Christmas. From the Forest Lake Times: Bachmann is Part of the Problem Will someone please remind Rep. Bachmann what her job is? I just read the transcript of the House weekly radio address delivered on Dec. 20, by Bachmann. Just what was the point of her holiday season address? To attack the Democrats of course. Well, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you too, Michele. Check it out here and here. Unfortunately, Mr. Dillon, it is the job of Michele Bachmann and her merry band of obstructionists to spew blame without offering any actual leadership. It is part of her new role in the minority. In her address she says, “You see, their (Democrats) first year in control of Congress hasn’t exactly gone the way that they would have liked, and with record low approval ratings, a clear lack of accomplishments, and only bitter sound bites to offer, Democrats unfortunately don’t have many political accomplishments to count this holiday season.” Bitter sound bites indeed... What Michele conveniently neglects to mention is that it is Congress as a whole that has record low approval numbers. The last time I checked, Bachmann was a member of the same Congress she is criticizing. The inconvenient truth is that Democrats in Congress have higher approval numbers than their Republican colleagues. It is Michele Bachmann and her Republican colleagues in Congress that are earning those record low approval numbers. She is right about one thing. There is a clear lack of accomplishments in Congress. That’s because Republicans have set a record for the number of threatened filibusters and blocks that have been used to obstruct the passage of good legislation - 62 times in the first half of a two year session. That’s on track to be twice the number of any previous Congress in history. It’s almost as if we have a group of railway station saboteurs complaining that the trains aren’t running on time. And to think it was only a couple of years ago that Republicans in Congress were whining that Democrats were abusing the filibuster to block 10 of Bush’s 229 judicial nominees. The real message to Democrats in Congress appears to be, “do as we say, not as we did.” Your job, Mrs. Bachmann, is to represent the 6th district in Congress. I doubt that means you should be participating in the obstruction of legislation and then sitting back, sniping at your colleagues and gloating over the fact that nothing gets done. You are not part of the solution Rep. Bachmann, you’re part of the problem. Daniel Dillon Scandia Certainly, obstruction of legislation is nothing new and was not invented by the Republican Party. However, they have taken it to new levels this year and it makes them appear petty and small. It is as though they are still so angry and bitter over the loss of Congress that they would rather shut down the whole process in a proverbial snit fit than actually admit that Democrats are in the majority and it is time to work together. Bachmann and her ilk are truly part of a minority in Congress willing to sink the ship if only because they are not the ones in charge anymore. It is an unfortunate state of affairs and is precisely the reason we need to replace Bachmann with someone whose primary goal is not ideological victory for the sake of party. Cross Posted on Liberal in the Land of Conservative

Will Michele Bachmann Work to Save Taxpayers $20.3 million dollars...

by stopping her bulk info/campaign mailings? Opinion Congress should do away with bulk mailings With an election year looming, expect to get more mail from your federal elected officials — mail that all taxpayers are paying for. The “junk mail” is essentially taxpayer-funded campaign mailings on behalf of incumbents. They typically include achievements of the elected official and what projects they helped secure on behalf of their district recently. Many resemble campaign literature, though, by law, without a direct “vote for me” message. The cost for American taxpayers? Last year, U.S. House members spent $20.3 million to send mail to their constituents including everything from meeting announcements and surveys on public policy to tips on car care and job interviews. In the day and age of TV, the Internet, newspapers and radio, do we need the post office to deliver news of what elected officials are doing? It’s a costly and slow method of disseminating the news, and since it’s direct from an elected official, it’s one-sided and self-serving. (emphasis mine) According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities it costs $719 per year to insure a child through the publically financed SCHIP program. The $23 million spent on these bulk mailings could insure 31,989 children.

Does Michele Bachmann Support Definition of "Personhood" at Fertilization?