Maureen Reed and Elwyn Tinklenberg Run for DFL Endorsement

Minn Post: First in line is Maureen Reed, a physician, former chairwoman of the University of Minnesota regents and former 2006 Independence Party lieutenant governor candidate who ran with Peter Hutchinson. She's also a former vice president of Health Partners. In other words, she's no lightweight. But soon after the words left her mouth that she was getting into the race, El Tinklenberg, who lost a close race to Bachmann on Nov. 4, said he plans to run again, too. His formal announcement will come in early summer, he said. But his website will be up and running soon, and he'll begin the task of fundraising now. DFL insiders are telling me that Tinklenberg is heavily favored to get DFL endorsement. Challenge 2: Bachmann never has lost the devotion of her base, the social conservatives from fundamentalist churches. Where does Reed stand on socially conservative issues, such as abortion, gun rights and gay marriage? For the moment, she's not saying. "I want to concentrate on the things that matter most to people day in and day out,'' Reed said. "The economy, health care, jobs. There will come a time to go into detail on a whole range of issues.'' There's a bit of contradiction in Reed's lack of comment on her positions. Right after saying she wasn't yet ready to talk about her stances on hot-button issues, she explained how she will deal with them. "What is important is that you are authentic and people know where you stand and don't bob and weave," she said. Clearly, Reed does not want to get into either attacking or ridiculing Bachmann. "My reason to run is that the real issues of real people, the real problems, are not being addressed," Reed said when asked about Bachmann. "What I hear and know about people in the district is that they are losing jobs and homes. Businesses are closing. These things are very difficult to tackle but there are solutions. … To be ideological on one side or the other is not the best way to solve problems." It should be noted that Tinklenberg took such an above-the-fray approach, too, for the first several months of his campaign. It wasn't until he started making the point that Bachmann is out of the mainstream, a non-player in Congress, that he made his big jump in the polls. And he’s picking up where he left off. “She has persisted in her behavior,” said Tinklenberg of some of Bachmann’s comments. “This could be fun. She shows a total detachment from reality. It must be liberating to live in a world where you can totally make stuff up.” The reason people will get involved in this race is to defeat Michele Bachmann. It is very similar to the reason Santorum was defeated in Pennsylvania. This was not a vote for Bob Casey, but a vote against Rick Santorum.

Speaking of Investigations...

The Petters-Fraud website: Criminal Attorney Faigre Benson for Vennes (PDF) = mucho deniro for one NOT indicted $178,603.50 in legal fees? From the court doc: The Faegre & Benson firm was personally retained by Frank Vennes to represent him in ongoing civil and criminal proceedings arising out of the federal investigation.

Bachmann Disrupts Debate

During the debate on her amendment, Bachmann got a lecture on the rules after repeatedly speaking out of turn. Bachmann does not include her disruption and lecture on her You Tube video of the debate. Remember this?

Bachmann Wants Citizens to "Melt the Phone Lines" for Her ACORN Amendment

From the Washington News Observer: UPDATE: Keven Diaz in the Strib quotes Bachmann saying her amendment is a "layer of protection for taxpayers." and Diaz calls the amendment an "embarrassment" for Barney Frank. The story on the front page of the website is accompanied by this photo of Bachmann celebrating on election night.

Bachmann- Trash the Bill of Rights (for ACORN)

Neil Cavuto asks Bachmann about her amendment to deny funding to ACORN and whether that denies ACORN the constitutional right of due process: Cavuto: "So indictment is the litmus test for you..." Bachmann: "Well, especially when it comes to ACORN.." Due Process: The Constitution states only one command twice. The Fifth Amendment says to the federal government that no one shall be "deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law." The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, uses the same eleven words, called the Due Process Clause, to describe a legal obligation of all states. These words have as their central promise an assurance that all levels of American government must operate within the law ("legality") and provide fair procedures. Paul Mirengoff at Powerline weighs in: By his own account, Barney Frank isn't the most observant guy around. Years ago, his live-in boyfriend ran a male prostitution ring out of Frank's apartment. Frank claimed he did not know about it. Now Frank is again pleading inattention to the obvious, this time in a less dramatic but more significant context. Frank is chairman of the House Financial Services Committee (a travesty in itself, given his role in bringing about the financial services meltdown). By a unanimous vote, that Committee approved the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act. As Keven Mooney reports in The Examiner, one provision in that legislation, inserted by Michele Bachmann, would prevent organizations that have been indicted for voter registration or voting fraud from receiving housing counseling grants and legal assistance grants. --snip-- Translation: "I voted for the legislation, along with my entire committee, because no reasonable person would approve funding an organization that is under indictment, but I forgot that ACORN is in trouble with the law." Geez, you'd think a lawyer like Paul Mirengoff would be concerned about the implications of withholding Federal funding for individuals and organizations not yet convicted or simply "in trouble with the law". Does Mirengoff believe that corporations cannot do business with the Federal Government if they are under indictment or just "in trouble"? One corporation comes to mind:: U.S. prosecutors say Blackwater Worldwide security guards used machine guns and grenade launchers in an attack on unarmed Iraqi civilians, some of whom had their hands up. And if the standard is simply being "in trouble with the law", what about Bachmann's pardon request for Petters associate and convicted felon Frank Vennes Jr. and acceptance of "dirty money" contributions from Vennes? Should Bachmann receive taxpayers' money in salary and farm subsidies? WCCO's Esme Murphy asked Bachmann about the her pardon request for and contribution from Frank Vennes Jr. : Mike Malloy had a few words to say about Bachmann and Vennes:

More Crazy Talk From Michele Bachmann

Think Progress: This past weekend, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) appeared on the Northern Alliance Radio Network show, hosted by conservative bloggers John Hinderaker and Brian Ward. During the interview, Bachmann said she was “concerned” that debt resulting from President Obama’s policies are fitting “the current 19 and 20-year-olds” with “shackles and chains.” MSNBC's Ed Schultz comments:

More Reaction to Dave Thompson's Comments Condeming Michele Bachmann's Swine Flu Statements

Gary Gross May 5, 2009 at 8:17 am Calling Dave Thompson pro-choice is proof that the commenter doesn’t know Mr. Thompson AT ALL. I saw that At Issue face-off. Rep. Bachmann said some things that were indefensible. Mr. Thompson was right in not defending Rep. Bachmann’s comments. It’s crazy, though, to think that he’s trying to distance himself from conservatives. After refusing to defend her comments, he said that she’s right on the issues. That’s what most Sixth CD Republicans believe. In saying she’s right on the issues, he’s appealing to conservatives. By not defending some of her statements, he’s telling independents that he’s a straight shooter. That’s smart strategy. Patrick May 5, 2009 at 6:39 pm I respectfully disagree with Gary … here is one of what I am told are many troubling quotes from Mr. Thompson: Ron Rosenbaum – “The conservative position on social issues is for the feds to stay the hell out … I feel the same way about Roe v Wade … “ Dave Thompson Answer – “ I agree with you … and I very likely disagree with Michele on this.” Sorry but the pre-dread scott days are over. Many of us pro-lifers support a federal Human Life Amendment. Mr. Thompson has evinced unequivically that he doesn’t. Also, while Michele Bachmann does make some gaffes, it is the job of respective Party leaders to play some defense occaisionally. Unless of course the gaffe is flagrant - personally or ideologically. Bachmann’s comments were neither. Bachmann has a target on her back via the liberal media and Thompson played right into it. Electing Thompson Chair of the GOP is akin to electing Bob Lessard Chair of the DFL. The other side would love it. Will the public criticism of Michele Bachmann torpedoe Dave Thompson's candidacy for state republican party chair?

Dusty Trice's Bachmann Video on Keith Olbermann

Dusty Trice: This DUSTYTRICE.COM video was featured on Countdown With Kieth Olbermann Last Night: Earlier in one of Dusty Trice's videos, Bachmann called KTLK crazy man Chris Baker a "handsome hunk of man". We've noted before (here, and here and here) that Bachmann does this creepy... stuff:

New MN 6th CD GOP Chair David Fitzsimmons Talks About Bachmann

David Fitzsimmons talking on AM1500 KSTP Radio with Patrick Reusse about Michele Bachmann. To hear the complete interview go to the AM1500 website - Tuesday 6:00 Patrick Reusse. Here's the segment about Bachmann: H/T Wright County Republlican BlueJ comments: Here's what Mr. Fitzsimmons has to say in this radio interview about Rep. Bachmann's presence in the district: "Yeah, she's very active when she comes back. She's always showing up places, and every time you turn around, I'm hearing she was someplace else." Oh, really? Maybe she's showing up for partisan events, but she has not held a single public meeting in the Sixth, advertised in advance and where she will take questions, since she was elected in 2006.

More About David Fitzsimmons & the 6th CD Ron Paul Revolution

SC Times reporter Larry Schumacher has a post on his blog about the Ron Paul tsunami that swept through the National Sports Arena in Blaine last Saturday: In a phone conversation with me, the twenty-something Fitzsimmons made a strong argument in favor of broadening the Republican Party beyond its current appeal in order to expand its membership. Targets would include disaffected Republicans, independents, Libertarian Party, Constitution Party and even Independence Party members. "We've got to stop just having conversations with ourselves and get out there and engage people who don't agree with us about everything," he said. "All I've ever heard since I've been involved with the Republican Party was, 'How do we get new people, young people, to join us?' Then with the Paul campaign, we did, and it scared them." One of my biggest questions for him had to do with finding common ground within that bigger tent. Even among existing Republicans in the 6th Congressional District, one can find a pretty big gap on the use of government to enforce conservative social values, and the appropriateness of American military force being used in Iraq and Afghanistan between the die-hard supporters of U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and the Ron Paul folks who have come into the party since then. Fitsimmons' answer was good, as far as it goes: "I believe we should focus on the 80 percent rule. If you agree with me on 80 percent of the issues and disagree with me on 20 percent, I still consider you my ally." Okay, but I know a few Ron Paul supporters are decidely libertarian in their approach to abortion rights and gay marriage. How's that going to go down within the big tent? I also saw and heard the jeers and mockery that some Ron Paul supporters were subjected to who spoke out against the Iraq war at precinct caucuses and local conventions last year. Drew Emmer at Wright County Republican welcomes the change in leadership and criticizes others in the party for "backstabbing". ... FitzSimmons on the other hand is the darling of the grassroots. His diligent work on multiple campaigns across the state earned him the respect of everyone he touched. No one did more work in the last election than David FitzSimmons. He doesn't covet the role of leader. He assents to it reluctantly. He realizes he has been blessed with many gifts for leadership. His most endearing quality may be the gift of selflessness. You won't likely read that claim about any other political activist. David FitzSimmons candidacy is about excising the cancer of entrenched leadership incompetence and chronic inaction from our crippled party. David FitzSimmons also carries the scarlet RP on his breast. He came to us via the Ron Paul folks. The old guard republican party continues to go out of it's way to marginalize the individuals that came to us on the RP wave. I'm personally embarrassed by the contemptuous way we have treated them. Don't preach to me about party unity while deriding these heroic individuals who have shown up more responsibly than many of our rank and file old guard republicans. ... from the comments: I was at the CD 6 convention today. I saw some good people get elected to CD 6 positions. I saw Andy Apoplectic act like a spoiled brat. First he apologized for being an ass at the CD 6 convention in 2008, then claimed that the MN GOP was afraid of him being elected to the Central Committee. When the ballots for CD 6 Vice Chair (read: CD 6 representative to State Central) went 3 ballots with him being low man, he dropped out, but not before "showing his ass" and stabbing Brad Biers in the back, then twisting the knife. I will never consider Andy for any position of importance ever again. The Ron Paul faithful elected an inexperienced newcomer to the CD 6 State Central committee position, over a much more qualified Brad Biers. If the "Liberty" zombies continue to overlook and exclude talented experienced conservatives from positions in the party, they are no better than the people they are trying to oust. I was very disappointed in the Liberty zombies today. Brad Biers was once Bachmann's campaign manager. The battle continues in the comments over at AAA's blog. It will be interesting to see if all this infighting continues and if the Ron Paul Revolution will spread from the 6th CD to the rest of the MN GOP. UPDATE: Someone really needs to ask Bachmann how much she agrees with Ron Paul... check out his positions and statements at Wikipedia UPDATE: Here's a video of Ron Paul talking with Rachel Maddow (would Bachmann go on Rachel Maddow's show?):

Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul

Ron Paul supporters have been gaining strength in the MN GOP, particularly in Bachmann's district. Over the weekend, Paul supporters defeated the old guard at the 6th CD GOP Convention: Here is what happened today! The plan for me was to go to the Republican 6th District Convention at the Swan Center in Blaine MN and then after go to the tax rally after. Well I arrived at the convention at 8:00 am and thought it would be over at 11:00 or at the latest 12:00. At the convention we elected officials and there was 207 delegates attending. Michele Bachmann, Norm Coleman and Jim Knoblach attended. Out of the 207 delegates my guess is 125 at least were Ron Paul supporters. We were voting on key positions for the 6th District.. Jim Knoblach was going for the Chair position against a Ron Paul Republican and lost - the Ron paul candidate got 66% of the vote. You could see the faces on a couple of the people that were up at the table when the vote came in. They were not happy as they were losing their power structure. Next we had a vote for vice chair and again the Ron Paul candidate swept it. One of the people running the event that had the sour look on her face when the Chair was lost to a Ron Paul candidate was then up for Deputy chair and she lost also hehehe. Then the Treasurers position went to a Ron Paul candidate. We then broke up into our basic BPOU's and voted on positions that all will go and sit at the state meetings and vote and give input. We got 2 of those positions and the one that is iffy went to a vet who backed McCaine and is now being converted by us.. We had in my BPOU 13 people and 11 of them were solid Ron Paul people. We smoked this Convention and the 6th District is now in the hands of Ron Paul supporters. I spoke with Michelle Bachmann for about 5 minutes and she meets with Ron Paul every Thursday for his Liberty meeting. They showed the below video of Michelle asking some tough questions on the Fed. I asked her and she wants to get rid of the Fed and Income Tax.. Lastly this did not get over until after 2 PM and my wife had been waiting all this time so we decided not to go to the Tax Protest - she was a district delegate but not a state delegate and could not vote. We had a good day... The Washington Independent has a story about Bachmann and Ron Paul that mentions she attends weekly study luncheons with Ron Paul. It also mentions a new influence and inspiration for Bachmann: Perhaps the most influential guest has been Thomas Woods, a conservative scholar whose previous books include “The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History” and “Who Killed the Constitution?: The Fate of American Liberty from World War I to George W. Bush,” and whose current book “Meltdown” has inspired Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) to question Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner about economic fundamentals. Thomas Woods Jr., like Ron Paul is opposed to the Iraq War: Ours is a great anti-colonial tradition, and our founders cautioned us about the perils of war and entangling alliances. Charles Pinckney warned his countrymen that global ambition was incompatible with republicanism. And the feisty individualism, the aversion to propaganda, and the plain-speaking common sense of the conservatives who populate Bill Kauffman’s book have a distinctly American flavor. Yet one nagging argument just won’t go away: if this truly is the American soul, someone must have forgotten to tell the American people. William James, aghast at the colonial occupation of the Philippines that followed the Spanish-American War, declared that the U.S. had “puked up its ancient soul…in five minutes.” That soul, such as it is, has been sold time and again. And not to particularly high bidders, either: what people possessed of an antiwar, anti-imperial soul, that wishes only to do justice and pursue the ordinary things of life, could have been led into an immoral absurdity like the Iraq war? Ron Paul, a champion of the "9/11 truth movement" called the 9/11 Commission "a charade". Will Bachmann embrace the anti-war stance of Thomas Woods and Ron Paul? Will Bachmann become a "9/11 truther"? Here's videos of Bachmann talking about 9/11 and the Iraq War: UPDATE: SC Times reporter Larry Schumacher has more about the 6th CD GOP convention.

Keep Your Donations Local!

Sixth Congressional District of Minnesota Dear Friends, Help defeat Michele Bachmann. In 2008 we came close to defeating Bachmann but money came in to late to to spend effectively. Right now we're building the organization to defeat Bachmann but we need your help now. Your donation to the Minnesota 6th Congressional District will be spent on directly supporting our endorsed candidates and building the infrastructure to defeat Bachmann. Additionally, if you live in Minnesota did you know that your contribution up to $50 to the 6th Congressional District is free! Click here to learn about the Minnesota Political Refund. Donate Here to defeat Bachmann Become a Congressional District 6 Sustainer. Donate $25 per month and guarantee we have the resources to keep up the pressure. If you are interested in helping those of us in the 6th Congressional District defeat Michele Bachmann in 2010, please consider donating directly to the CD 6 by clicking or cutting and pasting this link into your address bar. It will take you to the donation site displayed here. Link: http://www.dfl.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={9FCA6DF3-7360-4243-8B1F-53EBBA335307} Help us build the infrastructure that will support our candidate, our volunteers, voter outreach, and all efforts it will take to defeat Bachmann.

Transcript of At Issue Discussion Where Party Chair Candidate Dave Thompson States Michele Bachmann "hurts Republicans" With Her Swine Flu Comments

At Issue with Tom Hauser KSTP 5 May 3, 2009 by the Dump Bachmann Transcription Service Face Off Segment with Tom Hauser, Cathie Hartnett, and Dave Thompson Tom Hauser: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is creating buzz, again, this time her comments on swine flu are raising some eyebrows. [Video of Rep. Bachmann saying, “I find it interesting that it was back in the 1970s that the swine flu broke out then under another Democrat president, Jimmy Carter, and I’m not blaming this on President Obama, I just think it’s an interesting coincidence.”] TH: That’s right, that’s what she said, Bachmann’s comments with an interview with the conservative media outlet called PajamasTV, and you know I’m not making this up, were not only a bit odd, but factually inaccurate. The last major outbreak of swine flu was in 1976, when of course Republican Gerald Ford was still president. And joining me now to talk more about this and a few other issues, Dave Thompson and Cathie Hartnett, doing double duty today, thanks for being here. Ah, Dave, you’re a conservative Republican, and Michele Bachmann is a conservative Republican, what was she thinking when she said that? Dave Thompson: I have no idea, because apparently what she was thinking didn’t come out of her mouth. Ah, I, Tom – TH: --Or did it? Cathie Hartnett: --Or perhaps— DT: Well, I don’t think so. I mean, I’ve known Michele for a long time, um, she’s not an unintelligent person, I, I don’t know what was behind it, I’m not gonna defend that, I mean, A, she got the facts wrong, and B, even if she had had them right, even if it had, had happened in a, you know, in Jimmy Carters’ administration, uh, I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean. Look, I agree with Michele Bachmann on the issues, she votes correctly – you can’t defend that comment. TH: Yeah, someone had told me, just earlier today that the Pittsburgh Steelers had apparently won the Super Bowl back then, and they’ve won it now, so maybe the Steelers— DT: There we’re got the cause! CH: There, now there’s a connection. TH: I’m not saying the Pittsburgh Steelers are responsible, I’m just saying. CH: I just think she has a problem these days of almost creating a caricature of herself. She’s becoming sort of the comedic Congresswoman, and I think it’s a mistake. We’ve got a lot of work to do in Minnesota, and she needs to kind of focus on Minnesota, and stop worrying about all this media stuff. TH: She does spend an awful lot of time on national television, talking about issues, and there’s a reason, Dave, as you and I both know, being in the media, why they’re going after her, because they know she’s gonna make good copy – they don’t know what she’s gonna say next. DT: Yeah, I think that’s right, and uh, you know, I don’t know why she is becoming a front person on a lot of these issues. And the sad thing is, in the areas where Michele is, is knowledgeable, she’s excellent. But she can’t come out and say stuff like this, it, it, uh, it’s harmful to all Republicans, and no rational person’s gonna defend it. [Program continues discussing Rep. Keith Ellison’s arrest at a Dafur protest, Credit Card holder’s bill of rights in Congress, Minnesota Poll showing that 50% of state residents want a combination of tax increases and spending cuts.] Meanwhile anonocommenters are trying to use this against Dave Thompson: Dave's chastising Bachmann makes sense. It is no secret that Dave and his ilk of Republican want to do away with the pro-life plank or at least de-emphasize it. So this is no surprise - should be a pretty interesting election. (Source: Anonymous comment on Lloydletta's Nooz) My guess, is this is a supporter of Tony Sutton who is afraid to identify themselves publicly. Dave Thompson is, or has sat on the board of Edwatch, Michele Bachmann's non-profit arm, so I would find it hard to believe he wants to get rid of the let's criminalize abortion plank in the Republican platform.

Michele Bachmann Gets Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire Award

Politifact: So Bachmann is wrong about a Democrat being in charge during the 1976 outbreak and she fails to note the swine flu death in 1988. Hmmm. Two swine flu incidents during Republican administrations. By Bachmann's logic, we should find that "interesting." But we don't. It's ridiculous for her to suggest a partisan link with a deadly disease. That's not just a mistake, that's absurdly false. So we'll get out the lighter (after we wash our hands!) and set the Truth-O-Meter ablaze. This one's a Pants on Fire.

Video: Bachmann Swine Flu Gaffe Discussed on KSTP

As Eva posted earlier, Bachmann's swine flu gaffe was a topic on "At Issue" with Tom Hauser: Minnesota Republican Party Chair Candidate Dave Thompson was a guest on At Issue Today. During "face off", he was asked about Michele Bachmann's statements about the swine flu. Thompson made some positive comments about Bachmann before stating that he could not defend those remarks, and that those remarks were harmful to all republicans. KSTP:

Minnesota Teen Challenge Throws Michele Bachmann Under the Bus

Last fall, Avidor reported on Michele Bachmann's speech to Minnesota Teen Challenge. I just stopped by the Minnesota Teen Challenge site. The Elected Officials endorsements page that I reported on earlier has disappeared from the site, though there is still a link to the elected officials endorsements page from this page. Clearly Michele Bachmann is an embarrassment to Minnesota Teen Challenge. It's not often that an executive director of an organization will refer to money from an elected official as "Dirty Money". From Karl Bremer's excellent article in the Minnesota Independent: Last fall, the Minnesota Independent reported that Rep. Michele Bachmann’s campaign made a $9,200 charitable contribution to the faith-based drug treatment program Minnesota Teen Challenge on Oct. 3, 2008, in an effort to wash its hands of tainted contributions from Tom Petters associate Frank Vennes, Jr. The Minnesota Independent has recently learned that Minnesota Teen Challenge returned the donation to Bachmann two weeks later. “We didn’t want to be involved if it was dirty money,” Rich Scherber, executive director of Minnesota Teen Challenge, told MnIndy. Bachmann’s close ties to Vennes became public before the election, when it was revealed that she had written a letter requesting a presidential pardon for the convicted money-launderer and drug-smuggler. She withdrew the letter when Vennes’ name became connected to the Petters multi-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme scandal. But she gave back only a portion of the tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions she has received from Vennes and his family since 2005. Scherber says that when Bachmann’s office made the donation, it explained the connection between the campaign’s charitable contribution to them and Vennes’ campaign contributions to Bachmann. “Some way (the explanation) either came with the check or they notified us beforehand,” recalls Scherber. “At that time, we were just concerned — this whole story with Petters broke, and we were concerned about what Frank Vennes’ role was at this point.” Scherber’s staff brought the matter to the organization’s chairman, and he brought it before the board. “The board had decided they weren’t going to take the check,” Scherber continues. “They sat on it for two weeks and we just returned the check.”

Michele Bachmann Embarrasses All Republicans with Her Swine Flu Comments Says Dave Thompson

Minnesota Republican Party Chair Candidate Dave Thompson was a guest on At Issue Today. During "face off", he was asked about Michele Bachmann's statements about the swine flu. Thompson made some positive comments about Bachmann before stating that he could not defend those remarks, and that those remarks were harmful to all republicans. In other party news, Dave Fitzsimmons defeats establishment candidate Jim Knoblach 3-1. Andy Applikowski came in 3rd in his run for deputy 6th District chair. Cross posted on Lloydletta's Nooz. UPDATE: This will surely be used to try to torpedo Dave Thompson's campaign for party chair. The question is whether it will be successful. If this torpedoes Dave Thompson's race, then there is no stopping Michele Bachmann, when she runs for a statewide race - either Senate in 2012, or Governor in 2010.

Michele Bachmann: "Inane"

Interesting column today by Dave Shuster in the SC Times. It starts off with a quote from Bachmann: “Where freedom is tried, the people rejoice. But where tyranny is enforced upon the people, as Barack Obama is doing, the people suffer and mourn.” This nonsensical quote is illustrative of 6th District U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann’s penchant for commentary that is frequently inflammatory as well as an utter distortion of reality. Given the context of her statement — President Obama’s high approval ratings, the increasing number of Americans who feel our country is finally on the right track — our congresswoman’s claim of presidential tyranny represents an obvious lie. Sadly, in a concerted effort to tarnish Obama’s image, Bachmann’s cohorts in the Republican Party have offered an endless supply of similarly inane remarks. Lots of comments, as usual. Read the whole thing.

Bachmann at Jason Lewis Anti-Tax Rally

Videos by Dusty Trice from Dusty's You Tube Channel:

DCCC Web Ad About Michele Bachmann

Personally, I think they'd get more bang for the buck, if they would make sure the ad is narrated. Many people listen, rather than watch web ads (especially when people are multitasking). Also a good web video, can double as a radio ad.

Michele Bachmann Becoming Political Liability to Erik Paulsen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2009 Bachmann, Paulsen Representing Limbaugh-Led ‘Party of No’ Over Minnesota U.S. Reps. Bachmann, Paulsen Once Again Turn Their Backs on Minnesota’s Middle-Class Families With Vote Against President’s Budget Blueprint for Long-Term Economic Recovery After 100 Days of the Obama Presidency and With No Help from Reps. Bachmann, Paulsen: ü Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act now working to Ensure Women Will Receive Equal Pay for Equal Work ü American Recovery and Reinvestment Act now working to save or create 3.5 million jobs and provide 95 percent of Americans with tax relief ü Budget Blueprint for Transformative Investments in Health Care, Education and Clean Energy Now Paving the Way for Long-term Economic Growth Washington D.C. – On the day President Barack Obama marked his 100th day in office, Americans United for Change asked U.S. Representatives Erik Paulsen and Michele Bachmann who they think they are representing with their repeated votes against the President’s efforts to turn on the corner on the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. Paulsen, Bachmann once again turned their backs on Minnesota’s struggling middle-class families with their votes today against President’s budget – a blueprint for long-term economic growth transformational investments in healthcare, education, and clean energy. Tom McMahon, Acting Executive Director, Americans United for Change: “Erik Paulsen and Michele Bachmann are representing the Rush Limbaugh-led ‘Party of No’ over the people of Minnesota. President Obama has signed into law several major initiatives to help turn the corner on the worst economic crisis in generations since taking office 100 days ago, and Reps. Bachmann and Paulsen turned their backs on middle-class Minnesota families at every opportunity. Bachmann just said NO to healthcare for 4 million children in need, including 31,400 in Minnesota. They just said NO to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which is today working to ensure women will receive equal pay for equal work. They said NO to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which is ahead of schedule and under budget towards creating or saving or create 3.5 million jobs and giving 95 percent of Americans tax relief. And today they just said NO again to the President’s budget that is a blueprint for long-term economic prosperity through transformational investments in health care reform, education and clean energy. These investments are absolutely vital to our economic recovery. Without fixing our broken health care system, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and investing in tomorrow’s educated workforce – America’s struggling middle-class families will never be able to get ahead. And that’s what the President’s budget is all about.” “Reps. Bachmann and Paulsen are marching to Rush Limbaugh’s tune of hoping the President “fails” and are clinging desperately to the failed economic policies of the past that got us into this mess to begin with: more tax breaks for big oil and multi-millionaires that never manage to ‘trickle-down’ to anyone else and more woefully shortchanged investments in things that will actually grow the economy, like healthcare, education and clean energy, added McMahon. “We tried it their way and look what happened” ### Comment: Ashwin Madia's campaign missed a huge opportunity by avoiding calling Erik Paulsen out to defend or condemn Michele Bachmann's numerous gaffes. Whoever runs in the 3rd District this time, should run a campaign against Michele Bachmann if they want to win.

Great LTE in Saturday's Star Tribune

It's so interesting.... I find it interesting that the first confirmed Minnesota case of H1N1 Influenza A occurred in Rep. Michele Bachmann's district. I'm not blaming this on Michele Bachmann, I just think it's an interesting coincidence. AMY HUSTON, EAGAN

Michele Bachmann's Fundraising Letter

In full: April 27, 2009 Special Edition: Bachmann Blast Donate today, please -- And, ask your friends to help, too! Click here to donate: I WANT TO HELP, MICHELE! Don't let them raise the money to defeat me and others in Washington who give you a voice in Congress. Click here: I WANT TO HELP, MICHELE! Or mail your contribution to: Bachmann for Congress P.O. Box 25950 Woodbury, MN 55125 Learn More About Michele Federal law requires us to collect the name, mailing address, occupation, and employer for individuals whose donations exceed $200 in a calendar year. Each individual may give up to $2400 per primary and $2400 per general election from personal funds. Contributions are not tax deductible. Dear Friend: It's called www.bachmannwatch.com. It's the Democrat [sic] Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) latest attempt to discredit every word out of my mouth and to paint anyone who disagrees with the liberal agenda sweeping through Washington as an extremist. If you get a chance, check it out. It's incredible how fast and loose they are willing to play with the truth. We thought we saw the height of their spin machine last October, but, really, it looks like this is just the beginning. Take for example their leading hit against me on the cap-and-trade energy tax. No matter how you slice it, cap-and-tax will destroy the American economy starting with the manufacturing sector; will increase the costs of everything produced with energy (and that means everything), and hit families across the nation with thousands of dollars more to pay in their annual electric bills. A study by the House Ways and Means Committee puts the figure for Minnesota families of four at about $2500 more. An MIT study put the figure closer to $3100 more. The author of the MIT study disputes this, putting the number at about one quarter this. Now, Democrats clung to a statement by the MIT Professor John Reilly who took issue with the Republican use of his analysis and they published it far and wide. By the time the Democrat spin machine was finished with spreading the Professor's critique, they'd done everything but rent time in Times Square to try to discredit the GOP use of the $3100-cost-increase. But, the Democrats have pretty much ignored the recent retraction he made of his criticism. Just last week, Professor Reilly was reported as saying, "I made a boneheaded mistake in an excel spread sheet. I have sent a new letter to Republicans correcting my error." Reilly's numbers still are way below the Republican estimate. Notice how that's missing from the Democrats' Bachmann Watch? Professor Reilly also goes on to say that the real cost to families is "the Republican estimate [$3128] plus the cost I estimate [$512]." Nope, you won't find that on Bachmann Watch either. And, they spread the same misinformation in other posts on their site as well. Now, it may just be a coincidence that my opponent from the 2008 election just made $250,000 in contributions to the DCCC - who knows? But, a quarter of a million will buy a lot more than one negative, mud-slinging, misinformed website. I need to be prepared for this being just the first hit of many. Can you help me fight back? I really could use your help to prove to the Democrats that it is not extremist to: Control Washington spending, putting taxpayers first. Protect the dominance of the American dollar. Demand that the Federal Reserve make its spending transparent to the taxpayers footing the bill. Treat dangerous terrorist detainees as dangerous terrorists. Defend the unborn from a culture of abortion-on-demand. Ensure that parents have the right to determine if their teenagers can access the morning-after pill. Call for Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano's resignation because she publishes are report that considers veterans a threat to security and labels pro-lifers, gunowners, and those who oppose amnesty for illegal immigration as "right-wing extremists." Can you make a contribution to help me keep fighting for you? I WANT TO HELP, MICHELE! Can you share this email with five of your friends and ask them to help me too? The Democrats are gunning for me because I refuse to shrink from a fight. With your help, I can keep fighting for your freedom, for your pocketbook, and for all that the Constitution has secured for the American people for generations. Thank you for your generous support and your prayers. Sincerely, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann I encourage readers to fisk this more in the comments.

Judge Judy vs Michele Bachmann

This is a must see! Click the title of this post to see the rest of the 'comic book' episode. Thank you Jezebel!!!

More Papers Running Criticism of Bachmann...

...courtesy of reporting in MNIndy. An editorial in the West Central Tribune lists a bunch of crackpot statements from Bachmann--including this one during an interview by Sean Hannity. This one's important, it got by a lot of the press covering that interview: In March, Bachmann called for a “revolution” against the tyranny of Obama and congressional leadership. Calling for a “revolution” against the U.S. president or other congressional leaders sounds more anti-American than patriotic to us. The editors must have actually listened to the Hannity interview; either that or they're reading Dump Bachmann. Most of the press coverage of the Hannity thing focused on her charge that Obama was leading us into "economic Marxism." She did more than that. As the editorial indicates, she also charged that the President of the United States is imposing a tyranny. The editorial then concludes: Bachmann has become the poster child for bizarre politicians. She also is an embarrassment to both the 6th District and Minnesota. MnIndy points out that the West Central Tribune is part of the Forum Communications chain of newspapers. The Minnesota papers' glacial indifference to Bachmann's extremism is starting to crack and break up. Finally, and piece by piece... And an op-ed piece by Paul Crawford in the St. Cloud State "University Chronicle": It happens all too often. This week Rep. Michele Bachmann said she found it "interesting" that swine flu only seems to break out under Democrat presidents. She masked the madness of her comment by saying, "I'm not blaming this on President Obama," but only that it was an "interesting coincidence." Was her point to somehow associate Democrats with swine flu? Not likely. (Paul's wrong, there. That is of course exactly what she was trying to do.) Instead, it has just been one more unexplainable episode in a long list of national television appearances turned into a media spectacles. (Paul's wrong there, too. It's easy to explain these episodes--if you accept the fact that Bachmann is a nut, liar, and bigot. But stick around, Paul Crawford goes on to make some very good points:) ...While debating the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act she deliberately associated homosexuality with pedophilia, saying the bill would only protect "a pedophile, someone who considers themselves gay, someone who considers themselves transgender, someone who considers themselves a cross-dresser," but not "veterans," "pregnant women," or "85-year-old grandmothers," because everyone knows there's no such thing as a transgender grandma or gay soldier... ...Her methods involve channeling and voicing radical reactionary rage on many social issues, not unlike a radio talk show entertainer. But, she isn't an entertainer. (Exactly. Bachmann doesn't have Limbaugh's lame and dishonest excuse--that when he spouts lies and hatred you can't hold him responsible, because he's "just an entertainer." Bachmann, like the radio demagogue, is spouting garbage largely because her core audience around the nation wants to hear garbage. The conduct goes beyond mere "offensiveness" when the speaker is representing Americans in Congress.) It would be less disheartening if she silently supported these reactionary causes, which some politicians do. Instead, she actively pursues and promotes them though legislation, and what has become her weekly, nationally televised freakshow... There's more in the op-ed at this link.

Bachman Dodges Question About Her Swine Flu Gaffe on Fox

Eric Kleefeld at TPM: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) appeared the other day on the Fox Business Channel, and during the interview she was asked exactly what she meant when she connected swine flu outbreaks to Democratic administrations. She immediately changed the subject... But here's the best part... The fun part here is that this exchange is from a clip that was posted on her own YouTube account. Watch a flustered Bachmann dodge the question at 0:55: UPDATE: Eric Alterman at the Daily Beast tries to figure out what's wrong with Bachmann: As amazingly idiotic as Bachmann’s swine-flu comments may be, they do not actually exceed her past levels of stupidity, malevolence, and factual incorrectness. UPDATE: Bachmann sidestepped a question in this video on her You Tube site.

Jon Stewart on Michele Bachmann

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart M - Th 11p / 10c Snoutbreak '09 - What to Call Swine Flu thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis First 100 Days