Media Matters on Michele Bachmann's Lie on Larry King

How to invent a scandal with a single punctuation mark Here's an urgent question: Is The Weekly Standard funding its operations by selling drugs to children? As Media Matters' Jamison Foser explained earlier this week, the addition of a question mark at the end of the previous sentence allows me to suggest something entirely baseless without accepting responsibility for it. And that's exactly what occurred recently when the Standard's John McCormack suggested that Obama had appointed Scott M. Matheson Jr. to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to influence the health care vote of Matheson's brother, Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT). No evidence was provided to back up the claim -- but as Foser explained, "John McCormack doesn't need evidence -- he has question marks!" Remarkably, even though some conservatives quickly distanced themselves from the accusation, many others did not. The story was soon getting attention on Fox News and The Fox Nation, on the blog Hot Air, at RedState.com, from Michelle Malkin, from Hannity and Beck, and on the Drudge Report, among others. And of course, since the right-wing media issue the marching orders for the movement these days, on the March 3 edition of CNN's Larry King Live, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) called for an investigation. Even though plenty of countervailing evidence was soon produced -- indeed, even McCormack, the claim's originator, may have begun to walk it back -- the smear continued (especially on Fox & Friends, which must assume its early-morning viewers are too groggy to understand what they're being told). Politico also helped hype the story, publishing an article headlined "Some Republicans criticize judge pick." But the paper could only come up with one such Republican: Bachmann. By contrast, Politico cited two Republicans who praised the nomination, including one who directly refuted the conspiracy theory. Finally, in a last-ditch effort to keep the "story" alive, media conservatives began arguing that it may now be illegal for Jim Matheson to vote in favor of health care reform legislation due to his brother's appointment. Predictably, this, too, was baseless. As the story continues to fall apart, it's worth remembering how often the right invents scandals to tarnish Democrats. No question mark needed there. Ofcourse, DB regulars know it is not news that Michele Bachmann tells a lie. It's news when she's telling the truth.

Michele Bachmann: "Corruption" at the White House needs an independent investigation

by Karl Bremer 3/3/2010 Michele Bachmann tonight on CNN’s Larry King Live accused President Obama of trading judgeships for health-care votes and called for an “independent investigation” into what she termed “corruption” at the White House. Obama today nominated Scott Matheson, brother of Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT), to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. Also today, Obama included Congressman Matheson, who has voted against the health-care reform bill, among a group of 10 like-minded Democrats to a meeting at the White House in the hopes of changing their minds—and their votes. That led Bachmann to charge Obama with selling judgeships for votes—“Corruption,” she cried repeatedly on the Larry King Show, as Florida Congressman Alan Grayson tried unsuccessfully to maintain a rational discussion with her on health care instead. Rep. Matheson’s spokesperson called the charge “patently ridiculous.” The White House called it “absurd.” Bachmann was clearly taking her talking points from this Weekly Standard piece. But Rep. Matheson and the White House were having none of it in their response to Politico (http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0310/Matheson_knocks_down_vote_trading_questions.html). Strangely enough, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, a member of the Judiciary Committee, didn’t seem to get the same memo Bachmann received about the White House corruption afoot with Matheson’s appointment. In a statement, Hatch said: “I’m pleased President Obama has nominated Scott Matheson to fill the vacancy on the Tenth Circuit. I’ve known Scott a long time and he is a capable, bright attorney whose experience has prepared him for judicial service. The Matheson family has had a significant impact on Utah and can rightly be proud of Scott’s nomination.”

Michele Bachmann's Fellow Traveller Bradlee Dean Confronts the "Homosexual Agenda"

Bradlee Dean is one of Michele Bachmann's Fellow Travellers. You can read this post for more background on Dean.

Michele Bachmann's BFF Janet Boynes Testifies at the Minnesota Marriage Equality Hearing

You can listen here.

Why the DB Community Wants to Dump Michele Bachmann from Public Office

Commenter "a real American" stirred things up: A Real American What is it about Bachmann that frightens you so badly? Do you even live in her district? Probably not, but I do, and I can tell you this.... She will continue to win as long as she runs. Why? Because she represents a district that pays taxes and does not suckle on the teat of large government. So, go back to suckling and shut up. Yesterday, 1:14:33 PM A Real American: Michele Bachmann has been suckling off the teat of Big Goverment her entire adult life. While she rails about Big Gummint, she isn't too shy to be on the public payroll, or take farm subsidies to the tune of a cool quarter million. Other commenters also responded: 1SG Hjertsjo To 'A Real American': We live in her district and have voted against her twice and will continue to do so. Bachmann barely got enough votes to get re-elected this last time. Minnesota's sixth district is the laughing stock of the nation, because of Bachmann. She has done nothing for the sixth district. She never responds to her e-mails, like Senators Franken and Klobuchar do. Of all the Minnesota representatives, she's missed the most votes. She never authors any legislation. Name one thing she has done for the sixth district. As far as teat suckling, Bachmann is the biggest one of all with the congressional pay she gets, and for which she does nothing, and also for the farm subsidies that she gets. So don't be calling anyone else a 'teat suckler' unless you include Bachmann. Yesterday, 3:53:02 PM Anna Bachmann doesn't frighten me. She's simply an embarrassing incompetent. I find it ironic that a former IRS tax attorney (basically responsible for prosecuting those who don't pay taxes) is now opposed to taxes, and essentially bedding down with tax evaders and census evaders (oh wait, she flip flopped on that one). Bachmann says and does what Bachmann thinks will get her elected in the 6th district. It's all talk and no action from her, even on the issues she claims are important to her. She used the religious right to no end (did she get abortion outlawed? How about gay marriage? Looks like we're about to legalize gay marriage in Minnesota . . . Iowa is getting all the money from those weddings, and we could sure use a boost to the local economy). She is totally ineffective on ANYTHING, and especially on issues that are affecting thousands in our district right now (foreclosure, joblessness, healthcare access). Her biggest idea is impoverishing even MORE people by taking away ("weaning off") Medicare and Social Security. Great. Just great. I've been paying into Social Security for 30 years and now she wants to yank it from me. The woman is certifiable. Yesterday, 5:10:33 PM Anna PS: I live in Bachmann's district, and as a local leader I influence a very large block of votes. You talk about sucking at the teat of government. How about getting our due? How about doing the people's business? Bachmann couldn't lift a finger to get us a bridge in St. Cloud, but she sure could show up for the ribbon cutting! How ironic is that? Enough. She hasn't done anything to help small business in her district. By her own admission she's done zilch. Frightening? No, not frightening. She's just a big incompetent nothing. Yesterday, 5:17:30 PM dare2sayit.com Great point Real American. I live in the 6th district as well unlike most of the Hate Bachmann people on this blog. Yesterday, 5:56:33 PM James K *falls over laughing* Oh boy. Hey you with the pretentious name, I live smack dab in the middle of her district. Hell my town is one of the biggest towns in her district and all my adult life it has almost always voted Republican. Do you really want to claim that noone in this district "suckles on the teat of large government"? Or would you like me to shoot down that claim just using my town as an example? Oh hell, Ill do so anyways. 10 years ago my town wanted to expand fix up and expand the two major roads that go through my town. State highway 241/County Road 35 (it's the same road) and County Road 19. But the state didnt have enough money, the County didnt have enough money and the town sure as hell didn't have enough money. So where did the Mayor and one of the Councilor's go to lobby for that money? That's right..the federal government in Washington D.C. And we got the money...thanks to the help of then Congressmen Mark Kennedy...Republican. You can pretend that she'll have the office as long as she runs...but people in this district are starting to catch on to the fact that she's done nothing for this district whatsoever. So you can sit there with the stupid name of "A Real American" as if you're somehow more American then those around you but in the end that name of "A Real American" isn't the only thing that's fake about you. Yesterday, 6:09:48 PM James K Oh and what bothers us about her is that she is an right extremist idealogue and a religious whackjob. not to mention the fact that she's incompetent and all she does is engage in brainless fearmongering that divides the country. Oh and the borderline formenting a civil war comes to mind too. Yesterday, 8:43:10 PM KathyC Spoken like a true follower of all things Bachmann. Michele Bachmann doesn't scare me, Real American. I am more than familiar with her species of Neo-Conservative Republilcan. She is more of a celebrity than actual repfesentative of the people of the 6th CD. Michele Bachmann has her supporters brainwashed into thinking she is working for them, when she is out to make a name for herself at yours and theirs expense. But you don't see that at all. So keep on defending Bachmann. It shows how little credibility her supporters really have. Yesterday, 9:27:43 PM PrChris Nothing about Bachmann frightens us. We re incensed that someone who does NOTHING but look like an idiot represents Minnesota in the Congress. Being a Representative does not mean running around appearing on Fixed News, giving speeches all over the country, and playing pundit. It also does not simply mean bringing home money to the district. What it DOES mean is helping constituents figure out where to go to solve a problem, with helping to write legislation that fixes the problems that cause constituents to lose their houses (MB's district hs highest foreclosure rate in the state. What does she do to help your neighbors who are being thrown out of their houses--and BTW, some people who are losing their houses have lived in them for more than 20 years..and still lose them.) She is lazy, she doesn't have a clue what she is doing, and she is mostly good for disbelieving laughter from people who wonder how someone so weird can possibly get elected to Congress. If you think she is doing a good job, you obviously aren't paying attention. Representing their constituents, helping develop legislation that solves our nation's problems, applying throught and a willingness to work with colleagues is what makes a successful Rep. Michele is none of these. I KNOW what a good member of Congress looks like--and that is not Michele Bachmann! Pr Chris Today, 12:03:08 AM Betty To "A Real American", I live in the 6th CD. She has a very tough race this year. Her forays out and about in the political circuit has fueled a financial bonanza for the two women running to replace her. Tarryl Clark has done a great job capitalizing on her gaffes, ineffectiveness, posturing and Michele's fixation with celebrity. She and Sarah Palin are twin daughters of separate mothers. She doesn't frighten me. I frighten her. I am working with a very organized and vocal group that will replace her next November. I am prepared to knock on every door I can and talk about my candidate and why Michele Bachmann does not represent me. She is afraid of me and people like me who not only believe in democracy but make it work for me every day. We don't use words like "freedom", "liberty" and "patriot" the way Republicans do - disposable words - like toilet paper. We value our ability to work together to make this country better. Not divide it. We believe that we cannot do better when a large portion of our neighbors are sinking and their homes are being taken away from them. We cannot be free if our fellow citizens are dying because of a lack of health care. These things affect us all. Yes, we pay taxes. But that great big sucking sound you hear is from Michele Bachmann. Her family has collected $250,000 in farm subsidies. Her son is working in a federal program that will boost his resume when he decides to go find a job in the private sector. We are paying for that. The government health care she and her family receives is paid for by you and me. The foster children she took in were paid for by you and me. That new bridge she walked across and the commuter train she rode in for photo-ops was paid for by you and me. It's safe for her and her family to go to Israel because you and me pay for a large portion of Israel's military and defense. I have written before that I have neve received government assistance. I was wrong. Over twenty five years ago I collected unemployment insurance for a short time. That is a drop in the bucket compared to what the Bachmann family has collected from federal, state and local governments. If Mrs. Bachmann spent more time talking to those constituents in the sixth district that need help right now, she would spend more time in Washington in a constructive way to try and solve these problems. Instead she runs from talk show to talk show, collecting free beauty secrets and promotions backstage -- just like her friend Sarah did this week in Hollywood. Sir or Madam: Michele's aspirations take her far away from the concerns of the Sixth District. She doesn't give a crap about you. Today, 5:09:50 PM C.M. A Real American? Hey everybody, it's Hulk Hogan. Seriously though, I am not in the wonderful glorious 6th District. I have considered taking a bus to Minnesota and being registered to vote there, but unless Michele is 100% right about ACORN there is no way an illegal immigrant like me could vote. I am not scared by Michele. Amused? Sure. Also slightly aroused. As far as I can see it, if America decides to become a saner place than it has been over the last couple of decades Michele Bachmann is a good person to keep around so everybody remembers why they shouldn't listen to insane American Christians (I say American Christian because from what I see you aren't like other Christians) who are harming the poor to aid the rich (once again, only Americans think Jesus said "cut taxes" hence the distinctive religion). On the other hand, if America wants to pick up where Bush/Cheney left off, your country will probably fall like all empires before it. Then you guys deserve Bachmann. Either way, Vote Bachmann! Otherwise I'll be sad. (it's been a long week. I promise a better slogan next time) Today, 6:47:01 PM

Michele Bachmann Reverses Herself on the Census

Commenter Jonerik notes: I see now that Bachmann has done a 180 on the census and she's now FOR having people filling it out. So now she was against the census before she was for it. Someone must have finally penetrated her dense brain cells on Minnesota's chance of losing a Congressional seat next year.

Politico Picks Up on Michele Bachmann's Latest Ethical Scandal

Read it here. They quote from an article by Minnesota Independent which summarizes the Daily Tenneseen article. Michele Bachmann's office was called for comment, but they declined to comment on the matter.