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Revis(it)ing history

Posted at 9:15 AM on November 20, 2008 by Than Tibbetts (12 Comments)
Filed under: Politics

Rep. Michele Bachmann was back on TV this week, and she revisited the topic of her Oct. 17 comments on MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews."

You may remember those comments, where she said Barack Obama "may have anti-American views."

On Tuesday on FOX News, Bachmann said:

"Actually, that's not what I said. It was an urban legend that was created."

For the record, here's the transcript of the relevant part of her MSNBC interview:

MR. MATTHEWS: So this is a character issue. You believe that Barack Obama may -- you're suspicious because of this relationship -- may have anti-American views. Otherwise it's probably irrelevant to this discussion.
REP. BACHMANN: Absolutely.

MR. MATTHEWS: So you believe it brings into --

REP. BACHMANN: I absolutely --

MR. MATTHEWS: So you believe that Barack Obama may have anti- American views.

REP. BACHMANN: Absolutely. I'm very concerned that he may have anti-American views. That's what the American people are concerned about. That's why they want to know what his answers are. That's why Joe the Plumber has figured so highly in the last few days

Comments (12)

Is anyone really surprised by this?

Posted by tachikoma | November 20, 2008 1:05 PM

All I can say is that the stuff she's smoking is doing an excellent job of messing with her ability to apprehend reality. She almost sounds certifiable.

As scary as her Joe McCarthy-like propagandistic ravings and her lying are, I predict that we will see her become even more unglued, and become an even bigger embarrassment to the state and its residents than she already is.

Posted by Bob | November 20, 2008 2:11 PM

huh...

then why did the Woodburians re elect her?

is it lying or is she just less truthful? perhaps she should try wearing pink to these interviews.

Posted by c | November 20, 2008 3:19 PM

It's far less a reflection on Rep. Bachmann (who is, incidentally, a lying sack of worthless biomass) than on the intellectual faculties of a large subset of American citizens. In this case, that subset matches up pretty well with FoxNews viewership. Bachmann knows full well that she's never going to be called on her outrageous statements by anyone that matters to her, so she can say whatever she wants and it will become true enough for her people.
The word - written or spoken - means next to nothing in America today; image is everything. Having said that, I guess I hold un-American views. Probably time to bring back the HUAC, under Mizz Bachmann.

Posted by jaded | November 20, 2008 3:40 PM

Woodbury/Stillwater elected Tink, if you look at the voters map it was the western cities in the district that tilt Bachman.

Posted by S | November 20, 2008 3:42 PM

Amazing!
Bachmann is an Urban Legand in her own mind, and maybe those repubes who elected her! We saw the video, we heard what she said. She is lying and has stuck to the lie as most Repubes do! Even when there is tape/audio! They will do and say anthing and those who want to hear lies, believe them! Those who don't want to be lied to-don't vote for Repubes! Amazing!

Posted by DA | November 20, 2008 3:50 PM

I can't get the video feed where I am ... I'm more curious about the Fox journalist's response. Did he slam her with a play-back of her statement, showing her to be lying (or foolish)? Or did he just give her a pass? Well, I can guess, but it makes as much a poor professional judgment of the interviewer as her.

It also demonstrates the umittigated gall of politicians to assume the People will believe anything. oh, um ....

I was at a lecture yesterday about communicating risk to people. The lecturer gave a 2x2 table with the axes being hazard & outrage. Looking at one box was low hazard + low outrage. He indicated this is when the public is apathetic, but will probably believe what you tell them. A cogent description of today. They don't have any reason to worry about life, so they didn't doubt her honesty, hence they voted for her.

Posted by Elizabeth T. | November 20, 2008 4:29 PM

It doesn't matter if she is a republican or a democrat, it is sad to see our fine state being respresented by this sad person. What she is lying about is how dim witted she is. It would be interesting to add her TV commercial explaining how sometimes she says what she does not mean and then we would have yet another explanation for her actions. Next week it will be something else. She is right, the media does need to investigate some members of congress - her.

Posted by bigalmn | November 20, 2008 4:32 PM

It's the tactic that's been all the rage past decade or so - Politicians make a statement with conviction and make it often enough and it becomes the truth (or least people will forget it isn't).

And again my question for all those religious voters who voted for Bachman because she is 'pro-life' (better stated as anti-abortion): Why is it that the commandment "Thou shalt not bear false witness" isn't important to you?

Posted by Al | November 20, 2008 6:32 PM

Recall Now

Posted by sachmo | November 20, 2008 9:39 PM

One thing you can do is sign a petition to have her censured.

Posted by Jim!!! | November 21, 2008 9:56 AM

I believe that there is no Michelle Bachman. Does that make it true? If I wish I hadn't said that, could it be unsaid?

Or would it be better to have a US Rep with some understanding of reality?

Posted by Erik Hare | November 22, 2008 11:47 AM

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