Bachmann fires back

Posted at 6:51 AM on October 21, 2008 by Tom Scheck (10 Comments)

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann writes an op-ed in Politico defending herself of recent criticism. Here's part of her entry:

In a matter of 48 hours after I participated in an interview with Chris Matthews on MSNBC's "Hardball," more than $640,000 from donors across the country flooded into my opponent's campaign. Almost to a one, these are people who never would have considered voting for me if they lived in Minnesota. In fact, most of them have probably never voted for a Republican. These are strong supporters of Barack Obama who want to see more liberal policies enacted in Washington.

These are not people who know anything about my policy views. They don't know anything about my record of reaching across the aisle on issues ranging from support for small business to foster care improvements, an issue near and dear to my heart as a former foster mother to 23 troubled teens. Or about my record of standing up to my own party when the occasion calls for it -- such as opposing the $700 billion Wall Street bailout -- and standing up to members of the other party when they try to push through tax hikes or limit personal liberty.

These are not even people who know anything about my opponent or his positions on the issues -- though they are willing to donate to him based on a few minutes of listening to the political echo chamber.

They have been riled up by a spin machine in serious overdrive as we come down the homestretch to Election Day.

Comments (10)

I feel sorry for you. You don't realize that your the one who riled up the people. You sounded like Joe McCarthy on TV and people who remember that sad time in history are reacting to your statement and justifyingly so. You and the rest of the Republican Party have cross the line on all the spin this year! I'm a former Registered Republican and I voted for Obama yesterday because the Party is being run by the too far right base and is turning off the more centered Republicans. I do not need to know your policy views after that statement. It was enough to convince me to get away from the crazies.

Posted by Sad Statement | October 21, 2008 7:50 AM

Perhaps the reason they know nothing about Bachmann's policy views is because Bachmann never held even one, not one single open forum meeting with her constituents during her entire first term in office. Two years and not one meeting to answer questions from the people she represents. Kinda paints a picture of someone who's a xenophobe and would predictably make the statements she made last Friday. Then again, it could be nobody knows about Bachmann outside Minnesota because the main newspapers here never published any of her wacky statements over the past eight years she's been in public office. No coverage, no insight to Bachmann until she makes her mark as a McCarthyist making lists on people.

Posted by Jeanette | October 21, 2008 8:10 AM

Talk about spin! Bachmann is her own worst enemy. The more she speaks, the more people get a chance to hear directly from her how intolerant, ignorant, and small-minded she is.

Posted by Bud Rosenfield | October 21, 2008 10:05 AM

I happen to be one of the people who donated to her opponent's campaign after her fanatical rant on the Chris Matthew's show. I live in her district, and despite her not being available to her constituents for open forums, I am well aware of her bizarre and divisive tactics as well as her voting record. I also am well aware of her opponent's platform and have been able to hear him discuss many of his views and positions. I actually have previously donated to his campaign, but was inspired to donate more after her McCarthy-like statements. It certainly has been an eye opener for many of her constituents to see her appearances on the national political commentary scene.

I guess not ALL of the recent donors are radical liberals that don't live in her district and are unaware of her voting record and her opponent's platform.

Posted by Michelle Hanson | October 21, 2008 10:49 AM

Why am I thankful that Rep. Michelle Bachmann isn't the representative from my Minnesota district?
1) The awkwardness of klinging to the President after the State of the Union Address;
2) The "Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act" at a time when we're trying to get the kids to turn off the lights to save energy;
3) Calling any human connection to global warming "voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax."
4) Now it sounds as though I and most of the people I know have very anti-American views.

Oh, that Michelle had as strong an association with her consituents in Minnesota as she insists Sen. Obama has with Bill Ayers.

Posted by Douglas | October 21, 2008 2:32 PM

Ms Bachman hung all over George Bush on her first day in Washington (as seen on all news casts) like a dancer in a club, and now she is pretending to be an independant voice of the people... Im grateful that Im not the only one noticing your "positions".

Posted by Brad | October 21, 2008 5:20 PM

Hon, you are such a fool. Don't you know to quit when you are ahead. You deserve to lose. Such ineptness. MN expects competence and this is not it!

Posted by TootUrHORN | October 21, 2008 11:03 PM

From one Michele to another: I may not live in your district, but I am a Minnesotan who has heard Elwyn Tinklinberg's positions and has heard too much, and now WAY too much, about your bizzare ideas! You need to review your Hardline performance and listen to what you really said. Everyone else has heard it! All this "echo chamber" talk is pure nonsense. If you really didn't agree with Matthews' "anti-American" choice of words, that was the time to have said so!! Instead you drove the point home using those words repeatedly. I suppose I ought to thank you, though, for helping to fund Tinklinberg's campaign...

Posted by Michele | October 21, 2008 11:43 PM

Ms. Bachmann,

You couldn't be more wrong. And you're confirming that my contribution to your rival was the right thing to do.

I am one of the people who got "riled up" and sent money to your rival, but I am definitely NOT a liberal. I am a moderate, centrist, sometimes-Republican voting American who is appalled by you and your ilk. These are serious times. Americans will improve the quality of political discourse -- and possibly arrive at solutions for our REAL problems -- once voices like yours are no longer polluting it.

Posted by Laura in Austin | October 22, 2008 3:10 PM

Contributed $100 to stop nuts like this. Here is the site to donate:

www.tinklenberg08.com

Posted by Bill | October 22, 2008 10:06 PM

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