Capitol View: September 1, 2011 Archive

Bachmann to speak at American Legion national convention

Posted at 8:34 AM on September 1, 2011 by Mark Zdechlik (4 Comments)
Filed under: Michele Bachmann

Minnesota Congresswoman and 2012 GOP presidential contender Michele Bachmann has added tough national security talk to her stump speech since Texas Gov. Rick Perry joined the field of Republican presidential candidates. Her speech at the American Legion gives her a chance to build on that message.

Dianne Corbett of Nebraska is attending the convention in Minneapolis with her husband, who's a member of the American Legion. Corbett said she was looking forward to hearing Bachmann's speech. She said she has a lot of interest in Bachmann's presidential campaign.

"I like her direct approach to questions," said Corbett.

Since Perry got into the race, Bachmann's standing in most polls has plunged from second to a distant forth place. Corbett said that doesn't mean much at this stage of the contest. She thinks Bachmann is still very much in the race for the nomination.

"I think it's too early to put too much into the polls," said Corbett.

President Obama spoke at the legion's national convention Tuesday.

The gathering wraps up today.

Bachmann cites Thatcher in foreign policy speech

Posted at 10:54 AM on September 1, 2011 by Mark Zdechlik
Filed under: Michele Bachmann

During a speech this morning at the American Legion national convention in Minneapolis, Republican Congresswoman and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said President Obama is failing to lead when it comes to foreign policy.

In the half hour speech Bachmann praised the "peace through strength" approach to foreign affairs of Ronald Reagan and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

"We are home to the greatest military force the world has ever known and it is my intention to keep it that way," Bachmann said.

President Obama addressed the American Legion in Minneapolis on Tuesday, pledging not to allow Congress to balance the budget on the backs on veterans.

The convention ends today.

Report: Finance sector is Bachmann's biggest industry donor

Posted at 1:06 PM on September 1, 2011 by Catharine Richert
Filed under: Campaign 2012, Michele Bachmann

Donors in the finance and real estate sectors are making sizeable contributions to GOP presidential hopeful Rep. Michele Bachmann's war chest, according to a new analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP), a group that tracks campaign fundraising.

According to the group, Bachmann has so far raised $3.6 million. Of that, $1.4 million came from people contributing more than $200.

Donors who list employment in the financial sector have contributed at least $129,675 to Bachmann, according to the Center's research. That's about 9.4 percent of her itemized receipts.

Coming in second are donors from the health sector, who gave in the range of $65,200 to Bachmann. General business gave her $49,600 and agribusiness gave her $40,875.

While the latter may not seem like a lot of cash, CRP notes that of all the candidates, she's the most reliant on agribusiness money.

Bachmann's still getting most of her funding from people who are giving less than $200 - donations that don't need to be itemized.

To see how she stacks up against the other candidates, check out CRP's report here.