UPDATED: Since Michele Bachmann’s Friday appearance on MSNBC’s “Hardball” with Chris Matthews, Democrat El Tinklenberg has racked up $120,000 in donations (as of 10:40 a.m.) at the website Act Blue. Bachmann, the incumbent Republican representative in the 6th congressional district, said she was concerned that Barack Obama may have anti-American views and urged the media to look into whether members of Congress are “pro-America or anti-America.” Since then, donations have been flooding in from across the country, and many commenters, both at MnIndy (here and here) and Tinklenberg’s Facebook page, are absolutely clear that Bachmann’s “Hardball” appearance drove their donations.
But conservative bloggers are so far largely silent on Bachmann’s controversial statement.
Powerline’s John Hinderaker, who calls Bachmann a “friend,” hasn’t weighed in yet, nor have other local Republican blogs (I’ll update with more opinions by conservative blogs as they come in). One who did, Ed Morrissey of Hot Air and Look True North, seemed to place the blame on Matthews — and then change the subject to Bill Ayers:
Michele’s a friend and I know her passion for her country, but she let herself get trapped by Matthews here. She did well until the last two minutes, but she let Matthews get away with characterizing her statements as equating liberal policy with anti-Americanism. That leads to the conclusion that half of Congress hates America, which is ridiculous, and led to the silly notion that someone should “look into” it.
Also slow on commenting: Tinklenberg. He hasn’t yet updated his website to capitalize on Bachmann’s words. Update: “The last few hours have been nothing short of astounding,” wrote Tinklenberg late last night on a DailyKos diary. “I am both hopeful and humbled at the reminder you gave me tonight – that in our country’s darkest times, it is the strength and belief and action of ordinary Americans that ultimately brings about the change we need.”



61 Comments »
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 10:43 am
From what I’ve read, Mr. Tinklenburg’s received so much traffic to his site until it crashed temporarily.
Count me as another who watched Hardball and was furious at this frothing dolt, who is willfully stupid and proud of it. She wouldn’t know the Constitution if it smacked her upside the head. I hope you all can do democracy a favor and defeat this poor excuse for a Member of Congress.
I was proud to donate to Mr. Tinklenburg last night. And I live in Maryland.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 10:56 am
Unlike McCain/Palin, who whip their supporters into a frenzy with their constant hate speech and then pretend they can’t understand why their crowds yell “Terrorist” and “Kill Him”, Obama always says, “Don’t boo, just vote.”
Or, in this case, if you can’t vote, then donate money. I live in Florida, and I’ve sent Bachmann’s opponent $10. Everyone can afford $5 or $10 bucks.
Watching Bachman’s surreal rant last night on Hardball was literally the most frightening thing I’ve EVER seen on TV in my entire lifetime! Are we witnessing a new era of McCarthyism? She actually referred to liberals as “anti-American” and called for an investigation of Congress to search for and root out anti-American elected officials.
Add this to Sarah Palin’s incendiary comments that Obama “pals around with terrorists” and the McCain Campaign’s new robo calls claiming that Obama “worked closely” with a terrorist whose radical group “killed Americans” and you have a recipe for the next great American witch hunt and a call to violence against Obama and other “leftist” (anti-American) leaders.
This is very dangerous rhetoric!!! Every American should study McCarthyism, read the Crucible, and send $$$$$$ to Bachman’s opponent (Tinklenberg) as soon as possible.
Seriously, do it now! And, while you’re at it, send as much $$$$$$$$$ as you can to Obama to help him fight the smears. I just sent $50
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 10:56 am
I live in Delaware, and I was “gob-smacked” when I saw her comment. I, too, contributed to her opponent through the ActBlue site.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:01 am
I live in Pennsylvania…I am a Republican…I gave El some cash. People that talk like this in my party should NOT be allowed to serve this great nation.
People in the Minnesota 6th District…this woman should not be representing you. You know what you have to do. Please do it. This is now an election that will be followed all evening on November 4th.
Hate like this should not be allowed in the halls of our Capitol.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Thank God for America and the Internet — America for allowing whack-jobs like this to spew their venom in public, so we know what we are up against, and to the Internet, which exposes them so quickly, allowing the rest of us to step in and help the people who are being attacked in such a vile manner!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:04 am
Unconfirmed, but something the MNINDY might want to look into: The total of $120,000 DOESN’T include what Tinklenberg has received via his website. One report stated it was around $110,000, which would put the actual total close to a quarter of a million bucks of you add to the actblue stuff. Would love to see an accurate total somewhere. Thanks.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:06 am
I live in New York City. I watched the interview and my jaw literally dropped! My 68 year old mother, who lives in GA, called me immediately after the interview and was borderline hysterical. I donated what I could- $10.00 to Mr. Tinklenburg’s campaign. I watched the donations pour in for him from posters at Daily Kos and Huffington Post from $15,000 to over $120,000 this morning. It’s amazing! The only other donations I’ve ever made were to Obama’s ‘04 senate race and to his presidential and primary races.
I’m a proud “pro-American” Democrat. Her comments were so offensive that I felt compelled to donate to a man I hadn’t heard of until last night!
I hope Ms. Bachmann continues to spew her hatred and ignorance to raise more funds for her opponent.
Good luck to Mr. Tinklenburg.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:08 am
After watching Pep. Bachmann on Hardball last night I was totally outraged. I am an Ind. in Texas. I immediately donated $25 to Mr. Tinklenburg’s campaign.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:10 am
I live in Philadelphia and just sent Tinklenberg $10. Let’s get moving, El. She’s gotta go.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:11 am
Democrats as well as Independent voters are sick of being told we are not patriotic, that we are somehow less supportive of our country and out troops because we are not Republican. I am proud that so many of us are standing up this time. I will be watching to see how this turns out from my home in Arizona.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:12 am
I live in Washington State and was outraged by Bachmann’s hate-filled comments. So much so, I donated to her opponent. ENOUGH!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:13 am
I made a contribution to Tinklenberg and I don’t even know him, I live in Texas
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Ms Bachmann — I have seen you too many time son LKL, MSNBC, etc. This time you cooked your moose. I’ll be donating to your opponent. I think you are “anti-America,” whatever that means.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:16 am
Iowan for Tinklenberg sent a donation after seeing that disgusting display on Hardball. That woman is down right scary!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:17 am
Initially I was mad at Chris Matthews for not challenging Michelle Bachmann on Todd Palin’s AIP associations and Sarah Palin’s witch hunt pastor, but now I see the benefit of him leaving her enough rope to hang herself, so it won’t be seen as an “irrational rant” in the heat of anger, etc. She’s clearly composed and believes what she’s saying.
Like you, I have donated to Michelle Bachmann’s opponent, and I don’t live in MN.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:18 am
Shame on Buchmann! Her actions on Hardball where unpatriotic in the way she tries to divide Americans, raise hatred and questions the goodness of our elected officials who work hard for us Americans.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:21 am
here in MO, just donated $10
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:22 am
Saw her on Larry King last night repeating some of the Palin lies that have been debunked. This woman has zero credibility. Not much substance, but a lot of hot air.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:23 am
I have never been angrier with any politician than I was last night watching this self-righteous blow-hard call for a witch hunt to root out the “Anti-Americans” in Congress. She is obviously no student of history, and one who, despite being an attorney, knows nothing of civil liberties. Well, this is one attorney who does know history and who does embrace the Constitution wholeheartedly, and I just gave her opponent $250. This woman is a disgrace not just to the people of Minnesota, but to all Americans. Democrats need to rally and send this nut job back to the farm where she belongs!!!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:29 am
She didn’t get “trapped”.
Matthews stepped back and let her hoist herself on her own petard of lunacy, fanaticism and hate.
I’m wondering if she’s being paid by the McCain campaign because she parroted the same debunked lies that Sarah Palin has been spreading.
Another example of the lack of honor and dignity in the McCain camp.
Bachmann is the anti-patriot.
Just when you thought that McCartyism was dead.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:32 am
I have the video of Bachman’s exhange with Chris Matthews posted.
I also include the link to a petition to ask Congress to censure Rep. Bachman.
And there is a link to make a contribution to her opponent, Elwyn Tinklenberg, as well.
It is all available here:
Elwyn Tinklenberg
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:32 am
I have the video of Bachman’s exhange with Chris Matthews posted.
I also include the link to a petition to ask Congress to censure Rep. Bachman.
And there is a link to make a contribution to her opponent, Elwyn Tinklenberg, as well.
It is all available here:
http://scootmandubious.blogspot.com/2008/10/censure-michele-bachman.html
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:34 am
“But conservative bloggers are so far largely silent on Bachmann’s controversial statement”
MANY conservative bloggers and columnists have endorsed Obama because of Bachmann, Palin and McCain’s complicity in this sort of hate speech.
When I heard her spewing her crazytalk, I immediately thought: What the hell is she saying?!
Did Joe McCarthy just get re-incarnated in this woman’s body?
Pack your crap, Michelle. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:39 am
This is the lady that stalked Bush after the State of the Union and wanted to kiss him. She is clearly infatuated with Bush and she creeps me out in a big way!
Had to donate $15 to a guy I know nothing about.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 11:56 am
I was born in the great state of Minnesota and have many relatives living there. Minnesota has a long history of progressive politics and meaningful philanthropy. Where did Congresswoman Bachmann come from?? I do not live in Minnesota now, but have just contributed to Mr. Tinklenberg. This woman cannot be allowed to remain in Congress!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
I’m a New Yorker, but I was so appalled at Congresswoman (ugh) Bachmann’s anti-American sentiments that I went immediately to ActBlue and donated to Tinklenberg. And I’m about to give more.
Minnesotans should be deeply ashamed that they *ever* elected this woman. They should be more ashamed if they re-elect her after this ugly revelation. I know many Minnesotans, and love the state. It’s a place where real American values are part of the culture — fairness, liberty, independence, self reliance, and neighborliness. Michelle Bachmann has just attacked those values in an egregious manner, and if Minnesotans tolerate this, it’s not the state I thought it was and I won’t be coming back for a long time.
Dr. A. Fox
NY NY
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
I saw this disgusting woman on Hardball yesterday and I’m old enough to remember McCartyism. No more ever! I’ve donated to her opponent. She needs to be removed from any influence in Congress and I certainly hope the good people of Minnesota will see to that.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
I saw her interview last night on Hardball and immediately donated $25. MN, please don’t let us down! Get out there and vote her ass out!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
This may be the most egregious case of ‘allowing your alligator mouth to overload your hummingbird behind’ that I’ve ever seen. Like a lot of other people, I donated to Tinklenberg’s campaign last night, and I don’t even live in Minnesota. However, after hearing Bachmann’s vile rant on Hardball, I knew it was time she was kicked to the political curb.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
This is a turning point in American History. Where is the question.
Colorado donates to Tinklenberg. Oust Her!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
He’s about to go over the 150K mark on ActBlue. . .
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
Can someone let us know if this is getting any play on TV in the MN 6? I’m out in CA. Thanks.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
I live in Los Angeles,just donated to the Tinklenberg campaign,I Hope the good AMERICANS OF MINNESOTA SHOW HER THE DOOR..
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
As a Minnesotan, I’m sickened almost to the point of barfing at this lunatic crazywoman who spews this crap. I just donated $250 bucks to Tinklenberg. My apologies to the rest of the country for having to listen to this dipshit.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
I’ve been tracking the donations on ActBlue since 11:16 p.m last night when they were at $64,879
At 12:43 he hit $75,000
At 8:31 this morning, the total reached $100,000
12:11, it was $125,000
12:30, $128,775
12:43, $133,242
12:25, $150,157
The fact that the donations are coming faster means this should be an exciting weekend for Mr. Tinklenberg
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
Oops, that last time should be 1:25… it was a late night/early morning for me
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
This is the first time I have donated to an out-of-state candidate — Tinklenberg.
It is ghastly to picture Bachmann continuing to serve in Congress.
I am not a Democrat, but I am supporting Obama in this campaign, because we need more temperamentally, characterologically, and intellectually superior people leading our country.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
Aloha from Kauai. I just donated $25 to Tinklenberg even though he’s a former minister and I’m an atheist. After seeing Bachmann’s fascist rant on Hardball, I couldn’t help myself. What a nut job. She really does have those Manson-girl eyes. I’ve also donated several times to Al Franken. Mahalo.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 12:55 pm
North Carolinian Here….GO TARHEELS. GO TO HELL BACHMANN, and take this $25 donation confirmation for Tinklenberg with ya. Cha Ching.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
Until yesterday I wasn’t aware of Michelle Bachman or El Tinklenberg. I was watching Hardball at my gym and was so horrified by what I heard coming out of Bachman’s mouth I swore right then that when I got back to work I’d find out when she was up for reelection and donate to her opponent.
I was amazed to see that so many people had the same idea.
Good luck Minnesota - I hope you are able to vote this woman, who clearly needs a lesson in American history and civics, out of office.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
I’m so relieved to see so many others appalled at her interview with Chris Matthews!!! I was surprised he didn’t interrupt and bring her to task…then I realized what he was doing. No wonder this is one of my favorite political shows!
I donated $25 to help kick her to the curb and I live in Michigan.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
Until this morning I’d never heard of Michelle Bachman. I hope on Nov 5th, I never hear of her again. This morning I donated from CA. Updated posting is that they’ll release total contribution figures at 3:05pm - assume MN time.
Pingback posted October 18, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
[...] one who found Ms. Bachmann’s performance noteworthy: the Minnesota Independent web site reports that $120,000 has come to Mr. Tinklenberg’s campaign since her appearance on Thursday. I [...]
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
I’m so glad I wasn’t alone! After seeing her on Hardball my first thought was “get her out of congress!” I looked up her opponent and gave him money.
As for Powerline’s comment, “she did well until the last two minutes, but she let Matthews get away with characterizing her statements as equating liberal policy with anti-Americanism,” Chris Matthews didn’t do anything tricky– he asked her point blank questions based on what she said. She was definitely the scariest congress person I’ve seen in modern times.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
The editor of the Nation had the best response to Ms. Bachmann’s incendiary commants. You view the response at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDJyji8×6JQ
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
New Yorker here who just contributed to Mr. Tinklenberg. I’ve never donated $ before to anyone running for Congress . . . never thought the first time I did donate, it would be to someone out-of-state.
I hope Minnesota takes this woman to task for her comments and votes her brand of insanity out of office!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
Chris Matthews did not trap that crazy lady. She was rambling on with her Fascist ideas on how Republicans can control the American voters and Politicians. They way she looked at the camera was like a zombie on a mission. I live in PA and I donated to the Democratic Candidate last night. She’s out of her mind. Greed and the desire to brown nose up to political power has embodied the Republican party.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
Tinklenberg at $210,238! Good job my fellow Americans!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
My husband and I watched Bachman on MSNBC last night, and he turned to me and said “Where can we donate to her opponent?”
We sent in $25 immediately and watched joyously as the total rose all night.
So here’s some support from Texas, too!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
Thank you Michele! You have successfully raised more money for your opponent than any other incumbent candidate in history! We love the way you inspire people all across the United States to donate to a cause which will unseat your stupid ass!!!! Now do us a favor and help us raise money for all the other Democrats running for office in the United States.
I am sure your broom is waiting for you to fly out of Washington after November 4th. Thank You, thank you, thank you!!!!
As an aside, a friend of mine held a fundraiser for democrats a year ago and as a thank you, they presented him with a US flag flown over the US capitol… the best part - It included a letter addressed to him from guess who - Yup Michele Bachman. In it she thanked him for everything he did in the district !!! It was hysterical - he did everything to get rid of her and she thanked him. We still chuckle about that today!!!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
Greetings from Oregon. I too gave money to Mr. Tinklenberg as soon as I heard the incredible things coming out of Bachman’s mouth.
Someone earlier posted that she is a lawyer. If this is so, I hope the MI bar assoication will look at censuring her for such un-american statements and attitudes.
It is really encouraging to see that we American’s really do band together when our country is attacked, even by one of “our own”.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
I want to especially moderate Republicans who are against these kinds of McCarthy-like attacks. I have family members who are intelligent, well-educated, thoughtful Republicans (yes, they do exist!) and they are outraged at what people like McCain, Palin, and Bachmann are doing to their party. We must all work together - this is a serious time in our country - and we don’t need divisive people spewing hate and fear.
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
The sad part out of all this is she spews all this venom and claims that she’s a Christian,just like her vicious twin Sarah Palin. Why is it that the people that act” Hollier Than Thou” are the meanest,most racist,hateful and dishonest people in this country?
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
Buffalo here — My wife and I just donated $50 to Tinklenberg. I was not as flabbergasted by Bachmann’s comments as many of the rest of you, because I have become accustomed to similar insinuations by Republicans over the years. They aren’t as forward with their accusations as she was, but they say the same thing. Sarah Palin was just as bad the next day when she said that parts of America are anti-American. These people are dangerous!
Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
It’s too bad the big 3 MEDIA won’t cover this story.. I’m from Ca,donated to the Tinklenberg campaign.. I agree with Randy these people are dangerous,I hope Chris Matthew does a follow up on Monday,showing how many people from different states are donating to Tinklenberg after seeing crazy Michelle..she needs to lose her job,since she’s not willing to work for good of all Americans..
Comment posted October 19, 2008 @ 8:10 am
I live in new Hampshire and had never heard of El Tinklenberg until i went on line to donate to his campaign after listening to Michelle Bachman’s hate-drenched crap on MSNBC. Unlike Joe-the-Plumber, i actually have a plumber’s license, pay my taxes, and have a business. I was a long time Republican but that has now changed for good. The politics of desperation, the lies, the hate mongering, and now, from all parts of the McCain-Palin campaign, the insinuations of Socialism and anti-Americanism (thanks as well to that bladder of ignorance, Rush Limbaugh) i have had enough… and i have happily sent money to Tinklenberg in hopes that the people of your great state will see this woman for what she is and send her home from Washington.
Comment posted October 19, 2008 @ 8:51 am
It is time to end, once and for all, the politics of division. I live in Houston and based on Michelle Bachman’s comments, I have just donated to El Tinklenberg’s campaign. This is the year we restore American values to our government!
Comment posted October 20, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
McCarthyism is a pleasant way to describe Ms. Bachmann.
I am a social progressive/fiscal conservative whose relatives survived the concentration camps. She is the closest thing to a Nazi that I have seen in recent years.
I do not live in her district, but am donating $$$ to her democratic opponent El Tinklenberg now !
I am so sick of the Republican smear and fear campaign tactics. Enough with the fear. We need leaders that can discuss issues and respect others, not hide behind campaigns of fear and war.
Please donate to stop this woman at: http://www.tinklenberg08.com
NO MORE !
STOP POLITICIANS LIKE THIS !
Comment posted October 20, 2008 @ 11:48 pm
I live in California, but have just donated $ 50 to El Tinklenberg’s campaign as I CANNOT abide
by Bachmann’s brand of politics.
How in the world can you any thinking person stand for that woman ?
I strongly suggest everyone SPREAD THE WORD, email friends and family to help raise more money to oppose her re-election.
DEFEAT Michelle Bachmann NOW !
Comment posted October 20, 2008 @ 11:56 pm
I do NOT live in Bachmann’s district, but have just donated money to El Tinklenberg’s
campaign to defeat her ! My family did not survive the concentration camps to watch our lives destroyed by the politics of smear and fear practiced by the likes of Ms. Bachmann.
She is NOT the America I know and love ! Americans, stop giving in to the politics of the fear-mongers. PLEASE, everyone donate money to defeat this woman !
Comment posted October 21, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
I live in Eugene Oregon and I gave El $5.00!
Not a lot. But we are legion!
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