Rumors of Bachmann’s ‘transformations’ have been greatly exaggerated

The Hill has beaten a retreat on the evolution (poor word choice, sorry) of Rep. Michele Bachmann. Back in January, the beltway rag heralded a new era for the Minnesota Republican under the headline “Bachmann’s sudden transformation,” and reported that “these days she chooses her words carefully, turns down some interviews and strives to stay on message.” The Hill’s headline now reads “Low profile for GOP congresswoman? Not exactly.”

That was then (Jan. 13, 2009):

But that was the old Bachmann. The congresswoman made clear in an interview last week in her Cannon office that she’s looking forward, not back. And as the message of “change” buzzes around the country with the swearing-in of a new president next week, Bachmann also appears to be transforming. Asked if she would attempt to kiss President-elect Obama when he addresses Congress, Bachmann responded tersely, “Will I be sitting in the well? Probably not.” She added, “I look forward to working with [Obama] and I would expect to be as friendly as I would be to [any president].” … However, these days she chooses her words carefully, turns down some interviews and strives to stay on message. Like a movie star who had an unfortunate bad role, she is reviewing her scripts more carefully. … And yet this new Bachmann is so careful. She holds her head perfectly still and during a 30-minute interview appears to be completely in control.

This is now (March 28, 2009):

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) has done anything but keep a low profile this Congress, making a series of controversial comments that have attracted attention on both sides of the aisle. In recent weeks, Bachmann has described herself as “a foreign correspondent on enemy lines” letting Americans know about “nefarious activities” in Washington, while later calling on citizens to “rise up” in an “orderly revolution” against the government, which she alleges taxes too much. The comments are consistent with the lawmaker who suggested last fall that the media should investigate Congress for “anti-American” members in its midst.

(h/t DumpBachmann)

Bachmann’s apparent attitude makeovers have fooled the media before. Following her suggestion that Barack Obama was “anti-American,” The New York Times noted her “entirely different tone” on its front page just after Election Day last fall, when she announced she was “extremely grateful that we have an African-American who has won this year.”

It was two days after the election that Bachmann made that remark to Politico — a change of heart that wasn’t in evidence on Election Night, the Minnesota Independent observed at the time. Before Bachmann’s appearance on MSNBC’s “Hardball” she had previewed the softer side toward Obama:

If the presidency would somehow go to Barack Obama, I would welcome him to the 6th District as well. As a matter of fact, I would put my hand on his shoulder and give him a kiss if he wanted to.

But on Nov. 5, the day before the Politico interview, Bachmann hadn’t yet put a kissy-face on her plans for the Obama era:

This is day one of the assault of socialism. If we don’t fight, the only alternative is full-bore rampant socialism. … You’ll hear from me … We’re gonna go down swinging.

A month before the election, MnIndy also ran a long profile piece on Bachmann. “I’ve learned to give up high heels as much as possible and wear comfortable shoes,” she told Jonathan E. Kaplan, then a reporter at MnIndy’s sister site, The Washington Independent.

What she didn’t say was that she’d be lobbing stilletos instead.