Bachmann avoids mainstream media as if it were the anti-Christ
Friday, March 21, 2008 at 12:08 pm
- 2 Comments
Have Michele Bachmann’s media gaffes and extreme conservative views driven her to speak almost exclusively to conservative and Christian-right news outlets? Bachmann’s media appearances since her election create the impression of a member of Congress who is shy when not among friends, and perhaps a campaign that is concerned about what happens when a nonconservative microphone or camera is pointed in her direction.
By all accounts–and judging from Google and Lexis/Nexis search results as well–Bachmann rarely speaks to local newspaper or TV reporters from the mainstream media. Closer to home, Bachmann or her representatives have refused or ignored requests for comment from Minnesota Monitor on dozens of topics, from legislative stances to an innocuous query about her summer vacation plans. Fittingly, her office has not responded to my request for a list of media appearances for this story. The following list of appearances on radio stations that identify themselves as conservative and/or Christian suggests that Bachmann has been far more generous with media outlets who share her far-right perspective.
The list follows the jump.
Continued: Click “Read More”Jan. 11, 2007: Bill Bennett morning show. Bennett is a nationally syndicated conservative pundit who served in President Ronald Reagan’s cabinet and was the “drug czar” under President George H. W. Bush.
Feb. 17, 2007: Northern Alliance Radio Network on AM 1280 The Patriot. NARN is hosted by notable conservative bloggers like Mitch Berg, Michael Brodkorb and John Hinderaker.
Feb. 23, 2007: David Christian show on AM 900 KTIS. KTIS is a broadcast ministry based at Northwestern College in St. Paul.
March 8, 2007: “Live with Jeff and Lee” on AM 980 KKMS. The KKMS motto is “Life changing Christian teaching and talk.”
April 5, 2007: The Jason Lewis show on KTLK or K-Talk. Lewis calls himself “Minnesota’s Mr. Conservative.”
May 8, 2007: The Hugh Hewitt show. Hewitt is a conservative talk show host and author of such books as “Painting the Map Red: The Fight to Create a Permanent Republican Majority.”
Aug. 7, 2007: Northern Alliance Radio Network.
Aug. 31, 2007: “Faith and Politics” on KKMS.
Aug. 24, 2007: “Checking in with Michele Bachmann” on KKMS.
Oct. 24, 2007: The Jason Lewis show on KTLK.
Oct. 25, 2007: Hot Talk with “Culture Warrior” Andy Barnett and Don Lyons on AM 1450 KNSI St. Cloud. Barnett would be fired a week later.
Nov. 16, 2007: KKMS
Dec. 1, 2007: House Republican Conference weekly radio address.
Dec. 21, 2007: KKMS
Dec. 26, 2007: The Dan Conry show on KTLK. Conry is a self-described “South Park Conservative.”
Jan. 29, 2008: KKMS
Feb. 5, 2008: Heading Right Radio with host Ed Morrissey. Heading Right is “the central hub for Conservatives on BlogTalk Radio.”
Feb. 14, 2008: KKMS
March 9, 2008: Bill Bennett morning show.
March 11, 2008: Laura Ingraham. Ingraham is a nationally syndicated conservative talk radio host and was a former speechwriter for the Reagan administration.
Appearances on radio stations that do not identify as conservative and/or Christian:
Feb. 18, 2007: WCCO Radio, a mainstream news and talk radio station.
Sept. 27, 2007: Morning show with Dave Lee on WCCO Radio. Tim Russell filled in for Lee.
Jan. 17, 2008: Mid-Morning show with Kerri Miller on Minnesota Public Radio.
Scheduled television appearances:
April 12, 2007: A scheduled appearance on the Twin Cities Public Television program “Almanac” was canceled when Bachmann called in sick.
Feb. 27, 2008: “The O’Reilly Factor” with Bill O’Reilly on the Fox News Channel.
This list could not have been generated without the tireless documentation of everything Bachmann by the authors of Dump Bachmann.
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Comment posted March 21, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
It’s also worth noting Bachmann’s ZERO public forums since her election Bachmann has held no town hall forums, public meetings or any other events open to the general public since being elected. The ONLY time she meets with anyone is in front of a friendly hand-picked audience or behind closed doors.
It’s also worth noting that when Bachmann has appeared on radio talk shows, they’ve become “no-talk shows” since no calls are ever taken when she’s on.
Bachmann’s next event in the district is next Tuesday at the Forest Lake High School in a controversial closed-door event with high school students and the Vets for Freedom, a right-wing bunch of war-mongers. So we essentially have a public high school being used for a private campaign/pro war event with students behind closed doors. The principal of the school is reportedly “nervous” about this event and a Forest Lake School Board member says Bachmann’s classroom visits have been a constant problem in the district as they’re always about her and not about learning and are disruptive with her picture-taking.
Comment posted March 21, 2008 @ 8:08 am
It's also worth noting Bachmann's ZERO public forums since her election Bachmann has held no town hall forums, public meetings or any other events open to the general public since being elected. The ONLY time she meets with anyone is in front of a friendly hand-picked audience or behind closed doors.
It's also worth noting that when Bachmann has appeared on radio talk shows, they've become “no-talk shows” since no calls are ever taken when she's on.
Bachmann's next event in the district is next Tuesday at the Forest Lake High School in a controversial closed-door event with high school students and the Vets for Freedom, a right-wing bunch of war-mongers. So we essentially have a public high school being used for a private campaign/pro war event with students behind closed doors. The principal of the school is reportedly “nervous” about this event and a Forest Lake School Board member says Bachmann's classroom visits have been a constant problem in the district as they're always about her and not about learning and are disruptive with her picture-taking.
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