Abortion foes fund Bachmann, bash Clark
Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 3:39 pm
- 14 Comments
Photo: Minnesota Independent
With more than a year to go until the general election, abortion is already becoming an issue in the 6th Congressional District race. An analysis of anti-abortion campaign donations finds that Rep. Michele Bachmann is one of the country’s top earners — and she’s delivered for her contributors on that issue. At the same time, local anti-abortion forces are already tarring DFL candidate Sen. Tarryl Clark just a day after she announced her candidacy.
Bachmann is ranked third of 435 U.S. House members in total campaign contributions from anti-abortion interests, according to a new analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics. Bachmann received $63,658 since she announced her run for Congress in 2005 — 3.5 times the amount given by abortion opponents to all other Minnesota House members combined. Only Rep. Scott Garrett, R-N.J., who was first elected to Congress in 2002, and Chris Smith, R-N.J., who’s been in Congress since 1980, have raised more from the anti-abortion lobby, taking in $89,081 and $142,854 respectively.
Among Minnesota’s other House members, Reps. John Kline ($9,050), Collin Peterson ($6,307), and James Oberstar ($3,289) have received money from the anti-abortion lobby. Three other members — Reps. Betty McCollum ($11,900), Tim Walz ($19,400) and Keith Ellison ( $4,600) — have accepted gifts from abortion-rights groups.
Bachmann’s disproportionate share of contributions has paid off for her anti-abortion benefactors. She’s sponsored or cosponsored an impressive 13 bills restricting abortion rights so far this year. Among the bills, one includes funneling entitlement money to “abortion alternatives” programs and another that would ban race and sex discrimination against fetuses. Yet another would give 14th Amendment protections to an embryo or fetus.
Her efforts have earned her the support of Minnesota’s largest anti-abortion group, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, which all but endorsed Bachmann in a scathing attack on Rep. Tarryl Clark only a day after she launched her campaign to replace Bachmann.
“The voters in the 6th Congressional District need to know that Tarryl Clark is a radical anti-life candidate,” said MCCL executive director Scott Fischbach said in a statement on Tuesday. “Senator Clark has voted to use taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions — even cruel saline abortions!”
“From now until the election in 2010, MCCL will work tirelessly to make sure the voters know that it is Congresswoman Michele Bachmann who is willing to stand up and fight for the innocent unborn and their mothers, while Tarryl Clark supports even the most gruesome taxpayer funded abortions,” he said.
So far this year, MCCL has ignored the two other candidates in the race to unseat Bachmann. El Tinklenberg, who ran an unsuccessful campaign against Bachmann in 2006, describes himself as pro-life.
“It’s been my perspective since the early days of my life as a minister,” Tinklenberg during the 2008 campaign. “It’s not my mission in life to eliminate Roe [vs. Wade],” he said. “As a pro-life person, my mission is to reduce the number of abortions.”
Dr. Maureen Reed, who is also seeking to defeat Bachmann, hasn’t taken a strong stance on the issue, either in the current campaign or as candidate for lieutenant governor in 2006.
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter14 Comments
Comment posted July 30, 2009 @ 6:54 pm
“Loons for a Loon.” Yes, people, this is the most pressing issue in America today (sarcasm.)
We can’t get health care reformed, new industry is no where to be found, budget shortfalls abound, but we have to protect the unborn. I know that this issue runs hot for many people, but the single-minded approach of these groups is zombie-like.
Comment posted July 30, 2009 @ 7:06 pm
You state that supporting Bachmann has paid off for the anti-abortion groups, but I do not see any evidence of that whatsoever. Authoring useless bills that will never pass doesn’t help, does it? In fact, I wonder if Bachmann has ever authored a bill that actually became law. I am pro-choice, and for all practical purposes Bachmann and I have done the same for abortion rights groups. Nothing. Which is about the same as she has done for her real constituents.
Comment posted July 30, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
I understand any port in a storm but you’d think the MCCL could find a more credible candidate supporting their position without having to endorse and fund one of the great barking moonbats in Congress.
Comment posted July 30, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
I have met with and discussed issues with Clark. She struck me as the real deal — intelligent, informed, and purposeful. I live in the next district over but she would have my vote.
Comment posted July 30, 2009 @ 11:55 pm
The last people that want to stop abortion is the anti-abortion candidates and their benefactors. If they were ever successful, what wedge issue could they possibly gain as much attention and traction on. Really, how long have they had? It is amazing to me why they have not started their own party because the people they are forking over millions to every election cycle have been a miserable failure to them. Shout out to all you anti-abortion voters: Abortion will remain legal regardless of the outcome of the MN 6th district congressional race.
Comment posted July 31, 2009 @ 7:29 am
Tarryl Clark would do well to remind voters that she supports reproductive rights, including access to realistic health education and affordable contraception. None of this pro- or anti- stuff that gets everyone nowhere. Reproductive freedom is a civil rights issue, and should be framed that way.
Comment posted July 31, 2009 @ 9:01 am
MB is an embarrassment to all of the citizens of Minnesota. Why does she get any press coverage? It seems to me that the more people talk about her, the more right wing loonies that support her.
I say put a stop to all coverage of this loser. We already know how ridiculous her positions are.
If we stop talking of negatives with MB and concentrate on the positives of our current President – such as the economy back on track, Cap and Trade passing, the progress on single payer coverage for that basic human right of health care, bringing all of our soldiers home earlier rather than later, re-establishment of support programs that Bushco and T-Paw decimated, world peace now within our grasp, the recent increase in minimum wages, a more fair and progressive on the crooked rich tax program, and so much more – we would all be better off. Mr. Obama will lead us down the path of growth if we all just concentrate on moving ahead.
Pingback posted August 1, 2009 @ 7:09 am
[...] July 30: Minnesota Independent: Abortion foes fund Bachmann, bash Clark [...]
Comment posted August 2, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
This beast has done nothing for the state. She is just using her position to further her own crazy agenda, which is basically baying at the moon.
She hates Minnesota, Americans and our freedom. What a creep.
Comment posted August 3, 2009 @ 10:40 am
Mrs. Bachmann has delivered for her contributors?
What change in law is she responsible for?
How is her 6th District perceived around the country because of her representation?
How’s the rail transit working out in the 6th? Not … oh, that’s right, call Mrs. Bachmann and thank her.
Getting foreclosed on your home in the 6th District? …. call Mrs. Bachmann and thank her for opposing legislation that would have balanced the power between the homeowner and the bank, giving the homeowner some bargaining leverage to try to stay in their home, get adjusted mortgage terms
She surely has delivered. No effect on abortion. No effect on anything important at all. Embarassment – there’s something delivered in full measure
Comment posted August 5, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
MB and her Tin Foil Hat Society. Lets see, she started her career with attempting to ban the childrens book the Alladan. She did sponsor “the light bulb freedom” legislatiin. She has called for all Minnesoteans to become “armed and dangerous” concerning Obamas stimulus, she has stated that she was standing outside our borders with those against our government concerning Obamas budget. ( This Basically is a Treasonous event with a penalty of death. ) Then she went on with the “brain washing” digital converter box, the re-education camps for our young. The Anti Americans in Government, not to be forgotten. I have never heard one speech from her about her pro-life stand. Possibly is she taking money from her district and telling them what they want to hear, yet never takes it further to the national debate? Shame on you MB….! I often wonder what is in the water in her district! Are they all as nuts as her?
Comment posted October 9, 2009 @ 9:35 am
I think MB actually stand up for American something that many of our Politician do not do. Minnesota and the 6th district should be proud of MB for standing up for what she believes in. Thumbs up to MB and do we really need to get in to vicious attacts on her?
Comment posted February 13, 2010 @ 2:20 pm
Wow- you libs are the moon bats. You should probably do some research on MB’s pro life work before saying shes done none. Shes very active and for you to say otherwise makes you look foolish; but I suppose that look fits you well doesnt it.
LOONY LIBS! Keep dancing for our entertainment.
Pingback posted June 27, 2011 @ 12:33 pm
[...] for her radical anti-choice, anti-gay and anti-evolution campaigns. She cosponsored a measure to give "14th Amendment protections to an embryo or fetus," similar to the extreme and likely [...]
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