Bachmann’s new campaign manager no stranger to controversy, yahoo-ism

Brandon Lerch has signed on to run Rep. Michele Bachmann’s reelection campaign. He’ll have his hands full managing a campaign like Bachmann’s, where controversial statements and actions surface from time to time. Fortunately, Lerch has some experience defusing jaw-dropper soundbites.

As he joins Bachmann’s team, he’s departing as press secretary to Iowa’s Rep. Steve King, who’s no stranger to controversial comments. Whether it’s mocking journalist Helen Thomas’ appearance or calling torture at Abu Ghraib simple "hazing," King certainly makes for interesting communications management.

Lerch also has experience marketing to the faith-based. Before speaking for King, he worked at We Care America, a government-funded faith-based operation with ties to the Rev. Pat Robertson. Ohio Office of Inspector General investigated We Care America shortly after Lerch’s departure as governmental affairs director.

The Inspector General found that We Care America used federal funds for an evaluation that "reads more like an infomercial for [the Governor's Office of Faith-Based Initiatives] and [We Care America], rather than the independent academic case study it purports to be." We Care America also owed the state of Ohio $125,000 when it folded in 2007.