Bachmann backs off ‘Light Brigade’ comment

MnIndy file photo

Rep. Michele Bachmann backed off her statement about anti-healthcare reform advocates being the “light brigade,” after MinnPost shared with her that the term referred to a British cavalry division that was crushed by Russian troops during the Crimean War. “Oh, what did I say this time?” she laughingly asked the site’s Washington correspondent, Derek Wallbank.

“I can only hope is that this won’t be a failure,” she said in response. “It’s a charge. My goal is to get people inspired, charged up, and hopefully they talked to their United States senator, but I hope that your historical analysis is not true and reflective of today’s events.”

The reference came as Bachmann made a special unscheduled appearance at Tuesday’s “Code Red” rally in Washington. Her rousing words prompted one attendee to convert the back of one of his banners into a “Bachmann/Palin 2012” sign.