Protests, gaffes mar Bachmann’s New Hampshire debut
Monday, March 14, 2011 at 8:00 am
- 26 Comments
Rep. Michele Bachmann made her debut in New Hampshire with a series five appearances on Friday and Saturday as part of her “all in for 2012″ tour. At one stop, a troop of AIDS activists crashed her speech and a gaffe on U.S. history put Bachmann’s visit in the headlines.
At her speech to the New Hampshire Republican party on Saturday morning, Bachmann praised the state’s caucus process, repeated her “Hu’s your daddy?” line, called President Bush a big spender and said the Medicare will be flat broke by 2017.
She also again talked about defunding “Obamacare.”
“I don’t know why our Republican leadership hasn’t taken this up in DC,” Bachmann said of her efforts to defund health care reform. She added that she was appalled by the $105 billion she says was hidden in the health care reform bill.
“I’m insulted that I was not given this information before the vote. That’s not what our brave men and women… it’s not the kind of nation they put their lives on the line for,” she said. “This is a crime against democracy not to reveal this to the American people.”
Fact-checkers have cried foul over the statement; last week, the Washington Post gave the statement “four Pinnochios” for prizing “bombast” over facts, while Politifact called it “barely true.” And on Saturday, a Star Tribune editorial chastised Bachmann for the claim, stating that “she personally needs a refresher course on the Ten Commandments – specifically, the one that warns against bearing false witness.” The paper notes that the $105 billion was really $103.1 billion and that there’s “no basis for Bachmann’s claim that the implementation money was inserted ‘secretly.’”
Halfway through her speech, a group of college students crashed the ballroom where the speech was held shouting, “Michele Bachmann, we insist! End AIDS treatment waiting lists!”
As the group was escorted out, Bachmann said, “It’s okay; they just brought the buses in from Madison, Wisconsin.”
But it was a gaffe earlier in the speech that generated weekend chatter by political pundits. “You’re the state where the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord,” she said, referencing Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Concord Hymn,” an ode to the lives lost at the start of the American Revolution in Concord, Massachusetts, not New Hampshire.
Bachmann was quick to admit the historical mistake. In a message on Facebook, she said, “So I misplaced the battles Concord and Lexington by saying they were in New Hampshire. It was my mistake, Massachusetts is where they happened. New Hampshire is where they are still proud of it!”
And not to escape without a dig at President Obama, she added in a later Facebook posting, “And by the way… That will be the last time I borrow President Obama’s tele-promoter!”
Sources close to Bachmann told CNN over the weekend that she is leaning towards a run for president in 2012.
“She is leaning more toward doing it,” an anonymous Republican told the network. “The people she’s meeting on the ground, they love her. She is definitely more encouraged when she makes these trips.”
Conservative commentator George Will disagreed with his fellow panelists on CBS’s This Week on Sunday morning that Bachmann would be a formidable contender.
“She’s not among the serious contenders,” explained Will at the culmination of a roundtable discussion focused on Bachmann’s political ambitions. “We know who settles presidential elections, they’re independent voters. Independent voters are not inflamed, and not inflamed in the way that some of the marginal Republican candidates are.”
Here’s video of that exchange:
Following the gaffe and protest at Saturday morning’s speech, Bachmann riled up the Granite State Patriots Liberty PAC meeting later on Saturday.
“I think it’s not about being polite, I think it’s about being honest,” she said of her outspoken nature.
She also tried to tie President Obama to the TARP bailout passed and signed into law by President Bush.
“Did you ever think you’d live to see the day when your government would own the largest banks, the largest insurance company, the largest auto maker and over half the homes in the united states?” she asked. “All of that happened within 12 months of Barack Obama becoming president of the United States.”
She said the United Nations “would love to see American sovereignty diminished,” and said she’s fine with forcing a government shutdown in order to defund “Obamacare.”
“I’ve decided to draw a line in the sand. We will repeal ‘Obamacare,’” she said. “We cannot allow this to abide in the United States of America. It will change our nation forever.”
She concluded, “The nation was founded on a miracle and a miracle can happen again.”
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter26 Comments
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 8:55 am
I find it odd that a gaff like the one Bachman said is given all this attention in your paper and President Obama’s weekly gaffs are never mentioned. . A bit of bias I think.
The real point of Bachman’s speech is the 103 billion or 105 billon cost. 103 105 not a heck of a lot of difference that this this obnoxious health care bill is costing our grand kids
Come on Minn Inde pendent, do the right thing for a change.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 8:59 am
You cant make this stuff up. Cue the theme from the Twilight Zone.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 9:11 am
When you think the world was created 6,000 years ago and Jonah camped out in the belly of a fish for three days accuracy in other areas is less important. But it would be nice if the Rep. knew where she was at the time. Keep the sound bites coming Michele.
Praise Jebus, God hates accuracy, Amen.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 9:13 am
Its not the number that they were really calling BS on oldtime-dem. It is her claim that the cost was “hidden” in the bill without anyone’s knowledge that is a flat out lie.
She is making stuff up and you are defending her. Bravo.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 10:00 am
Oldtime-dem, can you provide for us an example of Obama’s inaccurate statements?
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 10:06 am
Actually, when you are a true student of foreign policy, like Michelle Bachmann, it is hard to study up on U.S. issues.
What is the best way to hide secrets from Michelle Bachmann?
Print the secret in a public book.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 10:48 am
Is she suggesting that they are NOT proud of the Battles of Concord and Lexington in Mass???
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 12:16 pm
This is so hilarious. “Oh my gosh…she made a mistake!” Let’s see…the Anointed One (B.O.) has made numerous FLUBS….but gosh darn,,,those protective lefties in the LameStream Media can’t find the guts to “harp” on those. One small example of many…Obama during the presidential campaign promised to visit all “57″ states. Oooooooooops. But then again….he’s propped up to be the great “intellect” he isn’t.
There is a lot…and I mean a LOT of fear for Bachmann and Palin from lefties. If they didn’t see a strong threat to their crumbling world…they wouldn’t give them a second thought. Can’t wait till 2012!!!
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 1:07 pm
@RJO
Actually, Palin and Bachmann’s religious zealotry would be merely embarrassing if it stopped there. But mix in their patriotic fetish, drive to fill seats of power and foist their bronze age mythology on us all through a modern misinterpretation of our own nation’s history and, yes, they become scary people.
Imagine this, Michele and Sarah waving hands in the air with eyes squeezed tightly shut and speaking in tongues. Now imagine either of them in the White House. That possibility should invoke concern if not outright fear for our nation’s future.
Praise Jebus, God hates informed, rational people, Amen.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 3:09 pm
Noy only did Bachmann flunk Math class, she flunked Goegraphy class as well. Add Civics to the list!
And people still think she is the next best thing since Sliced Bread?? What’s in the water up there in the 6th?
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 4:43 pm
I’ll say it again…the radical lefties are VERY much concerned.
Why? Their political world is crumbling down around them.
They are in the minority and their appeal is shrinking. Having said that, once power is removed…lefties usually resort to violence and anarchy to bully their way into a position of dictation.
Personal ridicule and character assassination are standards for the lefties. Winning the argument in the arena of debate has turned out to be a lost cause. The progressive zealots who have tried to “force-fed” their philosophy are having a difficult time handling political reality. So much denial and so much vitriolic hatred spewed.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 5:11 pm
@RJO
Liberals want to take dictation?
Praise Jebus, God hates education, Amen.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 5:56 pm
Hey Carl….as in Dictator…who….duh…dictates his/her will without the consent of those who are oppressed…….uhhhh. Dork.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 6:27 pm
Hey “RJO”: Per our comment policies, please refrain from calling other commenters names. Thanks.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 6:51 pm
A good place to start on name censorship Paul is to have good old Carl stop his obvious slam on the name of Jesus Christ….God and what appears to be an anti-Christian bigotry.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 7:26 pm
Almost forgot to mention “Paul”…..
Surprised and if your on staff of this website, shocked to see your use of the word “commenters.” Webster’s does not list such a word. It doesn’t exist. If you were referring to the word commentators, it is spelled with an “o” not an “e.”
I guess that honest mistake would be called a “gaffe” which “marred” your response.
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 8:38 pm
I think the Washington Monthly commenter Steve Benen has Bachmann pegged about right:
“Bachmann is less a liar and more a politician who isn’t quite smart enough to realize how ridiculous she is.”
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 9:12 pm
@RJO read below, especially the last word.
comment [ˈkɒmɛnt]
n
1. a remark, criticism, or observation
2. talk or gossip
3. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a note explaining or criticizing a passage in a text
4. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) explanatory or critical matter added to a text
vb
1. (when intr, often foll by on; when tr, takes a clause as object) to remark or express an opinion
2. (Literary & Literary Critical Movements) (intr) to write notes explaining or criticizing a text
[from Latin commentum invention, from comminiscī to contrive, related to mens mind]
commenter n
Comment posted March 14, 2011 @ 11:49 pm
Someone does not like calling Michele Bachmann out on her gaffes? Gaffes that she makes on a regular basis?? Ignorance is not bliss here.
If Michele Bachmann is so smart, why does she surround herslelf with stupid staffers that write her speeches for her, misrepresent facts, and do nothing to correct their ignorance and stupidity?
It must suck to be Michele Bachmann. She opens her mouth, and all stupidity leaks out .
Comment posted March 15, 2011 @ 11:02 am
The fact that RJO thinks that defending these mistakes helps her is enlightening. How is a student expected to improve if they are not corrected? Don’t you want Michelle Bachmann to be the best Representative she can be?
People attempting to prop up the misguided Michelle is what is scary. I prefer my leaders to have a good head on their shoulders and not be caught in error after error during public speeches. She is an embarrassment to Minnesota in general and the 6th in particular.
Comment posted March 15, 2011 @ 5:55 pm
“Surprised and if your on staff of this website, shocked to see your use of the word “commenters.” Webster’s does not list such a word. It doesn’t exist. If you were referring to the word commentators, it is spelled with an “o” not an “e.””
Lemme guess, you’re new to the internet, right?
Comment posted March 15, 2011 @ 5:59 pm
Maybe Michele should have stayed with Old Hampshire.
And yes, liberals are concerned with the republican jihad against democracy and representational government. They have turned voter disenfranchisement into a cottage political industry. In Michigan, they are passing a law to break contracts, fire elected officials, and privatize local units of government. In Wisconsin, they are preparing to privatize state infrastructure and resources and trying to amend the state constitution to legalize a coup d’état.
The Constitution is in retreat as republicans and corporations move in and take over.
Comment posted March 16, 2011 @ 3:35 pm
What’s a “tele-promoter?” And why would Obama loan her his?
Comment posted March 17, 2011 @ 2:43 pm
Bachmann is in overdrive…Her slanderous comments against the Obama Administration are racially charged and completely uncalled for. See what she pulled this time @imeanwhat http://bit.ly/fNAWow
Comment posted March 18, 2011 @ 7:26 pm
Excuse me Minnesota, but how did this woman win any election??
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
