Michele Bachmann has temporarily left the campaign trail, staying in Washington to vote against the debt ceiling deal — but she’s still finding time to talk to her pre-scheduled events in Iowa. What’s more, she is even sticking with her vigorous physical campaigning motifs, though it might not translate as well over the phone.
The Des Moines Register reports that Bachmann addressed a rally in Iowa today, speaking to supporters over the phone and the event’s P.A. system.
“Let me ask you this question,” said Bachmann. “Do you want me to vote ‘No’ on raising the debt ceiling? Raise your hands.”
Of the 30-person crowd, a majority slowly raised their hands — though Bachmann could not see them.
“I can’t see it, but if your raise of hands is like anything else across the country, it is a very strong ‘No, stop the insane, out-of-control spending.’ And so this afternoon, that’s exactly what I’m going to do,” Bachmann said.
She also added: “Why? Because what we’re doing is giving President Obama a blank check to raise spending another 2.4 trillion dollars, potentially. The issue isn’t even about spending and what we’re going to cut and what we should prioritize. The issue is about giving him one more blank check.”
Bachmann’s “raise your hands” routine is usually a big hit with Republican audiences, in response to her rhetorical questions sure to rev up the base. On the other hand, on past occasions she has been able to see the hands go up.
Eric Kleefeld
Eric Kleefeld joined TPM as an intern for the final months of the 2006 midterm elections, and then kept showing up for work. His other interests include guitars, old comic books and the politics of various English-speaking countries.
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