Michele Bachmann

Franken Raising Money For Bachmann Opponent Clark

Eric Kleefeld | November 18, 2009, 2:42PM

Senator Al Franken (D-MN), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), one of the most prominent liberals in his state, is now raising money for state Sen. Tarryl Clark, the leading Democratic candidate to challenge one of Minnesota's most prominent conservatives, Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Interestingly, Franken shies away from directly attacking Bachmann in a new fundraising letter, but instead praises Clark's record in public service. The closest he gets to a direct attack on Bachmann is this:

P.S. The eyes of the nation - and Michele Bachmann's right-wing allies - will be on this race. You can make sure Tarryl gets off to a strong start by joining Franni and me in supporting her today.

Franken's wife Franni has already been involved in fundraising for Clark's campaign. Clark has an opponent for the nomination, Maureen Reed, a former state university regent and the 2006 Independence Party nominee for Lt. Governor.

Tea Party

World Net Daily Dumps 5 Million 'Pink Slips' On Capitol, Bachmann Cheers

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 17, 2009, 1:32PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Publisher of World Net Daily Joesph Farah

World Net Daily has a message for all 535 members of Congress: do what we say or you're fired.

Today, Michele Bachmann and three other right-wing members of Congress responded to the threat with a hearty "thank you."

Read more »

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann: 'I Agree' That Use Of Holocaust Images At Capitol Tea Party 'Wholly Inappropriate'

Eric Kleefeld | November 12, 2009, 11:03AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) is now distancing herself from the use of Holocaust imagery at last week's Capitol Tea Party, which she had organized and promoted, after a Jewish Democratic Congressman called on her to apologize for leading the event and not denouncing the offending posters.

"Sadly, some individuals chose to marginalize tragic events in human history, such as the Holocaust, by invoking imagery and labels which have no purpose in a policy debate about health care," Bachmann said in a statement. "These regrettable actions negatively shift the focus of the current discussion on this issue. The American people deserve an open and honest debate to ensure the best possible solution to our health care problems, and I agree that these unfortunate instances are wholly inappropriate."

Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) had said in a YouTube last week: ""I can't believe that Congresswoman Bachmann would stand where she stood, and see those images, and not have the common decency to say, 'I disagree with the use of those images.' I think that she owes the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust an apology. She owes us all an apology. And I'm waiting. We're all waiting."

(Via Dump Bachmann)

Late Update: Rep. Israel has released this statement, responding to Bachmann: "It shouldn't have taken peer pressure, media inquiries or national outrage to get Rep. Bachmann to take a stand in defense of Holocaust victims."

Franni Franken

Franni Franken Working To Defeat Bachmann -- And Becoming Friends With Bachmann, Too!

Eric Kleefeld | November 10, 2009, 4:00PM

Franni Franken, Rep. Michele Bachman (R-MN)

Sen. Al Franken's (D-MN) wife Franni has been taking an active role in his Senate office and in Minnesota politics, the Star-Tribune reports in a new profile of her -- and could be making some very unlikely friends along the way:

Franni Franken has also begun to explore the political side as well as the policy and will co-host a fundraiser this month for Tarryl Clark, a state senator seeking the DFL endorsement in a race to unseat Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann.

But when Franken found herself this summer sitting on an airplane next to Bachmann, the two bonded unexpectedly over a love of good deals and spent the plane ride swapping local bargain spots.

Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann's Stock On The Rise After Her 'Super Bowl Of Freedom'

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 6:05PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Whether you call it a rally, press conference or "House Call," Republicans think Thursday's Capitol Hill Tea Party was a success -- and they are crediting Rep. Michele Bachmann for having the pizazz to increase turnout and press coverage.

"We didn't know what to expect, we didn't know what kind of energy would be there, but this thing took a life of its own," Brendan Buck, spokesman for the Republican Study Committee, told TPMDC.

"It came together better than we ever imagined it would in terms of size and energy," he said.

After chatting with press aides from various Republican offices, here's what we know.

Read more »

Capitol Hill Tea Party

Watch: TPMDC's Videos From Tea Party Scene

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 3:19PM

Over the last 24 hours we've written a lot about the Capitol Hill Tea Party extravaganza.

Make sure to check out TPMDC's photo slideshow from yesterday's events here.

We also took lots of original video throughout the day - from musical protests against communism to tea partiers heckling police as some anti-abortion protesters were arrested and the crowd storming Capitol Hill office buildings.

Watch it all after the jump.

Read more »

Capitol Hill Tea Party

Tea Partiers Came With 2010 Warnings

Christina Bellantoni | November 5, 2009, 6:52PM

The scene today at the Capitol Hill Tea Party probably worried incumbents of both parties.

TPMDC was there, following every "Kill the bill" refrain and impromptu "USA! USA!" chant from the many thousands gathered on the West Front Lawn of the Capitol.

Evan captured the mood on the ground (with extra fun video of women singing their own anti-health care version of "Yankee Doodle") and as we reported earlier, I stumbled upon tea partiers heckling police who had arrested protesters.

My takeaway after several hours interviewing people who had taken time off work, sacrificed sleep and hopped on buses to make the trip from across the country is that there is a real spark to the movement.

The group is angry, and in many cases ill-informed about the 1,900-page health care bill that they delighted in shredding across the Capitol today. But they vote, and each person told me they are angry with incumbents and government spending.

Read more »

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Celebrates Capitol Hill Tea Party In Fundraising E-Mail

Eric Kleefeld | November 5, 2009, 6:03PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) sent out this fundraising e-mail, celebrating the Capitol Hill Tea Party that she had taken a key role in organizing and promoting:

Dear Patriot,

As I write this note, thousands of everyday Americans have come to Washington to speak their mind about the misguided health care bill that Speaker Pelosi and President Obama are pushing through Congress.

What an awe-inspiring sight! These people came by plane, by train, by car and by bus. They drove overnight and they gave up their precious free time to share one message with this Congress: Keep your hands off my health care!

Less than one week from when I put out the call to the American people to come to Washington and pay this emergency house call on Congress, they're here and they're ready to stand up for their freedoms.

Read more »

Capitol Hill Tea Party

Strange Scene: 10 Arrested As Tea Partiers Heckle Police

Christina Bellantoni | November 5, 2009, 4:04PM

U.S. Capitol, Tea-party rally

U.S. Capitol Police arrested 10 people this afternoon after the Capitol Hill Tea Party crowd stormed Congressional office buildings.

Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, public information office for the Capitol Police, told TPMDC the arrests happened in the Cannon House building as tea partiers attempted to protest Speaker Nancy Pelosi about health care.

They were charged with unlawful entry (entering a Congressional office and refusing to leave when told to do so) and/or disorderly conduct (yelling in the hallway outside an office) at Room 235 in the Cannon House Office Building.

Room 235 is Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office for district business, not where she conducts her duties as Speaker. That's handled at an office in the Capitol building.

TPMDC happened upon a crowd that formed around two police vans as the protesters were prepared for "transporting," according to one officer there.

Without those official details, protesters in the crowd watching the arrests were furious. They shouted "Let them go!" and one man yelled at the police that "Martin Luther King" was being dishonored and shouted "Letter from Birmingham Jail!"

One woman told officers they were "shameful." Others called the arrested protesters "political prisoners."

"This is America, this is not the Soviet Union," one woman said.

Read more »

Michele Bachmann

Dems: If GOP Wants Michele Bachmann To Be Its Voice, 'That's More Than Fine With Us'

Eric Kleefeld | November 5, 2009, 3:54PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

The Democratic National Committee released this statement today on the Capitol Hill Tea Party, which was organized and promoted by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN):

"If the Republican party wants to make Michele Bachmann the voice of the party, that's more than fine with us. We'll help circulate the petition. But it is surprising that after Congressman-elect Owens won a special election by supporting the President's agenda in a New York district that hasn't elected a Democrat since Benjamin Harrison was President, that the Republican party would continue to allow itself to be led around by nose by the likes of Bachmann, Beck , Limbaugh, Palin and the rest of the extreme tea party crowd. It's their extreme right-wing, rigid ideological agenda that has Americans leaving the Republican Party in droves - and so, if displays like today are what they think is a smart political strategy, all we can say is: go for it," said DNC National Press Secretary Hari Sevugan.

Capitol Hill Tea Party

The Storming Of The Hill Begins

Eric Kleefeld and Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 5, 2009, 2:03PM

Tea Party protesters at Capitol Hill on Nov. 5, 2009.

The next stage of the Capitol Hill Tea Party has begun -- the storming of the Hill!

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who heavily promoted this event, has frequently promised that this protest will involve bringing conservative citizens inside the Capitol and the House office buildings to personally confront members of Congress. As she said last week on Sean Hannity's TV show: "I'd love to have every one of your viewers to join me so we can go up and down through the halls, find members of Congress, look at the whites of their eyes and say, 'Don't take away my healthcare.'"

As of right now, there are lines coming out of the House office buildings, and people milling about the buildings and getting set to go in. Let's see what happens next, as the town halls and Tea Parties go inside Congressional buildings.

Read more »

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Quotes Jefferson: A Revolution Every Now And Then Is A Good Thing

Eric Kleefeld | November 5, 2009, 1:07PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann has been one of the top speakers and a co-master of ceremonies at today's Capitol Hill Tea Party, an event that she herself heavily promoted.

"You came. And you came to your house. And you came for an emergency house call," said Bachmann. "And are they going to listen? Oh yeah, oh yeah, they're going to listen. It was Thomas Jefferson who said a revolution every now and then is a good thing. What do you think?"

This is hardly the first time Bachmann has spoken of revolution. Back in March, she famously told Sean Hannity: "At this point the American people - it's like Thomas Jefferson said, a revolution every now and then is a good thing. We are at the point, Sean, of revolution. And by that, what I mean, an orderly revolution -- where the people of this country wake up get up and make a decision that this is not going to happen on their watch...And we can't let the Democrats achieve their ends any longer."

Today, Bachmann said how she had been writing the journals of Abigail Adams, who wondered if future generations would understand the sacrifices that were made to create this country. "You literally stand with us on hallowed ground," said Bachmann. "This is hallowed ground of freedom, and that freedom was purchased at an incalculable price that none of us can ever truly comprehend. And for 233 years, every generation that has come before has faithfully handed the baton of freedom to the next generation. and so now we are that privileged generation, privileged to be here to be here today."

Late Update: The DNC has put out its response -- saying that it's fine by them if the GOP wants Bachmann to be its voice.

Capitol Hill Tea Party

Capitol Hill Tea Party Crowd Growing

Eric Kleefeld and Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 5, 2009, 11:28AM

Today's big Capitol Hill Tea Party, promoted by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), is getting ready to begin this morning, and already about 1,000 people are there, many of them arriving on buses sent by the event's organizers. This is not like the failed flash-mob from last week -- it's a seriously organized protest.

Attendees are set to go inside the Capitol itself, and personally lobby members of Congress to oppose the Democrats' health care bill. Many of them are carrying the Gadsden Flag and other protest signs. There is no sign of any increased security on Capitol Hill, which some Tea Partiers and their supporters had warned about.

One attendee was a man named Keith, a disabled veteran from Goldsboro, North Carolina, bused in this morning with about 50 other people from his area, and who was carrying an empty suit on a pole. "Look, the lights are on but nobody's home in there," said Keith, pointing at the Capitol. asked if that was directed at any specific people in Congress, he replied: "Pick one."

Read more »

Tea Party

GOP Members Of Congress To Join Bachmann's Event Today

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 5, 2009, 8:10AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Politico snagged an email from the RNC Republican Study Committee last night revealing that the GOP caucus in Congress will be joining Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) Tea Party event on Capitol Hill today.

RNCRepublican Study Committee communications director Brendan Buck sent the email, which tells GOP congressional aides to expect somewhere between 1,000 and 10,000 health care reform protesters today. Buck also calls on the aides to send their members to the Capitol Steps for the event hosted by Michele Bachmann at noon. But Buck offered a word of warning about the gathering of speakers and protesters, too.

"PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR BOSS DOES NOT TERM THIS EVENT A 'RALLY," Buck wrote.

Editor's Note: This post has been revised since it was first published.

Read more »

Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann, Tea Partiers Prepare For Last Stand On Health Care

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 4, 2009, 11:16PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and the Tea Party Patriots are not expecting a warm reception on Capitol Hill Thursday. In a series of conference calls Wednesday night, representatives of the "thousands" of tea partiers who have promised to heed Bachmann's call to make a "last stand" against Democratic-led health care reform told their members to expect the worst from the members of Congress they plan to lobby.

"The attitude we're facing right now is very hostile," Tea Party Patriot national organizer Jenny Beth Martin said on a conference call for regional leaders TPMDC sat in on Wednesday night. "The [members] don't even want to hear from us on these issues."

Martin, Bachmann and RedState.com's Erick Erickson told regional organizers on the calls that Thursday's rally and storm through the halls of Congress were the tea partiers last chance to stop what Bachmann called the Democrats' plan to "literally have the power of life and death over you."

"There are no other rabbits to pull out of the hat," Bachmann said. "This is the only thing I can think to do."

Read more »

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Refuses To Speak About Chief Of Staff Resignation

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 4, 2009, 9:04PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) just finished up a conference call with conservative bloggers in preparation for tomorrow's Tea Party Patriot anti-health care reform rally she's hosting at the Capitol. TPMDC joined the call and asked Bachmann about the big story coming out of her office today: the resignation of her chief of staff, which some Republicans speculated was due to media stunts like the one she's hosting tomorrow.

Bachmann refused to answer questions about the resignation, saying tersely, "out of respect for privacy, I don't comment on personnel matters."

Pressed on whether her staff has been upheaval over the Bachmann-led Tea Party Rally tomorrow, Bachmann again refused to respond. "I've already given my answer," she said.

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann's Chief Of Staff Quits

Eric Kleefeld | November 4, 2009, 3:35PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) chief of staff Michelle Marston, a long-time veteran of Capitol Hill who has guided Bachmann in her much-increased national TV presence this year, has quit her post.

The Politico reports:

In an e-mail exchange with POLITICO, Marston declined to say why she's going.

"I'm just not talking about it, and frankly I don't think there's a story here," Marston wrote. "Now, the thousands of people calling our office to tell us [they're] coming to Capitol Hill tomorrow - that's a story."

...

A conservative Republican House member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggested that Bachman's views - and her willingness to state them - make it hard for her to keep staff.

"When your captain's crazy, it's time to find a new ship," the lawmaker said.

Alan Grayson

Grayson Raises Half-Million In 'Money-Bomb' Fundraiser

Eric Kleefeld | November 3, 2009, 10:52AM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) was able to raise a half-million dollars in his "money-bomb" fundraiser -- a single day of massive online donations -- a solid amount that ought to go a long way towards him fighting out his 2010 campaign, in which the Republicans have had trouble recruiting a big-name candidate to oppose the fiery left-winger.

According to Grayson's official page for the fundraiser, he has taken in $507,125.

Let's compare that to another recent money-bomb, by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who urged her supporters to "send the left a message." In her case, Bachmann only took in about $100,000.

Grayson had a definite public-relations strategy for his money drive, having spent about two weeks promoting the scheduled fundraiser in his TV appearances and other venues, and he built up pledges that could be quickly collected in the morning. Bachmann did not have any similar pledge operation, and as a result Grayson outdid her by a five-to-one ratio.

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann's New Effort To Rally Against Congress -- And Do It Inside The Buildings -- Endorsed By GOP Leadership

Eric Kleefeld | November 2, 2009, 12:54PM

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who is best known for making inflammatory calls for revolution against President Obama, now has the full backing of the GOP leadership in her latest push to protest against the "tyranny" of the Obama administration.

As Greg Sargent reported, the spokesmen for both House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) supported Bachmann's call for a rally this Thursday in Washington against the Democrats' health care proposals, and her rallying cry: "If you believe in liberty, and if you're rejecting tyranny, this is it."

But what about the other part of Bachmann's initiative. She told Sean Hannity: "I'd love to have every one of your viewers to join me so we can go up and down through the halls, find members of Congress, look at the whites of their eyes and say, 'Don't take away my healthcare.'"

Read more »

NY-23

DeMint Endorses Conservative Party's Hoffman In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 3:18PM

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), a leading right-wing voice in Congress, has endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election, instead of moderate Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava.

By our count, this makes DeMint the fourth sitting member of Congress to endorse Hoffman, and the first Senator to do so, following Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), and Rep John Linder (R-GA).

DeMint said: "Too often, we're told that Republicans have to be like Democrats to be competitive in states like New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. But the truth is voters don't want to be forced to pick between two liberals; they want a real choice. If voters want to give Washington more control over our lives, they can always vote for Democrats."

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Supports Conservative Party's Doug Hoffman In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 22, 2009, 10:24AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) appeared yesterday on Laura Ingraham's radio show -- and called upon listeners to support Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 special election, instead of the moderate Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava.

Bachmann quite correctly said the race is a "mess," and said that she's read that the Republican candidate is now in third place, with the Democrat in first place and Hoffman as the real chance to keep the seat in the GOP column. Interestingly, there has not been any publicly-released poll at this time showing Hoffman in second place. The latest Siena poll had Democrat Bill Owens in first place with 33%, Scozzafava with 29%, and Hoffman with 23%.

Ingraham repeatedly pressed Bachmann on who she supported. Her bottom line: "Hoffman is on the ascendancy, and we have to win this seat. And people need to get behind the winning candidate, and it looks like that's Hoffman."

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann In Solid Financial Condition For 2010 Campaign

Eric Kleefeld | October 16, 2009, 5:24PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) had a strong third fundraising quarter, taking in about $345,000.

Bachmann also spent $118,000 and has a total of just under $617,000 in cash on hand.

Bachmann's two Democratic opponents, state Sen. Tarryl Clark and former state university regent Maureen Reed, both had a solid fundraising quarter, too -- but they'll first have to spend much of that money against one another.

Bachmann's district voted 53%-45% for John McCain in 2008, though Bachmann herself barely won re-election by a margin of 46%-43%, due to her controversial public statements. Will her continued media presence be enough to mobilize support against her in 2010 -- or will she win again in this conservative district?

Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann Fundraising Sends A Message To The Left --Sort Of

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2009, 1:58PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

As we reported yesterday, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) yesterday launched a fundraising drive, with the intention of sending a message to the left about how Americans are fed up with the "gangster government" and "Big Sister Pelosi & Big Brother Reid," by donating a lot of money to her in one day. So how did it go?

When I checked last night at about 11 p.m. ET, Bachmann was at $83,751.38 Although it's been more than one day, the fundraising drive's Web page is still up, and as of right now shows $105,648.74.

Overall, it's not bad at all for a second-term back bencher who didn't have an immediate occasion for raising money -- as opposed to the rush of donations that accompanied Joe Wilson's "You lie!" moment or Alan Grayson's "Die quickly."

But in terms of sending a message to the left, it's probably not something that Big Sister Pelosi will be losing much sleep over.

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann: Send A Message To Left -- Donate To Me Today

Eric Kleefeld | October 14, 2009, 10:52AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is hoping to make today a special message to the left -- especially "Big Sister Pelosi and Big Brother Reid" -- through a mega-fundraising drive for her campaign.

The intention is send a message from the American people: "You're saying that you don't want this Gangster Government supersized!"

"We can show them that we mean business by raising money from patriots like you across the nation in a one-day fundraising blitz," said an e-mail from Bachmann's campaign. "There will be no dismissing our efforts as Astroturf -- this is the power of the People taking back their government!"

So far, she's not exactly in Ron Paul money-bomb territory, with only about $22,000 to show for it so far. But hey, the day is young, so let's see what happens. Check out the full-email after the jump.

Read more »

Michele Bachmann

The Bachmann Comic, Issue 2: Our Review

Eric Kleefeld | October 12, 2009, 5:29PM

The second issue of the Michele Bachmann comic book series, produced by some of our friends at the Dump Bachmann blog, is now in print, and like the previous issue it presents a chilling portrait of a right-wing lunatic who has risen up to the highest levels of American government.

However, the presentation of the facts in the second issue deviated from the first issue in a key respect -- that this time around, not all speech balloons from Bachmann are necessarily direct quotes from the woman herself. Paraphrases or new punchlines come in -- and unfortunately, this is not a decision for the better.

Read more »

MN-06

Two Dems Report Strong Fundraising Against Bachmann

Eric Kleefeld | October 12, 2009, 4:53PM

MN-06 Democratic candidates Tarryl Clark and Maureen Reed

Both Democrats seeking the nomination to run against Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) have reported strong fundraising totals -- though they'll first have to spend it in competition for the Dem nod.

State Sen. Tarryl Clark has raised $308,015, her campaign announced, after having just gotten into the race with nine weeks left in the third quarter. She has just under $270,000 cash on hand. Clark has quickly emerged as the Democratic establishment's candidate, with the support of the state AFL-CIO, SEIU, AFSCME, and various elected officials and other organizations.

Maureen Reed, a former state university regent and the 2006 Independence Party nominee for Lt. Governor, raised over $130,000 in the third quarter, and has over $300,000 cash on hand. "Maureen now sits with over $300,000 cash on hand, all of which was raised without relying on endorsements from prominent individuals or special interests," campaign manager Jason Isaacson said in a press release. "This outpouring of support shows that our message of creating jobs, fixing healthcare, and reducing the national debt is resonating with people."

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann: Successful Conservative Women Bother The Left

Eric Kleefeld | October 8, 2009, 9:57AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) appeared on the O'Reilly Factor last night, where she and O'Reilly discussed, among other things, how successful conservative women bother the left.

"See, I'm not getting -- to me, you're a conservative Republican from a Midwestern -- upper Midwestern state," said O'Reilly, "who speaks her mind articulately, does her job. Why are they coming after you? I don't get it."

"It may bother them that conservative women are happy and don't need government in order to be successful in life," Bachmann replied. "I have a great husband, great kids. I had a great career as a federal tax attorney. And I don't need government to be successful. And it seems like they have a stereotype for women and I don't fit in their stereotype."

It's interesting to see Republicans complaining that a strong and successful woman bothers the left -- considering that this is the same party that has called for Gen. McChrystal to put Speaker Nancy Pelosi "in her place."

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Warns Against "Sex Clinics" In Schools, Providing Abortions For Teenage Girls

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 10:52AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) took to the House floor last night to warn against a provision of the House health care bill, which would authorize non-profit entities to operate health clinics in schools -- which she said would lead to Planned Parenthood "sex clinics" giving abortions to 13-year old girls without the parents knowing about it.

Bachmann said that the bill required the protection of privacy for patient and student records, and asked: "Does that mean that someone's 13 year-old daughter could walk into a sex clinic, have a pregnancy test done, be taken away to the local Planned Parenthood abortion clinic, have their abortion, be back and go home on the school bus that night? Mom and dad are never the wiser, they don't know any different."

It probably does not mean that. As The Hill points out, the bill specifically states that any medical services provided by a school-based health clinic must be in accordance with federal, state and local laws regarding parental consent, along with the privacy protections that Bachmann cited.

Michele Bachmann

Norm Coleman Authors Fundraising Letter For Michele Bachmann

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 4:18PM

Fmr. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), who lost by a very narrow margin to Democrat Al Franken in the heavily-litigated 2008 Minnesota Senate race, doesn't appear to be done with politics just yet.

In a possible sign that Coleman could still be trying to maintain his profile among the Minnesota GOP grassroots, he has reportedly authored a fundraising letter for a real hero of the GOP base, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN):

Make no mistake about it -- this opposition isn't coming from the Minnesotans she represents in Washington. It's coming from the liberal netroots in places like San Francisco, Manhattan and Vermont. It's coming from the same people who bankrolled Al Franken's race against me and his legal battle to deny honest Minnesotans a fair vote last November.

(Emphasis in the original.)

The Bachmann campaign did not return our requests for comment.

(Via Dump Bachmann and Checks and Balances.)