Michele Bachmann

Bachmann: Just Over A Year Ago, The Private Economy Was 100% Private

Eric Kleefeld | November 30, 2009, 5:44PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has often warned that America is being transformed under President Obama from a free-market system into a totalitarian socialist one -- and now she's employing an interesting piece of tautology, depicting the pre-Obama era as some kind of perfect free market.

Bachmann told the Christian Examiner site: "I think it is jaw dropping when you think that under his watch, the federal government has taken ownership or control of the private economy. People know that something has really changed. The federal government now owns or controls 30 percent of the private economy. Just over a year ago, you couldn't say that. Just over a year ago, 100 percent of the private economy was private. Today, 30 percent is owned or controlled by government."

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Republicans

Top 10 Wild And Wacky Political Voices -- For Whom We're All Very Thankful

Eric Kleefeld | November 25, 2009, 6:04PM

Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Rush Limbaugh

Here at TPM, we definitely have an eye for the weird -- and speaking for myself, I particularly enjoy the crazy stuff that right-wingers often say.

The American right often uses the rhetoric of a persecuted minority, even when they're actually in power. So having a Democrat in the White House, let alone a progressive black Democrat from Chicago named Barack Hussein Obama, has driven them to whole new heights (or lows, depending on how you count it) of rhetoric.

So let's take a look at some real stars of our current political rhetorical wars. The list is mostly Republican -- and you betchya that it was an obvious choice for the top spot -- plus one Democratic "Congressman With Guts" who gives the opposition a taste of their own medicine. We've got politicians, talk show hosts, and people who seem to be both at the same time. So sit back, and enjoy the crazy.

I'm certainly thankful to them -- for making my job a lot more interesting. If they weren't around, what would there be for me to write about?

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Michele Bachmann

Bachmann: 'I Don't Understand Why The Democratic Party Would Be Opposed To Me'

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 10:39AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), a champion of the right wing and a key organizer of the recent Capitol Tea Party, wonders why Democrats attack her so much -- after all, decades ago she was a Democrat herself!

Bachmann told the St. Cloud Times:

In being forceful and fighting for the positions that I'm standing for, I obviously must pose a threat for liberals advancing their agenda. I say that because I grew up a Democrat in a Democrat family. My husband and I both worked on Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign. The first time I ever came to Washington was to dance at Walter Mondale's inaugural ball. It was a thrill for my husband and me, and we were both happy to work on behalf of Walter Mondale and Jimmy Carter. We really believed in them when we were in college. So in some ways I don't understand why the Democratic Party would be opposed to me, because I stand for the same values that my parents stood for when we were Democrats.

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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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."

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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.'"

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