Michele Bachmann

Chris Matthews To Bachmann: Did Someone Hypnotize You? (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | November 3, 2010, 12:17AM

Well this was a bizarre interview:

Chris Matthews talked to Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) on MSNBC tonight, and got a bit frustrated when she wouldn't answer his questions: "Congresswoman Bachmann -- are you hypnotized tonight? Has someone hypnotized you? Because no matter what I ask you, you give the same answer. Are you hypnotized, has someone put you under a trance tonight?

Bachmann replied: "I think the American people are the ones that finally are speaking tonight. We're coming out of our trance, really we're coming out of our nightmare. I think that people are thrilled tonight. I imagine that thrill is probably not quite so tingly on your leg anymore."

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MN-06

'Michele!' Left-Leaning Minnesota Thespian Produces Bachmann Musical (VIDEO)

David Taintor | October 15, 2010, 8:03AM

Laura Adams as Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Minnesota politics just got a bit more dramatic, with the introduction of "Michele! A Musical Bachumanntary," a satirical musical from left-leaning thespian James Detmar.

Detmar told TPM that the inspiration for "Michele!" came after being inundated by news stories about Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN). Several months ago, he was driving home when another story about Bachmann came on the radio, and pushed him over the edge.

"It's not like I have a bunch of money to dump into the Tarryl Clark campaign to even things out," said the 30-year theater veteran, referring to Bachmann's Democratic challenger. "What I am good at is putting together a show."

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2010 elections

Michele Bachmann Hauls In $5.4 Million In Third Quarter Alone

Ryan J. Reilly | October 13, 2010, 9:32AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Polarization pays. Tea Party-backed Minnesota GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann raised $5.4 in the third quarter, ABC News reports. That number comes on the heels of fellow Tea Partier and Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle's announcement she brought in $14 million in that quarter.

The new money would push Bachmann's fundraising haul for the 2010 election cycle to almost $10 million, said ABC. That's more than double the $3.5 million she raised in all of the 2008 campaign altogether. It is especially large for a candidate for the House of Representatives, and reflects her status in the Tea Party movement.

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MN-06

Bachmann Opponent's Web Video: She Doesn't Do '@#%!' For The District (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 5, 2010, 12:55PM

Web video from Democratic nominee for Congress Tarryl Clark (D-MN), "More Than Her Share"

Check out this highly unusual Web-only video from Minnesota state Sen. Tarryl Clark, the Democratic challenger against the Republican Tea Party star Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. The video declares that Bachmann does a lot for special interests -- and doesn't do "@#%!" for her constituents.

"No one does more for special interests in Washington than Congresswoman Michele Bachmann," the announcer says. "She stood up for BP when no one else would. She has a 100% record when it comes to supporting Wall Street. She even stood with the big insurance companies and voted against reform.

"Michele Bachmann: not doing @#%! [bleeping] for the people of the Sixth District, but doing more than her share for the special interests in Washington."

A recent SurveyUSA poll gave Bachmann a nine-point lead over Clark.

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MN-06

SurveyUSA Poll: Bachmann Leads Clark By 9 Points

Eric Kleefeld | September 17, 2010, 10:39AM

Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) and MN-06 House candidate Tarryl Clark (D)

The new SurveyUSA poll of the MN-06 House district shows Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, a reigning star of the Tea Party right in Congress, continuing to lead her Democratic opponent Tarryl Clark by nine points.

The numbers: Bachmann 49%, Clark 40%, plus 6% for Independence Party candidate Bob Anderson and independent Aubrey Immelman at 1%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.1% margin of error. In the previous SurveyUSA poll from two months ago, Bachmann led Clark, Anderson and Immelman by 48%-39%-6%-1%.

As we've previously noted, Bachmann has attracted nationwide financial support due to her high profile. Indeed, she's even leveraged her stardom to start her own leadership PAC. And at the rate things are going, she appears to be on track to re-election in this Republican year.

2010 elections

TPM's Top 10 House Races To Watch

Christina Bellantoni | September 13, 2010, 8:37AM

Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner

It might be a painful night for House Democrats on November 2. Most analysts are predicting a Republican takeover of the House, with as many as 80 or so seats in play, and the GOP only needing to win 39 to seize back control. The TPM Poll Average shows voters nationwide prefer generic Congressional Republican candidates over Democrats 47.3%-40.7%.

Many of the Democrats who won in the Obama 2008 tidal wave are the most vulnerable, and the Democrats who captured Bush-won districts in 2006 aren't breathing much easier. But Democrats see glimmers of hope in open seats, and may win some of their own.

TPM chose 10 House races to watch this fall. They will be competitive, likely entertaining, and are bellwethers to help determine whether the nation sees Speaker Pelosi or Speaker Boehner at the dais come January.

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MN-06

Report: Bachmann's 'Jim The Election Guy' Is Actually Named Beau

Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2010, 10:32AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) "Meet Taxin' Tarryl" ad

It appears that the star of Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) ads, the character known as "Jim the Election Guy" who tells viewers that her Democratic opponent Tarryl Clark loves taxes, has now been identified. And the recent accusation in a Clark ad is correct: He doesn't live in the district -- and his name isn't Jim.

MinnPost reports that "Jim" is in fact a commercial actor named Beau Peregino, who originally hails from Maryland and now lives in California. Peregino did not return their requests for comment, but a former theater professor of his confirmed his identity from the ads, and his publicity photo matches the appearance of "Jim the Election Guy."

Clark responded to the ads with her own new spot, featuring Bachmann constituents who introduce themselves as actually being named Jim. "Not a fake Jim like this guy," says one of the actual Jims, followed by another: "His name's not even Jim!"

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MN-06

Dem Tarryl Clark Ad: 'Real Jims' Support Her, Not Bachmann (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2010, 11:46AM

Campaign ad by MN-06 House candidate Tarryl Clark (D)

It has come to this. Minnesota state Sen. Tarryl Clark, the Democratic nominee against right-wing star Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, has now responded to Bachmann's "Jim the Election Guy" attack ads -- which feature an actor calling himself Jim, telling viewers how much Clark has voted to raise their taxes. And Clark's new ad features some actual Bachmann constituents, who boast that they are actually named "Jim."

"Hi, I'm an actual Jim," says one man, followed by other Jims: "So am I"; "Me, too."

"Not a fake Jim like this guy," the first Jim says, referring to Bachmann's ads, followed by the third Jim making a serious accusation: "His name's not even Jim!"

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MN-06

Bachmann Ad Hits Dem: 'There's A Tax For That' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2010, 4:29PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) ad: 'A Tax For That'

The new ad from Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) continues her strange "Jim the Election Guy" motif, but this time throws in a recognizable pop culture reference against her Democratic opponent, state Sen. Tarryl Clark: There's a tax for that.

The ad shows Jim telling parents who are taking their kids back to school that Clark has a tax for everything. "Want to buy some crayons? She's got a sales tax increase for that," says Jim. "Drive your kids to school? She's got a gas-tax hike for that. Buy a backpack? She's got a tax for that, too."

No wonder they have this Jim character in the ads. John Hodgman and Justin Long weren't available.

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MN-06

Bachmann Campaign To Remove State Fair Logo From Ad After Complaint

Eric Kleefeld | September 1, 2010, 2:56PM

Campaign ad for Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) campaign is responding to a complaint from the Minnesota State Fair, Politico reports, and will remove the fair's logo from their ad after they used it without permission to attack Bachmann's Democratic opponent.

Bachmann's new ad features a man telling viewers who are going to the State Fair that Dem candidate Tarryl Clark, a state Senator, voted to raise taxes on their favorite products at the fair, such as corn dogs, deep-fried bacon -- and worst of all, beer. (In fact, the votes referred to were an increase in the alcohol tax, plus a referendum in the Twin Cities to raise the local sales tax in order to fund transportation infrastructure. The latter was not specifically targeted at the fair's sort of products, though it would include them.)

The State Fair quickly objected to Bachmann's ad and its use of their logo, on the grounds that the fair does not endorse any party or candidate.

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MN-06

Bachmann Ad: My Dem Opponent Voted To Tax Your Beer And Deep-Fried Bacon (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | August 31, 2010, 3:42PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has a new ad out, making use of the seasonal State Fair's imagery (without permission) to attack her Dem opponent, state Sen. Tarryl Clark, on some very important issues: Deep-fried foods -- and beer!

The ad continues the theme of having the friendly "Jim the Election Guy" tell voters about issues. (I don't get it, and neither does anyone else in this office. If you understand the reference, please tell us.) "I know, I know, it's State Fair time and you don't want to hear about politics," says Jim. "But while you're at the fair, you should know Tarryl Clark here wanted to raise taxes on your corn dog. And your deep-fried bacon. And your beer."

"So if you see Tarryl Clark while you're at the fair, just ask her: What's up with voting to tax my beer?"

I still don't get this whole "Jim the Election Guy" stuff, but I can confirm the importance of beer as a political issue in the Upper Midwest. Furthermore, this election is over if Bachmann manages to pin down the cheese-curd vote.

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MN-06

New Bachmann Ad Stars...Jim The Election Guy? (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | August 25, 2010, 1:48PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) "Meet Taxin' Tarryl" ad

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), has a new TV ad going after her Democratic opponent, state Sen. Tarryl Clark, on taxes. Interestingly, this mega-star of the Tea Party right does not showcase any of her own exploits, and is not present in the ad at all beyond her mandatory statement that she approved this message.

Instead, the ad features a man introducing himself as "Jim the election guy," who will "be around to sort things out" in the campaign, and then tells the viewers about how Clark loves taxes, in the fashion of some kind of friendly tech-support representative.

Is this some pop culture reference that I'm just too out of touch to get? I've asked around the TPM office, and nobody else here understands it.

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2010 elections

New Right-Wing Meme: Education Spending = 'Money-Laundering' For Dems

Eric Kleefeld | August 16, 2010, 1:53PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), US Senate candidate Sharon Angle (R-NV), and Rep. Steven King (R-IA)

An amusing meme has popped up on the right, opposing the state education aid bill that passed last week: It's not just bad policy from big-spending Washington liberals -- it's a criminal enterprise!

Here's how the logic goes: President Obama and the Democrats spent a lot of money to prop up school districts in the midst of a tough economy and revenue shortfalls at the district level. Much of that money will pay teachers; some of that money will then go to union dues; in turn, the unions will spend money to campaign for Democrats. Ergo, the whole bill was an act of money laundering, to have the federal government fund Democratic campaigns.

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Michele Bachmann

The Woman From MICHELEPAC: Bachmann Starts New Fundraising Committee

Eric Kleefeld | August 2, 2010, 6:15PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), the darling of right-wing activists who recently founded the House Tea Party Caucus, is now further seeking to advance her national profile -- she's starting her own leadership PAC.

In the finest traditions of political action committees, the committee's title is built as a complex acronym around her name: MICHELEPAC, the "Many Individual Conservatives Helping Elect Leaders Everywhere" PAC.

Bachmann filed the paperwork just this past Friday, so the committee has not yet reported raising any money.

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann: Impeach Obama? That's Up To Congress (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 28, 2010, 1:39PM

President Obama and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), the chair of the new House Tea Party Caucus, seems to be sitting on the fence over whether President Obama should be impeached. Instead, she's saying that those questions are up to Congress to determine.

In an interview with NewsMax, Bachmann was asked about former Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo's (Republican/Constitution) statements that Obama should be impeached for allegedly refusing to secure the border in order to force an immigration reform package. Bachmann -- who has said that subpoenaing and investigating the Obama administration is "all we should do" if Republicans gain control of Congress -- didn't quite give a definite answer.

"When it comes to the issue of securing our borders, again it seems to have a political basis rather than a basis that is grounded in what is good for America, our economy, and the safety and health of the American people," said Bachmann. "Whether or not this is an impeachable offense is one that the Congress would have to make a determination on. But I think clearly the president isn't acting out of the best interests of what would be good for people's safety and good for our economy."

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2010 elections

Michele Bachmann's Vision: 'Mother Of All Repeal Bills' (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | July 24, 2010, 12:47AM

Las Vegas -- Rep. Michele Bachman brought the conservatives attending RightOnline to their feet multiple times tonight in a keynote speech where she said she'd like to repeal "almost everything" and predicted President Obama is a one-term president.

During the wide-ranging speech at the Venetian casino here, Bachmann (R-MN) bragged she'd reached 40 members of her newly formed Tea Party Caucus, but stressed her goal is not to be a "mouthpiece" for the movement. Instead, she said, members would listen and be an "ear piece."

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Michele Bachmann

Bachmann: 'All We Should Do Is Issue Subpoenas' If GOP Wins House (AUDIO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 22, 2010, 5:58PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has a plan for what the Republicans should do if they win control of the House of Representatives: Spend all their time investigating the Obama administration.

"Oh, I think that's all we should do," Bachmann told the Three Fingers of Politics website. "I think that all we should do is issue subpoenas and have one hearing after another, and expose all the nonsense that has gone on. And it's very important when we come back that we have constitutional conservative leadership, because the American people's patience is about this big. So we have to make sure that we do what the people want us to do."

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Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Forming House 'Tea Party Caucus'

Eric Kleefeld | July 16, 2010, 10:50AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), one of the great stars of the Tea Party movement, has announced that she is forming a new "Tea Party Caucus" in the House of Representatives, with herself as its initial chair. Bachmann's office said in a press release that the issues caucus would "promote Americans' call for fiscal responsibility, adherence to the Constitution, and limited government."

Bachmann also said in the press release:

"The American people are speaking out loud and clear. They have had enough of the spending, the bureaucracy, and the government knows best mentality running rampant today throughout the halls of Congress. This caucus will espouse the timeless principles of our founding, principles that all Members of Congress have sworn to uphold," Bachmann stated. "The American people are doing their part and making their voices heard and this caucus will prove that there are some here in Washington willing to listen."

Bachmann has previously organized and starred at Tea Party events in Washington and around the country, most notably the Capitol Hill event last fall that she had promoted as "the Super Bowl of Freedom." Sometimes her language hasn't been too successful, such as when she rallied up a Washington crowd in December by declaring, "It's the charge of the light brigade!" -- a military disaster in which the light brigade lost.

MN-06

Bachmann Staffers Keep Quitting

Eric Kleefeld | July 14, 2010, 3:13PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) speaking at CPAC

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) must be really hard to work for -- even staffers who seem to do a good job end up leaving.

As Politico reported, Bachmann's chief of staff Ron Carey, a former Minnesota GOP chairman, has now become the fifth chief of staff to quit Bachmann's office during her mere three and a half years in Congress. A previous chief of staff had quit just this past November, and Carey was hired to be the new chief in February.

In addition, Bachmann's campaign finance director Zandra Wolcott left the campaign, too. Think about this: Bachmann's fundraising has been great. In the last quarter she raised a whopping $1.7 million. Her Democratic opponent Tarryl Clark only raised $910,000 -- which by itself would have been impressive in this Midwestern district, but paled in comparison to Bachmann. And still, the staffers keep coming and going.

MN-06

SurveyUSA Poll: Bachmann Leads Dem Opponent By 9 Points

Eric Kleefeld | July 13, 2010, 9:28AM

Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) and MN-06 House candidate Tarryl Clark (D)

The new SurveyUSA poll of the MN-06 district gives Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, perhaps the single biggest star of the Tea Party movement in Congress today, the lead over her Democratic challenger, state Sen. Tarryl Clark.

The numbers: Bachmann 48%, Clark 39%, Independence Party candidate Bob Anderson 6%, and independent Aubrey Immelman 2%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.2% margin of error. There is no prior SurveyUSA poll for direct comparison.

The district is very friendly to Republicans, having voted for John McCain by 53%-45% in 2008 and George W. Bush by 57%-42% in 2004. However, Bachmann nearly lost re-election in the Democratic year of 2008, after her infamous Hardball interview in which she called for a media exposé of Barack Obama and other Democrats for possible anti-American beliefs -- citing as evidence Obama's association with such nefarious figures as his wife, Michelle Obama. Since then, she's only gotten more vociferous, ranging from calls for "orderly revolution" to decrying America's new status as a "nation of slaves." And it's all paid off handsomely -- with Bachmann massively out-raising Clark's seemingly impressive haul.

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann: Obama 'Turning Our Country Into A Nation Of Slaves'

Eric Kleefeld | July 12, 2010, 10:01AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has made her latest pronouncement on the evils of the Obama administration -- that they are "turning our country into a nation of slaves."

[TPM SLIDESHOW: The Year of Michele Bachmann]

Bachmann appeared at a right-wing conference in Colorado this past weekend, the Colorado Independent reports, and in her speech Friday night she quoted from founding father John Jay: "We are determined to live free or not at all. And we are resolved that posterity shall never reproach us with having brought slaves into the world."

Bachmann then continued, in her own words: "We will talk a little bit about what has transpired in the last 18 months and would we count what has transpired into turning our country into a nation of slaves."

MN-06

Bachmann Raises $1.7 Million In Second Quarter, Far Outpaces Dem Opponent

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2010, 4:25PM

Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) and MN-06 House candidate Tarryl Clark (D)

The last three months were a busy fundraising quarter in MN-06, the GOP-leaning district that is home to none other than the infamous Rep. Michele Bachmann. A whole lot of money went towards the effort to defeat her -- and a whole lot more money went to re-elect her, too.

State Sen. Tarryl Clark, Bachmann's Democratic opponent, raised $910,000 for the quarter, with a total of $2.1 million raised for the race so far. On the other hand, Bachmann raised $1.7 million for the quarter, with a total haul of $4.1 million for the cycle. Cash on hand figures were not immediately available.

Bachmann held a high-profile rally and fundraiser back in April, starring none other than Sarah Palin. The district voted 53%-45% for John McCain in 2008, but Bachmann won by only 46%-43% due to her habit of making controversial remarks. Since then, she's emerged as one of the biggest political stars of the Tea Party Movement -- and it's certainly not hurting her cash flow.

Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann's Husband To Supporters: Don't Let Them F*** Her

Megan Carpentier | June 18, 2010, 6:35PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) speaking at CPAC

Michele Bachmann's husband, Marcus, issued an urgent appeal to supporters Friday: we cannot let the assaults on her virtue stand!

The Bachmanns are concerned about a concert in Minneapolis entitled "F*** Michele Bachmann," which they apparently think is a reference to the organizers' desire to engage in coitus with Mrs. Bachmann rather than a desire to see her out of office. To help them get over the pain and despair, they would like their supporters to send them money.

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MN-06

Bachmann Opponent's New Ad Blasts Her For 'Standing Up For BP' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 18, 2010, 2:07PM

Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) and MN-06 House candidate Tarryl Clark (D)

Minnesota state Sen. Tarryl Clark, the Democratic candidate to go up against Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, is looking to get an ad on the air going after Bachmann for having bashed the the BP escrow fund as "extortion" by the Obama administration.

The ad is not yet up on TV, but the Clark campaign is conducting a fundraising drive among supporters to get it on the air.

"It's BP's fault. And they should pay. But Michelle Bachmann calls making BP pay for the clean up 'extortion,'" the announcer says. "And said 'If I was the head of BP, I would let the signal get out there - 'We're not going to be chumps.'"

"If Bachmann lets BP off the hook, guess who's paying? Us," the announcer says. "Michele Bachmann: standing up for BP. Not us."

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MN-06

Money Pours Into Bachmann's District From Across The Country

Eric Kleefeld | April 19, 2010, 10:12AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) national profile, with her heated rhetoric against President Obama and the Democrats for what she has called their Marxism and tyranny, has attracted a lot of attention in her suburban Minnesota district -- with the race becoming nationalized politically, and money coming in from all around.

The Star Tribune reports that 63% of Bachmann's donations in the first quarter of 2010 came from outside the state. On the Democratic side, the party's endorsed candidate state Sen. Tarryl Clark has seen 30% of her major donations come from outside Minnesota, and former state university regent Maureen Reed has seen 10% of her donations major donations come from out of state.

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MN-06

Bachmann Raises Over $810K In First Quarter 2010

Eric Kleefeld | April 16, 2010, 1:22PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) had a very strong fundraising quarter, taking in over $810,000 for the first three months of 2010, and $1.5 million cash on hand.

Overall, Bachmann has raised a total of $2.4 million so far during campaign cycle. For the two Democrats competing to run against her, state Sen. Tarryl Clark has raised $1.1 million since entering the race last summer, and former state university regent Maureen Reed has raised $1 million, including $250,000 of her own money.

Professor Larry Jacobs at the University of Minnesota told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the massive amounts of money both for and against Bachmann can be explained as thus: "I think it's one word: passion."

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann To Campaign And Fundraise With Palin -- In Someone Else's District

Eric Kleefeld | April 7, 2010, 11:19AM

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) will be welcoming a very special guest to Minnesota today: Sarah Palin, for a rally together in Minneapolis.

The much-anticipated rally will begin at 3 p.m. ET, and will be streamed online by Bachmann's campaign. Other guests will include Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a potential presidential candidate, as well as right-wing talk show host and Bachmann ally Sean Hannity.

The really interesting -- not to mention mystifying -- thing about this event is that it's not in Bachmann's district, which does not include any part of Minneapolis.

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2010 elections

First Quarter Fundraising Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 6, 2010, 6:38PM

MN-06 Democratic candidates Tarryl Clark and Maureen Reed

Here are some key fundraising numbers from today:

• State Sen. Tarryl Clark (D-MN), who is seeking the Democratic nomination to run against the vocally right-wing Rep. Michele Bachmann (R), raised over $505,000 in the first quarter. Clark, the officially endorsed candidate of the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, must still face a Dem primary against former state university regent Maureen Reed, who was also the 2006 Independence Party nominee for lieutenant governor. Reed has not yet released her fundraising numbers.

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MN-06

Minnesota Dems Endorse Candidate Against Bachmann, But Primary Still Awaits

Eric Kleefeld | March 29, 2010, 1:23PM

MN-06 Democratic candidates Tarryl Clark and Maureen Reed

Minnesota Democrats have officially endorsed a candidate to run against Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), the darling of the Tea Party right. But the process isn't over, and there will still be a primary in August.

The district-level convention of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party endorsed state Sen. Tarryl Clark, who has long been supported by other Democratic elected officials and key unions. The other candidate is Maureen Reed, former state University regent and 2006 Independence Party nominee for lieutenant governor -- and she will still be contesting the nomination in the primary.

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Michele Bachmann

Americans United Launches Radio Ad Against Bachmann's 'Wean' Comments About Social Security (AUDIO)

Eric Kleefeld | February 18, 2010, 11:23AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Americans United For Change has a new radio ad up in Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) district, hammering the Congresswoman for saying that the country should "wean" people off of Social Security and Medicare.

"Congresswoman Bachmann actually said we should be 'weaned' off our Social Security and Medicare," a woman says. "She wants to privatize Social Security and replaced Medicare with some kind of voucher system that won't even cover the full cost of medical care or prescriptions."

This radio ad could leave the impression that Bachmann would want to take current retirees or those about to retire out of the system. From her previous statements, it would appear that she would preserve the program for those people who already receiving benefits.

To be exact, Bachmann said: "So, what you have to do, is keep faith with the people that are already in the system, that don't have any other options, we have to keep faith with them. But basically what we have to do is wean everybody else off. And wean everybody off because we have to take those unfunded net liabilities off our bank sheet, we can't do it."

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Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Featured In Dem House Candidate's Fundraising Letter -- In Another District

Eric Kleefeld | December 31, 2009, 3:45PM

Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Rep. Michelle Bachman (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) notoriety is clearly spreading outside her district -- not just as a star among conservatives, but as a menace to liberals. And now, a Democratic candidate in a different House district is invoking her name against the Republican incumbent there.

Maureen Hackett, a Democratic candidate against Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN), has sent out a new fundraising letter addressed to her fellow Democrats, blasting Paulsen for frequently voting the same way as Bachmann.

"While Bachmann's extremism has won her great reviews from her right-wing base, it's not acceptable here in the 3rd District," Hackett writes. "We have a long record of electing reasonable people from both sides of the aisle. By standing with Bachmann on the economy, health care and women's rights, Paulsen has proven time-and-time again that he's hopelessly and completely out-of-step with the people he was elected to represent."

The retirement in 2002 of Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) deprived Democrats of a long-time bogeyman in fundraising letters. It now looks like the new pantheon of right-wing menaces in Dem fundraising will include the likes of former White House adviser Karl Rove, former Vice President Dick Cheney, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin...and a second-term Congresswoman named Michele Bachmann.

Michele Bachmann

Poll: Bachmann Popular In Her District -- Her Constituents Don't Think She's An Extremist!

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 12:23PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

A new survey by Public Policy Polling (D) finds that Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) high profile as a conservative firebrand doesn't seem to be hurting her back home -- in fact, a majority of her constituents approve of her job performance, and they don't think she's an extremist.

Bachmann's approval rating is 53%, with 41% disapproval. She leads both of her Democratic opponents by substantial margins, ahead of state Sen. Tarryl Clark by 55%-37%, and leading former University of Minnesota regent Maureen Reed by 53%-37%. The pollster notes that the challengers have low name recognition, but the points stands that a well-known incumbent is over the 50-percent mark.

Respondents were also asked: "Do you consider Michele Bachmann's political views to be extremist?" Here the answer is 37% yes, 54% no. This might seem a bit odd; you'd think that usually people would consider it extreme to repeatedly call for revolution, express concerns about census data being used to create internment camps, and warn against "government re-education camps."

Bachmann's district is always tough ground for Democrats. George W. Bush carried it by double-digit margins twice, and John McCain held on to it by 53%-45%. President Obama's approval rating is only 39% in this district, with 55% disapproval. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is at 45%-43%, and Democratic Sen. Al Franken is at 37%-53%. If the horse-race numbers hold up in 2010, then it would be the first time that Bachmann herself would get over 51% support at the polls.

"Michele Bachmann's constituents don't seem to mind her penchant for controversial comments," said PPP president Dean Debnam, in the polling memo. "Given how poorly national Democrats rate in the district they probably agree with a lot of them."

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.

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

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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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 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.

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