Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/12/bachmann-increases-public-profile-makes-another-gaffe-in-nh-trip/#more-150080" target="_blank">http://politicalticker.blogs.c...e-150080</a> "At a time when the former Alaska governor appears to be shrinking from the spotlight, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann is stepping up as yet another favorite daughter of the conservative movement." snip "At the Nashua fundraiser, protesters crashed the carefully choreographed event. And at the earlier engagement in Manchester, Bachmann said of New Hampshire, "You're the state where the shot was heard around the world at Lexington and Concord." The Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 were fought in Massachusetts. In the YouTube-era, those kinds of embarrassing moments can be replayed over and over with potentially damaging effect. Especially given other gaffes from Bachmann. She recently raised eyebrows over comments on the nation's founding fathers and slavery. And she was mocked for appearing to look off camera during her post-State of the Union Tea Party response." snip "From there, Bachmann – who is chair of the House Tea Party Caucus – repeated many of her oft-stated, Tea Party-rhetoric-laced slams. She continued her call for the repeal of "Obamacare," railed against the tax code and federal spending, even repeated a controversial line against the president. "I said that we have a 'gangster government' running the show down in Washington, D.C. And I don't step back from that statement," Bachmann said at the fundraiser. "Because this is an administration that is intent on taking from its opponents – and giving to its friends. There's a lot in common with a lot of Chicago's history in this administration." snip "Though not an official endorsement, Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips wrote in a message to supporters: "at this point, this movement is going to have to choose a standard bearer for the White House in 2012. It may be a little early to choose that person now, but it is not too early for us to encourage good conservatives to get into the race." "Run Michele, RUN!" Phillips wrote." Yesssss, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease, RUN MICHELE, RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Originally Posted By plpeters70 This sort of stupid comment won't hurt her standings with her followers - they seem to love "stupid" people, but hopefully this will help move more thoughtful moderates away from voting Republican next time. The current GOP is dominated by people like this, and I really hope the voters are having a little buyers-remorse after the last election.
Originally Posted By ecdc Here's the problem with Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, [insert favorite tea d-bagger here] and hoping they win the nomination. While it's true that they would turn off moderates, they would also energize the base. McCain did lose in part thanks to Palin, but he also lost because the base was so ho-hum about him. He had fundraising issues, no one was manning phone banks for him, etc. Obama as an unknown got the moderate votes. But now, moderates may just sit out. And an energized GOP candidate against Obama, who somehow has convinced conservatives that he's a Commie and liberals that he's a bircher (try pulling that one off!) might be more powerful than they're given credit for. If liberals are soft on Obama because of his moderate approach to things, and moderates stay home because of the economy and the crazy GOP candidate, then there's no guarantees. In other words, why do people keep underestimating the stupidity of conservatives, the laziness of moderates, and the whininess of liberals? (Did I manage to offend everyone with that post?)
Originally Posted By Longhorn12 >In other words, why do people keep underestimating the stupidity of conservatives< Because deep down we really reaaaaally want to believe no one can be that stupid. >the laziness of moderates< People are still "shocked" and "amazed" they voted in 2008, this will pass when no moderates vote in 2012. >whininess of liberals< Because we whine for a cause, and therefore it's ok.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Spot on. I've always said that it's not Palin (or in this case Bachmann) that scares me - it's the people who support these loons. There's MILLIONS of them. And to these people, facts and evidence and what we like to call 'reality' doesn't matter to them. At all. These folks are not just suddenly going to come their senses - no, they're mobilized and energetic in their misguided beliefs. They're on a mission from god. And they've got a holy war going on right now, and they're not going to give up on that either. The damage that these people can do to all of us - right now - is very real. This includes shutting down the entire government, plunging our economy into an abyss, privatizing entire communities into 'for profit' entities, and entangling us in more warfare in the streets of the middle east. Yeah - it's a hoot to make fun of Bachmann and Palin and Judson and the rest of them. The fact that these fools are suddenly elevated to leadership status tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the teabaggers. But I completely agree with 'ecdc' - we ignore them at out own peril. And the perils possible are enormous.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>What if she wins ...<< The banksters will be able to control her and the rest of the government, dismantling everything the government does that gives us what's left of our high standard of living, while insuring that laws, taxes and other such inconveniences don't cut into their vintage car collection funds. Just like now. At least she'll be entertaining. >>While it's true that they would turn off moderates, they would also energize the base.<< That base is funny when they're energized. >>Obama as an unknown got the moderate votes. But now, moderates may just sit out.<< True, dat. Stop harshing my mellow.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip It amazes me that Bachmann can continually say stupid things without ever being called on it by her 'base'. They seem not to care that she is an uninformed idiot.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>They seem not to care that she is an uninformed idiot.<< In other words, one of them.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I'd like to think that right now the Evening News people and Sunday mornng shows, in other words, mainstream, consider her just another fringe person at this point, but one to keep an eye on. If her popularity increases, her gaffes are going to get magnified and exposed. Yes, many people are dumb, but the majority aren't THAT dumb.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>Yes, many people are dumb, but the majority aren't THAT dumb.<< I don't think you're wrong, I just am sick of being surprised at how low this country can go. Stuff that belongs in a Saturday Night Live parody is now routine. Now teachers are being attacked and mocked - conservatives call them "part-time" since they get off at 3PM and they get a three month vacation in the summer. Let's not talk about how stupid that is, for starters. If Boehner introduced a bill to euthanize puppies and make raping nuns legal I wouldn't be surprised anymore. I'm not kidding - nothing can shock me at this point, and that goes for President Bachmann, Vice-President Palin, and Secretary of State Charlie Sheen.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan By the time the 2012 election rolls around, the right will have spent over 3 full years demonizing everything Obama has done, said, not done, not said. And yet.... Obama remains popular in spite of the constant onslaught of misinformation. The Beck-isms and birther gibberish is the sort of red meat that plays to the fringe base but turns off everyone else. If the GOP goes with someone divisive, they're making a tremendous miscalculation. The thought of a Palin or Bachmann presidency would truly wake America out of its slumber and backfire. And i think the mess in Wisconsin did more to energize the Democrat's traditional base than anything Obama or anyone else could have ever done. I'm more concerned with someone who campaigns as a moderate and then instantly will be out to placate the tea party. I think every one of the people currently in the batting lineup on the GOP side would do just that.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 It is nice to know that a United States congresswoman, and her staff, know less about American history than 4th graders all over this country. Bachmann is quickly becoming the poster child for education reform.
Originally Posted By EdisYoda It just dawned on me why Republicans want to disband free education... they don't want the electorate to be more educated then they are! Or not.
