Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Is Bachmann going rogue?
This is a question we first debated back in November, when Bachmann tried to distinguish herself as the true voice of the tea party, contra the official Boehner team. And now, she's at it again:
Bachmann announced that even though Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan is slated to deliver the official Republican response to President Obama's upcoming State of the Union address, she would be giving her own online rebuttal on behalf of the Tea Party Express "shortly after" Ryan's speech concludes.
Bachmann's post-election maneuvering isn't particularly surprising; the ultraconservative Minnesotan, who by one estimate appears on national cable once every nine days, is always looking for new ways to get attention. But the response her scheming has received in top GOP circles—a response that would best be described as arctic—suggests that the battle between disgruntled, absolutist Tea Party activists (who want to blow the system up) and their more realistic representatives in Washington (who plan to work within it) is only beginning.
Recall that back in November, she also ruffled some feathers:
Within hours of winning her third congressional term in November, the colorful Minnesota Republican began campaigning for conference chair, the No. 4 position in the House GOP leadership. Why? Because "constitutional conservatives"—like her and, presumably, unlike the rest of John Boehner's team—"deserve a loud and clear voice!"
Ultimately, Bachmann bowed out of that race, conceding to Jeb Hensarling.
If the GOP does have a Michele Bachmann problem, it's an issue it may have to face in the lead up to 2012. Bachmann recently traveled to Iowa for a fundraiser. When asked several weeks ago if she was considering a presidential run, she said, "I'm going to Iowa—there's your answer."
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Dec '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Just asking. Would the Daily Beast, or any other lefty rag, ever describe Nancy Pelosi as an ultraliberal? (Or uber liberal considering the left's fascistic tendencies.)
No? I didn't think so.
Dec '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
It does sound as if the adoration has gone to her head. She wouldn't be the first, of course.
As far as this "response," I don't see the reason for the sturm and drang over the whole thing. It's online and after Ryan's speech which will be late enough as it is.
If anything, it shows that Michelle Bachmann has a Newt Gingrich problem. She thinks she's bigger than she is.
The Iowa thing is classic angling for a VP nod.
Still, I have some sympathy for Bachmann, she gets basically Sarah Palin treatment by her local media. It's really disgusting.
Jan '11
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
I actually hope she is going rogue. I'm not a big fan of hers given that strange interview with Chris Matthews a couple of months back. But I do understand that the role that she is taking on is probably a much needed one for pragmatic reasons. Her presence will move the policy-making goalposts that much futher [Overton Window-style] and will shake-up the GOP establishment -- those that aren't serious enough about limiting the size/scope of the federal government.
But I'm a minarchist and don't like a vast majority of politicians. To the extent that someone goes out there on their own and pushes the national dialogue further in a direction that I can be happier about, then I'm all for it.
Edited on January 23, 2011 at 5:28pmNov '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Does the GOP have a Michele Bachmann problem? If by GOP is meant establishment Republicans, then yes and that’s a good thing. It should be no surprise that they consider anyone in their party who is smart and ambitious and disagrees with them to be a huge problem. It’s sure not a problem for anyone else, so why should we care?
Edited on January 23, 2011 at 5:59pmAug '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
TeeJaw : Does the GOP have a Michele Bachmann problem? If by GOP is meant establishment Republicans, then yes and that’s a good thing. &
Edited on Jan 23 at 08:59 am
Right on Teejaw ! The establishment GOP has gotten squat and been run over so completely that we have a flawed national health care, crippling deficits, trashed contract law, extra-congressional Czars running most of the government and funding outlays, and on and on, ad nauseum. You have failed and whole bunch of new marshals are in town. Get used to it.
Iowa runs aren't always for vp slots, it's a good way to bring planks to the platform.
I'll take pretty over lachrymose anyday. It's up the new Congress to makes its bones in the next 18 months if they assume our support.
(great avatar, i have a couple of baldies flying in front of my window right now)
Edited on January 23, 2011 at 6:12pmJan '11
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Probably because Bachmann tries really hard to be Sarah Palin by 1) saying incendiary things that get her in trouble and then 2) hustling the wagons to circle around her.
Edited on January 23, 2011 at 6:14pmMay '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Bachmann is the Tea Party. She embraces all the tenants: Limited Constitutional government, real fiscal restraint, free markets. The "realistic representatives" are threatened by her presence not only because she brings their moderate/squishy/reachy-across-the-aisle (thanks Mark Steyn) positions to light in a no nonsense way, but the majority of Americans happen to agree with her. Imagine that.
Bravo, Congresswoman Bachmann! Keep your message alive and best of luck in the primaries.
Dec '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Tom Meyer
Probably because Bachmann tries really hard to be Sarah Palin by 1) saying incendiary things that get her in trouble and then 2) hustling the wagons to circle around her. · Jan 23 at 9:13am
Edited on Jan 23 at 09:14 am
I understand they both also dress provocatively.
Jan '11
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Of course the Republicans have a Bachmann problem. They earned it, fair and square.
Folks, the reason we have a Tea Party movement is not because of Obama - it is because of the failure of the establishment GOP to curb government. Spending created the Tea Party and that spending began with W and the GOP. Obama caused the explosion, but the charge was set and the fuse was lit by Republicans.
I am a straight-ticket Republican voter and have been for decades. However, I need to hear more than words and promises from Boehner and Cantor before I'll believe that they are going to reduce the size, scope and spending of government. I want to see it done.
I also believe that if you're not on offense you're on defense, so what Bachmann is doing is 100% right on. Our philosophy of political warfare should mirror the 3-part strategy of the only good French general of the 20th Century, Ferdinand Foch:
"Attack! Attack! Attack!"
Compromise can come later. Right now the Right has to be aggressive.
And the day after we agree to a compromise will be the day to resume the offensive.
Edited on January 23, 2011 at 8:26pmJun '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Bachmann is a good problem for the Republican Party to have. Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Allen West and other Tea Party-backed Republicans will also be a good problem for the Republican Party to have. The days of business-as-usual are over. Some of these members may not have the polish and finesse as their elder counterparts but they actually listened to the electorate and understand what's at stake if they don't attack the Obama agenda head on. And frankly, I don't care what Chris-Mr.Tingles-Matthews says, does or thinks. He's been practicing revisionist history for some time now and is an arrogant hatchet man for the left. Bachmann is a sharp attorney and legislator and I hope she continues to be a force that more establishment Republicans and the Democratic Socialists have to contend with. I think she'd make a fine candidate for VP.
Edited on January 23, 2011 at 6:40pmJan '11
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Tom Meyer
Edited on Jan 23 at 09:14 am
Neither Bachmann nor Palin should have to "hustle" the wagons to circle around her.
It's bad enough that we've forced beautiful wives and mothers to take the "point" in our counter-attack against the forces of the Left.
It's disgusting that so many conservative men hesitate to cover the ladies' flanks when they come under fire.
The reason that the Left goes after Palin - and by implication here, Bachmann - is because so many of her allies refuse to defend her.
"She's not that smart, you know."
The Left are cowardly bullies, looking for openings to exploit. When the Noonans, Frums and Brookses hang back in the trenches because they don't want to sully their standing among the smart set, that leaves Palin's left flank exposed.
Conservatives like me are sick of those in our think tanks who shoot at our own forces when the foe is in the field.
Edited on January 23, 2011 at 8:51pmDec '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Tee, you and I agree, but I'm afraid we need to care.
Unfortunately, that unworthy vessel we call the Republican Party is all we've got right now. And the people in control hate Tea Party conservatives almost as much as Keith Olberman does, but they routinely circle the wagons around people like Lisa Murkowski. This is a disaster for conservatism, no matter how you look at it.
Very well put. That sums it up nicely.
Freesmith:
Spending created the Tea Party and that spending began with W and the GOP. Obama caused the explosion, but the charge was set and the fuse was lit by Republicans.
Naw, we've been working on this crisis a lot longer than that. Our ruling class has been building inexcusable levels of debt since the 1960's, at least. We've had brief spurts of good sense - a couple, anyway - but this is a decades-old problem.
Jun '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Freesmith
Tom Meyer
It's bad enough that we've forced beautiful wives and mothers to take the "point" in our counter-attack against the forces of the Left.
It's disgusting that so many conservative men hesitate to cover the ladies' flanks when they come under fire.· Jan 23 at 9:53am
Is this because we tried "forcing" the homelier "wives and mothers to take the 'point'..." but they weren't having any of it?
And as for the second remark about covering ladies' flanks...well...as Mike Meyers would say, "Awkward".
Jun '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Tom Meyer
Probably because Bachmann tries really hard to be Sarah Palin by 1) saying incendiary things that get her in trouble and then 2) hustling the wagons to circle around her. · Jan 23 at 9:13am
Edited on Jan 23 at 09:14 am
Tom, why the heck don't these uppity women just stay in the kitchen where they belong, dang it?
Aces high and thumbs up, Freesmith.
Oct '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Starve the Beast
Tee, you and I agree, but I'm afraid we need to care.
Unfortunately, that unworthy vessel we call the Republican Party is all we've got right now.
All we've got for what? Losing? When Republicans nominate a Democrat Lite, they lose. Think McCain & Dole & GHW (“read my lips”) Bush. The other Bush slipped under the radar . . . turned out to be a Fiscal Idiot after portraying himself as something else. That just proves Republicans lie like Democrats when it serves them. This doesn’t shock anyone familiar with human nature and the corruption that power brings.
But when Republicans nominate conservatives, they win. Think Reagan.
BTW, in what sense do you "agree" with Tee if you want to stick with the status quo? That's agreeing with the status quo, not Tee. That's entirely your right but why mislabel it?
Jan '11
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Ronald Reagan - after Ray Bliss - said it best:
"Thou shall speak ill of no Republican."
That includes Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin.
Time to cowboy-up, conservatives. If the arguments of the ladies aren't textured enough or deep enough for you, don't criticize the arguments and for sure don't stay silent - Make better arguments to persuade the indecisive and show stronger contempt for the so-called "ideas" of the progressives. Never stop attacking.
Or you can just whine and play with your pretty No-Labels.
Oct '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
cdor
Tom Meyer
Probably because Bachmann tries really hard to be Sarah Palin by 1) saying incendiary things that get her in trouble and then 2) hustling the wagons to circle around her. · Jan 23 at 9:13am
Edited on Jan 23 at 09:14 am
Tom, why the heck don't these uppity women just stay in the kitchen where they belong, dang it?
Conservative women (especially if blessed with good looks) and conservative men (looks make no difference, but being Christian does) are the only remaining members of society unprotected by unwritten codes of political correctness. Calling into question Palin's or Bachmann's intelligence has zero consequences. Assistant Minority Leader Jim Clyburn, third-ranking House Democrat, did it to Palin this week. When challenged, his defense was "I have a wife and daughters." Well, OK...all women are stupid then? Try calling a Liberal non-Caucasian or Hispanic politician unprepared intellectually and see if "some of my best friends are Black/Latino" will get you out of the woods. Good luck.
Jun '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
I happen to live in Michele Bachmann's district, and whether you believe it or not, Bachmann hasn't changed her political viewpoint (or intensity) one bit in the last ten years. I suspect, she came out of the womb that way. And ten years ago, Bachmann wouldn't even have known who Sarah Palin was. She's not copying anybody.
Oct '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
To back up my point, here's the report on Clyburn re: Palin from "The Hill":
Clyburn: Palin intellectually unable 'to understand what's going on here'
By Michael O'Brien - 01/12/11 08:37 AM ET
A House Democratic leader on Wednesday lashed out at Sarah Palin, accusing the former Alaska governor of being intellectually incapable of understanding why she's faced criticism related to the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.).
Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (S.C.) said Palin had missed the point by releasing a statement Wednesday morning blasting the media for "blood libel" for looking to assign blame in part to her rhetoric after the attempted assassination of Giffords last weekend.
"You know, Sarah Palin just can't seem to get it, on any front. I think she's an attractive person, she is articulate," Clyburn said on the Bill Press radio show. "But I think intellectually, she seems not to be able to understand what's going on here."
Jun '10
Re: Does the GOP Have a Michele Bachmann Problem?
Ack! A posting on Bachmann is morphing into a posting about Sarah Palin! Help! Help! We're being abused! That's no ordinary rabbit! It's got big nasty teeth....