The Gardasil Gambit: Better Bachmann today than Obama tomorrow

I have been reading the reaction from the right regarding Michele Bachmann’s attack on Rick Perry over his HPV injection executive order. I have read a lot of commentary and comments that seem to show that many conservatives are down on Bachmann for doing this.

While I do have a problem with some of what Bachmann has done, I generally think her attack is a good thing. Here is why.

First, Bachmann is absolutely correct to drag Perry over the coals for issuing the executive order in the first place. Have we not all spent the last three years railing against government overreach? Well, Perry’s executive order is text book government overreach and Perry’s saying "my bad" doesn’t change the fact.

Second, Bachmann is also correct to raise the issue of crony capitalism. Just the fact that it is coming out today that Perry has received more than the $5,000 from Merck (as he said in the debate) should be enough for use to dig deeper into this issue. If there was a quid pro quo, then let’s sniff it out now and not have such a thing come back and bite us later.

Finally, Bachmann’s demagoguery of the Gardasil issue by retelling this story about a mother who claims her child became mentally retarded because of the injection, is in excusable. Bachmann is damaging her own credibility in the process. However, by unfairly attacking Perry on this ground, Bachmann is providing us a glimpse of how Perry will respond to the unfair attacks that are sure to come in the general election. Let us not forget that Obama and the media will employ all kinds of dirty attacks against whomever the GOP nominee is. It is far better to learn now if Perry has glass jaw than to find out after we are stuck with him.

While we may all cringe at the sight of Republican’s trampling Reagan’s 11th Commandment, a rough and dirty primary is exactly what will be needed in 2012. We need to be absolutely certain that our nominee will be able to withstand “The Palin Treatment” that is sure to come during the general election.


Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Right Scoop
Via: National Review
Via: Hot Air

Michele Bachmann to Ed Rollins: Apologize to Team Palin

Behold the power of Palin.

Hot Air: When you’ve got a puppy with a habit of crapping on the carpet, you may need to rub his face in it to set him right.

Serious candidates require serious message discipline, and as of last Monday’s debate, she’s most definitely a serious candidate:

“We need Mrs. Bachmann out front and we need the campaign to be a real campaign with one spokesperson and a disciplined message,” said one Bachmann adviser granted anonymity to speak candidly about strategy…

Bachmann’s newly installed political team has had its own battles with message discipline — typified by campaign manager Ed Rollins’ recent comments alleging that former Alaska governor Sarah Palin hasn’t been “serious” over the last few years.

After the incident, Bachmann was “very firm” with Rollins, according to an adviser to the congresswoman, telling him this should not happen again and that there should be “no more press”. Bachmann also demanded that Rollins call the Palin people and apologize. “She is definitely not tone deaf,” the source added.

Bachmann’s move to limit her exposure in the wake of her debate performance is a smart strategy designed to avoid accidentally trampling on the momentum she built with that performance.

You knew this had to come sooner or later. If Michele Bachmann wants any chance of being "the" conservative candidate, she is going to have to be in good graces with Palinistas. As pundit after pundit tries to write off Palin 2012, it is clear Palin will play a major role in this election whether she runs of not.

I still think Palin is running in 2012 (have you seen this SarahPAC letter?). I still think the real question everyone should be asking is if Palin will run to win the nomination or run to shape the nomination. Either way, consider Ed Rollins officially spanked.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Hot Air

Via: Conservatives 4 Palin

Bachmann 2012 - The damage is already done

Yesterday, Michele Bachmann's new campaign manager Ed Rollins let fly so pretty crude attacks on Sarah Palin. Of course, the media jumped at the chance to trumpet that the Palin-Bachmann cat fight is on. However, the way I see it, it is already over.

First, the blow back from Rollin's comments are already rolling in and Team Palin is demanding a retraction. Second, and most importantly, the very voters who would support Bachmann are completely turned off by Rollins and his comments. Without these voters, Bachmann is going to get very far in this race.

But the biggest damage Rollins did to the Bachmann campaign, is that he gave Sarah Palin the very line of attack she was looking for against Bachmann.

On Sunday, when Chris Wallace interviewed Sarah Palin, Wallace asked Palin about Michele Bachmann. Palin hinted that her executive experience trumped Bachmann (see the 23:15 mark).

What better way to point out Bachmann's lack of chief executive experience than to say that she did not know how to pick the right campaign manager? You cannot get a better example of that then with Ed Rollins.

While it maybe very unfortunate that Bachmann is sunk before she even sets sail for 2012, it does help conservatives to narrow their choice for 2012. If Bachmann is out, then the two real contenders for 2012 will be Herman Cain and Sarah Palin (yeah, she is going to run).

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Politico

Via: Legal Insurrection

Via: Politico

Ed Rollins, Bachmann's new campaign manager says Palin "has not been serious"

The other day Michelle Bachmann added political strategist Ed Rollins to run her presidential campaign. Rollins was Mike Hukabee’s national campaign director in 2008.

I thought it was kind of a odd choice for someone who wants to claim the TEA Party mantle. Well today, Ed Rollins takes a swipe at Palin and proves to me that he will be a very odd fit with Bachmann.

Politico: Michele Bachmann's new top consultant, Ed Rollins, began his tenure with scathing criticism of potential Bachmann rival Sarah Palin.

"Sarah has not been serious over the last couple of years," Rollins told Brian Kilmeade on his radio show, Kilmeade and Friends. "She got the Vice Presidential thing handed to her, she didn't go to work in the sense of trying to gain more substance, she gave up her governorship."

He suggested that the contrast would favor Bachmann.
"Michele Bachmann and others [have] worked hard, she has been a leader of the Tea Party which is a very important element here, she has been an attorney, she has done important things with family values."

"She is probably the best communicator [in the GOP field] now that Mike Huckabee's not in there," he said.
Rollins has long been skeptical of Palin, but his new role with Bachmann suggests that criticism will become part of her campaign, though she has publicly praised the former Alaska governor.

If Rollin's strategy is to elevate Bachmann by stepping on Palin, then I am afraid that Bachmann's 2012 chances are ruined before they begun.

While it is true that Bachmann and Palin share the many of the same voters, Palin's fans are beyond fiercely loyal. Should Palin not run, these Palin fans will beat a path to Herman Cain rather than support a Republican who condoned bashing Palin.

Rollin's strategy also shows he is clueless about how Bachmann matches up to Palin. If any of these early polls are to be believed, then it should be obvious to Rollins that Palin has the greater support among the base, because Palin consistently polls higher than Bachmann. Again, how does it serve Bachmann?

It is almost like Rollins want Palin and Bachmann voters to make their choices now rather than later. That will certainly happen if Palin fans feel that their gal is under attack. I cannot see how that ends well for Bachmann.

If I were Bachmann I would can this clown immediately and in the most public way. Keeping Rollins on will only doom her chances with the very people who would be her most enthusiastic supporters.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Daily Caller
Via: Politico

BOOM! Michele Bachmann beats Mitt Romney in first quarter fundraising

Fox News: Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., raised a combined total of $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2011, outgaining presumed presidential contender Mitt Romney who raised $1.9 million over the same period.

Bachmann's political action committee, MichelePAC, raised $500,000 while her Congressional reelection fund took in $1.7 million. The funds raised for her Congressional reelection could be transferred to any federal campaign, including one for president. [MORE]

That is pretty damn impressive. Bachmann made the money from mostly small donors and that means votes. If people are willing to give you their money, then they are just as willing to give you their votes.

I think in 2012, the true conservative candidates will have no problem attracting small donors. This is because the base is clamoring for the real deal and not another establishment type. If the conservative base coalesces around one conservative candidate, then big donors or not it is bye-bye Mitt.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Fox News

Michele Bachmann 2012 looks like a go

CNN: Washington (CNN) – CNN has exclusively learned that Rep. Michele Bachmann will form a presidential exploratory committee. The Minnesota Republican plans to file papers for the committee in early June, with an announcement likely around that same time.

But a source close to the congresswoman said that Bachmann could form the exploratory committee even earlier than June so that she could participate in early Republican presidential debates.

"She's been telling everyone early summer," the source told CNN regarding Bachmann's planned June filing and announcement. But the source said that nothing is static.

"If you [debate sponsors] come to us and say, 'To be in our debates, you have to have an exploratory committee,' then we'll say, 'Okay, fine...I'll go file the forms.'" [MORE]

It looks like Bachmann is quite serious about this. I kind of wish she wasn't. I like Bachmann a lot, I think she will add a much need voice in the debates. However, just like Allen West, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio, I really wish she would become a governor first. After the 2008 presidential race, the idea of legislators going to the presidency leaves me wanting.

Where I would like to see Bachmann in 2012 is in John Boenher's seat. Day by day Boenher is proving himself to be yesterday's news and completely inadequate in moving to House towards the serious cuts needed. Bachmann on the other hand clearly sees the financial danger America is facing.

On the plus side, Bachmann will offer conservatives another choice to Herman Cain (the only other true conservative exploring a presidential run). Should Palin run that will make three. It then becomes important for conservatives to do their homework and begin making their first, second and third place choices. In addition to that, conservatives must stand ready to be fluid with their choices otherwise we risk on of the RINO candidates becoming our nominee.

Win, lose or draw, Bachmann will certainly spice up the presidential debates and will be sure to make sure the TEA Party point of view is heard.

What are your thoughts?

Via: Memeorandum
Via: CNN
Via: Michele Bachmann Facebook

Notes on Obama’s SOTU and the responses from Ryan and Bachmann

I just finished watching Obama’s second State of the Union address, along with the GOP’s response by Rep. Paul Ryan and Rep. Michele Bachmann’s response to the Tea Party Express.  Of the three, Paul Ryan was clearly the best because it seemed like the one speech that addressed the true reality of the state of our union.  In short, we are broke and we need to address it now.

Obama’s speech

Obama’s speech sounded like it was best suited for the Clinton era when the nation was running surpluses. Obama’s call for investments seems so bizarre given that we are currently borrowing 40 cents of every dollar we are spending.  Furthermore, I found so much of Obama’s rhetoric not credible given his actions over the last two years.

Case in point, I laughed out loud over these lines.

For example, over the years, a parade of lobbyists has rigged the tax code to benefit particular companies and industries. Those with accountants or lawyers to work the system can end up paying no taxes at all. But all the rest are hit with one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and it has to change. (Applause.)

So tonight, I’m asking Democrats and Republicans to simplify the system. Get rid of the loopholes. Level the playing field. And use the savings to lower the corporate tax rate for the first time in 25 years –- without adding to our deficit. It can be done. (Applause.)

This coming from a man and his party that promised repeatedly to go through the budget line by line to find savings, yet when given the chance he and his party never passed a budget at all.  Sorry Obama, fool us once ….

Since the Shellacking, Obama has been pulling out all the smoke and mirrors he can to cloak himself in centrist clothing.  This SOTU speech seems like it undid a lot of the cloaking.  All that talk of “investment” (i.e. spending) with little next to no realistic ideas on cutting spending, seems to have exposed big spending liberal Obama once again.

By the way, did you catch Obama’s TSA joke?

Within 25 years, our goal is to give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail. (Applause.) This could allow you to go places in half the time it takes to travel by car. For some trips, it will be faster than flying –- without the pat-down. (Laughter and applause.) As we speak, routes in California and the Midwest are already underway.

I think this would have been a real knee slapper had the groping rule not have been passed under his administration.  However, seeing that it was, the joke came off like a real disconnect.

Paul Ryan’s Speech

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Once again, I have to ask, are there any Republicans who know how to speak without that ding dong Happy Voice? So much of Ryan’s word would have been far more effective without the Happy Voice and the smile. 

Case in point, Ryan speaking about his children’s future

A few years ago, reducing spending was important. Today, it’s imperative. Here’s why.

We face a crushing burden of debt. The debt will soon eclipse our entire economy, and grow to catastrophic levels in the years ahead.

On this current path, when my three children – who are now 6, 7, and 8 years old – are raising their own children, the Federal government will double in size, and so will the taxes they pay.

No economy can sustain such high levels of debt and taxation. The next generation will inherit a stagnant economy and a diminished country.

Frankly, it’s one of my greatest concerns as a parent – and I know many of you feel the same way.

Most people would be sad or angry at the thought of passing on a diminished America to their children, yet Ryan delivers this very serious line with his Happy Voice.  Memo to Republicans: forget all this foolishness about toned down rhetoric and let the emotions fly.

Happy Voice aside, Ryan’s speech captured the true state and concerns of the nation. The previous Congress spent like drunken sailors and now the nation is perilously close to going over the edge. These are the words that Obama should have spoken.

Speaking candidly, as one citizen to another: We still have time… but not much time. If we continue down our current path, we know what our future will be.

Just take a look at what’s happening to Greece, Ireland, the United Kingdom and other nations in Europe. They didn’t act soon enough; and now their governments have been forced to impose painful austerity measures: large benefit cuts to seniors and huge tax increases on everybody.

Their day of reckoning has arrived. Ours is around the corner. That is why we must act now.

Michele Bachmann’s Speech

Much media noise has been made about how Michele Bachmann was stepping on Paul Ryan and the GOP’s toes with her Tea Party response. After viewing it, that clearly was not the case. Bachmann’s speech seems more like a pep rally for Tea Party Americans than a rebuttal to Obama’s speech or a competing response to the GOP.

Bachmann does dovetail some of Ryan’s words with her recounting of the massive spending under Obama and the Democrats as well as the foolishness of ObamaCare.

Bachmann’s best moments are when she makes direct appeals to the people to be the solution of this problem.  This is something neither Obama nor Ryan did.

The perilous battle that was fought in the pacific, at Iwo Jima, was a battle against all odds, and yet the image of the young G.I.s in the incursion against the Japanese immortalizes their victory. These six young men raising the flag came to symbolize all of America coming together to beat back a totalitarian aggressor.

Our current debt crisis we face today is different, but we still need all of us to pull together. We can do this.

This kind of appeal is how you rouse the America spirit.  If Bachmann take a stab at running in 2012, talk like this will get her very far.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Wall Street Journal

Via: The Right Scoop

Via: CNN 

A quick thought on Bachmann and Hensarling running for Conference Chairman

It appears the media is trying to spin Michele Bachmann’s run for Republican Conference Chairman as a looming battle between Republicans and the Tea Party.  I think that will hardly be the case.  In the end, I do believe that Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas will prevail. I say this because he appears to be a very strong conservative and most importantly has the nod from outgoing Conference Chair Mike Pence (a Tea Party favorite too).

The Conference Chairman spot is crucial for delivering the Republican’s message.  As such, the Conference Chair needs to be someone who not only lives up to the conservative message, but is an excellent communicator of that message. Over the next two years, Democrats will do everything in their power to blame Republicans for the mess Democrats created.  As such, Republican messaging will be crucial.  Hopefully, when Republicans begin casting their votes they will keep this in mind.

To me it doesn’t really matter if a Tea Party rep is part of the Republican House leadership, so long as the leadership fully embraces Tea Party ideals of limited government, less spending and lower taxes.

Video: Michele Bachmann to Chris Matthews; How’s that tingle in your leg?

Big Journalism: Rep. Michele Bachmann went on MSNBC for an interview with Chris Matthews tonight and handled him with dismissive tone the hack deserved. All he wanted to do was bait her with unprofessional journolisty questions about whether or not the new Congressional majority would investigate Democrats for “un-American activities.”

What Matthews is referring to is a now infamous 2008 “Hardball” interview where Matthews laid a trap for Bachmann, she admittedly stepped into it, and of course two years on, even though she took the comment backand admitted she should’ve been better prepared before agreeing to do the interview, Matthews is still trying to use the gotcha as a way to paint her — as the Left does all Republican women — as a loon.

Tonight, again and again and again, as the left-wing MSNBC fever swamp chuckled in the background, Matthews attempted to insult and bait Bachmann by repeating the same “un-American” question at least three times. But Bachmann was obviously prepared this time and wasn’t about to give Matthews even a moment of satisfaction.

Keeping her composure, the Congresswoman stayed on message about the economy until Matthews became so frustrated he outright insulted her (to the delight of his cohorts) by asking, “Are you hypnotized?”

Bachmann got the last word in, though, when she asked Matthews something to the effect of how that leg thrill was doing on a night like tonight. That shut the fever swamp up.[MORE]

Kudos to Bachmann for bringing up the tingle, but I have to ask why is she wasting her time giving interviews to MSNBC? Memo to Bachmann: Take a page from Sarah Palin and forget giving interviews to clowns.  There is nothing to be gained by going on MSNBC. Did you hear them snickering in the background?  Considering their messiah has been rebuked, you would think they would stop their clowning around.

Via: Big Journalism

Political wimp Arlen Specter tells Michele Bachmann to “act like a lady”

The thought of going down in flames must be too much for Arlen Specter perhaps that is why he was so crotchety today.

Glenn Thrush over at Politico states the obvious: 

Bachmann is hardly a beloved figure in Democratic circles. But how many liberal women, whom Specter badly needs to defeat front-running Pat Toomey, would appreciate being told to "act like a lady" by a male debate partner? 

If anyone should act like a lady, it is Specter himself, because politically speaking the man has no balls. Michele Bachmann has a bigger set than he does. She doesn’t flip flop on issues and she certainly doesn’t worry about what the politically proper thing to do is.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Politico

Mike Pence and Michelle Bachman on Pelosicare HR 3962

Hat tip to Left Coast Rebel for both videos.

If any of you can make DC on Thursday November 5th to protest Pelosi's Crown Jewel of Socialism, please do -  we need you!

Videos: Did you see these?

Saracuda Strikes Back

ZING! Take that Senator Horse Face! I don’t know if you noticed it, but Governor Palin has made a very quiet, but much needed transformation. After months of taking BS from the left, she starting to fight back and very effectively I might add. First, with her interview with Hannity and her "I Told Ya So" moment, then turning the tables on Letterman with her interview with Matt Lauer and now giving John Kerry a better tweak then he gave her. Memo to GOP: Stop wasting your time pushing boring RINO losers, Palin is the real deal!

Mr. Filibuster!

Kudos to GOP Minority Leader John Boehner for using House rules to create a mini filibuster of the Cap and Tax bill! Unlike the Senate, filibusters are not used in the House, however leaders speeches are not timed, so Boehner used his privilege to read Weasel Waxman’s 3 am amendment for about 1 hour. Notice how Weasel Waxman tries to shut Boehner down. Sadly another important piece of legislation harmful to the American economy passes in the House WITHOUT BEING READ!

Bachmann chooses Liberty

This is one impressive woman. She follows the Constitution and understands that her role is to SERVE the people and not dictate to the people. When 2010 comes around the left is going to try to take her out. Don’t let it happen, give generously and volunteer to do virtual phone banks. Reps. like Bachmann are an extremely rare fine these days.

Michele Bachmann: ACORN + Census = N.O.Y.B.

Once again I am impressed by the way Michele Bachmann stands up against all the foolishness in Washington. While other Republicans simply lament the outright nefariousness of ACORN, Bachmann takes a stand. First she organized a petition against funding ACORN with tax dollars until they are thoroughly investigated and now she is refusing to play the ACORN census game.

In an interview Wednesday morning with The Washington Times "America's Morning News," Mrs. Bachmann, Minnesota Republican, said the questions have become "very intricate, very personal" and she also fears ACORN, the community organizing group that came under fire for its voter registration efforts last year, will be part of the Census Bureau's door-to-door information collection efforts.

"I know for my family the only question we will be answering is how many people are in our home," she said. "We won't be answering any information beyond that, because the Constitution doesn't require any information beyond that."

Quite frankly, I too am uncomfortable giving personal information to anyone connected with ACORN. Identity theft and ACORN are no strangers. On one hand, failing to answer census questions does carry a fine up to $5,000. However, the Constitution only requires a counting of the people by the government, it does not require you to answer any specific questions.

With all the obvious shenanigans getting ready to be played with the census, I too feel like not answering the whole thing. Why should I help out with whatever scam ACORN and this administration are up to?

Sign Michelle Bachmann's petition to Stop funding ACORN

(h/t Michelle Malkin)

If you hate ACORN like I hate ACORN, then scroll down to the link below and lets help Michelle Bachmann give ACORN the smackdown it deserves!

The Petition

Since 1994, ACORN has received more than $53 million in direct federal funding. And, over the years, ACORN and its employees have also been the subject of investigations, indictments, and consent decrees in states all across the nation for election-related activities that run afoul of the law.

This isn’t a political witch hunt, as many Democrats claim. The prosecutors who have brought the charges against ACORN and its employees are both Republican and Democrat. They’re doing their jobs, enforcing the law and protecting the integrity of the voting process.

Yet even as fresh charges were being filed against ACORN and its employees in Nevada and Pennsylvania, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives worked to protect the stream of tax dollars to this organization. They stripped down language that I had put in a mortgage reform bill (HR 1728) – language that would have ensured that Congress sets a high bar for who has access to your tax dollars.

Congress and the Administration have been on a spending spree with your money, racking up trillion dollar deficits for years down the road. If Congress can’t draw the line here – if they can’t say that an organization repeatedly charged with violating the law and public trust should not have access to federal funds – where will they draw the line?

I urge you to sign this petition and join me in the fight to protect your tax dollars from being used and abused.

--Rep. Michele Bachmann

Speaker Pelosi, I think that Congress has a duty to the taxpayers to keep our hard-earned money out of the hands of those who play fast and loose with the law. I urge you to bring Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s Taxpayer Protection and Anti-Fraud Act to the floor and to support its passage. I want to know if you are on the taxpayer’s side … or ACORN’s.

Sign the petition

Michelle Bachmann Another Sarah Palin In The Making.

Today I read about Michelle Bachmann taking the fight to ACORN. She has put out a call to cut off fund for that shady organization. Bachmann said:

“This is about how Congress spends the peoples money in our country and its about the bar that Congress sets for accessing federal funding. The question before us is it a right that anyone is entitled to or is it a privilege that must be earned?”

“No matter how many times prosecutors investigate and even indict acorn and their employees, they emerge unblemished as far as the federal government is concerned,” Bachmann added. “The question is do organizations have a right ot taxpayer money no matter what they do?”

It is this kind of respect for the taxpayer's money that the Tea Parties were all about. This is also the kind of strong conservative views that the base is longing for. Bachmann, if you recall also delievered a smack down to Turbo Tax Timmy, by demanding to know what constitutional authority could he cite for his request for more power.


Michelle Bachmann will no doubt receive the Palin-Treatment from the left soon. She is treading where so few Republicans seem unwilling to go. Like Governor Palin, Bachmann seems more interested in doing what is right by the American people than what is good for her political career. Michelle Bachmann also shares another thing with Sarah Palin ... nasty leftwing bloggers.


Yes, Michelle Bachmann has her own little group of hate bloggers throwing stones at her. Google Michelle Bachman and you find the Dump Michelle Bachmann Blog. While it isn't the myoptic circle jerk of recycled lies, like Palin has with the Alaskan Bloggers, it is a start!


When the GOP 2.0 finally emerges, look for Michelle Bachmann to play a major role. I leave you with Bachmann's Barney Frank's ACORN Amendment.