Michele Bachmann
Michele Bachmann (1956-) is a Republican U.S. Representative from the state of Minnesota), first elected in 2006 and quickly rising to national prominence.
2008 Campaign
During the 2008 campaign, on October 17, she suggested, on MSNBC, that that being liberal was "anti-American," and, according to many listeners, implied this to Barack Obama; Bachmann said that the media should investigate members of Congress to see if they were "pro-American" or 'anti-American."[1] Colin Powell said that he had endorsed Obama, in part, due to comments such as hers, which he regarded as needlessly divisive.[2]
A week later, she said "I did not say that Barack Obama was anti-American, nor do I believe Barack Obama is anti-American. He loves his country, just as everyone in this room does...Nor did I call for an investigation of members of Congress for their pro-American or anti-American views. That is not what I said." [3]
Conservative movement
She ran for Congress after six years as one of the most socially conservative members of the Minnesota state senate.[4] During the campaign, she emphasized her Christian views, saying God had “called her” to run, and that she and her husband fasted and prayed for three days before making the decision.[5] A self-proclaimed “fool for Christ,” Bachmann and her husband own a Christian counseling center, where he currently works.[6]
She is a member of the Republican Study Committee.
References
- ↑ "Rep. Bachmann suggests liberal is "anti-American"", MSNBC Hardball, 17 October 2008
- ↑ John Bresnahan (October 19, 2008), "Colin Powell calls Bachmann's comments 'nonsense'", politico.com
- ↑ "Bachmann: Talk show appearance `big mistake'", MSNBC, 22 October 2008
- ↑ "Michele Bachmann", whorunsgov.com, a Washington Post company
- ↑ Rothstein, Betsy, “Bachmann’s sudden transformation,” The Hill, January 13, 2009.
- ↑ Birkey, Andy, “Michele Bachmann Speech at Church Could Cause Tax Troubles,” Minnesota Monitor, October 15, 2006.