Bachmann Beat: Debate Recap
A daily roundup of news and commentary about U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Sixth-district congresswoman and Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann participated in a joint Fox News-Google presidential debate last night.
You can watch the entire event, including pre-debate and post-debate analysis, on Fox News Live. You can also read the full trancript.
During the debate, Bachmann addressed more than a half-dozen issues, from education to the economy. Below is a sampling of what she said.
On taxation:
"You should get to keep every dollar that you earn. That's your money; that's not the government's money ... Obviously, we have to give money back to the government so that we can run the government, but we have to have a completely different mindset."
On education:
"I would take the entire federal education law, repeal it. Then I would go over to the Department of Education, I'd turn off the lights, I would lock the door and I would send all the money back to the states and localities."
On immigration:
"I would build a fence on America's southern border on every mile, on every yard, on every foot, on every inch of the southern border."
On religion:
"Of course we should be able to exercise our faith. And whether that expression occurs in a public school or occurs in a public building, we should be able to allow — to have freedom for all people to express our belief in God."
Finally, there was the vaccine question. Bachmann and Rick Perry were asked to clarify their respective positions on Perry's never-implemented requirement that school-aged girls in Texas receive a Gardasil injection. Politico says both of them struggled with their answers.
So how did she do last night? Politico says Bachmann was "something of a non-factor" in the debate. The Washington Post places her in the "losers" category, and says she "continues to search for a second act in the race but without much luck."
Meanwhile, CNN's "Truth Squad" fact-checks Bachmann's claim that President Obama wrecked the U.S. economy and finds it "false."
Other Bachmann news:
- Bachmann promised to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education if elected president.
- She told a conservative gathering that social conservatives "don't have to settle" in 2012.
- In an open letter, she accused the White House of pressuring a U.S. Air Force general to soften his testimony to a congressional committee.
Finally, the New York Times says Bachmann's campaign is struggling financially, and suggests her money problems are largely of her own making.
Paul
9:25 pm on Saturday, September 24, 2011
Looks like Michele's debate performance was pretty weak. That HPV comment is really hurting her campaign.
More news today, Mrs. Bachmann comes in LAST in Florida Straw Poll
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203890804576591531691468092.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Yes, that's LAST, as in lowest # of votes. Will she be the next to follow T-Paw out the door?
Sparkles
12:26 pm on Monday, September 26, 2011
Amusing as this has all been, I definitely hope she will be the next to get out of the running.
Paul
12:01 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Love this quote from Michele in the Florida debate -
"You should get to keep every dollar that you earn. That's your money; that's not the government's money ... Obviously, we have to give money back to the government so that we can run the government, but we have to have a completely different mindset."
So basically, on the one hand she's saying no one should pay taxes, and on the other, she's saying it is necessary......which is kinda like saying nothing. It's just pure gibberish.....
2 NEWS FLASHES on the GOP Race:
Florida Straw Poll - Michele comes in LAST
Michigan Straw Poll - Mrs. Bachmann Tied for 5th with Gingrich - that's right, 5th.
So after BIG losses in FLA and MI - it's on to Iowa and South Carolina; where the Evangies control the Republican Party, and seem to like the messages Michele is sending.
Is she even running in the New Hampshire primary?
Good luck, Mrs. Bachmann!!