October 19, 2008
BACKLASH TO BACHMANN.... On Friday afternoon, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) went way over the line, telling a national television audience that she wants a neo-McCarthyist witch hunt, including an investigation to discover whether members of Congress are "pro-America or anti-America." The remarks have generated quite a response.
While many have condemned Bachmann's embrace of what can fairly be described as bordering on fascism, many of those offended by Bachmann have also thrown considerable support to Bachmann's opponent, former state transportation chief Elwyn Tinklenberg. The Democrat posted an item to Daily Kos last night, talking about the outpouring of support his campaign has received since Bachmann's shocking comments.
The last few hours have been nothing short of astounding. Since Congresswoman Michele Bachmann appeared on MSNBC's Hardball earlier tonight, there's been a deluge of support unlike anything we have seen. [...]
Our phones haven't stopped ringing. Many have called in to say they're sorry they can only send money and wish they could be here to help.
What kind of help are we talking about here? Tinklenberg raised over $488,000 in just 24 hours. That's pretty impressive.
Tinklenberg, to be sure, remains the underdog. The race is competitive, but Bachmann got elected for a reason -- it's a conservative district. As Eric Kleefeld noted, "Tinklenberg still faces an up-hill battle, though, as this district voted 57%-42% for George W. Bush in 2004. So the question for him is whether there has been enough of a turn against Bush Republicanism -- and especially against Bachmann's extreme version of it -- for him to pull off an upset."
—Steve Benen 8:35 AM
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News Flash Powell rips McCain a new ass wait for the youtube
Posted by: John R on October 19, 2008 at 9:13 AM | PERMALINK
The other way to help Tinklenberg -- and America -- is to petition the House to censure Bimbo Bachmann for her ridiculous grandstand antics on Hardball. I have signed on and so have more than 39,000 people so far --> http://www.censurebachmann.com/
Posted by: Bo on October 19, 2008 at 9:32 AM | PERMALINK
In all seriousness...
Someone needs to ask Bachmann what happens to those congressman who are shown to be anti-American?
Might they secretly be abetting terrorists?
Should they be tortured to find out?
Posted by: koreyel on October 19, 2008 at 9:32 AM | PERMALINK
The psychotic bimbo brigade is out in full force this week with serious messages claiming they know who and what constitutes "real America and real Americans." So far it's North Carolina according to Sarah Palin, Southern Virginia according to Nancy Pfotenhauer, and I guess Bachmann isn't sure since she's calling for an investigation to determine who is and who isn't a real American (starting in Congress).
I have to wonder where I fit in: I live in Georgia (solid red state, part of the Bible Belt, and sure McCain victory) but I live in Atlanta, an urban big city (unAmerican) and filled with African Americans (unAmerican), and transplants from the North (unAmerican). My identity is in crisis! McCain needs to keep these three out on the news and campaign rally circuit to help us all understand whether or not we live in or are real Americans. I've emailed the campaign begging for a comprehensive "real America" list but have gotten no response.
However, I think we should just keep it simple and agree with John Stewart: "Republicans love America! They just hate half the people who live in America."
Posted by: Stephanie on October 19, 2008 at 9:51 AM | PERMALINK
$250.00 of that astounding figure for El was from me!
Posted by: phoebes in santa fe on October 19, 2008 at 9:57 AM | PERMALINK
Even if there isn't, there's every reason to make a clown like Bachmann sweat for the last three weeks.
Posted by: Brian J on October 19, 2008 at 10:04 AM | PERMALINK
Not to be a wet blanket, but none of what Bachmann said will be much of a surprise to her constituents; she's been a full-bore nutter from day one. That the Republicans didn't throw her overboard in a primary challenge suggests that she represents the views of her district, which is probably more troubling than anything she says as an individual.
Posted by: dr. bloor on October 19, 2008 at 10:13 AM | PERMALINK
"...it's a conservative district..."
If "conservative" meant what it used to mean, that would be a reason for them to oppose her.
Posted by: Colin on October 19, 2008 at 10:32 AM | PERMALINK
Has anyone asked "Boil-'em-in-oil" Bachmann and her fellow uberschweinen if she understands that "neo-McCarthyist witch-hunters" can likewise be hunted? Her tirade borders on the insanity of a "master-race" philosophy; a repeat of the "good-German/bad-German" madness that came to power with a certain little Austrian Corporal.
What's next with people like this---property-rights laws? Ghettos? Internment camps? Zyklon B and mass-cremation ovens?
Newt's "Contract with America" was the GOP's Sudetenland moment; Bush's two terms represent the annexation of Czechoslovakia and the Anschluss with Austria, and we now find ourselves on the edge of the abyss. This election, and the hate emitting from the Right, is Poland; the Eve of Armageddon for our Constitution, our Rights, and our very Lives. Either we fight---or we burn....
Posted by: Steve W. on October 19, 2008 at 10:33 AM | PERMALINK
Perhaps it isn't such a bad idea, given that Ms. Bachmann ought to be the first to be outed as profoundly unAmerican.
Posted by: Georgette Orwell on October 19, 2008 at 10:51 AM | PERMALINK
Well that $500,000 Fuck You provided by people who still believe in democracy should provide a little pocket change to run some nice ads extolling Ms. Bachman's reasoned views on her fellow Americans.
Posted by: John R on October 19, 2008 at 10:57 AM | PERMALINK
Macaca! Macaca! Macaca!
Let see if I understand.
The Republican vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, supports and is supported by an organization (AIP) that advocates the secession of Alaska from the united states. Her husband was a card carrying member of the same organization for years.
This same vice president is touring the country attempting to pit some parts of America against others by claiming some place are pro/real America and others are anti/not real America.
Surrogates of the the McCain/Palin campaign are publicaly proclaiming on national television that some voters in Virgina are "real Virginians" others voters are somehow not legitimate Virginians.
John McCain in collusion with the shamelessly politicized Bush justice department is attempting to deligitemize the results of the election by claiming that limited incidents of registration fraud committed against ACORN are actually voter fraud committed by ACORN to "destroy the fabric of democracy."
Finally, a wingnut congresswoman proposing, again on national television, to persecute members of congress that don't share her worldview as enemies of the state, without any fear of censure.
I used to hear jokes that Bush would somehow try to find an excuse to lengthen his adminstratin using some sort of Rovian dirty trick.
This may sound alarmist, but we have seen in the last few years historical first and repeats of some of the most alarming eposodes in our nations history. A recession that may become a depression, an acceptance of racism and demogoguery, public threats against the life of the Deomcratic presidential nominee.
I fear for the nation.
Posted by: Winkandanod on October 19, 2008 at 11:33 AM | PERMALINK
Tinklenberg should NOT use the Hardball vid, the district is conservative and many are likely to agree with Bachmann on this.
Tinklenberg SHOULD use the "Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act". Tell her district how she is wasting her time instead of concentrating on the real issues.
If Tinklenberg just ran an ad, over and over again, pointing out that while the economy is in trouble and terrorism is still a problem, their Representative was more concerned with "Light Bulb Choice", he would win easily. A Dim bulb is not what we need in Congress!
Posted by: Poor Richard on October 19, 2008 at 1:26 PM | PERMALINK
The Rove years are coming to an end. Let's get to work rebuilding our country.
Posted by: tiredofgreed on October 19, 2008 at 1:34 PM | PERMALINK
Where's Al saying how much he loved Bachman? Or is the Al AI down for service on Sundays?
-Z
Posted by: Zorro on October 19, 2008 at 4:10 PM | PERMALINK
Someone should help them contribute, perhaps via the Internet, to other congressional races, so they can give more and help Dems win more seats which will trivialize Bachman even if she does win re-election.
Spending all your money on one race might be futile, but spending it where it can help win is useful.
Posted by: MarkH on October 19, 2008 at 5:09 PM | PERMALINK
"The Rove years are coming to an end. Let's get to work rebuilding our country."
Careful. Karl Rove will never be more than a phone call or Lear Jet ride away. They may go to the mattresses, but they won't go away. Vigilence!
Posted by: on October 19, 2008 at 9:53 PM | PERMALINK