Michele Bachmann touts tangible conservative record

Politico ^ | 06/03/2011 | JAMES HOHMANN

[Hawk720]

Speaking to hundreds of conservative activists at the Faith and Freedom conference in Washington on Friday morning, Michele Bachmann positioned herself as the 2012 Republican field’s most effective social conservative — the one with the best record of tangible steps to oppose gay marriage, abortion and the federal health care law.

The firebrand congresswoman said she was “at the tip of the spear” in efforts to block gay marriage in her home state of Minnesota, where the Republican-controlled state legislature voted last month to put a gay marriage Constitutional amendment on the November 2012 ballot — seven years after she unsuccessfully pushed for a similar measure while still a state senator.

Saying that 30 states have passed similar measures to define marriage as between a man and woman, she noted that New Hampshire will likely vote on the issue next year, too, and encouraged activists to consider pushing anti-gay marriage initiatives in their own states.

“I believe that this is the time to do it,” she said.

In her fiery 20-minute speech, Bachmann also pledged to defund Planned Parenthood. She said the organization is “corrupt” and commits crimes while enabling young minor girls to get abortions.

“I don’t even want to talk about it because it’s so disgusting,” she said.

[Jim Robinson]

Way to go, Michele!!

[RitaOK]

A stellar Bachman debate performance will solidify the appreciation for her already trustworthy record. The listening will begin in earnest when the debates come around.

How will we hold up when our annointed ones have to move to the mushy middle to win moderates? This is going to take a consolidated vote to elect a winner against Obama.

[NoNAIS]

“Trustworthy” ? She voted to extend the Patriot Act after complaining about the size/scope of it before!

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/163633-bachmann-defends-vote-for-patriot-act-after-fielding-complaints-about-government-over-reach

Then spent five minutes justifying it.

[RitaOK]

“Trustworthy” ? She voted to extend the Patriot Act after complaining about the size/scope of it before! “ ============

How non-Libertarian of her.

The conservative jury on the Patriot Act, which is focused against Arab’s actively trying to annihilate large numbers of us, is still out though it spreads the net of abuse against all of us. It’s a decent bet that approving the Act is a dilemma.

When conservatives can come up with something more productive with less risk to privacy, Bachman will be for it.

[Seaplaner]

Michele Bachmann positioned herself as the 2012 Republican field’s most effective social conservative — the one with the best record of tangible steps to oppose gay marriage, abortion and the federal health care law.

Articulate, activist (in a dignified manor), highly educated, (rock-ribbed) conservative,and (important in these days of a superficially informed electorate) easy-on-the-eyes.

Michelle Bachmann's speaking ability and breadth of knowledge and experience make her (and this is key)...

...One of the most formidable debaters that the GOP could field; and I believe our best hope to unseat the current WH occupant (you know, the individual who is apparently afraid to publish his full collegiate official transcripts.)

.

Michelle...You da Gal!

.

[ChocChipCookie]

It will be interesting to see the media turn its vengeful and vindictive scope on Michelle if Sarah decides not to run. So far, there have been relatively few attacks on Michelle. In a way, Sarah has been giving her cover.

[freekitty]

She voted for the real Congressional Patriot Act for 4 more years. No thanks.

[PDGearhead]

Amen! It is long past the time that we need to get God back into the schools, end abortion, and deal with the moral decay in this country.

She’ got my vote!

[Cheetahcat]

She is the real thing and the RINO Traitor “Bonehead” could learn about being a conservative from her!

[StraightDave]

I was all for her until I learned she is a former(?) tax litigator and voted not to support the FairTax... So, I have moved on.

[ejdrapes]

I think the jury is out on the fair tax. Al least I don’t think there is conservative consensus on it. I believe Bachmann has indicated support for a flat tax in the past.

[Brookhaven]

What are her top 3 accomplishments?

Not positions, but actual accomplishments. I've looked at her resume. I agree with her on most things, but what I see are a lot of positions and stands. I don't see much in the way of actual accomplishments.

After getting burned with the empty-suit Obama (all talk, but never did anything) I think this is one question every candidate is going to have to answer. List real things you've accomplished in life, not positions you've held; not bills you've introduced; not legislation that didn't pass, but a real, tangible accomplishments.

Nerds 4 Cain is in beta testing: www.nerds4cain.com

[Brookhaven]

Michelle Bachmann's speaking ability...

Am I the only one that's missing this?

Palin's speaking ability and charima are evident for the fact that not only do her fans appreciate her speaking ability, even her worst enemies acknowledge what a powerful speaker she is. The same was true with Reagen. Even those that hated him regarded him as a great speaker.

I don't find Bachmann to be a great speaker, in fact just the opposite. I'd be willing to admit I'm wrong if I could find someone (anyone) that wasn't one of her fans that thought she was a great speaker, but I can't. The reviews of her speaking style by non-fans are horrible.

IMHO, Bachmann is a great "speaking to the choir" speaker, but crashes and burns with other groups. Someone find me some evidence I'm wrong. If there are people on the other side willing to praise Palin's speaking ability, there have got to be ones that are willing to praise Bachmann's speaking ability (if it was really as good as Palins).

And the reason I'm making such a big deal about speaking ability, is I think the next GOP president will have to do what Reagan did: go over the heads of congress directly to the Americian people. Otherwise their agenda will never get through congress. That requires a great public speakerlike Reagan, and the only two I see in the race at the moment are Palin and Cain--period (and Palin technically isn't even running).

Prove me wrong. Give me some real examples non-Bachmann fans praising her seaking ability.

Nerds 4 Cain is in beta testing: www.nerds4cain.com

[Seaplaner]

Prove me wrong. Give me some real examples non-Bachmann fans praising her s[p]eaking ability.

Well, it turns out that you request something quite simple, my FRiend.

I had barely heard of Bachmann, and had no opinion until I heard her speak a few times on the telly. Her ability to reach a broad spectrum of voters with her (our) message was clear and strong.

I strongly suspect that Mister Obama and his minders consider Bachmann as one of the principal GOP candidates to be feared, and her speaking and debating acumen would be a big reason.

(That said, her campaign should use me as a speechwriter, I'm that good).

.

[Brookhaven]

I heard her speak a few times on the telly. Her ability to reach a broad spectrum of voters with her (our) message was clear and strong.

Actually, you're proving the point I made.

The only people that believe she is a strong speaker are those that already agree with her. Yea, she's a great "preaching to the choir" speaker.

Give me some examples of someone that disagrees with her politically (someone not already in the choir) that praises her speaking ability.

I can find tons of examples like that for Palin, Cain, and of course Reagan; none for Bachmann. We MUST have someone that can speak over the heads of politicians directly to the American public--all of the American public. Reagan was the master at getting the conservative message across to non-conservatives and opening their minds to conservative ideas; it was the key to his success. Palin & Cain can both do that also.

Bachman shows no evidence that she can; if anything the evidence is that there is something in Bachmann's speaking style that turns off non-conservatives (in the same manner that Pat Buchannan's speaking style turns off non-conservatives). It may not be fair, but that's the way it is.

Nerds 4 Cain is in beta testing: www.nerds4cain.com