Michele Bachmann’s record: Earmarks, farm subsidies and pardons?

dailycaller ^ | May 15, 2011 | Matt Lewis

[RED SOUTH]

Bachmann may also be plagued by her involvement in a controversial pardon. In 2007, Bachmann wrote a letter requesting a presidential pardon for a convicted drug-smuggler and money-launderer named Frank Vennes. Vennes was convicted of money laundering in 1988 and pleaded no contest to a cocaine and weapons charge. Making matters worse, he and his wife donated a total of $27,600 to Bachmann’s 2006 and 2008 election.

[RED SOUTH]

Bachmann’s penchant for earmarks dates back to her days in the Minnesota state Senate. Despite her reputation as a fiscal conservative, from 2001-2006, then-state Senator Bachmann proposed more than $60 million in earmarks, including a $710,000 “Bond For Centerville Local Improvements Around Highway 14″ and a $40,000,000 “Bond for Lino Lakes And Columbus Township Highway Interchanges.”

[gov_bean_ counter]

Wonder what family member had property around those areas.

[Migraine]

So, I guess everyone’s got a blemish on the old record. Kinda like original sin.

Or, maybe there is someone out there qualified to cast that first stone. I just don’t know about it.

[Gene Eric]

>> and pleaded no contest to a cocaine and weapons charge.

Razor blade?

[SeekAndFind]

She might have seen the light after her stint as State Senator. What has her earmark record been since being elected to Congress?

I read somewhere that even the Libertarian Ron Paul made earmarks for his own constituents.

I don’t mind someone’s record in the distant past. If I can overlook Ronald Reagan’s signing of a disastrous abortion bill in California ( and increasing taxe higher than his predecessor ) during his first term as governor, maybe I can overlook her past if her most recent record is different.

[Bryan24]

Bachmann is in one week, the dirt starts surfacing.

Palin has been putting up with this for 2 1/2 years. Still nothing.

[Paladin2]

Just because Bachmann ran to get in front of the Tea Party movement doesn't mean that she needs to be tag teamed by McCain supporters.

Besides Ron Paul has quite a few warts too.

Willard is PnG here at FR.

etc.

[acapesket]

Wow Brutha! You relly got a hair up your ass for MB!!

[bossmechanic]

And so it begins.
Sad

[sitkaspruce]

Wow another Bachman hit piece. She looked out for her distict. Tut tut.

[HwyChile]

RED SOUTH you need to get a life. You could not be more wrong about Bachmann. She is one of the most conservative members of congress. I am not sure what your problem is, and I don't understand why you would be spending so much time posting all the posts about her when she is more conservative than all the candidates.

[HwyChile]

RED SOUTH you need to get a life. You could not be more wrong about Bachmann. She is one of the most conservative members of congress. I am not sure what your problem is, and I don't understand why you would be spending so much time posting all the posts about her when she is more conservative than all the candidates.

[ilgipper]

she’s probably not going to be my candidate, but I still respect Bachmann, and really pissed at people on our side trying to knock her down. If she is the nominee I would donate, volunteer, and vote to get her to the White House.

[jpf]

What will you do when Palin decides not to run and it's down to Romney, Pawlenty, or Bachmann?

[andyk]

Besides Ron Paul has quite a few warts too.

I'm sure you can support Bachmann without having to hit Paul.

[smoothsailing]

Gee, this article is a month old.

What’s next, RED SOUTH, a vanity post about how Michelle Bachmann beats her children?

[PLMerite]

“...$40,000,000 “Bond for Lino Lakes And Columbus Township Highway Interchanges.”

Roads do need to be built. Is this outside the normally accepted procedure ?

[bwc2221]

Ron Paul is one of the worst for earmarks. He attaches earmarks to bills he is certain will pass and then votes against the bill. The bill passes, Paul’s constituents get their “free stuff” and Paul claims he voted against the earmarks.

[Huskrrrr]

$10 per vote vs $50,000 per vote.