Michele Bachmann denies benefiting from government aid

latimes.com ^ | June 26, 2011 | Richard A. Serrano

[Berlin_Freeper]

...Bachmann and her staff declined to talk to about the government assistance for the L.A. Times article. But asked about the issue on "Fox News Sunday," she insisted that she and her husband had not benefited at the expense of federal and state taxpayers.

"First of all," she said, "the money that went to the clinic was actually training money for employees. The clinic did not get the money. And my husband and I did not get the money either. That's mental health training money that went to employees."

As for the farm, she said it belonged to her father-in-law. "It's not my husband and my farm," Bachmann said. "And my husband and I have never gotten a penny of money from the farm."

As the Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday, however, in financial disclosure forms, Bachmann reported receiving between $32,503 and $105,000 in income from the farm, at minimum, between 2006 and 2009.

[Fiddlstix]

Hear! Hear!

[DoughtyOne]

Not even the Tea Party backed Haworth.  And who was keeping in direct contact with the Tea Party so much so, that the Tea Party didn't endorse either candidate?  You do know right?

But, what Rabs is essentially saying is Palin DOES have pull, so much that she convinced otherwise conservatives to vote for a RINO. IOW, the people of Arizona can't think for themselves, especially with a RINO like McCain in office.  Rintense, Arizona has open primaries.  It wasn't just the Conservatives by any means, voting in that election and you should know that.  The support for McCain didn't just appeal to Republicans who were unsound, it also enticed Democrats to vote for McCain over their own guy.

And lets not pretend Haworth was the perfect candidate. He had LOTS of baggage as well. But, even he didn't fault Palin for campaigning for McCain.  Rintense, what you are defending goes against everything I believe as a Conservative.  You are buttressing the idea that it's perfectly okay to support a man that would do harm to your nation, rather than support a man that would be better.

Please enlighten us what J. D. Hayworth was charged with and convicted of.  There was a lot of inuendo about what he had done, but he was not charged or convicted of anything.

While you're at it, please explain to me under what cirumstances you would back the worst RINO I have ever known, over a respected man like Hayworth.

Anyone blaming Palin for McCain's re-election isn't living in reality.

For me it's not whether she actually got him re-elected so much as that she actually went out and worked to get him re-elected.  This man was a fellow traveler of Soros, Kennedy, Kerry, and some of the worst Leftist groups this nation has ever seen.  If she's willing to back a Soros fellow traveler, what else is she willing to do?

That is your idea of a dyed in the wool Conservative?  Really?

About all anyone has to do these days, is claim that someone did them a favor, and then it's okay for them to back anyone they want for election.  And then good Conservatives can pat them on the back and give them a pass.  Is that about it?

In your heart you know better than this.

Now it's time to destroy Bachmann's credibility just as some hacks did with J. D. Hayworth.  I'll have none of it.

[dirtboy]

I have said I thought that was unfortunate, but so what.

And therin lies the rub. Bachmann supporters don't think the Rollins matter is a big deal. A lot of Palin supporters do. And this entire rift goes back to Rollin's comments and Bachmann's unwillingness to publicly deal with the issue.

And I'm sorry, but Bachmann knew she was playing games with the monies used to pay for a sound system for a political rally, since she labelled the event as a press conference. Once again, you might not think that's a big deal. But to me it indicates that Bachmann is too absorbed into the Beltway culture - that rules are meant to be bent.

But congratulations - you are the first Bachmann supporter on this thread to even acknowledge that Bachmann needs to address the gap between her claims that she received no money from the farm and her disclosure forms that indicate otherwise. Which makes my other point for me - Bachmann's supporters on this thread, other than you, have refused to even acknowledge that the contradiction exists. They have made the thread about Palin, Palin supporters - anything but the topic of the thread.

[DoughtyOne]

Nice resume if we were interviewing for the next Mother Teresa. Not so much for President of the United States.

I don't particularly blame you for going the cheap shot route, because that's essentially all you have here.

Backmann's actions that you addressed, were admirable and above board.  Thus anyone that would trash her for being proud of them, is themselves the problem, not Bachmann.

And if you are OK with her using the Tea Party for her own political gain, then so be it.

Okay, so what I am led to believe by your comments here, is that you believe it is totally wrong for any candidate to mention the good things they have done, when they seek future office.

So, why would anyone elect them, if they can't explain what their beliefs are and where they have spent their energy?

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm here today to ask for your support.  I have done many good things.  I am however forbidden to mention any of them by gov_bean_ counter.  I none the less hope you will vote for me, in the absense of any reason to do so.  Thank you for being here.  I wish I could mention that I came here tomorrow, but that would be using all of you for political gain.  Oooo I wish things were different."

Thanks for playing.  Don Pardo, tell our guest what he's won on his way out...

[FreeReign]

You people need to keep up these attacks, and when Willard is the nominee, you can take credit for it.

That said by a poster who goes on to Palin threads and "attacks" Palin. And you're not the only one.

[tioga]

I LOVED that show....even have it on DVD.

[rabscuttle385]

Don Pardo, tell our guest what he's won on his way out...

A one-way ticket to Obamaville, complements of the RINO National Committee.

[FreeReign]

Ed Rollins made some statements based on fact. It was his interprestion of those facts, and his statements about them that I disagreed wtih. I don't think that's what this political debate should be about, and so I stated I thought his comments were unfortunate. If Bachmann wants to address those comments in public, or not, it' her call.

At least one, if not all of the Rollins remarks in question were cheap shots. Rollins works for Bachmann. The Bachmann campaign should have issued an apology for those remarks. Instead they remain silent.

That's why you may see cheap shots from some.

Beyond that there are legitimate criticism one could make about Bachmann.

[rintense]

Oh I see, so this is about Palin and Bachmann. You are buttressing the idea that it's perfectly okay to support a man that would do harm to your nation, rather than support a man that would be better.

You need to pay attention. Cite one instance where I supported Palin campaigning for McCain. You can't. Because I, as well as most Palin supporters, can't stand McCain and didn't like Palin's support of him. Now, you tell me... should we abandon candidates who *gasp* support a RINO? Because is so, there isn't ONE out there today who should be supported- and that includes Michele Bachmann who endorsed McCain/Palin.

And before you do the 'it was either them or Obama' stuff, go read your own words about going against everything that you believe.

Please enlighten us what J. D. Hayworth was charged with and convicted of. There was a lot of inuendo about what he had done, but he was not charged or convicted of anything.

And please enlighten us as to WHERE I said he was? Since when is baggage a conviction? Wow. Stretch much?

For me it's not whether she actually got him re-elected so much as that she actually went out and worked to get him re-elected. This man was a fellow traveler of Soros, Kennedy, Kerry, and some of the worst Leftist groups this nation has ever seen. If she's willing to back a Soros fellow traveler, what else is she willing to do?

That is your idea of a dyed in the wool Conservative? Really?

About all anyone has to do these days, is claim that someone did them a favor, and then it's okay for them to back anyone they want for election. And then good Conservatives can pat them on the back and give them a pass. Is that about it?

See point one. Again, give me the name of ONE CONSERVATIVE who has never endorsed a RINO.

In your heart you know better than this.

You don't know me or my heart. In fact, however sincere your claim, it's kinda creepy.

Now it's time to destroy Bachmann's credibility just as some hacks did with J. D. Hayworth.

Oh really. Seems to me Haworth's cred was shot when he couldn't win re-election to his own seat.

As for Michele, I trust she can take care of herself. Though she has slid down my list with questionable choices as of late, I'd still vote for her.

But I find it so rich you're getting your panties in a twist because a 'good conservative' like Bachmann is being vetted, yet, you join the ranks of PDSers when it comes to Palin.

I have news for you. Palin is not perfect. And neither is Bachmann.

[org.whodat]

Never have attack Palin, I said she could not win and she is not going to run, and her negatives are as high as ever, now if you consider that a personal attack so be it, mr thin skin.

[tioga]

a rabbit trail....

Smith, a fourth-generation farmer, drove the Cadillac around the district as a campaign prop demonstrating the largesse of the federal government's entitlement programs, which led to his election to the state senate, defeating a Republican incumbent. Smith was noted for his staunch fiscal conservatism, pushed for cost estimates on state bills, and voted against the state enrolling in Medicaid (the only member of the entire New York legislature to do so) because he believed the cost would be much more than estimated. At one point he had reached the position of deputy majority leader.

...as a young child this was my NY state senator.....back in the good old days. They don't make them like that anymore.

Source.

[tioga]

Ooops....lost the first sentence when I cut and pasted...

He earned the "Cadillac" nickname after buying a Cadillac using money he gained from farm subsidies, which were intended to prop up crop prices by paying farmers not to grow crops.

[rintense]

Running list of conservatives/2012 candidates who endorsed RINOs (or kooks):

Hunter endorsed Huckabee
Tancredo endorsed Romney
DeMint endorsed Romney
Pawlenty endorsed McCain
Thompson endorsed McCain
Newt endorsed Scozzafava
Santorum endorsed Specter
Rubio endorsed Huckabee
Santorum endorsed Romney
Scott Brown endorsed Rommey
Ann Coulter endorsed Romney
Mark Levin endorsed Romney
Dick Cheney endorsed McCain
Thune endorsed McCain
Jindahl endorsed McCain
Huckabee endorsed McCain
Bachmann endorsed McCain/Palin
Ron Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin
Ron Paul endorsed ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney
Ron Paul endorsed Bob Barr
Paul Ryan endorsed McCain for President
Rick Perry (Governor-Texas) endorsed Rudy Guiliani
Peter King endorsed Guliani
GWB endorsed Spector
Santorum endorsed Spector
DeMint endorsed Graham
JD Haworth endorsed McCain
John Thune endorsed McCain
Sheriff Joe Arpaio endorsed Romney
Coburn endorsed McCain
McConnell endorsed McCain
Fred Thompson endorsed McCain for Senate 2010
DeMint endorsed Graham

[tioga]

Ooops....lost the first sentence when I cut and pasted...

He earned the "Cadillac" nickname after buying a Cadillac using money he gained from farm subsidies, which were intended to prop up crop prices by paying farmers not to grow crops.

[rintense]

Some fail to see their own hypocrisy. Sad, really.

[rintense]

From you who supports Ralph Nader/Cynthia McKinney lover Ron Paul.

[DoughtyOne]

I have said I thought that was unfortunate, but so what.

And therin lies the rub. Bachmann supporters don't think the Rollins matter is a big deal. A lot of Palin supporters do.

And that's their right.  It's also the right of Romney supporters to get angry when Palin or her people take shots at them.  It's how politics is played.  This is the big-leagues.

And this entire rift goes back to Rollin's comments and Bachmann's unwillingness to publicly deal with the issue.

I haven't read the total transcript of what Rollins said, because it just didn't mean that much to me.  There are going to be literally thousands of such moments before November 2012.  Some of them will be instigated by fellow Republicans, and most will be instigated by the Left or the Democrats.

Did Rollins' comment change your mind?  It didn't did it.  Did it change anyone's mind on this forum?  No.  Did it change any minds in the public?  No.  Most everyone knows who Palin is and they've formed an opinion about her prior to this.  So no, in light of all this, I don't think the Rollins's comments amount to a hill of beans.  Is that unreasonable?  No.

If the Palin supporters want to obcess over it, fine.  I still don't think it's reasoned to go out and try to drum up major scandles for Bachmann out of thin air.  It's not going to make Palin look better for her supporters having done it.  And after all, isn't that the cardinal sin Rollins is supposed to have committed?  And if it was wrong for him, shouldn't it be wrong for Palin's supporters to do too?

As I understand it, Rollins mentioned some historical facts and spun them through his own interpretation.  Well, I don't think that was a good idea.  I have said so.  That still doesn't give others license to dredge up things that aren't true, to try to make a big deal out of them.  And that is what has taken place.

Wrong or not, Rawlins was addressing some issues that were on the record.  He's not going to be the only one doing so either.  In 2012, the other side will be doing that, and it's going to get vicious.

And I'm sorry, but Bachmann knew she was playing games with the monies used to pay for a sound system for a political rally, since she labelled the event as a press conference. Once again, you might not think that's a big deal. But to me it indicates that Bachmann is too absorbed into the Beltway culture - that rules are meant to be bent.

This is an attempt to make it look like something that takes place all the time, is a major scandle because Bachmann was involved.  It looks desperate, because it is.

But congratulations - you are the first Bachmann supporter on this thread to even acknowledge that Bachmann needs to address the gap between her claims that she received no money from the farm and her disclosure forms that indicate otherwise.

When did the LA Times article come out?  And how childish is it to be upset because Bachmann hasn't responded yet?  What are we going on, eighteen hours now?  LOL

Which makes my other point for me - Bachmann's supporters on this thread, other than you, have refused to even acknowledge that the contradiction exists.

They are adults.  They aren't going to buy into your conspiracy theory.  They realize that in time an explanation will be provided.  The primaries don't start until at least seven months from now.  The hysteria surrounding these issues is palpable.

They have made the thread about Palin, Palin supporters - anything but the topic of the thread.

That is an incredibly myopic comment.  I've watch folks pile on here as if Michelle Bachmann was the female equivelant of Barach Obama.  Did they stay on topic?  No.  I'm not even sure I'll pick Bachmann to support in the long run.  I do find the pile-on routine to be unacceptable.

I would encourage you folks to contact Richard Saranno, and thank him for this hit piece on Bachmann.  It's sure been a thrilla for you guys.

[FreeReign]

Never have attack Palin, I said she could not win and she is not going to run, and her negatives are as high as ever, now if you consider that a personal attack so be it, mr thin skin.

Excuse me. You were the one who complained first about "attacks" on Bachmann. You specifically complained about this article, Mr. Hypocritical Thin Skin.

[DoughtyOne]

LOL

[DoughtyOne]

Ed Rollins made some statements based on fact. It was his interprestion of those facts, and his statements about them that I disagreed wtih. I don't think that's what this political debate should be about, and so I stated I thought his comments were unfortunate. If Bachmann wants to address those comments in public, or not, it' her call.

At least one, if not all of the Rollins remarks in question were cheap shots. Rollins works for Bachmann. The Bachmann campaign should have issued an apology for those remarks. Instead they remain silent.

That's why you may see cheap shots from some.

Beyond that there are legitimate criticism one could make about Bachmann.

Please point to the post where Rollins is quoted as saying Palin did something illegal.  Thanks in advance.

On this very thread it was charged that Bachmann misappropriated Congressional funds.