Posted on 06/27/2011 5:14:17 AM PDT by tobyhill
Via POLITICO's Jennifer Epstein, Michele Bachmann isn't accepting an apology from Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace for asking her yesterday, "Are you a flake?" Continue Reading
ABC News' Jon Karl, who's been getting face-time with Bachmann in Waterloo in advance of her formal campaign announcement, played a clip of the web video in which Wallace said, "I messed up. I'm sorry."
When Karl asked if she accepts the apology, Bachmann brushed aside the question this way: "I think that it's insulting to insinuate that a candidate for president is less than serious."
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Correct and a double BINGO!!
I agree with you to some extent. I am not sure that it reveals so much about character, but it does show that these gals have a way to go with dealing with the media and the ability to use quick wit in tougher situations.
Good points!
My only point is that Wallace should have phrased it differently so it didnt come off as him calling her a flake.
You make some excellent points in your #160, sam_paine.
However, I can think of a quick rebuttal off the top of my head (with more to come later).
Although Reagan was The Great Communicator and it had a lot to do with his success, it’s NOT the reason we all love him... not the #1 reason, anyway. He was a Great President and Great American and then, 3rd, he was a Great Communicator.
What if we don’t have a Great Communicator right now but have several viable candidates for Great (or near-Great, or relatively-Great) President?
Should we nix them, or forget them, or fail to defend them against a vicious press simply because they lack Reagan’s #3 quality, that of Great Communication?
Sure I wish Bachmann had done what you said (and I often post similar wishes myself regarding other Republicans)... but that’s no reason to let Wallace or anyone else off the hook.
And that’s no reason to dismiss Bachmann’s quest for the presidency.
And I say that even though she is not at the top of my list, which runs as follows:
1. Palin
2. Perry
3. Bachmann
4. Cain
Oh really? Let me tell you something. I have been very patient with michele bachmann... even after her sending rollins out with the long knives to stab Sarah Palin in the back. You can call me whatever name you want. michele bachmann is a catastrophe as candidate. She sets a bad standard for women and can set us back years if she keeps this up. You do NOT win my respect, much less my vote, by going on national television and LYING in my face.
Calling me names isn’t going to make her a better candidate and I calls ‘em as I sees ‘em. period.
I'm pretty sure Reagan knew age was going to be an issue and had his response thought out in advance. Similarly I recall in 88 when GH Bush was on with Dan Rather and Rather got ugly, Bush nailed Rather on walking off the news room floor. It was great, but again IMHO, thought out in advance.
Not all good thinkers are quick wits and not all quick wits are good thinkers. But that dear in the headlights look is a killer. I think the lesson to be learned is, if at all possible be ready to fire back against any media person that attacks you in an interview (alla Bush 88) and be ready with a response to any know or perceived weakness (alla Reagen 84).
In politics, self-pity and a thin skin are deadly defects. It's not "survivable", unless you're Barack Obama and the news media think you're Zeus and defend you like Spartans.
Okay. It was a general post anyway, Girlene. I’ve stayed pretty quiet about bachmann until now.
Truer words have never been spoken.
What if we don’t have a Great Communicator right now but have several viable candidates
Well, Dubya was an obviously "viable" candidate. He won! Twice. And yet, we cringed every time he made a speech and the left took advantage of it and said "See! conservatives are idiots and hypocrites!" Well, except that Bush was not a conservative, so he wasn't a hypocrite....but he did give us all a horrible name.
OTOH, it's not clear to me that Ronaldus Magnus reincarnated could win in 2012....certainly he would not have beaten Obama in 2008.
You say Bachman's not ready for primetime. What about obama?
When did Chris Wallace ever ask obama if he's a flake?
If democrats attack our candidates, it's one thing. To be stupid enough to attack our own could mean another four years of obama who my 25 yr old nephew thinks is 'cool'.
Some Republicans will never find a candidate good enough for them. That's how we ended up with obama and death panels.
That was the wrong thing to say, Michelle. ... That statement may have just sunk her candidacy.
Irony.
Actually, it's a two-fer: irony AND hypocrisy.
Character matters.
Great points. All of the potential and declared GOP candidates need to be aware of the potential traps that are waiting for them and have a response ready for what may come up. Being genial yet pointed in response disarms the question and makes you seem above the idiocy.
“essentially repeats Democrat talking points:
It wasn’t just dem talking points. That perception of bachmann came from all over a wide spectrum. THAT is why it wa CRITICAL that she respond without sounding as flakey as she had throughout the rest of the entire interview. She didn’t do it.
They are milquetoast at best. All one has to do is persue this site for ten minutes and there is more than enough info go after obama like the dogs of war.
Ffffuuubbbbbooooo!!!!!!
I agree. You make good points. It would behoove candidates (esp Palin and Bachmann, both heavily targetted by the slime-ball media) to be more nimble.
All I’m saying is that perhaps we should be more nimble, too, and not expect a RR on a White Horse but deal with, and support, what we’ve got.
Also, did you notice that one poster mentioned that RR was READY for that age question. I’ve always thought that that whole moment, as good as it was, might have been scripted out in advance. Doesn’t detract from the force and effectiveness of it, but it does remove it as evidence for the Genius Of Quick Thinking Theory.
Though I do think RR was that, a genius at quick thinking.
I remember a story that does show evidence of Reagan’s ability to think quickly:
On a walk to a campus building (on some UC campus) as Governor. Both sides of the long walkway were lined by protesting students.
Their method of protest was to give him the Silent Treatment.
As Reagan walked by, they all stared at him silently, not breathing a word.
When Reagan reached the steps of the building, he turned, faced the long double-line of students, put his finger to his lips and said “shhhhhhhhh”.
All the students, in spite of themselves, cracked up laughing.
Yes. He was a Genius of Quick Thinking.
It’s just that the famous Age Answer is probably not an example of it.
You know what? I could care less aboutwhat obama says or does as a candidate, okay? I wouldn’t believe a word that came out of his mouth if he was on his deathbed and talking to allah.
michele bachmann is the candidate asking for MY vote. And if she LIES to me once, then she will lie to me again. And I don’t like being lied to. mmm k?
This has nothing to do with obama, (except getting rid of him,) and everything to do with WHO is going to RIGHT my country. And I intend to be mighty damn choicey.
And maybe Reagan told Jim Lehrer a flat-out lie in retrospect.
I just think it's been so long since we've seen someone worth a damn like Reagan on our side of the stage that we, first, reflexively defend bad candidates, and second, have started to assume that the real-deal like Reagan was just another plotting pol cobbling soundbites and zingers in advance.
1984: Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale - PBS Documentary Interview
PRESIDENT REAGAN: I couldn't believe that question when it came at me from that press board that was there.
HENRY TREWHITT, Panelist: You already are the oldest president in history and some of your staff say you were tired after your most recent encounter with Mr. Mondale. I recall yet that President Kennedy had to go days on end very little sleep during the Cuba missile crisis. Is there any doubt in your mind that you would be able to function in such circumstances?
PRESIDENT REAGAN: Not at all. And, Mr. Trewhitt, I want you to know also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience.
JIM LEHRER: Was that one you were laying for?
PRESIDENT REAGAN: I never thought about it until I got that was really off the top of my head.
JIM LEHRER: Did that strike you as obviously a pre-programmed line?
VICE PRESIDENT MONDALE: Well, I'll tell you, if TV can tell the truth, as you say it can, you'll see that I was smiling. But I think if you come in close, you'll see some tears coming down because I knew he had gotten me there. That was really the end of my campaign that night, I think.
JIM LEHRER: Is that right?
VICE PRESIDENT MONDALE: That's what I thought.
JIM LEHRER: And did you know that, that night, when it was over?
VICE PRESIDENT MONDALE: Yes, I walked off and I was almost certain the campaign was over, and it was.
JIM LEHRER: Did you say that to anybody?
VICE PRESIDENT MONDALE: My wife.
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