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Tom Ridge: Bachmann Too Inexperienced to be President
http://www.commentarymagazine.com ^ | 07.12.2011 | Alana Goodman

Posted on 07/12/2011 4:36:10 PM PDT by Maelstorm

Tim Pawlenty isn’t the only Republican blasting Rep. Michele Bachmann as unqualified for the presidency. Former Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge bluntly told the Washington Times today that Bachmann has little chance of winning a national election and compared her lack of experience to President Obama’s when he first took office:

“We have a pretty inexperienced president right now,” Mr. Ridge said. “You see the range of issues in the 21st century world: We are interconnected, we are integrated. Our ability to connect for both security and prosperity reasons now and forever more, I think, requires a set of experiences that she just doesn’t have in her portfolio.” …

But Mr. Ridge said he thought she could not win a national election and warned his fellow Republicans against sacrificing a White House victory on the altar of ideological purity.

“We have to say to ourselves as a party: Consistent with principles that we have, do we want to win or are we into Pyrrhic victories?” he said. “Do we want to appoint Supreme Court justices? Do we want to appoint a Cabinet? Do we want to set a domestic and foreign policy agenda? If the answer is yes, then I think we’re going to have to be a little more tolerant of differences in the party.

As if that wasn’t enough evidence Ridge thinks Bachmann is unserious, when Washington Times reporter Ben Birnbaum asked Ridge if he thought it was unfair to compare the congresswoman with Sarah Palin, he “chuckled” and said, “I think she compares quite well.”

In defense of Bachmann, the current frontrunner in the race — Mitt Romney — isn’t particularly seasoned in foreign policy either. But Romney campaign has also amassed a strong team of advisers to educate him on the issues. It’s still unclear who is assisting Bachmann in this area, though her judgment seems to be on-target so far.

It was obvious from the beginning that establishment Republicans weren’t going to jump onboard with Bachmann, but her campaign will still need to fight back against this “lack of experience” narrative before it becomes too pervasive.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: bachmann; ridge
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To: Maelstorm
This is just the beginning. For the next two years any Republican who is willing to criticize conservative Republicans will be given media attention and be portrayed as intelligent and an expert by the MSM.

The people in the MSM wouldn't give Ridge the time of day. They are only willing to feature him because he will attack other Republicans.

These people need to be told in no uncertain terms to STFU.
We need to remember Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment.

21 posted on 07/12/2011 4:54:30 PM PDT by detective
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To: Maelstorm
This is just the beginning. For the next two years any Republican who is willing to criticize conservative Republicans will be given media attention and be portrayed as intelligent and an expert by the MSM.

The people in the MSM wouldn't give Ridge the time of day. They are only willing to feature him because he will attack other Republicans.

These people need to be told in no uncertain terms to STFU.
We need to remember Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment.

22 posted on 07/12/2011 4:54:50 PM PDT by detective
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To: Owl_Eagle; brityank; Physicist; WhyisaTexasgirlinPA; GOPJ; abner; baseballmom; Mo1; Ciexyz; ...

ping


23 posted on 07/12/2011 4:57:15 PM PDT by Tribune7 (We're flat broke, but he thinks these solar shingles and really fast trains will magically save us.)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks Maelstorm.

Rep. Michele Bachmann To Bill O’Reilly:
‘Time For Tough Love” For The Federal Government Debt
http://annem040359.wordpress.com/ | July 12, 2011 | annem040359
Posted on 07/12/2011 4:35:28 PM PDT by Biggirl
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2747598/posts


24 posted on 07/12/2011 4:58:24 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Yes, as a matter of fact, it is that time again -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: Maelstorm

He is a well respected and loved GOP establishment hero.


25 posted on 07/12/2011 4:59:33 PM PDT by screaminsunshine (Socialism...Easier said than done.)
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To: Maelstorm

...and Ridge is too gay.

So we’re even.


26 posted on 07/12/2011 5:00:27 PM PDT by BobL (PLEASE READ: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2657811/posts)
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To: Maelstorm

The irony of all ironies...

When the MSM and Dems are looking for a “Republican” to quote they ALWAYS go back to the evil Bush administration.


27 posted on 07/12/2011 5:00:52 PM PDT by wilco200 (11/4/08 - The Day America Jumped the Shark)
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To: Maelstorm

Perhaps he’s right. Is he too thick headed to realize we will vet this candidate and not him?

Somebody is scared ——less by Michele Bachmann. Good.

I don’t know about anyone else, but as for me, nobody is going to push me away from the candidate of my liking. If they want to destroy themselves and the people they are supporting the best way to do it is to pester me.

Republican party elites calling BUCHANAN the next Hitler and the like, won’t work. They can take that to the bank.


28 posted on 07/12/2011 5:01:08 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (F me, you, everybody, the new Dem/Pubie compromise. No debt reduction, + wild spending forever...)
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To: Maelstorm

POTUS! So easy a caveman could do it.


29 posted on 07/12/2011 5:01:24 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Hey Barry! Compromise this!!!)
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To: bicyclerepair

Tom Ridge - just STFU!


30 posted on 07/12/2011 5:03:26 PM PDT by broken_arrow1 (I regret that I have but one life to give for my country - Nathan Hale "Patriot")
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To: Maelstorm

Many comments herein are pretty useless, foul language and character assassinations.

If I’m going to read comments, can they be decent and more useful?


31 posted on 07/12/2011 5:05:55 PM PDT by veracious
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To: Maelstorm

That’s a pretty weak sauce argument given the low bar set by the present occupant of the position.


32 posted on 07/12/2011 5:06:35 PM PDT by Mygirlsmom (Go Ron Johnson: AMERICA'S SENATOR!!!!! Thank you, sir for saying what needs to be said.)
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To: ilgipper

I think your reference to his college days is good. Let’s not forget that this miscreant was also enrolled in Muslim school in his youth, and got the full court press anti-U.S. vision from them too.

This guy has spent his whole life wrapped up in a Marxist footlong.

grade school madrassa
inner city high school
college & universities
ACORN community organizer
Best friend of Ayers, Dorn, Reverend Wright, Fahrakan et al...
Soros and company...

What chance did this guy have to get an education regarding the positive aspects of the United States?

When he apologizes for the U.S., this guy is speaking from his core. I don’t think a broad enough spectrum of the populace fully grasps that.

He truly wants to turn his nation into Malaysia (I believe it was), the idyllic setting of his early grade school years.


33 posted on 07/12/2011 5:09:17 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (F me, you, everybody, the new Dem/Pubie compromise. No debt reduction, + wild spending forever...)
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To: bicyclerepair
Ridge...what a blathering nincompoop...

What in the world did he bring to the table at DHS?

Oh, I forgot the color code....YELLOW!

34 posted on 07/12/2011 5:12:18 PM PDT by pointsal
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To: Maelstorm

LOL great pic.


35 posted on 07/12/2011 5:12:46 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
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To: bicyclerepair

where was Tommy when Obama ran? Cowering in the corner with the rest of the RINOs


36 posted on 07/12/2011 5:14:53 PM PDT by mort56
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To: Maelstorm

Well...I least I know “who” to vote for now.


37 posted on 07/12/2011 5:17:44 PM PDT by crz
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To: Maelstorm

Experience is what got us a $14.5 trillion national debt.


38 posted on 07/12/2011 5:17:54 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: SunkenCiv

Bachmann too inexperienced? That’s rich. [shakes head]

Stinkin’ RINOs. They’re all Demwit light. I’m sure that Ridge would love another four years, or maybe 40, of zer0.

It’s been argued against for a long time, but there really isn’t a dime’s worth of difference between the parties anymore. They’ve both been infiltrated beyond repair and need to be swept away and replaced with Conservatives.


39 posted on 07/12/2011 5:24:17 PM PDT by TheOldLady (FReepmail me to get ON or OFF the ZOT LIGHTNING ping list.)
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To: veracious

Agree


40 posted on 07/12/2011 5:24:35 PM PDT by lonestar (It takes a village of idiots to elect a village idiot.)
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