Giving Up on Bachmann

Up to now I’ve thought Michele Bachman was the most impressive performer in the GOP field, going toe-to-toe with the “big boys” in the field, out-arguing them on several occasions, and introducing serious constitutional arguments that the rest of the field (even Perry) are too timid to attempt. She’s right to go after Rick Perry on the issue of mandating the use of the Gardisil vaccine, along with the issue of “crony capitalism,” both of which get at the issue of a potential president’s sense of the reach and limits of state power. Perry is a mixed bag on this (as is Romney obviously) and he should be pressed hard to explain himself and refine his views.

But her embrace of the wacko idea that the vaccine is dangerous or causes autism, mental retardation, or other risks is simply irresponsible. Is Bachman, Glenn Reynolds quipped, trying to go after the Jenny McCarthy vote? (Glenn also links to Jonathan Adler’s quick take on this, which is the same as mine.)

Bachman passed along with complete credulity the claim of someone who she says came up to her after the debate attributing her child’s mental issues to the vaccine. I’ve heard a few people speculate darkly about whether such a person actually exists, or whether Bachman made it up or is trimming a bit from something she was told another time. You’d think our inquisitive news media would find this person and investigate, or that the person would now step forward (or that other people with similar claims would now step forward). Above all, this is a political mistake as well as a scientific one, as it has shifted the focus from Perry’s use of power to Bachmann’s scientific credibility—a lose-lose for everyone.

Which raises the last point. NBC Nightly News last night went to some trouble to attack Bachman’s views on the Gardisil vaccine. Fine; but why doesn’t NBC or the other major media perform the same service when anti-vaccine quackery comes from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or Jenny McCarthy? No mystery here.

Why do you think Bachmann joined Romney in attacking Perry?

Did Romney mention Gardasil during the debate? I don't recall that -- seems like he sat that one out. If anything, I'd say Bachmann and Santorum tag teamed Perry over the issue. Romney picked his own battle, Social Security, and went it alone. Even Paul lofted a tax shot over Perry's bow. They all seemed to have their sites on Perry, for several different weaknesses he has. Indeed, for a "front runner", he has a lot of baggage -- but then the GOP media mouths tried to tell us for months that Romney was a front runner too. They still think if you say it often enough it magically becomes true. We're learning not to believe the hype.

So who is our George Washington conservative?

Unfortunately not one is worthy of Washington's boots. Still, times being what they are, Cain would make a fascinating choice. He's not a politician, so he has the capacity to be a statesman. He's a businessman and has walked the walk with the Tea Party. He comes to the table with "plans" to solve a problem, instead of calling to "have a discussion" about a problem. He fears, loves, and respects his Maker. I don't care how "inexperienced" he is. We hired Obama after all. And it doesn't hurt that Cain is likewise a minority candidate.

My second choice would be Bachmann. She did not get her "ass in line" as Boehner demanded to support his travesty of a budget cave in. That took tremendous chutzpah. Even West couldn't take the heat she endured for We the People. I admire her for that -- she has earned my respect. She too has been a long standing Tea Party advocate. Her presentation on the Gardasil issue was too emotional, that was her misstep. I have no problem with her sentiment, however.

Neither did Santorum, who echoed that sentiment (in superior fashion). Santorum would be my third choice. He's rarely been on the wrong side of an issue.

The three of them should just team up right now. But if the nation can't choose from one of these three, I would rather give Newt Gingrich a second chance to prove to the world that he is a born-again conservative than waste the golden opportunity Obama has handed us with his failed presidency by hiring just another country club compassionate conservative. The left has claimed for decades that we are the party of fat cat corporate magnates -- which we've denied. We have a once in a lifetime chance to prove them wrong --- or prove them right by wasting this chance and rolling with just another country clubber.

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