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Bachmann Supporters Praise Image, Backbone, Purity
Augusta Chronicle ^ | Dec. 3, 2011 | By Sarita Chourey

Posted on 12/03/2011 11:49:02 AM PST by Son House

Gail Harville supports GOP presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann because she wants a candidate who can debate President Obama “and beat him.”

Republican presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., talks during the book-signing event for her book "Core of Conviction" Saturday in Aiken, S.C. Advertisement

No, that’s not enough, said her husband, Bill, adding, “someone who will shred him!”

The North Augusta couple were among about four dozen fans, activists and skeptics who turned out for the Minnesota congresswoman’s book signing at Books-A-Million in Aiken on Saturday morning.

A handful hoped to see a ticket that combines Bachmann and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the latest contender to march to the front of the GOP field.

“I could go either way, Bachmann-Gingrich or Gingrich-Bachmann,” said Harville. Her husband favored a pairing with Gingrich in the presidential slot.

But Roy Luke of Martinez said putting Gingrich with Bachmann would be a mistake, in part because he said former Georgia congressman “turns people off. It’s his image.”

What’s more, Luke said, the ticket would be imbalanced. Pairing Bachmann with the more moderate Mitt Romney as a vice presidential candidate would stretch the GOP ticket’s appeal, he said.

“That would work because we’ve got to bring in the political middle ground,” Luke said.

Brian Raborn, 17, who is home schooled and serves as the vice chairman of Teenage Republicans of Aiken, said he's still making up his mind about the field but that Bachmann "seems to have a backbone."

Bachmann offered brief comments about repealing President Obama’s health care law, while signing copies of her memoir Core of Conviction.

“People recognize that the federal government doesn’t do a very good job at running anything, and they don’t want their healthcare run by the federal government either,” she said.

When asked what she would say to Herman Cain supporters who may soon be looking for a new home, considering speculation about the collapse of the businessman’s campaign, the congresswoman had no tailored pitch.

“I think that for all the candidates’ supporters, I would be the best candidate, so I ask them all to come and support me,” said Bachmann, who was elected to Congress in 2006 after serving in the Minnesota State Senate from 2000-2006.

But despite the soaring confidence of the morning’s supporters, poll numbers force the congresswoman’s candidacy back to Earth.

An InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research poll conducted Nov. 28 for The Augusta Chronicle about South Carolina’s Republican primary had Gingrich leading with 38 percent support, followed by Romney with 15, Cain 13, Ron Paul 7, Rick Perry 4, Bachmann 3 percent, Rick Santorum 2, “someone else” at 5 percent and 13 percent of respondents offering no opinion. The telephone survey targeted 519 registered voters who say they are likely to vote in the state’s Jan. 21 GOP primary.

A campaign spokeswoman said Bachmann would be leaving later in the day for New York City to participate in Mike Huckabee’s Fox News Channel presidential forum. She planned to return to South Carolina on Sunday to visit Myrtle Beach and Florence before returning to New York, then Washington, D.C., and Iowa.

S.C. Sen. Lee Bright, a Spartanburg Republican with Bachmann’s team, said the previous day the candidate had attracted a wrap-a-round crowd in Greenville. He said she is the only candidate whose supporters don’t have to condition their pitch with excuses for various policy inconsistencies.

Ideological purity was key to Susan Swanson’s support for Bachmann, too.

“Michele Bachmann is the conservative candidate,” said the North Augusta woman.

“She’s been the real leader of the Tea Party, and other people just try to say that.”

There was at least one Democrat in the crowd, too.

“I come from a very divided family,” said Barnwell resident Harold Geddings, a 33-year-old sheet metal worker at the Savannah River Site. He attended the event to have Bachmann sign her book as a Christmas gift to his mother, who is a Republican.

Geddings said Bachmann is his preferred Republican candidate because she would be easiest for Obama to defeat in the general election, noting that he is a member of the Facebook group, Democrats for Bachmann.

“I like her as a person, but she just has too much ideological baggage,” said Geddings. “But she did just encourage me to run for Congress.”


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bachmann; backbone; image; purity
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To: Son House

*Sigh*. She’s a backbiter. She talks a good game, but I question her integrity in the way she deals with her competitors. She’s celebrating Cain’s fall right now. I’m not gonna celebrate her rise.

Frankly, I’m not sure who to vote for at all anymore. They all have serious issues. Perry has the best character, but I doubt getting behind him would mean anything when you’re splitting the vote between Bachmann, Santorum, Newt and Perry.


21 posted on 12/03/2011 12:30:12 PM PST by Apollo5600 (Cain 2012)
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To: redpoll
My dream ticket is something like Bachmann-Alan West or Bachman-Bobby Jindal.

YES! I like your thinking there, I really wasn't concerned on VP yet, but there's a couple of worry examples for the Democrats, you just know the trend where everybody likes a winner and jumps on the bandwagon is to follow.
22 posted on 12/03/2011 12:33:33 PM PST by Son House (The Economic Boom Heard Around The World => TEA Party 2012)
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To: Paladin2
"You make sound like you are a Willard supporter."

You could be right, he has both the foul mouth of a liberal and a cult-like lack of repsect for women.....And yes I AM going to keep posting this mormon garbage HERE and NOW during the PRIMARY so folks see how impossible it is to defend it during the GENERAL if Romney is the candidate.

"I think no more of taking another wife than I do of buying a cow." - Apostle Heber C. Kimball, The Twenty Seventh Wife, Irving Wallace, p. 101.

"I say to those who are elected to go on missions, remember they are not your sheep: they belong to Him that sends you. Then do not make a choice of any of those sheep; do not make selections before they are brought home and put into the fold. You under stand that. Amen" - FLDS/LDS "Apostle" Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p.256.

"Brethren, I want you to understand that it is not to be as it has been heretofore. The brother missionaries have been in the habit of picking out the prettiest women for themselves before they get here, and bringing on the ugly ones for us; hereafter you have to bring them all here before taking any of them, and let us all have a fair shake." - FLDS/LDS "Apostle" Heber C. Kimball, The Lion of the Lord, New York, 1969, pp.129-30.

23 posted on 12/03/2011 12:34:03 PM PST by SENTINEL (Romney is to Conservatism what Mormonism is to Christianity.)
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To: izzatzo
"I’d vote for Michelle Bachmann in a heartbeat."

I would too. Michelle is a true conservative, and wasn't afraid to step right in with the Tea Party way back when we were labeled as racists/extremists. Not sure about her ability to win, but I'm glad we have her out there. If she doesn't win the nomination, she'd make a great VP, IMO.

24 posted on 12/03/2011 12:38:32 PM PST by Mich Patriot (I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself. Ronald Reagan)
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To: Son House

I want to see Barack Obama debate Larry Sinclair.


25 posted on 12/03/2011 12:42:17 PM PST by montag813
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To: Son House

I want to see Barack Obama debate Larry Sinclair. No one else is worthy of him.


26 posted on 12/03/2011 12:42:35 PM PST by montag813
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To: Apollo5600

Cain was the #1 conservative polling in the race, this could be the only lucky break she is going to get, some celebration at this point should be expected, but shortly after she should get right down to remaining confident and being competitive.


27 posted on 12/03/2011 12:42:57 PM PST by Son House (The Economic Boom Heard Around The World => TEA Party 2012)
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To: mmanager

I don’t think people here are getting on the bitch’s train. There’s one bitch running, and that is the limp wristed Bacrock Hussein Obama.


28 posted on 12/03/2011 12:43:56 PM PST by Darren McCarty (Anybody but Romney or Obama)
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To: Son House
Obviously as Cain is suspended his campaign, Bachmann is becoming this conservative's front-runner. Thinking: If you want a job done right, you’ve got to do it yourself, Bachmann has articulated well the detail and intent to legislatively get rid of the 'Health Care Insurance Reform' bill. She is also opposing Boehner's RINO ways, and we have to have someone who is going to tell the Washington Elites NO!

Mark Levin said Fri that he would support either Bachmann or Santorum. Palin has nice things to say about Santorum. Levin and Palin are good friends, and she chose his radio show to announce she would not run. I expect they will tag-team on their endorsement. Levin attacks John Boehner regularly, and says he is not up to the job or this time in history.

29 posted on 12/03/2011 12:44:44 PM PST by montag813
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To: BarnacleCenturion

She’s rock solid and she’s mentioned very acceptable Santorum in a VP role.


30 posted on 12/03/2011 12:49:39 PM PST by cripplecreek (Stand with courage or shut up and do as you're told.)
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To: Apollo5600
"She’s celebrating Cain’s fall right now."

Source? They are most likely ALL at least somewhat glad he's dropped out...that's only natural.

"Perry has the best character..."

Really? That's a strong statement based on limited evidence so far. I see nothing wrong with Bachmann's character, although the MSM will find several things if she starts surging.

31 posted on 12/03/2011 12:50:36 PM PST by Mich Patriot (I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself. Ronald Reagan)
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To: Mich Patriot

“...wasn’t afraid to step right in with the Tea Party way back when...”

All true IMHO, and huge point in her favor, she is representative of the TP, and never been shy about touting the TP—do you hear that from any of the other majors? They’re embarrassed by it. I, like Rush, have no doubt that Michelle would fight for this country and its founding principles with every breath.


32 posted on 12/03/2011 12:55:14 PM PST by izzatzo ( Anybody but Obamney and Huntsman.)
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To: Paladin2
Mormons --> BAD

Marxists ---> Good!

Good plan.

33 posted on 12/03/2011 12:57:05 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: Paladin2

Bachmann and Paul are the only two I trust at this point. I prefer Bachmann since she is the bat out of hell we need to take on the communist Obama.

I have no doubt that she would do anything and fight to the last breath to defeat obama on our behalf.

bachmann needs our support. she is fearless and wont hold back!


34 posted on 12/03/2011 1:00:31 PM PST by GlockThe Vote (The Obama Adminstration: 2nd wave of attacks on America after 9/11)
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To: Son House

President Pantywaist Fauntleroy’s handlers aren’t stupid enough to expose George Soros’ Charley McCarthy to logic! Never in a million years will they let him debate someone intelligent and honest, as Michele Bachmann is, at the same time. He would come off as Mortimer Snerd.


35 posted on 12/03/2011 1:02:16 PM PST by RoadTest (For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.)
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To: Son House

For one, I would like to move into contention as the front runner.


36 posted on 12/03/2011 1:20:58 PM PST by Jukeman
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To: Future Useless Eater

Proof that we are all over the map.
Why is did Perry go from the top to the bottom? It was his heartless comment.

Then the same folks that were offended took Newt to the top after he openly proposed amnesty.

Lunacy.


37 posted on 12/03/2011 1:24:08 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Son House

Oops. Meant to say “would like to see Bachmann move into contention as the leader”.


38 posted on 12/03/2011 1:25:16 PM PST by Jukeman
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To: Son House

Bachmann? the same woman that tried to cut our veterans benefits? that has a very poor voting record in congress? she has the 11th WORST record on MISSED votes. Not doing her job? attacking all the candidates but Romney? Why I would NEVER support Bachmann. She tried to screw our veterans.

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/01/28/141412/bachmann-veterans/

In her tea party-fueled quest to cut government spending and social programs, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has unveiled a plan to cut $400 billion in federal spending that includes freezing the Veterans Affairs Department’s health care spending and cuts veterans’ disability benefits. The Air Force Times reports her plan would slice $4.5 billion from the VA, including reducing 150,000 veterans’ disability compensation and the amount they receive in Social Security Disability Income.A host of veterans groups slammed Bachmann’s plan:

–Veterans of Foreign War national commander Richard L. Eubank said, “The only discussion the VFW wants is to tell the congresswoman that her plan is totally out of step with America’s commitment to our troops.

Bachmann has House’s 11th WORST record for missed votes...she is not fulfilling her duties to her constituents
Of 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, only ten have missed more votes this session than Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, according to the Washington Post’s tally. Bachmann has missed 105 votes, or 13.6 percent of all votes. Fellow Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen had the state’s best record, missing only six votes in the 111th Congress, just one less than Rep. Tim Walz missed.
While California Democrat Rep. Hilda Solis had the highest rate of missed votes — she missed 59 of 78 possibles votes — the number of missed votes by party is roughly the same: Democrats missed 3.5 percent of votes, while Republicans missed 3.3 percent.
Another Minnesotan high on the list: At number 23, Rep. Keith Ellison missed ten percent of the votes, casting 695 and missing 78. Here’s how others in Minnesota’s delegation fared:
Rep. Betty McCollum: 16 missed (2.1 percent of all votes), 757 cast
Rep. Collin Peterson: 25 missed (1.9), 758 cast
Rep. Jon Kline: 12 missed (1.6), 761 cast
Rep. James Oberstar: 10 missed (1.3), 763 cast
Rep. Tim Walz: 7 missed (1.3), 766 cast
Rep. Erik Paulsen: 6 missed (0.8), 767 cast

Bachmann’s Farm Subsidies...more will come out on this..and NO the questions have not been fully answerd.
Bachmann has said that the farm’s founder, her father-in-law, Paul Bachmann, is the only member of the Bachmann Farm Family Limited Partnership who ever applied for farm subsidies — a statement borne out by federal documents. He last applied for federal payments in 2007, and he died in 2009.
But federal documents and courthouse entries in Alma, Wis., show that a neighbor has picked up where the patriarch left off. The Bachmann family partnership signed a lease agreement with the neighbor in April 2008, and he is actively enrolled in the same FSA aid programs.
From 1995 through 2007, the FSA paid $259,000 in commodities and disaster subsidies to the Bachmann farm. Since 2008, FSA payments to the neighbor’s expanded operations have totaled $52,921, records show.
The Bachmann for President team didn’t respond to the Star Tribune’s inquiries about the farm, but a campaign statement given to Politico last month said her share of income from the farm is wrapped up in the family partnership, which she said was formed for estate planning purposes. Bachmann, her husband, Marcus, and their five children belong to the partnership but documents don’t say how much of it they control. Marcus has two brothers, and his mother, Elma, is still alive.
http://www.startribune.com/politics/130509053.html

Not to mention she violated Reagan’s law and attacked Palin via her campaign manager; Perry, Newt and Cain’s 999 plan which she referred to as being more like 666. She also mentioned Trump as a potential vice president.
However, MORE than anything..I won’t forgive her for trying to take our disabled veteran’s benefits away ...she can go to Hades.


39 posted on 12/03/2011 1:36:13 PM PST by katiedidit1 ("This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever." the Irish)
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To: GlockThe Vote

Scroll down to post 39 on Bachmann...11th worst voting record in congress on MISSED votes; going after Veterans on disability? more to come out on her farm subsidies too and her bashing of every candidate but Romney. Heck, I dont want a Bachmann/Trump ticket or a Romney/Bachmann ticket. She is a scumbag for what she tried to pull on Americans veterans


40 posted on 12/03/2011 1:39:40 PM PST by katiedidit1 ("This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever." the Irish)
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