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GOP's New Lightning Rod
Townhall.com ^ | October 25, 2009 | George Will

Posted on 10/25/2009 4:32:54 AM PDT by Kaslin

WASHINGTON -- When Marcus Bachmann came home that Saturday evening in 2000 he checked the telephone answering machine and was mystified by the many messages congratulating his wife for something. "Michele," he said, "do you have something to tell me?" She did.

The state senator from her district in suburban Minneapolis-St. Paul had been in office for 17 years, had stopped being pro-life and started supporting tax increases, so that morning she had skipped washing her hair, put on jeans and a tattered sweatshirt and went to the local Republican nominating caucus to ask him a few pointed questions. There, on the spur of the moment, some similarly disgruntled conservatives suggested that she unseat the incumbent. After she made a five-minute speech "on freedom," the caucus emphatically endorsed her and she handily won the subsequent primary.

After six years in the state Legislature, she ran for Congress and now, in her second term, has become such a burr under Democrats' saddles that recently The New York Times profiled her beneath a Page One headline: "GOP Has a Lightning Rod, And Her Name Is Not Palin." She is, however, a petite pistol that occasionally goes off half-cocked.

For example, appearing on MSNBC's "Hardball" 18 days before last year's election, she made the mistake of taking Chris Matthews' bait and speculating about whether Barack Obama and some other Democrats have "anti-American" views. In the ensuing uproar -- fueled by people who were not comparably scandalized when George W. Bush was sulfurously vilified -- her opponent raised nearly $2 million and her lead shrank from 13 points to her winning margin of 3.

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 111th; bachmann; georgewill
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To: Kaslin

She is just about the only republican that has my attention.


21 posted on 10/25/2009 5:13:46 AM PDT by xmission (www.iwilldefendtheconstitution.com)
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To: MNJohnnie
Some of her supposed excesses are, however, not merely defensible, they are admirable.

This little gal has more "testicularia" than the rest of our congressional delegation combined, maybe as much as Palin.

I'm ready to give the gals a chance and will actively campaign for them

Palin/Bachmann 2012

22 posted on 10/25/2009 5:16:45 AM PDT by Aevery_Freeman (Been collecting pitchforks for years - now I know why!)
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To: Kaslin
George Will's dinner mates will be very unhappy by this betrayal. Nevertheless, go Michelle!
23 posted on 10/25/2009 5:23:23 AM PDT by Dahoser (The missus and I joined the NRA. Who says Obama can't inspire conservatives?)
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To: MNJohnnie
An amazing woman with an amazing story. She should be a role model for all those fed up with US politics and the parties. Palin/Bachman 2012.

Interesting. And this is not the first time in our nation's history that Liberty has been personified as a woman:


24 posted on 10/25/2009 5:43:08 AM PDT by Upstate NY Guy
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To: PalmettoMason

Put on a ragged sweatshirt, I’ll take you anywhere you want me to. 1st gear.....


25 posted on 10/25/2009 5:48:54 AM PDT by Paladin2 (Granholm won't let anyone with a buck leave until she's bled them completely dry)
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To: MNJohnnie

Palin/Bachmann could be the ticket to energize the electorate. Much better than tired old establishment white men such as Dole and McCain.

Such a ticket could be transformational for the party and the nation. First, they both have passion, love of country, and core values. They aren’t afraid to speak out. No dilution of the message to appease. It would be difficult for the Democrats to paint the party as not inclusive with women holding both the P and VP positions on the ticket. Plus, the potential to elect the first female president would be an historic moment for the electorate, not unlike the choice the electorate made in 2008.

It would certainly be an interesting campaign. Failed “Hope and Change” against two high powered candidates who believe in America. Much better than left to moderate Romney with whatever conservative he picks to appeal to the base.


26 posted on 10/25/2009 5:55:08 AM PDT by Soul of the South (When times are tough the tough get going.)
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To: Fester Chugabrew

I have no problem being “led” by a woman. I have had the privilege of working for some great people in my life, and a few of them were women.

While I do believe there are some jobs men can do better than women and vice-versa, I don’t believe legislating and being in a position of leadership is one of them.

I may not want the majority of women to be on my damage control team on my ship, but if a woman demonstrates intelligence, conviction and leadership qualities, then she will have my support as a subordinate.

Would I take orders from Phyllis Schlafly, Margaret Thatcher or Michelle Bachmann? In the words of another famous woman who I would also consider...”You betcha!”


27 posted on 10/25/2009 5:58:07 AM PDT by rlmorel (Obama, The Flatulence of One Thousand Black Dogs After Eating Boiled Eggs Be Upon Him...)
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To: Upstate NY Guy

That image is from the French Revolution... not the American.


28 posted on 10/25/2009 6:09:08 AM PDT by PIF
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To: Upstate NY Guy
Correction: the world's history.

As the painting by Delacroix depicts the French Revolution.

29 posted on 10/25/2009 6:10:20 AM PDT by Upstate NY Guy
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To: PIF

Thanks. I stand corrected. Feeling a little foolish now.


30 posted on 10/25/2009 6:12:03 AM PDT by Upstate NY Guy
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To: Kaslin
For example, appearing on MSNBC's "Hardball" 18 days before last year's election, she made the mistake of taking Chris Matthews' bait and speculating about whether Barack Obama and some other Democrats have "anti-American" views.

"Mistake" or not, was she right? Yes, she was then and still is now, while Chrissy has crossed over from dangerously close to political insanity to one of the tingly poster boy/cheerleaders for the obamanation.

Michele Bachmann is definitely one of the few really good people in government. If you haven't done so, sign up for her emails.

31 posted on 10/25/2009 6:18:50 AM PDT by GBA
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To: Kaslin

We could use a “Joan of Arc” about now... without the burning at stake part...


32 posted on 10/25/2009 6:20:08 AM PDT by xcamel (The urge to save humanity is always a false front for the urge to rule it. - H. L. Mencken)
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To: Upstate NY Guy
Yes the flag does look a bit odd... :) Maybe not enough coffee this AM?

However, it may be instructive to read up on the very significant role of women in the French revolution - unlike the American, where women's role is far less dramatic historically speaking.

33 posted on 10/25/2009 6:20:35 AM PDT by PIF
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To: Kaslin

bttt


34 posted on 10/25/2009 6:22:21 AM PDT by Guenevere (....)
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To: Kaslin

Not to mention she’s hot!


35 posted on 10/25/2009 6:33:17 AM PDT by GOPsterinMA ("Henceforth, you shall be known as...'Nobel Obama'".)
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To: Fester Chugabrew
Sad state of affairs when women must lead men.

I'll take excelent leadership where I can find it - and again, thanks for everything you did Mrs. Thatcher.

36 posted on 10/25/2009 6:33:56 AM PDT by G L Tirebiter
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To: Kaslin

Nothing more hated by the left than a pro-life woman.


37 posted on 10/25/2009 6:42:39 AM PDT by Always Right
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To: PIF
Michele Bachmann on freedom:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Psfn6iOfS8

That video is incredible!

38 posted on 10/25/2009 6:42:40 AM PDT by webstersII
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To: webstersII

Yes. It’s my favorite “auto-tune the news” piece of the nine.


39 posted on 10/25/2009 6:45:27 AM PDT by PIF
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To: Kaslin
We have rules, ya know..

Rep. Michelle Bachmann

Okay its a 'new rule', but Rep Bachmann deserves one :-)

(rhetorical) Why are Conservative women so hot while all 'progressive' women look like bag ladies who are allergic to soap?

40 posted on 10/25/2009 6:49:06 AM PDT by Condor51 (The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits)
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