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It’s Time for Michele Bachmann To Go

Sep. 14, 2011 3:16pm Will Cain

No more. Conservatives should be done with Michele Bachmann.

Over the past year Bachmann has snake-charmed many conservatives into thinking that she – and only she – is dedicated to conservative principles. But almost every time she speaks, she shows ignorance and infidelity to concepts such as free market capitalism (promises of two dollar gas), constitutional federalism (proclaiming state mandates unconstitutional), governance (never ever raise the debt ceiling), medicine (Gardasil causes retardation), and leadership (staff turnover).

Let me explain.

(I realize that Bachmann is a popular guest on the Glenn Beck Show. But this is the evidence as I see it. And I welcome your disagreement and comments after the jump.)

NEVER RAISE THE DEBT CEILING (July 2011)

Never, ever, ever raise the debt ceiling. That was Bachmann’s position throughout the debt ceiling debate this summer. Her position wasn’t: let’s get a good deal. It wasn’t: let’s cut as much as possible. It was never, ever, ever raise the debt ceiling. (At one point she told Bill O’Reilly she would vote to raise the ceiling if it included defunding Obamacare. Which was impossible. Which means: never, ever, ever raise the debt ceiling.)

People can disagree about whether the debt ceiling deal was worth a damn. And Bachmann was right that “default” wouldn’t have occurred right away. But it would have occurred eventually. And even without default, failing to raise the debt ceiling would have required paring back government spending by 40% overnight. This is not a responsible way to cut government spending. And it’s not responsible governing.

BRINGING BACK $2 GAS (August 18)

“Under President Bachmann you will see gasoline come down below $2 a gallon again. That will happen.” That’s what Bachmann told a South Carolina crowd in mid-August. This is patently absurd.

At best Bachmann’s position shows ignorance of the complexity of free markets. Regulations, oil and gas production, crude demand, refining capacity, macro-economic conditions…and most of all…the whims of Saudi oil princes effect the price of gasoline.

Worse, by guaranteeing a specific price of gasoline, Bachmann shows a progressive inclination that by pulling a few economic levers she can dictate the point-of-purchase price of a free market product. Politicians set the conditions for the free market. Politicians don’t set the market. At least not free market politicians.

And that leads me to a caveat…because, worse yet…Bachmann’s position suggests gasoline price controls or heavy subsidies to literally dictate the price of gas. Short of these…not exactly free market tools… I don’t know how you can promise $2 gas.

ROMNEYCARE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL? (September 5)

Michele Bachmann spends a lot of time (appropriately) talking about the United States Constitution. But she doesn’t seem to understand the “sacred document.”

At the Palmetto Freedom Forum, Robert George of Princeton asked Bachmann whether the Constitution prohibited an individual mandate (like the one in Obamacare) if enacted by a state (like the one in Romneycare) as opposed to the federal government. Writing on NRO, Charlotte Hayes described Bachmann’s response. “She said such a mandate would also be unconstitutional if enacted by a state. But she obviously didn’t know why. After fumbling, Bachmann said that the prohibition against such a mandate on a state level is “inherent.” “Where is it?” persisted George, who had been so nice and smiley up to now. Uh-oh. Bachmann tried to wiggle off the hook by saying she was sure George could “enlighten” her.” (video here)

Bachmann’s position didn’t just show an ignorance of the document she professes to love. Her position showed a lack of respect for one of the core concepts within the Constitution: federalism. Whether it is abortion, gay marriage or state health care mandates, Bachmann seems all too happy to use the power of the federal government to control things she doesn’t like.

GARDASIL AND RETARDATION (September 14, 2011)

On Monday night, Bachmann came out swinging in the CNN-Tea Party GOP Debate. Unfortunately she kept swinging so wildly she repeatedly hit herself in the face. First landing valid punches on the chin of Rick Perry over his government mandate that all sixth grade girls in Texas be vaccinated for HPV and its “big brother problem” and Perry’s crony-capitalism problem.

But she moved from valid to demagoguery using language like “government needle.” And she moved from demagoguery to irresponsibility using language like “innocent children” and “damage” and “very dangerous consequences”. Finally…she knocked herself out by aligning with the anti-vaccine loons… suggesting Gardasil can cause retardation…with no medical evidence.

STAFF TURNOVER (Ever Present)

In early September Bachmann’s campaign manager Ed Rollins and her deputy campaign manager David Polyansky announced they were stepping down from their positions in her campaign. Rollins and Polyansky’s departure follows a trend within Bachmann’s staff.

“People leave her,” Major Garrett of the National Journal told Chris Matthews earlier this year. “They work for her for a little bit of time and they quit. She’s had five or six chiefs of staff – at least four at her time in Congress. That’s a problem.”

In 2009, after one of the congresswoman’s chiefs of staff quit, Politico reported an unnamed Republican House member saying in reference to Bachmann, “When your captain’s crazy, it’s time to find a new ship.” I don’t know what her staff turnover says, but it doesn’t suggest leadership.

THE END

You can disagree with me on some of the issues I have with Bachmann. You can make excuses for some of her statements. But you’re really reaching to defend or excuse ALL of any of Bachmann’s positions. And should you have to? After awhile you sound like a cheerleader pumping up a candidate, not someone looking for the best candidate to lead the country.

I don’t know how to explain Bachmann’s positions. I dont’t know if Bachmann is a populist simply trying to run out in front of the lemming pack to get elected…or if she is stupid. But I know from her record that she is not a leader….much less, a conservative leader. And it’s time to say so.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (26)

GetsGreased
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 5:51pm
Man, with the standards that we set for candidates, it’s no wonder we get Bushs, Clintons and Obamas. Give good speech, we love you. Fit the stereotypical image of a sexy male leader, we love you. Even if you’ve achieved nothing in life in or out of govt, if you look good and read a teleprompter well, we’ll love you.

Michelle Bachmann is a huge success in life. She has integrity. She’s learned that government cannot be trusted to cut spending no matter the promise, and she’s aware that on issues like energy and jobs, it is government that is in the way of Americans solving their own problems. We don’t need government solutions. We need less government.

I’m 51. I’ve been watching this crap seriously for over 30 years. With that comes some experience that no one gets in college education or reading the NY Times every morning. We need a president who understands, like Reagan, that government is the problem and not the solution.

Perry and Romney are not in that category. And if only to keep jabbing those big government mainstream Republicans, we need Michelle, Sarah, Newt, Ron and Rick to keep pounding issues important to conservatives and libertarians. We can’t afford another Republican president who compromises with left. We need a president who says no, and let the gridlock come if so be it. This nation could use about a decade of government gridlock instead of its Progressive slide to Socialism.

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Sunnyr
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 1:27am
I agree that it is time for Michele Bachmann to turn in the towel and bow out gracefully. I once admired her but now find her to be a hypocritical liar. She ran an Ad against Governor Perry that was filled with falsehoods (Read: LIES) which was discredited by FactCheck.Org. She has continued to run the Ad without correcting the erroneous information. This is dishonest and shows a lack of integrity and character. It’s time for her to GO!

Report this comment
tol
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 1:25am
FINALLY…thank you, Will! Ever since I saw Representative Bachmann’s interview with Chris Wallace I knew I could not vote for her. Everything she has done since confirms that reaction.

On Fox News Sunday, she cited her belief that each state should have the right to choose whether or not it recognizes gay marriage. But, then she went on to say she was for a Constitutional Amendment declaring marriage should be between one man and one woman. One’s beliefs on the topic of gay marriage are not the issue. The fact is, Rep. Bachmann took two contradictory positions which are mutally exclusive. She was either being disingenuous regarding one of the statements, or she is ignorant regarding application of Constitutional law, which she claims to champion above all other presidential contenders. Chris Wallace pushed her a little on it, but when she obfuscated, he decided to move on to other subjects. She is not qualified for the position of President of the United States.

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Tony
Posted on September 15, 2011 at 9:28am
There are reasons aplenty to pick on Michele but the notion that gasoline would return to $2/gal is not one of them. Why does Will marvel at gasoline returning to $2/gal? Has he forgotten so quickly when gasoline was $2/gal just a few years ago, before Obama’s EPA/Energy Dept and Chairman Waxman? The only reason it is above $2 is government’s refusal to allow us to produce our own energy.

Michele’s point is if we turn our domestic energy companies loose and let them drill bably drill and mine baby mine, we the United States will quickly become oil and energy independent, the world’s largest producer of oil and gas with the largest proven reserves. Rather than the OPEC, the world market for energy will set the price for crude oil. And crude oil will then drop back to $70 or less, price being set by the second lowest cost producer…just as the free market would have it.

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GardenWeasel
Posted on September 15, 2011 at 6:11am
anti-vaccination loonies?!?! excuse me??!! Can’t wait for you to have a grandchild with autism. so tell me Glenn, if Gardasil is so f’ing great, why do they need a law to make it mandatory?? Wouldn’t the free market make it a roaring success? Welcome to the USSA. So Merck gives $500,000 to the Republican Governors Association and their vaccine becomes mandatory. Can’t wait for Perry to come out for personal freedoms. I don’t know where this retardation business came from, but there is plenty wrong with Gardasil: http://truthaboutgardasil.org/ >> http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/gardasil_side_effects Since when did being a conservative mean blind allegiance to Big Pharma>> I am really disappointed in The Blaze on this one.

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tobinnieto
Posted on September 15, 2011 at 1:25am
The GOP does not have a winner yet.

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Doc T
Posted on September 15, 2011 at 12:51am
Bachman is a sincere and informed candidate. One that Obummer fears. She is a populist…and grass roots /teaparty candidates will do best in 2012 and she is mostly correctin her views. With regard to gas prices…drilling here and now opening our own natural supplies probably would bring the American cost to $2/gal or there abouts.Obamacare at state level? Constitutionally as flawed as at the Federal level from a mandate perspective. It would result in a hampering of the Commerce clause thru violating the free flow of interstate goods and services and possibly intrastate as well. Staff turnover…..with those people its merely a problem of egos fighting for control. That sort of thing happens in any high pressure game.

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political spunky
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:45pm
Omg I see the byline now too bad I don’t get a mulligan…………

Report this comment
- Will Cain
  Posted on September 15, 2011 at 9:20am
  Oh no! You agreed with me!!! Better get some therapy…or at least a shower, right?
  
  Report this comment
political spunky
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:42pm
I’m sorry Bachman is like a brain dead robot who only repeats the same things over and over….I don’t know who wrote this article because there’s no byline but I totally agree. Time to get out.

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TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 6:02pm
Perhaps Michele meant to say that by drilling for our own oil right here in America, the overall price of oil would drop due to a lack of demand for Muslim oil.

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- Nightjar
  Posted on September 14, 2011 at 6:58pm
  Good reply, we should drill for our own oil with great care rather than other countries tapping our own oil only to make big $ selling it back to us and to China.
  I like Backman, both Perry and she would be the winning ticket IMO.
  
  Report this comment
- KenInIL
  Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:17pm
  The price of oil is very elastic (it can go up and down easily if supply changes) The Saudis proved this during the Bush era by adding 1-2 million barrels a day when the price needed to be kept down around an election. If we drill in ANWR, the Gulf, off VA coast, off Santa Barbara, CA (where seepage causes a never ending oil spill) and replace the 8 million barrels a day we import, you better believe the price of gas will head south of $2 unless taxes are imposed to support it (which I am not against). There current price has been reached by the Saudis tightening supply and some of the supply upsets around the world (IRAQ, Libya …).
  
  Report this comment
rbarrphd
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 5:40pm
The Honorable Mrs. Bachman is articulate, intelligent, poised, speaks without a teleprompter, and is right on almost all issues. Our President is none of these and only says what he is told to say.

Report this comment
- Nightjar
  Posted on September 14, 2011 at 7:00pm
  Yours was the best reply on this thread, Perry and Bachmann 2012.
  
  Report this comment
- KenInIL
  Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:19pm
  She also tends to have foot in mouth problems when she stray off topic. Not Good.
  
  Report this comment
- noone222
  Posted on September 15, 2011 at 3:38am
  You said “Our President is none of these and only says what he is told to say.”
  
  And, I suppose you think the other (P)residents have been different ? They’ve all been puppets (more likely CIA) since Kennedy.
  
  Man, people that think they have a voice, a choice, or even a vote are delusional.
  
  Report this comment
oldjerry
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 5:14pm
I agree, Bachman should go. As well as all the rest of them. Why is it that not one of them will address the biggest issue of all facing the nation. That is that we have an imposter and fraud as president who has committed numerous crimes that would have sent anyone else to jail for years. It’s bad enough that Obama gets a free pass from his supporters, but when the so called opposition party refuses to acknowledge his crimes and only nit picks at his policies there is something wrong in Denmark. (Or the USA)

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extinction
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 4:51pm
Yes, she needs to drop out of the Presidential race ASAP. Her latest fundraising effort sent out dollar bills in the mail. Not sure how many were sent out but that certainly seems fiscally irresponsible to me. However, she adds value to the Congress and maybe would make a better Speaker of the House……

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WhatsYerProblem
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 3:59pm
Are you related to Herman Cain, Mr. Cain? Are you!?!?!?

Not that that’s a bad thing. I like Herman Cain.

I disagree with your conclusion. She is a conservative. She’s probably a little naive as far as big-picture issues like gas prices – and she should not have gossiped about Gardasil, but overall she’s been relentlessly pushing against big government and federal waste.

Why are you so quick to dump her? Do you hate women?

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- Nightjar
  Posted on September 14, 2011 at 6:59pm
  You rock, think both Perry and Bachmann are the winning ticket.
  
  Report this comment
Daytripper
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 3:53pm
Michele Bachmann has shown herself to be principled in Washington D.C., which is exceedingly rare in our day. She made many promises while campaigning and stayed committed to them once in office. Unlike many politicians in both parties, she has not been bought off with promises of entitlements or by the pressure and threats of the political establishment, or even by a continual quest for more power. That doesn’t necessarily entitle her to be President, but it does prove she is trustworthy with her promises to pursue limited and responsible government. Now, if we could
just add more individuals like her in D.C.

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The New Centurion
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 3:41pm
Really? This is all that you can come up with regarding Michelle Bachmann when we have Obamadinajad occupying the White House?

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The New Centurion
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 3:40pm
Really? This is all that you can come up with for Michelle Bachmann when we have Obamadinajad occupying the White House?

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- johnt998
  Posted on September 14, 2011 at 4:46pm
  I agree with you Will, and actually she is in fact stupid.
  
  Report this comment
- Bill in Texas
  Posted on September 15, 2011 at 10:17am
  Will, Deficit spending is irresponsible and dangerous. The debt ceiling shouldn’t have been increased and yes the responsible thing to do would have been cut federal spending instead. In fact if we went back to 2006 levels of spending we wouldn’t have needed an increase in the debt ceiling. Michelle is about common sense economics and that make sense to the majority of the country.
  She probably won’t get the GOP nod to take the Obamanations job, but she makes good points and gets the ideas out in an intelligent way.
  It makes sense to most ordinary working Americans that if under Pelosi and Reid’s reigns in Congress non discretionary spending has increased 84%. So why not cut spending by 40%? If non discretionary spending has increased this much how much has all spending increased? A 40% cut in all spending makes sense to people who know it’s irresponsible to borrow 40 cents out of every dollar we spend.
  
  Report this comment

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