Update: Newsweek Responds to Eyebrow-Raising Bachmann Cover Shot

Yesterday, Newsweek received quite a bit if criticism over its selection of a less-than-flattering cover shot (see above) of Congresswoman and GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann. On Monday, the magazine responded to the flurry of commentary surrounding the image with the following:

The straight-ahead shot of Michelle Bachmann on the cover of this week's Newsweek, taken by freelance photographer Chris Buck in a Washington, D.C., hotel room, “raises eyebrows,” according to The Huffington Post. “There’s no denying that Bachmann firmly believes what she believes. Some might think she’s crazy because of it. Cover photos like this one help to cement that image,” wrote The Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart.

Newsweek went on to quote NOW president Terry O'Neill's statement that the image is sexist, basing her negative response on the picture and its accompanying cover headline, "Queen of Rage." Then, Tina Brown, the editor-in-chief of the magazine, said the following in a statement:

“Michele Bachmann’s intensity is galvanizing voters in Iowa right now and Newsweek’s cover captures that."

Wait, so the curious photo on the cover of Newsweek simply captures "intensity?" Interestingly, rather than apologizing, Brown buckled down and decided that a proper response would be to post more images which show "similar intensity." Like this image:

Or, this one:

While the magazine posts a total of nine additional images, none of them seem to show the same level of "intensity" that is present in the cover shot. After all, the two photos above seem much more acceptable and flattering, no?

Nonetheless, it seems Newsweek is sticking by its image selection, blaming the bizarre image more on political excitement than on anything else. Watch the following MSNBC discussion for more: