If I heard correctly yesterday she has an LLM in Taxation, and of course a law degree.

And yet you have folks like our very own Feisty spouting off as only Feisty can, apparently questioning her qualifications and intellect.

I for one would like to see someone with a tax background running the show. Given all this hype about tax rates, "loopholes" and the like, it might really help.

But Feisty it is not "Nuff." Please provide any insight YOU have as to why Bachmann is not a good candidate/why she is a "bat"/what that even means.

Poor Michelle - she just can't help herself can she?

In Waterloo, Iowa on the eve of her official presidential campaign announcement, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) told Fox News that she has "the spirit" of John Wayne.

The presidential hopeful -- who was born and grew up in Waterloo as a child before moving to Minnesota -- said, "Well, what I want them to know is just like, John Wayne was from Waterloo, Iowa. That's the kind of spirit that I have, too."

The Washington Timespoints out one slight problem with the Tea Party favorite's remarks: The John Wayne with roots in Waterloo is John Wayne Gacy, a serial killer who was executed by lethal injection in 1994 after being convicted of 33 murders.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/27/michele-bachmann-john-wayne_n_885368.html

Whoopsy!

She's just out of the gate and already she stumbles!

Well, St. Reagan was from CA according to Sarah Palin also, too dontcha know, you betcha!

Why do Teapublicans HATE education?

Oh, creap- Feisty just unleased all the '57 states' people again.

Thanks a lot, you.

Are you kiddng me??? That's a great reason to vote FOR her!!! Can you imagine her scaring Congress into voting the way she wants by channeling a serial killer??? There's some change you can believe in!!!

"Oh, creap-...."

(it's like 'crap', only crossed with 'creep'. It's a new word I invented in honor of 'refudiation' of all the silliness around us everywhere.)

You people are either stupid or just like to lie.

John Wayne was born in Winterset, Iowa

John Wayne Gacy was born in Chicago, Illinois.

You should all stop thinking that because HuffingtonPost says it, it must be true.

So how about Feisty, are you stupid or did you just lie?

LoLoLoLoL Thanks for the clarification, White Collar.

I'll hold off on the website for now. That Concord, New Hampshire gaff, and the thing about the founding fathers ending slavery just aren't quite enough to fill a page.

But I still have hope.

are you stupid or did you just lie?

You can't even read and then have the nerve to call ME stupid?

The Washington Timespoints out one slight problem with the Tea Party favorite's remarks:

Whatever...

From FactCheck.org website:

• Bachmann claimed the Congressional Budget Office "has said that Obamacare will kill 800,000 jobs." That's a distortion. CBO said some Americans would work less or leave their jobs if they can get health insurance outside the workplace.

Not Much of a Job Killer

Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota repeated a false Republican talking point about the impact of the federal health care law on jobs.

Bachmann: The CBO, the Congressional Budget Office has said that Obamacare will kill 800,000 jobs. What could the president be thinking by passing a bill like this, knowing full well it will kill 800,000 jobs?

The CBO never said that. The CBO has said the law would have a "small" impact on employment, mainly by reducing the amount of labor Americans decide to supply. In other words, some workers will choose to work less, or retire earlier, because of the health care law. Their jobs wouldn't be killed.

CBO first explained its analysis in August 2010, saying the health care law would "reduce the amount of labor used in the economy by a small amount—roughly half a percent—primarily by reducing the amount of labor that workers choose to supply." In February testimony to Congress, CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf acknowledged to Republican Rep. John Campbell that "half a percent" of the estimated workforce at the end of this decade would be equal to 800,000 workers. But again, he didn't say that those jobs would be killed. Elmendorf talked about a "reduction in the labor used."

Why would some Americans choose to work less? CBO has explained that those with low incomes would have more financial resources due to the expansion of Medicaid and subsidies to purchase health insurance. "Those additional resources will encourage some people to work fewer hours or to withdraw from the labor market," CBO said. Plus, some workers nearing retirement will retire earlier than normal because the law provides more protections for health insurance, such as limiting how much more companies can charge older persons and requiring the coverage of preexisting conditions.

The CBO did say that some companies would hire fewer low-income employees because of a requirement that businesses provide insurance or pay a penalty. Those businesses could hire part-time or seasonal employees in lieu of full-time low-wage workers. CBO didn't put a number on that. Nor did it estimate how many jobs might be added in the health care and insurance sectors because of the law's expansion of the insured.

Republicans have repeatedly twisted the CBO's, and Elmendorf's, words on this point.

Nuff said!!

Feisty - the link is the HuffingtonPost. so yeah........

Ok AM, I won't mention getting dead soldiers mixed up and we'll call it even.

What do you call Michelle Bachmann and 5,000 Tea Party people in a convention hall? 5,001 nut jobs in a convention hall.

How is attacking Obama and lowering taxes for the wealthiest Americans going to create jobs? Unless she gets it in writing from these corps. Why should we believe her it never worked before? And ending the minimum wage, so people never could make rent and pay for health care. It sounds to me just what all the Democrats here are saying she will wipe out the middle - class as we know it. How can anyone think she is not taking advantage of the majority of us to support the top dogs.

White Collar:

Ok AM, I won't mention getting dead soldiers mixed up and we'll call it even.

LoL Deal. I'm looking forward to a highly spirited, really relevant campaign.

White Collar Auto needs to fact check his fact check. The article cited states that John Wayne was born in Winterset - "but appears to have no specific connection to Waterloo." Gacy was born in Chicago but then moved to Waterloo. The article does not say Gacy was born in Waterloo - it says that Gacy had his roots in Waterloo.

So what exactly is the lie you refer to or did you misread the article? It seems the critical statement that Bachman made is that "John Wayne was from Waterloo" a mistatement to be sure. And par for the course for Bachman.

Anna Molly : LoL Deal. I'm looking forward to a highly spirited, really relevant campaign.

Sarcasm, to be sure. We can always hope, but I'm not betting on it....

Heck, White Collar, I'm not even particularly hoping for it. ;-)

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, I require the same from them."

And although John Wayne Gacy lived in Waterloo, he did not kill ANYONE until he moved back to Chicago, to live with his mom.

Wiki and other sites are really good for info people. Here's some more fun info on Gacy:

Gacy became active in his local community activity and projects, including entertaining at picnics and parties as a clown and volunteering to clean the township Democratic party office where he offered the labor services of his PDM employees free of charge.^[54] Gacy was rewarded for his services by being appointed to serve upon the Norwood Park Township street lighting committee

He even met the First Lady Carter.

She misspoke, get over it already!

The Tea Party is the most successful political group pushing their agendas for their members since Jews for Hitler.

Well let's see Jody.

Bachmann has been in congress for many years.

The Tea Party started in '09, after a rant n CNBC by Santelli.

So what the heck ar you trying so ineloquently to say?

Oh wait, I know you hate Bachman. Got it.

Neither surprising or insightful, but understood.

The Gene McCarthy analogy is getting stronger...

Did you mean, Charlie? Charlie McCarthy??

It's the latter, Jody. if it weren't for the TP, there would be no Bachmann.

And, spanky, you were reaching a bit too far to be a smarta$$ on that one. that was beneath your usual efforts.

Spanky has no degree in 'glib', but other than that- he's a pretty keen observer. And, evidently, a pretty keen Bachmann supporter as well.

Spanky has no degree in 'glib',

Sure he does. He has a law degree.

Glib, smib.

I'd hit that.

I would too (hit that), with 3 conditons:

It's dark.

I'm gassed.

NO talking.

"Sure he does. He has a law degree."

He s a y s he has a law degree. And you know me- I belive EVERYTHING I read on here.

You're right, Ron. But she's only dangerous because so many people today are shallow thinkers.

We have seen the Tea Party agenda in action in Maine since LePage became governor in 2010. It's amazing how its the same agenda other Teapublican governors have pushed, regardless of the region. In Maine we ascribe the agenda to the influence of the wealthy, conservative Heritage Foundation, some of whose employees have been appointed to state government positions.

Public workers in Maine have born the sacrifices required in a recession, while tax cuts for the wealthiest have been passed. In Maine, we have seen the largest tax cut in our history, much of it going to raise the ceiling on estate taxes from one to two million dollars.

Environmental laws have been repealled. Our Teapublican governor has, unbelievably, attacked the nascent alternative energy industry, which the previous (Democratic) governor had helped bring to our state. The governor has scapgoated immigrants, insulted minority groups, and fostered an air of diviseness and partisanship. He ignores the opinions of moderate Republicans and refuses to work respectfully even with in his own party.

If a state governor can be this bad, I can't imagine what a disaster a Tea Party President would be.

She is obviously smart. But, as you say, Ron, she is crazy. And that craziness will need to be reined in for 18 months. Can she do it? I don't think so.

I didn't see it, but, what I hear of her FtN appearance shows just what a hard time she will have.

Amy ~ Here in Wisconsin the legislature has launched an assault on renters' rights, including a provision that landlords can enter an apartment on 30 minutes' notice, and even if you didn't actually get the notice.

I'm still trying to figure out how this will help the economy, provide jobs, or do anything but please Walker's cronies.

By the way, when he signed the budget yesterday, he left in the provision to stick it to the small business craft brewers in order to benefit the big brewers our state is so famous for.

You know ... Coors. Sheesh.

Underestimating Michelle? Not possible! As the questions come hard and furious during the primaries she will expose herself as the airhead she is. No one needs to work at underestimating her.

Ron, Bachmann's home district is the 6th Congressional. It was always a swing district before her 2006 election.

Vin Weber was a moderate Republican who held the district before her. This same district (North of the Twin Cities) includes large German Catholic communities who are social conservatives.It also home to some of the militia types who hate all government. But best of all it includes the voters who brought us Jesse Ventura as governor in a three way race. they might love her in the 6th, but she could never win in a statewide race.

OK so the "secret treehouse" message must be

1. She's an air head

2. She's a (quake in your shoes) Tea Party member, who founded the Cause in Congress.

Spanky you are right, she predates the Tea Party in Congress by at least one term.

Good call on Santelli by the way, so many people want to pretend he didn't start it on CNBC no less.

Watching Bachmann thouroughly trounce Odumbo in a Presidential debate where Odumbo cant use a teleprompter will be great entertainment.

OMG!

LoLoLoLoL -- The websites devoted to collecting her madness are ramping up now. I only wish I knew how to start one. "Michele Bachmann's Witless Wisdom."

You might enjoy this one Anna. www.dumpbachmann.com

Perfect. Now they need a section with crazy quotes. Thank you.

''Lenscrafters is upset with Tea Partier Michele Bachmann because she called Planned Parenthood 'the Lenscrafters of abortion.' Lenscrafters released a statement today calling her 'the Costco of crazy.''' —Conan O'Brien

Costco, which is known to be relatively moderate politically, immediately responded, "Oh, no, you don't. She's the Walmart of Wackos."

I've heard they are already scrubbig wikipedia, as we speak. lol

Looks like the only Michelle we need to worry about is "Moochelle" Obama, and her continuous vacation binge.

She's having a great time at our expense. The rest of you "bumps in the road" can just go eat cake.

She is the first lady and the last time I checked, I see that every first lady travels.

Job,

She is the First Moochelle. No wife of a president has ever sucked up the exotic vacations like this one.

Of course, they will call the trips a "fact finding mission, a goodwill tour" whatever. She knows her days of super perks are numbered and just watch as she squeezes in as many "trips" as possible.

Sickening.

And how many John Wayne's have been born in Iowa?? 1000?? 10,000?? 50,000??

How stupid can the liberal left get?? Looking for any little tiny wedge issue to gain some kind of advantage.

This is libbie fear showing through. The smell of libbie fear is in the air. Their desperation is showing.

And even Republican legislative leaders are now acknowledging that "something" happened.

http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/on-politics/article_f022ca04-a03c-11e0-8d84-001cc4c002e0.html

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, was asked by reporters at Gov. Scott Walker's budget signing ceremony about allegations that Justice David Prosser had put his hands around the neck of fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley earlier this month.

"Wow! The Supreme Court is crazier than the Legislature apparently," Fitzgerald said.

He added that "it appears something happened" but acknowledged details were hazy.

Amy's point earlier about the end of this state as a "nice" state certainly comes into focus here. In years to come, we'll be able to mark the exact moment when all this happened ... and who was in charge when it did.

Anna Molly,

As a follow-up to your comments from a previous thread.

To your point, here's some additional information that should shed some light as to what's going on. Perhaps I wasn't making myself clear, I did not like the Citizens United Ruling and I believe that many 501(c)(4) organizations are shams. Here's why and some solutions:

501(c)(4) organizations are groups set up under the Internal Revenue Code that are supposedly devoted to social-welfare activities. For example, Crossroads GPS, describes itself as "a policy and grass-roots advocacy organization that is committed to educating, equipping and mobilizing millions of American citizens to take action on the critical economic and legislative issues that will shape our nation's future in the years ahead." Nothing about elections in that credo.

501(c)(4)s are able to spend money in political races as long as their primary activities are educational and social.

Campaign finance reformers have asked the Internal Revenue Service to scrutinize 501(c)(4)s to see whether they're really political committees by another name that allow corporations and other groups to contribute anonymously to political activities.

Better policing by the IRS might reduce the use of 501(c)(4)s as political fundraising engines. But a more reliable remedy would have to come from Congress, which should require that 501(c)(4)s focus exclusively on nonpolitical activities. If corporations and individuals want to subsidize independent political advertisements, that is their right, but even the conservative Supreme Court has said that disclosure has a legitimate public purpose.

Congress this year is expected to consider legislation designed to blunt the effects of the Citizens United decision. The DISCLOSE Act would require that political ads identify the unions and corporations behind them and would require the leaders of corporations and unions to appear in the ads to vouch for their message. To those proposals should be added a reform in the tax laws to prevent organizations supposedly devoted to education and welfare from functioning as banks for political money — and concealing the identities of their "depositors."

Hope this helps clarify my position.

Indeed, sir. And thank you. I still think all this would be unnecessary, and the situation would be much improved, if only we had public financing. Why do we need to agonize over something that ought to be so simple? I heard some congressperson say the other day how much they hate this fundraising stuff, which takes so much of their time away from the people's business. Well, why don't they just put themselves out of their misery?

Because they could never sell it, that's why. The corporations would block it.

And there you go.

Roger,

With Obama's record, anybody could chew him up and spit him out. Looking over all that Obama has screwed up, just makes you want to go take a shower.

few?

my gut says maybe 25-35% of the vote in the general. It would be a real drubbing, sure, but still, that is an awful lot of people.

''If Bachmann and Palin get in, that's two bimbos. And there there's Mitt Romney, the millionaire and Newt Gingrich, a professor. We just need a skipper and a buddy and we've got 'Gilligan's Island.''' —Bill Maher

Job1,

If your worried about two bimbos, look at all of them on this thread.

Can we include you?

No Job,

A Bimbo is a female Libbie like the ones that hang out here.

Several Republican members of the Wisconsin legislature, who voted to reduce access to health care for low-income farmers, among others, also receive federal farm subsidies and then complain about the federal deficit. Ideology goes right out the window when it affects them personally, doncha know.

''Tea Party rebutter Michele Bachmann is under fire for saying the Founding Fathers eliminated slavery. Sarah Palin is very upset. Another female Republican trying to steal the dumbass vote.'' —Jay Leno

There's plenty to go around.

Do you have links to back that up? Because I have spent two days trying to vett those claims, and cannot find a single shred of evidence to back it up. And not the Huff Po please.

Simple

As a moderate, used to be Dem, I'm with you. Career politicians aren't making anything better, I was hoping Hilary and Bayh would challenge Obama but I don't think that's going to happen.

I am sick to death of watching the Dems lie, spin, and deflect. I'm done with it. If she doesn't make a run, I'm voting Republican in 12. And I don't even care who they run, I'll vote for them anyway.

Halo,

Hillary won't run. She's tired, she's worn out. She's getting long in the tooth (old).

When men get old, like Mitt, they get distinguished looking. They become the "silver fox". Women just get old.

It is too bad actually that Clinton did not get the nomination last election. I was really disappointed and kind of upset that so many Conservatives voted in the Dem. primary for Obama. They were certain Clinton could have won but were even more certain that America was not ready for a black president. Not a good gamble...

halo

You DO realize Edward is "on your side" right?

I rest my case on how Republican men feel about women.

It's true Clara.

Just look at the Hollywood stars. When the women stars get old, they have to practically beg for a decent role. Not much work for the old has-beens. Same goes for Hillary.

Arlin,

The Civil War started over States Rights, then expanded to the slavery issue. Most of those people doing the dying never owned a slave, and never would.