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Subscribe to RSSMichele Bachmann campaigns on her family roots in Waterloo, Iowa. And she used those roots and a family reunion as the reason she was late to Sunday night’s high-profile dinner and speeches featuring her, Rick Santorum, and new presidential candidate Rick Perry.
But a family source tells NBC News, Bachmann was not at the event.
"About 10 years ago was the last time I saw Michele at a reunion," Shirly Movick, 76, who said she is Bachmann’s first cousin, told NBC News. She added that she hadn't seen Bachmann, or her family, come to the reunion "since she's been involved in politics."
Movick confirmed that Bachmann’s husband, Marcus, and the couple's three daughters, did attend the event, however. The reunion, in Lake Mills, IA, is held annually on the second Sunday of August. Movick said she has been going all her life.
The revelation, first reported by Politico, raises questions about a response Bachmann gave a reporter Sunday evening. While taking questions from reporters following her appearance at the Black Hawk County GOP dinner, Bachmann was asked why she had not arrived earlier to the dinner, in time to see Perry's speech.
"We had a full day today," Bachmann responded. "I was doing a number of things down in Ames. And we had a big family reunion just north of Waterloo."
The Bachmann campaign maintained she was with family.
"There were a few family reunion events that weekend,” campaign spokeswoman Alice Stewart told NBC. “She attended one on Friday. Marcus and the kids went to one on Sunday, and Michele met with family members on her own."
Asked to clarify why Bachmann missed Perry's speech, and why she did not mix-and-mingle before her own speech, Stewart said, "Like I said -- she was with family members before AND she mixed with the crowd for half an hour after she spoke."
But how Bachmann comported herself at this event -- and others -- also raises questions about her level of dedication to real retail campaigning. This one, like others, have been more rally than retail. Unlike Perry and Santorum, she did not sit and chat at tables before the speeches during the dinner portion. Instead, she signed autographs on stage for about 30 minutes, as music blared from speakers.
That rankled organizer Judd Saul, spokesman for the Black Hawk County GOP and the self-proclaimed leader of the area’s Tea Party.
"If you claim Waterloo,” he said, “come and dine with Waterloo.” (Bachmann was born in Waterloo.)
Saul was also irked that the party wasn’t able to capitalize on having two big-name speakers and raise the kind of money they could have because of Bachmann.
"We had a couple speakers scheduled to speak after her,” he said, “and we were going to do our big ask for our fundraiser, but as soon as she was done, the music blasted up; she started signing autographs, and … people just started leaving. So two speakers missed their chance to speak, and we missed our ask to the Republicans here for our fundraising -- extra money that we needed to carry for the caucus."
At her speech at the Des Moines Register’s “Soap Box” at the Iowa State Fair this weekend, she was half an hour late, gave just a 2-minute, 45-second speech -- far shorter than other candidates, some of whom took up their full 20 minutes of allotted time and also took questions. Bachmann did not. Toward the end of the speech, she said, "I'm coming out to shake your hand.” She shook some hands, but made a beeline about 50 feet to a waiting golf cart and was driven off.
There have also been examples of reporters being manhandled by her security staff – at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans in June, at a South Carolina event in July, and then again at the State Fair.
Sunday's Republican dinner was closely watched, because it marked the first time Bachmann, fresh from her win Saturday at the Ames Straw Poll, would share an event with Perry, who is likely to compete for many of the same kinds of voters. And with Perry’s entrance into the race, how Bachmann does retail -- in states where it matters like Iowa and New Hampshire -- is likely to get more scrutiny.
*** UPDATE *** Stewart contacted NBC to emphasize that security at the RLC, when the incident occured with a reporter, was provided by the hotel.
*** UPDATE 2 *** On security, Stewart says: "Michele Bachmann is a high-profile congresswoman. On the heels of the Gabby Giffords shooting, security is of the utmost concern to our campaign. We have a former Secret Service officer who's protected presidents and vice presidents, and if someone gets too close to the candidate, he warns them."
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The Bachmann campaign spokesperson said, "We have a former Secret Service officer...". What, she does not have Secret Service protection as a declared Presidential candidate? Probably too afraid of Big Government intervening in her affairs. What a joke. Please let her be the Republican challenger so Obama can get reelected---easily.
Can she really be this dim?
I can't wait for the Republican primary to be over so these clowns will disappear, hell their even an embarrassment to Ringling Bros Circus for crying out loud! I hear that the Ringling Bros clowns have asked the republican & tea party candidates to put bags over their heads so that people won't confuse them with the Ringling Bros clowns!
Seems we have a new contender for who is the more ignorant and dishonest pig that wears lipstick.
What Ames Poll? Bachmann wins it, but appears to be flaming out. Ron Paul comes in second and it almost appears as if hes dropped off the earth. Who came in third3?
I just spoke to God. He's invited all you Bachmann, Perry, and Palin supporters up to his white, magical place in the sky. Could you please join him?
(In a very bad Boris Karloff voice) "They've created a monthsta."
(Sigh) Oh Michelle, Michelle, Michelle...,fame is fleating hon.
This pycho bible thumping welfare queen will never be president.
Shes a compulsive liar! Even her cousin said she hasn't been to one in years. The Hypocrite twit is not fit to serve in the White House. She lied about her husbands business and lied about her family receiving farm subsidies. Michele you are not fit to serve , there is no Presidential strength Midol for your migraines, nor medication for your pea brain pain!
Poor debutante, Rep. Bachmann! Now really, she should have to sit down to supp with the little people, having to think and gesture at the same time while talking, answer questions from the assembled masses and batting down the "gotcha questions" from the lame stream press. What the hell is going on? God told her to run and if that's not good enough for some people, then to hell with them. I guess the reality of having to "submit" to the challenges and vagaries of the campaign trail just perplexes poor Michelle. It must have seemed so simple when she ran and won for the House of Representatives by her adoring and unquestioning electorate and not have to put up with these bothersome distractions. Poor, Michelle the old two by four of reality up-side of her head has probably made her wonder "What the f*^k is this all about"? She probably thought her entry into the race was going to be a coronation and not just a plebeian job interview. Someones "dumb luck" has run out, only she doesn't understand that yet. Buh bye, MB!
The sadness of it all is that she would still do better than obama. Although that would be easy for anyone.
Lol, now that's funny.
Bill - Your comment only confirms your lack of intelligence. While your just as entitled as myself to express ones opinion, not being able to foresee the consequences of a careless and obviously thoughtless belief could have a catastrophic effect such as destroying the world. I'd ask you to think this through but that would be a waste of time. IMHO
Bachman is done. She will fade quicker than Palin who is also a done deal. Even the dumbest can see it. I take that back she is as dumb as they come and she fails to see that always just railing against a sitting President with no real accomplishments herself i far from enough.... But her husband told her he wants to be first lady so she is not dropping out yet. Wait until teh money for the clinic stops and the farm subsidy is taken away and her mortgage from Fannie or is it Freddie has it's rate go up. I will enjoy that so much.
Is Ezra Klein daft? How can you possibly suggest that Michelle Bachmann's gaffes are just simple slips of the tongue? It cannot be simplified by saying, "Oh, it's just a slip." The latest is Elvis. If she didn't know, just don't say it. We are not discussing her spelling or speech, she has no knowledge of facts, American history, The shot heard 'round the world was not in Massachusetts? and on and on.
This is important - if the candidate has no knowledge of an issue, why open their mouth? Each of her "gaffes" have so far been attempts to score political points - "The founding fathers did their best to make sure slavery was no more." What the hell is that? And she refuses to admit she's wrong about these things? She just makes more lies and excuses about her "gaffes" than President Richard Nixon made about Watergate.
These are not "gaffes", this a person who is either very confused or whomever is providing her with data should be fired. And if she knows this little about American history, and lies like she does, we should be asking to see HER birth certificate. This is inexcusable. Ezra Klein, if President Obama were making "gaffes" like that, the birthers would be correct in questioning his birth place. But neither the birthers nor Ezra Klein doubt Bachmann was born in Iowa, and oops! she's not even sure if she was born near John Wayne, or John Wayne Gasy, Jr.; she doesn't know if she was at her family reunion. Her mother had to call the media and say she was not there - Bachman comes back with something like: I was with family though, so I'm technically correct. Michelle Bachmann lies, Michelle Bachmann doesn't know America - and you make excuses for that?! Damn sad.
Oh, President Obama said we have 57 states you say? Well, here's the "57 states" excuse for him: 50 states, 1 District of Colombia, and 9 commonwealths/territories = 60. Now that can be excused, unless Ezra Klein didn't know this himself.
lying is a sin...you phony flake....it hells' fire and brimstone for you
WOW. I have to remember I am reading this from the same "news organization" that hires idiots like Keith Olberman. You poor liberals. You grasp at anything because you have nothing else to show for your candidate. You are all pathetic and I am so looking forward to seeing your policy and your president defeated next year. Oh happy day.....
Listen, knee-jerk conservative. If you don't pay attention the party is liable to nominate Bachmann and I can guarandamntee you the media WILL do the research on her they did not do on Obama. They will headline every lie she tells and they won't be lacking material. Then we will be stuck with for more years of the incompetent we have now. Get a grip. Not all conservatives are wonderful. Do your homework and look past the -R or -D behind the name.
The GOP continues to insult the American people with candidates like Palin, Bachmann, Bush the Both, Reagan, Nixon, and on and on.
The sad thing is that money can get some of them elected. Says a lot about the "democratic" process.
No matter how bad the Tea Party types try to paint Obama, it can't compare to the antics of Bachmann, You can't make this stuff up.
Now she is using the terrible assault on Gabby Giffords to explain her (insert your own adjective), while President Obama faces a shouting tea party lunatic point-blank. Sounds like some double standard stuff going on here. Kinda like John Wayne (all-American) staying at home and making heroic movies, while that terrible liberal Jimmy Stewart quietly flies 25 missions as a member of B-17 crew over Europe. The ones who make the most noise are the ones you should trust least.
I'd rather her be wrong on the stupid Elvis birthday than EVERY SINGLE DECISION that's being made in Washington right now. Hmmm.....which one can I forgive? Confusing the birthday of a dead drug addicted washed up rock star or international policy and the economy of the free world. Hmmmm....let me think me think about this one.
I would much rather back someone with some brains that is at least trying to clean up the mess left by the previous administration (members of your own party even admit it) than someone who can't even use facts to her own advantage. Besides, where did I even mention the 'Elvis' gaff that you referred to?? You even put words in my mouth in an obviously stupid fashion.
No points this round, down. (Even your name has negative connotations)
This is always amusing. Bacmann is nothing more then an empty vessel. It's no wonder the folks on this vine can't defend her. For the most part she is indefensible. Perry is nothing more then this weeks tea party shiny penny. As he goes along and the truth comes out about him he will be relegated to Ron Paul land and become just as obscure and ignored as Ron Paul.
I'm starting to actually wish Texas would just go ahead and secede so we can be rid of these Texas politicians. Plus it would be fun watching all of those Texans sneaking into the states looking for good jobs.
Double standard. What's worse? Getting elected by dead voters or those just voting for their race? Or how about being intimidated at the polls? Or how about being elected when you've come from the city that lays claim to the most corrupted politicians in the country. Obama deserved what he got from the voter that had the nerve to ask him questions. I mean the freakin nerve of people to want an elected official to answer for his actions. I swear the nerve of some people to expect someone to do the job he was elected to do. Imagine that. You're getting a taste of what Bush went through and you don't like it. Get used to it. What goes around comes around. WHAAAAAA The GOP hasn't insulted anyone. It's YOUR double standards that is offensive to the general population. You are just upset that your savior didn't save you.
@downwithliberals
Congratulations, I don't think I've ever seen that many inane tea party talking points crammed into a single post on this vine. What did you do, go through their little book of big lies to keep spouting over and over again to come up with all of this dribble? That, much like you, is sad.
I can't say I care for Michelle too much, but why is this a story? Maybe she should drop out of the race for giving an excuse. I blame the press on this one, this is truly much ado about nothing.
How do you know a politician is lying - their lips move! Some just get caughts
Bachmann is a serial exaggerator. Like the pResident, she will say what's expedient, not necessarily what is true. Pay attention this time, voters, or we're going to wind up with Obama in lipstick and heels.
Now that she is in the ring with the big dogs Bauchmann appears to suffer from stagefright, ha,ha,ha, he, he