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Subscribe to RSSWe wrote briefly about the Bachmann campaign’s tactics, including some examples of getting rough with reporters. Politico’s Ben Smith and Jonathan Martin today go deeper into the issue of the campaign’s manhandling of reporters:
In less than two months since entering the 2012 race, Bachmann’s campaign staff has become embroiled in at least five unusually hostile encounters with the traveling media marked by pushing, shoving and, in one instance, the allegation of a threat of violence to a reporter. …
Friction between the press and high-profile politicians and celebrities is nothing new. But the number and intensity of incidents is unusual, particularly in Iowa, where reporters and the public are accustomed to almost unlimited access as an early state presidential ritual. The campaign makes no apologies for its physically aggressive approach to media management, asserting that it is simply doing what it has to do to protect a popular, controversial candidate. The most aggressive aide — a tall, silver-haired man according to reporters — a spokeswoman said, is a former Secret Service agent who has guarded presidents. He and an advance woman frequently make physical contact with reporters.
The contentious encounters with the press has far oustripped that of other high-profile campaigns. Security guards for high-profile candidates like Rudy Giuliani, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin were better able to distinguish between reporters and threats. The difference was sharply visible over the past week at the Iowa State Fair. Palin wandered the fairgrounds freely with her husband, an advance man, and, at a remove, a handful of Iowa State Police. Rick Perry was guarded by watchful Texas Rangers who gave the press and fair-goers broad latitude to talk and walk next to the governor.
The Bachmann campaign told First Read Tuesday:
"Michele Bachmann is a high-profile congresswoman. On the heels of the Gabby Giffords shooting, security is of the utmost concern to our campaign,” spokeswoman Alice Stewart said. “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."
Video shot by NBC’s Jamie Novogrod; edited by Domenico Montanaro
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I'd rather take a sharp elbow from one of her thugs, then have Marcus poke me with his corn dog!
For those who might of missed it:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=michelle+bachmann+corn+dogs+pics&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS431&biw=1366&bih=599&tbm=isch&tbnid=cS_3Cxq2Kfi0aM:&imgrefurl=http://www.yourfunnystuff.com/2011/08/15/michele-marcus-bachmann-eat-a-corn-dog/&docid=JStdICX0PFdgqM&w=450&h=306&ei=CVtNTpO8Ce6GsAL3vc3LBg&zoom=1
There should be a 'new rule' for politicians that it's never a good idea to do photo ops with something big & hard on a stick...
Just a thought...
LoL Feisty -- those photos HAVE to be photoshopped.
Please tell me they're photoshopped.
Either that, or Michelle is actually running for Porn Queen.
But from the look on Marcus's face, I would say he now knows how Michelle feels.
Anna - I'm guessing ol Marcus ain't rollin like that.
She's holding that stick rather firmly...role reversal is definitely happening in the Bachman household.
Now judging from the second picture it looks like she has had lots of practice.
I'm not gonna touch THAT one... lol
This blog after all, is rated PG...
Throwing elbows makes me yearn for the good old days of the last election cycle.
You all remember?
Reporters being handcuffed & literally putting a boot on the neck of someone who dared to disagree with your candidate...
Those sure were some good times! lol
So...
Who believes that the security for Rep. Giffords ' Tucson, Arizona event in January was too enthusiastic?
Did Rep. Giffords' people go too far to protect her?
Really?
Anyone?
G.W. Bush in 2000 and later had all protestors and supporters of other candidates sequestered in a "safe area" usually about a half-mile away, and out of sight of, his campaign appearances. That's one reason why the celebrated incident where a protestor managed to get into an appearance and face Bush down was so visible.
Bachmann's rather well-known hostility to the press is counterproductive to her. Her rude treatment of people at events - even people she knows she is courting for votes - is another sign of her arrogance. She's believing too many of her own press releases.
Maybe we should just get rid of the guns, Bag Boy, and stop worrying so much about whether there is enough security.
As a conservative, you should see that as a much more responsible idea, at least from a fiscal point of view.
And lord knows, you can't shoot someone with a gun you never had.
Really MB? How is it there have been no complaints about the other canididates security and for that matter the President's?
Sorry that Dog won't hunt. From the party of God, Guns and Gays(Gay bashing that is) she is worried about gun control? More like she is worried she'll have to answer serious questions. "We have to hurry. Really O'Reilly is waiting for me."
Protecting Bachmann on this issue is like saying Palin needs extra security at the NRA National Convention.
Bachmann -- She's still around? That photo looks like Marcus has been into Michele's pantie drawer again.
One could only wish that most mid-50's women age as well as MB does.
I think the female hate train going on is a jealousy schtick.
Agree or not with her politics (I detest them), she's a handsome lady.
teknishan, the "sharp elbow" is sexist, though going by looks is what? Bachmann (and Palin) are embarrassments to their gender.
AM-
I haven't handled a firearm since I was a young soldier many years ago.
The day before the federal government says I can no longer legally own a firearm will be the first day that I own one.
I'm no lawbreaker.
NO woman wants to be called handsome. Are you an idiot. How can you say she looks nice when she looks mean and evil. I have never seen crazy in her face and eyes, just evil.
She is a very attractive woman! It's just her politics I hate. Sarah Palin is a very attractive woman but she is just dumb. And sorry to say I think Michelle Bachmann is too.
[G.W. Bush in 2000 and later had all protestors and supporters of other candidates sequestered in a "safe area" usually about a half-mile away, and out of sight of, his campaign appearances.]
Ahhh, yes...G.W.Bush's "free speech zones"....Geobbels would have been proud...
If handsome is a qualification, then I'm going with Shrek's wife Fiona for President on the Green Party ticket.
Being someone who values REAL qualifications over superficial ones, I'm not jealous of Michele Bachmann, but my failure to be jealous DID get me a date. So for that, I thank her kindly.
I look at the above and it doesn't do much to remove my notion. Especially the 'she's evil!' comment.
I've yet to hear a pretty girl foam at the mouth over bachmann, but I see strings of uglies go crazy whenever her or Palin are brought up.
I think that's worth further observation.
Heightened security due to what happened to Gabby Giffords. Gee, I wonder if any Democrats have posted target symbols on Michele Bachmann---no, that would be a Tea Party tactic.
Right?
Not to mention running around telling them not to retreat but to reload...
I forgot their "Second Amendment remedies", too.
AWW man give it a break....You liberals tend to wear shyt out. The lady was shot by a damn fool. People are shot and killed in the hood daily and not a word is said about it.
You fit right into the divisive crowd.
BTW: Your beloved Bob Shrum was the first to display target symbols on opponents.
I'm waiting for the NJ nut job to show up and tie this to it being ALL the President's fault... lol
She's really been on a roll lately...
IntheMiddle, TX
AWW man give it a break....You liberals tend to wear shyt out. The lady was shot by a damn fool. People are shot and killed in the hood daily and not a word is said about it.
=====
People were shot and killed in the "hood" prior to and after the Gifford assassination attempt. How are you using the Gifford shooting and the killings in the hood as joint evidence?
Allen:
I'm talking about the way they keep bringing that shooting up as if she is the only person that has been shot.
Yeah, you'd thinkk the attempted assassination of a Congresswoman would be no big deal by now. Geez, even her hair is starting to grow back, right TX? (what a real prize you are!)
Well they all started laughin' and I felt kinda sick
and I knew I'd better think of somethin' pretty quick
so I just reached out and kicked ol'
green-teeth right in the knee
He let out a yell that'd curl your hair
but before he could move I grabbed me a chair
and said "Watch him folks 'cause he's a
thouroughly dangerous man"
"Well you may not know it but this man's a spy he's an undercover agent for the FBI
and he's been sent down here to
infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan"
He was still bent over holdin' on to his knee
but everyone else was lookin' and listenin' to me
and I layed it on thicker and heavier as I went
I said "Would you believe this man has gone as far
as tearin' Wallace stickers off the bumpers of cars
and he voted for George McGovern for president?"
"Well he's a friend of them long-haired hippie type pinko fags I betcha he's even got a Commie flag
tacked up on the wall inside of his garage"
"He's a snake in the grass, I tell ya guys
he may look dumb but that's just a disguise
he's a mastermind in the ways of espionage"
"Uneasy Rider" Charlie Daniels...... You gotta' watch our Mr. Murray he's a thoroughly dangerous man
Now that takes me back. Wasn't Richard Nixon when that song was released?
Yep devie you win first prize. A free beer down at the DDi come Friday night
Sounds like she is scared of her own shadow. Using what happened to Gabby Giffords is disgraceful. She needs to get a grip. No one, outside the TEA Party, is falling for that crap. Come on, it's Iowa for Pete sakes!
I guess if you're Michele Bachmann, reporters ARE a threat.
Hey, Domenico---do you guys get combat pay for covering the Bachmann campaign?
Since Perry was not on official business in Iowa, but a pure campaign trip, I hope he's paying for the Texas State Police who were there protecting him from the evil lame stream media...I hope the tax payers didn't foot the bill for that.
So since the President is going to be going on vacation and isn't on govt. business will he be paying for his own security?
Knock it off with the stupid questions that have absolutely nothing to do with any issues. Just more partisan BS.
Hey BrutusCa, In case you didn't know it the President is always on gov't business even when he takes a vacation.
Obviously you were never in the military or if you where you conveniently forgot that you were on duty 24 hrs/day, 365 days/year. That's why you were subject to being called up to duty at a moments notice and had to provide your unit command structure with your whereabouts prior to going on leave.
As to the partisan BS, your comment is more of an example of partisanship than the truth that is being spoken about Gov. Perry utilizing Texas State Police for security. Seems Republican/TP's are really good at dishing it out, but really bad at taking it.
No, that was actually my point, thanks for missing it.
As the highest elected official for the State of Texas, Governor Perry is entitled to security regardless of where he travels as the states business travels with him. As would any official elected to his post be granted the same level of security.
I wasn't saying that the President didn't need the Secret Service there, or wasn't entitled to it.I was saying to criticize Governor Perry for using the security the State of Texas provides him is the same as criticizing President Obama for using the Secret Service.
See that, I wasn't attacking the President, I was saying it was stupid and off topic to be attacking a Govenor for using his security.
See that, you were so worried I was being partisan that you couldn't wait to attack me for it... So, which one of us is really being over partisan.
And you're right, I was never in the military, just you lowly avarage law enforcement officer, who happened to have special duties that made him on call at all times... Yeah turns out there are other professions that require that.
Pat: I can't stomach the man running for wing nut preacher in chief, but he is a sitting executive of a state (at the moment) and is entitled to police protection wherever and whenever he goes anywhere. It was not that long ago that people were SHOCKED that a Congresswoman from Arizona met her constituents at home with NO police protection. Having worked for a Senator, I can tell you, that's the RULE not the exception (that was before the attempted assassination however...that might have changed now.)
"Bachmann Camp's Sharp Elbows"
Sorry, but I believe it's an established fact that Jody, Iowa and I have the two sharpest elbows anywhere - titanium reinforced, too! Hey, Jody, maybe we're missing a job opportunity here?
I'm still waiting for the left to put forth a serious female Presidential Candidate. You obviously didn't think Hillary was the woman for the job. I know. How about that great orator, Debbie Wasserman Schultz. She's not afraid of the press but we just don't know what in the world she's spewing.
Mr. Peabody, we, the Democrats, will put forth a serious female presidential candidate, just as soon as the Republicans do. As for Mrs. Clinton, she ran the race and did very well. But, the Democrats nominated our president. The process may not have worked as well as I would have liked, but it is the process to obtain a president, and, I am not unhappy.
Mr. Peabody: You're seriously going to argue that the woman who garnered more than 17 million votes for President, the most by any woman in history, was not a "serious" candidate? She split the popular vote on Super Tuesday remember, almost evenly with Obama. Are you a mysoginist in general or are you only a mysoginist if the woman in question doesn't share your political views (i.e. obviously Ms. Clinton and Ms. Wasserman)?
Right. Perry is one of those gaps.
(Mr. Peabody)-- Hillary will run in 2016...After President Obama's 8 yrs are over
I'm not so sure - from the sound of her she's DONE with politics, but should she decide I would support her 110%...
*waves to neighbor*
I wish that were true, but I believe her when she says that's it. She's done a helluva job as Secretary of State and I'm interested in whether she'll take any cabinet post in the second obama term (but don't think so).
I'm not so sure - from the sound of her she's DONE with politics, but should she decide I would support her 110%...
Feisty--Your probably right...We can hope though...
She would have my support in a heatbeat! ;o)