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Subscribe to RSSWASHINGTON -- Without calling GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney or any of her other rivals by name, Republican presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann on Monday described others in the GOP field as "frugal socialists," adding that some are "confused" about their core beliefs on abortion, same sex marriage, and the "urgency" of repealing the Obama-passed health care law.
"Unfortunately for too many Republicans, they also aspire to be frugal socialists," Bachmann said in an address at the Family Research Council headquarters in Washington D.C., adding that "some" of the GOP candidates tolerate "socialized" medicine because of a flawed understanding of government that sheers too closely to the president's.
"We cannot preserve liberty for ourselves and our posterity if the choice in next November is between a frugal socialist and an out-of-control socialist," she said in a clear but unnamed reference to Romney.
Pressed by a reporter to identify exactly at whom she was leveling her charge, Bachmann demurred, replying against a soundtrack of giggles in the room: "You see, that's part of the puzzle that you figure out."
In an address heavily focused on the proper role of the federal government, Bachmann listed what she believes are cracks in the conservative philosophies of others in the presidential contest, labeling as "naive" those who would use executive orders to roll back the health are law (which Gov. Rick Perry has proposed), and pledging that there will be no "policy surprises" from her campaign (referencing flip-flops from the likes of Romney and Herman Cain.)
"I am far from a perfect person, but I know who I am and I will never deviate from the principles that I have fought for all of my life," she said.
Zeroing in on the issue of abortion rights, she also took anonymous aim at rivals Romney and Cain, whose past statements on the issue have been muddled in the eyes of some social conservatives.
"Some Republican candidates seem confused about what it means to be 100 percent pro-life," she said. "I am both personally and publicly pro-life and our candidate has to do more than just check the box on the issue of life."
While aiming most of her criticisms against the GOP rivals she refused to name, Bachmann also swiped at the current president, linking his political philosophy to the ongoing nationwide protest movement against the top percentage point of the nation's wealthy.
"He has been willing to engage during his presidency in a massive redistribution of wealth and in the politics of an 'Occupy Wall Street' envy to achieve his purposes," Bachmann said.
The Minnesota congresswoman charged that Obama's beliefs run counter to a basic tenet of Christianity. "The 10th Commandment teaches those shall not covet thy neighbor's goods," she said. "It's time to act on this self-evident truth."
She also offered particularly harsh words for the United Nations, which she called a "threat to the American family" due to its international standards for children's rights, and she called the threat of the institution of Sharia Law in the United States "an issue that Americans are rightly concerned about."
Bachmann travels today to South Carolina, where she will campaign before Wednesday's CNBC debate in Rochester, MI.
NBC's Jamie Novogrod contributed.
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She is yesterday's news and falling in the polls. She has to say something to get news coverage. She is exactly what is wrong with politics. She says she is against a system that she personally benefits from. So while she'll cut your benefits, she certainly won't cut hers.
"GOP candidates tolerate "socialized" medicine because of a flawed understanding of government that sheers too closely to the president's."
Translate:
GOP candidates tolerate "socialized" medicine. Ok which candidates is she calling out besides Mr. Romney?
Because of a flawed understanding of government. OK, what is the flaw and who advocates it?
That sheers too closely to the president's. OK, I give up - this is sheer gibberish. You may just as well spend your time trying to translate the squeaks of a cage of gerbils.
The sooner Bachman shuts up the better! She reminds me of Jezabel of Biblical times. She is one of the great contributors of the slow but sure destruction of the traditional Biblical home. Yes, the more women enter the public arena the more the devil enjoys it! Motherhood in America, the land that claims to be under God is becoming sort of an insult to God Almighty the one that created it in the beginnig!
Herman Cains eeky sexual harassment scandal has been dominating news network for over a week
Please remind us again.......WHO is Michelle Bachmann
Sarah Palin, Christine Odonnell and Michelle Bachmann .........all the same thing
what planet is she on?
All those who think Bachmann is a space cadet reply by saying YES!
Ha ha ha can't go there after all she is one of God's (as are all of us) special creations. She to me, is just trying her best to get back in the headlines and it's not going to work.
OK...I said this on another blog this afternoon but its worth repeating here. The Repuliclowns have had control of the House of Representatives, of which Ms. Bachmann is a member, for almost a year. In that time, I don't recall seeing a bill or any proposed legislation to repeal or tweak or improve what they call "Obamacare" Why? They don't have an idea of their own and they are too interested in making it a political issue than to improve what they seem to think is wrong with it. Is it the best we could have offered? Of course not but it's better than nothing at all. Come on Michelle, offer an alternative that's better.
Love to see when this idiot opens her mouth, it provides good entertainment. While untimate results would be tragic if she ever got to be President, I cannot help but laugh thinking of her sitting down across the table from the " Poots" in negotiations. Might work, guy would walk out of there pickin his ass for sure.
Emil
Oh my God... She's still out there? That's hillarious.
Ms. Bachmann... Please, just go away already...
She might have been scarier when she was collecting taxes for the IRS, but not presidential in anyway. You might even fantasize about Sarah, but Michelle??? The two who have credibility are Romney and (gasp) Gingrich. Hopefully, the fifteen minutes of fame are almost over.l
Bachmann has now firmly entrenched in the domain of bat-s--t crazy. Her ideas, political direction and determination about the lack of religion in the political framework are so out of touch it's now becoming very scary.
how bout those bears,,,,much more relevant than michelle bachman....
You want to know the meaning of true socialism is? It is called Government Employees. Where else can you get paid for screwing people over?
When is this hypocrite going to give up? Bachmann has personally gotten more gov't money for her so called farm than any other repuke candidate. Bachmann and her tea bag followers have a big lesson coming in 2012.
GO OBAMA 2012
Hey, how about those Republican candidates? What a line up: an old wacko, a struttin' Texas gun nut, a dirty old (pizza) man, a CRAZY biotch, and a rich white guy. Almost forgot Newt, but you can only see him on tape and it'll cost ya.