If Representative Michelle Bachmann runs for president, one thing is certain — it will be a lively race. The Minnesota Republican is known for her use of provocative rhetoric and does not shy from controversy, outlandish statements, or blaming the media when confronted with her mistakes.
Bachmann, a Tea Party favorite, is often compared to that other darling of the extreme right, Sarah Palin. Both have a penchant formakingratherpublicgaffes. However while Palin often gets heat for appearing under-prepared, Bachmann never seems at all flustered, providing non-sequiters with a polished smile and an icy calm that once caused a frustrated Chris Matthews to burst out “Are you hypnotized?”
A former tax-lawyer and full-time mother, Bachmann is the first Republican woman to represent Minnesota in Congress. She and her husband have five children and have fostered an astounding 23 others, and own a Christian mental health care practice in Stillwater Minnesota.
Here is Representative Bachmann making serious eye contact with someone off camera while delivering the State of the Union rebuttal.
Here is where Ms. Bachmann stands on the issues:
On Libya:
Bachmann has called the situation in Libya "very concerning because the president essentially decided that American air sorties, air strikes, would be made with American soldiers and because of that, we're committed now."
On the environment:
Bachmann, who is on the House GOP American Energy Solutions Group, is also on the League of Conservation Voters’ list of worst environmental offenders. She gave a speech on Earth Day 2009 about how “carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of nature!” and therefore cap-and-trade is unnecessary. "There isn't even one study that can be produced that shows that carbon dioxide is a harmful gas." In a radio interview she said “the science is on our side on this one. And the science indicates that human activity is not the cause of all this global warming. And that in fact, nature is the cause, with solar flares, etc.”
On dangerous rhetoric:
Bachmann has exhorted her constituents to become “armed and dangerous” in fighting cap and trade legislation, because “Thomas Jefferson told us, having a revolution now and then is a good thing”.
On same-sex marriage:
“If we allow this to happen, group marriage, polygamy, and things much worse, may not be far behind.”
On heterosexual marriage:
“The Lord says be submissive! Wives, you are to be submissive to your husbands.”
On healthcare reform:
Bachmann, who owns a Christian Counseling clinic with her husband, (which accepts most insurance plans) is absolutely against healthcare reform. She has expressed concern that school-based health centers created through the bill would actually function as “sex clinics” where a child could go get an abortion during the school day without their parent’s knowledge.
On Social Security:
“The Social Security payroll taxes have been our cash cow. And the dirty little secret is Congress has spent every last dime of Social Security money. Did you know that? I hate to tell you bad news.” (A statement rated “false” by fact-checking website Politifact.)
On higher education:
Bachmann’s website says she “is commited to giving teachers and parents the tools they need to help students achieve excellence.” However she is in favor of either defunding the Department of Education or cutting its funding and ending funding for Race to the Top. In addition she is in favor of reducing Pell Grants for low-income students attending college.
On taxing and spending:
“There’s no dollars in a vault in Washington DC to pay out the Social Security checks, it is filled with IOU’s.”
On the role of the media:
“I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out, are they pro-America or anti-America? I think people would love to see an exposé like that.”