2012 Tuesday: The efforts to brand Michele Bachmann a ditz
It’s Michele Bachmann’s turn in the spotlight as the fast-rising fresh face in the Republican presidential field, and so far she’s holding up better than Herman Cain did. Surely some of the difference comes from her experience as a successful political candidate. But a great deal of it comes from the fact that she is, as she told Fox News’ Chris Wallace after his lame question, “Are you a flake?”, a serious person.
That’s not at all to suggest Cain isn’t a serious person, only to point out that the reputation of Bachmann coming into this contest is at odds with how she’s performed as a candidate so far. At some point, the political and pundit class is going to have to notice her performance and life experiences and acknowledge it.
Too many people are still in denial, as the ridiculous amount of attention paid to Bachmann’s supposed gaffe Monday about John Wayne’s birthplace demonstrates. It’s not only that this attention is out of whack compared to President Obama’s most recent gaffe, about whether a particular Medal of Honor recipient was alive at the time the award was made. (The list of Obama’s misstatements is not short, even if it hasn’t spurred a book just yet so far as I know, but that’s understandable when someone speaks publicly as much as Obama has — which is one reason I don’t make a big deal of them.)
The Bachmann-gaffe reporters want to portray her not as a poor public speaker but as a dolt. No, it’s more gender-specific than that. They want to portray her — and I think this is the word Wallace meant when he said “flake” — as a ditz. As “Barbie with fangs,” as Washington Post columnist Colby King actually called her last week.
This narratives contradicts everything these reporters — let’s not pretend most of them don’t tend toward left-liberal politics — claim to believe about gender equality and sexism.
Not a single one of them would flinch at saying the sexes are equal. Such a thing doesn’t threaten to undermine their (alleged) objectivity; it underpins it. They would proclaim this belief proudly. And rightfully so.
But they don’t practice this belief when it comes to covering female politicians — excuse me, conservative female politicians. Even the gaffe-tastic Joe Biden doesn’t get the treatment Bachmann and Sarah Palin get.
Speaking of Palin, here’s a second point about Bachmann. What sense of gender equality is promoted by the perpetual linking of Bachmann and Palin? By the conventional wisdom that the 2012 Republican field isn’t big enough for two women? Can you imagine, back in 2008, rumors of a potential Nancy Pelosi run for president spurring such comments as, “Well, she can’t get in unless Hillary Clinton gets out”?
I don’t know whether the Bachmann and Palin haters resent the fact that both women have been successful at balancing their careers and family, or that both remain attractive well past age 40 (Palin is 47, Bachmann 55). But I am certain that they resent the fact that both women defy the left’s preference for — dare I say stereotype of — women who hold the line for abortion rights, among other left-wing policies.
And, getting back to Cain, none of this is even to mention the hatred and slurs directed at a black Republican running for president. (Go to Google and start typing “Herman Cain US Navy,” the branch of the armed services for which he once worked; before you can type the “S,” you’ll get the suggestion “Herman Cain Uncle Tom.”)
While a white guy (Mitt Romney) is the favorite in the nominating contest right now, and another white guy (Rick Perry) is seen by many as having the best chance of defeating Romney, the days of all-white, all-male fields are as over for the GOP as they are for Democrats. Besides Bachmann, Cain and Palin, the coming years very likely will see Republicans such as Sen. Marco Rubio or Govs. Nikki Haley, Bobby Jindal and Susana Martinez competing on the national stage.
Maybe one day, the so-called elites throwing barbs at “Barbie” candidates and tomatoes at “Uncle Toms” will notice.
***
Housekeeping note: Starting today, I’ll post a “2012 Tuesday” blog about the presidential race each Tuesday around lunchtime. That doesn’t mean I won’t comment on the election on other days, just that you’ll want to come back at this time each Tuesday to read about and discuss the race.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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109 comments Add your comment
DawgDad
June 28th, 2011
7:17 pm
If the MSM is taking pot shots at a candidate that’s a pretty solid endorsement in my book. Thanks for the tip, MSM. Guess I’ll have to start paying attention to Ms. Bachmann.
Chris Matthews
June 28th, 2011
7:35 pm
No person alive..not even Bush made as many goof-ups as Barrack Obama! Obama can only mubble without his teleprompter! He can’t think on his feet! John Stewart should do an Amos and Andy skit about Obama instead of Hermain Cain! Most liberals are racist anyway!!
hatorade drinkers
June 28th, 2011
7:56 pm
mwahahahaha
Politi Cal
June 28th, 2011
8:06 pm
We need a viable third party, and the Libertarian ain’t it. Democrats = Republicans in practically every way. Essentially, we are a one party nation. Conservative? The national debt rose higher under Bush than any preseident until Obama. Whoever follows Obama will, undoubtedly, surpass him. It’s the D. C. disease. Americans, we’re screwed.
JF McNamara
June 28th, 2011
8:08 pm
I’ll never vote for a religious fanatic. They become too set in their ways because they perceive God gave them some mission and it acts as a crutch to support poor decision making. I learned my lesson with W.
Being a Christian (or Mormon) is fine. Being so religious that it effects every decision you make is not. That just leads to less freedom. The only freedom an evangelical wants you to have is the freedom to go to church. I’ll pass on that kind of leadership.
Rafe Hollister
June 28th, 2011
8:10 pm
We need more people like Joe Biden, those that think long and hard before they blurt out nonsense.
I expect any day now to hear Bachman tell some guy in a wheelchair to stand up, like some idiot did. Stand up Chuck, oh my goodness!
eatmotacos
June 28th, 2011
8:14 pm
The number of stupid people in this country is astounding. This woman is a complete idiot.
“Bachmann supports the teaching of intelligent design in public school science classes. During a 2003 interview on the KKMS Christian radio program Talk The Walk, Bachmann said that evolution is a theory that has never been proven one way or the other. She co-authored a bill [that received no additional endorsement among her fellow legislators] that would require public schools to include alternative explanations for the origin of life as part of the state’s public school science curricula.[120] In October 2006, Bachmann told a debate audience in St. Cloud, Minnesota “there is a controversy among scientists about whether evolution is a fact or not…. There are hundreds and hundreds of scientists, many of them holding Nobel Prizes, who believe in intelligent design.”
Joe Biden
June 28th, 2011
8:15 pm
Gaffes are “not a big f***ing deal”.
As Barack says, hey you can’t be stupid Joe, your the VP of the 57 States.
Joe Biden
June 28th, 2011
8:16 pm
should that be your or you’re, never did learn that, but Delaware has excellent pubic schools.
Uncle Billy
June 28th, 2011
8:23 pm
Kyle, as Democrat I hope Michele wins the nomination.
Lee
June 28th, 2011
8:25 pm
After seeing Hardball’s infamous Bachman interview, when she said she would love to see the press do an in-depth expose on Congress to see which representatives were for America or against America, it locked in a bad first impression. So much so, I respectfully asked her to stop pushing that line of thinking for the most of obvious reasons Young citizens, (anyone younger than 50 years of age) please Google: Joseph McCarthy for important historical perspective. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy
Rep. Bachman is scary because she constantly reminds those of old enough to remember what America went through during the dark McCarthy era. Someone who does not know history, is doomed to repeat it. While Bachman may know about tax law, and how to be a great parent, clearly she doesn’t know enough about our country’s history, and who ever is spoon feeding her information about the locals she is about to visit, apparently doesn’t know much either (John Wayne, versus John Wayne Gacy.) If you don’t know a lot of history, and you are prone to wing it , you need to surround yourself with layers of professionals with the highest standards to bounce your bad ideas off.
The truth
June 28th, 2011
9:04 pm
Chris Matthews
June 28th, 2011
7:35 pm
No person alive..not even Bush made as many goof-ups as Barrack Obama! Obama can only mubble without his teleprompter!
So, Obama trying to help the poor (white and black) and provide free health care is worse than sending thousands to die in 2 senseless wars?..the only thing wrong with Obama is his SKIN color..When will WHITE people grow up and get a life?
GT
June 28th, 2011
9:11 pm
Even Nancy Pelosi shows courage in her belief and doesn’t look like a Geritol cheerleader mouthing whatever the adults wants to hear her say. Like Llyod Bentsen said, “I knew John Kennedy and you sir are no John Kennedy” Defending the strong, bully the weak may not be the traits of a flake but they are the ingredients of hate. All the plastic in the world can’t cover that up and that is her only political talent. Wallace for once forgot he was a clown in a circus and acted like a professional journalist. I think Jon Stewart must have gotten to him. When you lecture on the virtues of meaness you may get a pass from the church members but that third party independent sees you for what you are and those graffes are louder on the self rightous, even if she is a foster mother of 20 children and a flake.
Moderate Line
June 28th, 2011
9:11 pm
Uncle Billy
June 28th, 2011
8:23 pm
Kyle, as Democrat I hope Michele wins the nomination.
+++
As a moderate those kind of statements make me sad, especially when elections can be determine by forces outside the two canidates control. For example, if the economy tank anybody the Republicans nominate would probably win.
I would like to both parties nominate the best canidates possible. Is to bad people are more concerned about wining and losing than the country.
mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack the LIAR Obama
June 28th, 2011
9:28 pm
Herman Cain is the MAN, get your head out of your butt and you would see that.
snoqualmiefalls
June 28th, 2011
9:50 pm
Just another clown elebowing into the official Clown Car called the Republican Presidential wanna be’s.
Her ideas represent the very best of the John Birch Society circa 1965.
eatmotacos
June 28th, 2011
9:54 pm
Our country has gone to hell in a hand basket because people are too lazy to think for themselves. That is how we ended up with two selfserving crooks in a row for governor. Voters have no input in who the political parties shove in front of them – it doesn’t matter if they are a crook, child molester, or ax murderer – they will mindlessly support them just because the guys in the backroom picked them. What they don’t seem to realize is that the guys in the back room’s criteria is very different from their own..
Lil' Barry Bailout
June 28th, 2011
10:16 pm
Ever notice how any conservative who isn’t a white male comes in for especially vitriolic hatred and spasms of rage from the leftards?
Don’t step off the plantation, women and people of color, unless you’re ready to hear the bile from the left.
Al
June 28th, 2011
10:24 pm
Michelle Bachmann reminds me of the Sea Hag from the old Popeye cartoons. Ever notice how gay republicans like Lil’ Barry have nothing of value to say? It’s always, “you are different than me, you suck!”
Lil' Barry Bailout
June 28th, 2011
10:35 pm
Nothing to say, and yet Al must respond…
td
June 28th, 2011
10:35 pm
eatmotacos
June 28th, 2011
9:54 pm
Why can you and others not join the “backroom” and change the process? Money may have influence but it does back down to the power of the people. The real problem is apathy. We have way to many people that do not care about the political process and are to lazy and self absorbed to gt involved.
td
June 28th, 2011
10:36 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout
June 28th, 2011
10:16 pm
Ever notice how any conservative who isn’t a white male comes in for especially vitriolic hatred and spasms of rage from the leftards?
Don’t step off the plantation, women and people of color, unless you’re ready to hear the bile from the left.
You are totally right with that statement.
Intown
June 28th, 2011
10:44 pm
This isn’t about Bachman’s gender. It’s about her being a whack job. These extremist candidates simply cannot win a general election with even a moderately strong candidate on the other side. Thank G!
yuzeyurbrane
June 28th, 2011
11:40 pm
As Freud once said (not really but still true), “sometimes a banana is just a banana”.
Alice
June 29th, 2011
12:07 am
Look, I know everyone makes mistakes and I don’t usually hold it against a person if they make a gaffe. I even like Joe Biden (I think the has lovely Irish eyes). Anyway, that mixing John Wayne and John Wayne Gacey is just funny man. That’s just funny.
Michele, when you a google a region you’ve got to read a little more than just the blurb on the search page. You’ve got to click on the link and read the whole story. My, what a difference one little name makes. That is so funny. I can’t vote for her for that reason but I think I will vote for Romney. He has lovely Irish eyes too. When Irish eyes are smilin’ ……
boogie
June 29th, 2011
2:02 am
Bachmann is the candidate of choice for those who feel Palin’s too intellectual.
Barack Obama
June 29th, 2011
5:20 am
Hey, you people call me an Islamo-Fascist Nazi UnAmerican Socialist all the time!!! What’s good for the goose…
Hypocrites
Lil' Barry Bailout
June 29th, 2011
6:24 am
Intown: This isn’t about Bachman’s gender. It’s about her being a whack job.
———————–
The Democrats always have a cover story for their hatred of people who support America and its founding principles.
Joel Edge
June 29th, 2011
6:48 am
Palin must be breathing a sigh of relief. With Bachmann and Cain in the race this is giving her a slight break from the media attack dogs.
Real American
June 29th, 2011
6:51 am
There is no effort on anyone’s part except Bachmann…and she’s doing a helluva job!
GW
June 29th, 2011
6:56 am
Ok. After reading more about Bachmann I find myself in agreement with Kyle after all — she is a ditzy dolt.
Streetracer
June 29th, 2011
7:04 am
“Barack Obama” @ 5:20 I have never called you, or your “namesake” anything but foolish.
However, I do get a little upset at those who call me “racist” because I believe in self reliance and that each person is responsible for the consequences of their decisions/choices. I’m kind of tired of the legions who insist that “I made some bad choices. Somebody (government) should fix it for me.”
Jefferson
June 29th, 2011
7:47 am
When are you money lovers going to start “settleing” for somebody who is goofy like you always do?
Jerome Horwitz
June 29th, 2011
7:56 am
Ms. Bachman’s John Wayne gaffe is really small potatoes compared with her outrageous remarks chronicled on PolitiFact – which is highly non partisan. Probably 9/10’s of her remarks are rated Barely True to Pants on Fire. She plays fast and loose with the facts.
On the other hand I do respect the fact that her family has cared for 20+ foster children over the years.
GT
June 29th, 2011
8:02 am
The Republican Party minority is a handicapped minority, because the country realizes this does not represent where their selfish hearts are. It is like advertising something at a loss to get customers in the house. Since you are picking from the weakest population in your universe it stands to reason you are putting the weakest candidate your party has to offer up front.
Nixon almost beat John Kennedy. The reason that election was historically close is because you had the essence of both parties on display. As evil, unattractive and unappealing as Nixon was he represented a true majority of his party. They were scared to death of communism and Nixon appealed to that fear. Instead of running a communist or “liberal’ who would have been a B actor from the Republican Party they faced their opponent straight up with all their warts. It is almost comical to watch a woman or a black man run for election in the Republican Party. You know there must have been a lot of explaining going on in the “backroom” when Clarence Thomas was nominated.
Philosopher
June 29th, 2011
8:03 am
We resent Palin and Bachman because they claim to represent women but are blatant ditzs, just plain inarticulate and they unabashedly use sex to manipulate men. Palin’s wink insulting…but directed straight at the gonads…anyone with half a brain knows that these two women are pawns in someone’s puppet show! They are frankly an embarrassment to intelligent women!
Obozonomics
June 29th, 2011
8:05 am
DebbieDoRight;
Funny how you think you know what a fact is, the fact is that Obozo has supported and extended EVERY BUSH POLICY on the patriot act, and tax breaks and even expanded on them, so tell me again the Bush is stupid, then Obozo is even dumber for continuing the same policies, right? Sorry did not mean to confuse you with FACTS…
real john
June 29th, 2011
8:08 am
Kyle:
I get you point and I agree that the liberal media definately play a bias against conservative women candidates. However, as a conservative, I must say I cringe when I hear Palin or Bachmann speak. I feel as though the Chris Wallace question was taken out of context. I think he was posing the question for the voters who believe that, not necessarily that he thinks she is a “flake.”
I take Meg Whitman of California much more seriously than Palin and Bachman. While they certainly have accomplishments themselves, I do think Palin and Bachmann are playing to a certain crowd…(mainly older voters and soccer moms).
In a run off, I would vote for Bachman agains Obama (that’s not saying much), but I definately hope she is not the Republican candidate.
gm
June 29th, 2011
8:17 am
Dem are not easly fooled by hypocrites rep, conservatives rep hate Obama so bad they would pick the devil over him, Bachman’ and her husband took over $165,000 from the government while running their business, she also received housing subsidy, this is the same hypocrite that goes around bad mouthing goverment.
Once again tea party, low middle class whites will follow who ever Hannity, Rush lay out for them, no thank God these people dont represent all America.
Buzz G
June 29th, 2011
8:24 am
The Democratic party and its big supporter NOW have painted themselves as being the home of strong women. But I’ll stack either Palin or Bachmann against Clinton. Hilary Clinton just sat there and let her husband walk all over her and disrespect her for 35 years.
GT
June 29th, 2011
8:41 am
There is an obvious path of maneuvering in the Republican Party so it doesn’t matter who they have in the office someone behind the curtain is working the puppet. I think much of the nation felt W was not calling the shots. That is why he had a hard time articulating what he was doing, he really didn’t know half the time. There were strong personalities that would never be elected on their own merits who trot out “whatever” the weak-minded constituency they represent wants to see. The whole time they have their own clandestine agenda. Almost like union bosses, there is what we tell you and then there is what we do.
I never felt Obama was someone else’s man. He can think, it is very obvious he is very clever. He is the smartest man in most rooms unlike W who I never felt really knew where he was half the time. W could have played Kevin Kline’s part in Dave only he kind of went right along with the bad decisions instead of seeing them for what they were. I think Obama will feel like he walked away from the Oval Office his own man with his own agenda, W is still trying to figure out what happened.
Michele Bachmann, hell’s Barbie – San Francisco Chronicle | Barbie 2010
June 29th, 2011
8:41 am
[...] the most …Plagued by Gaffes and Scrutiny, Bachmann Emphasizes Campaign MessageFox News (blog)2012 Tuesday: The efforts to brand Michele Bachmann a ditzAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Michele Bachmann — campaigning in 57 states would be much [...]
Techfan
June 29th, 2011
8:41 am
“Also, Liberal Women are U-G-L-Y.
Conservative Women? Not so much.”
Please see the blonde sleleton with the adams apple.
saywhat?
June 29th, 2011
8:46 am
Lil’ Barry Bailout
June 28th, 2011
10:16 pm
“Ever notice how any conservative who isn’t a white male comes in for especially vitriolic hatred and spasms of rage from the leftards?”
You mean like Olympia Snowe, Ann Richardson or Christine Todd Whitman?
Ever notice how every liberal, whether male, female, black, white, Asian, latino, or whatever, comes in for especially vitriolic hatred and spasms of rage from LBBtard?
Carlosgvv
June 29th, 2011
8:46 am
“too many people are still in denial”
Kyle, that applies to the majority of people who are supporting the vast majority of Presidential candidates for the 2012 election. It’s no accident that American politics and politicians have become the laughing-stock of the world.
Philosopher
June 29th, 2011
8:50 am
P.S. If leaving your baby at home being raised by “caregivers” for weeks at a time while while you travel ar all over the country is “balancing” motherhood and politics…you have some funny ideas about motherhood.
td
June 29th, 2011
8:55 am
GT
June 29th, 2011
8:41 am
“I never felt Obama was someone else’s man. He can think, it is very obvious he is very clever.”
Can you send me some of whatever you are smoking. Have you ever heard Obama for more than 5 minutes off the teleprompter? aaahhhh dddduuuuhhhh, 57 states, redistribute wealth….
marc
June 29th, 2011
8:56 am
Bachmann is not a serious candidate. Why?…..The GOP is (really) run by rich old white men…..always has been…..to think they would let a woman wildcat her way to the nomination and insure an Obama win is laughable…..to think she does’nt know this already.. is naive….she will make some noise…throw some bombs at Obama….provide some much needed PR for the Tea Party and land a really good $$ paying job at Fox.
Ron Paul is the guy….Obama (who cannot be beat in 2012) should dump Biden….add Ron as his VP and use his 2nd term to turn the wagon over….
JDW
June 29th, 2011
9:02 am
If Michelle Bachman is the best the Republicans have we are again in serious trouble. I went to her website just to make sure and below I have posted the ENTIRETY of her positions on the issues…
“My top priorities as a constitutional conservative:
• Restore our economy and create millions of new jobs.
• Repeal Obamacare and its unconstitutional mandates.
• Achieve deep cuts in spending to reduce America’s debt.
• Strengthen the family and defend marriage.
• Rebuild respect for America as the shining city upon a hill.”
Lots of substance and depth there
The last decent candidate the Republican Party produced was Bush 1 and apparently the beat goes on.
LeeH1
June 29th, 2011
9:10 am
Ha! Ha! So the women candidates are victims of discrimination! Ha! Compare their treatment to what Hilary clinton got when she ran, and you can see the Republican womena are treated a lot nicer, and given more powder puff questions.
And even Bristol Palin says Michelle Bachmann dresses just like her mother.
If they are offended that a Fox news reporter askes an unexpected question, what the heck will they ever do when they have to deal with the Afghans, Chinese or Russians? Do they really expect that the presidency only deals with domestic issues?
When these two women come out from behind friendly reporters, and have their ideas publically examined, criticised and evaluated by national and international reporters, then they will be ready for the public stage.
At the monent, they are simply dillitantes. Sarah Palin wants a job that demands quick and effective decision making, but can’t even make up her mind if she wants to really run for office. Michelle Bachmann keeps running her mouth about things she has been told that are untrue as if they were true facts, and doesn’t see that she has been lied to.
They are afraid of in-depth interviews with unexepected questions or a range of ideas. Neither one has a good plan for the economy, our defenses or social justice, and simply complain about what is now on the table. However, if they are ever elected, they would be responsible for making policies on their own. But at the moment, all they can do is whine about others, with no real alternative other than sound bites and simplistic solutions to complex problems.
There are good and intelligent women in the Republican party. These two just aren’t some of them.