ABC Knocks the 'Most Controversial,' 'as Conservative as They Come' Michele Bachmann
Covering a possible 2012 presidential run by Michele Bachmann, Good Morning America's Juju Chang on Thursday spun the Congresswoman as "one of the most controversial freshmen [sic] members of Congress." Aside from the obvious error, Bachmann has been a representative for four years, GMA never identified hard-left former Congressman Alan Grayson that way.
Reporter Jonathan Karl singled out Bachmann as "uncompromising" and "as conservative as they come." This type of labeling isn't uncommon for the journalist. On August 24, 2010, Karl hit Republican senatorial candidate Joe Miller as a "hard-line, Tea Party conservative."
On September 22, 2010, he deemed Christine O'Donnell's comments about witchcraft to be "infamous." On January 4, 2011, Karl derided incoming House Speaker John Boehner as "harshly partisan."
An ABC graphic crowned Bachmann a "Tea Party queen." Karl allowed that the politician "fires up" activists more than most Republicans.
Chang informed viewers that former Clinton operative George Stephanopoulos and World News anchor Diane Sawyer will host a debate between Republican presidential candidates in December of 2011.
A transcript of the March 24 segment, which aired at 8:02am EDT, follows:
JUJU CHANG: Turning now to politics, there are new signs that one of the most controversial freshmen [sic] members of Congress is considering a run for the White House. More now from Jonathan Karl.
ABC GRAPHIC: Tea Party Queen Eyes White House: Bachmann: 'I Am in for 2012'
JON KARL: They are the queens of the Tea Party. Tough, uncompromising, as conservative as they come, but with one big difference. [Over B-roll of Bachmann.] This one looks like she's running for President. Congresswoman, how are you?
MICHELE BACHMANN: Hello. How are you?
KARL: We caught up with Michele Bachmann at her hotel room in Des Moines and followed her everywhere.
BACHMANN: Hi there. I'm Michele.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Can't say your last name.
BACHMANN: Bachmann!
SECOND UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Thanks to coming to Des Moines.
BACHMANN: Well, I was born in Waterloo.
KARL: And she can out-tough talk Palin.
BACHMANN: [Giving speech.] I may be five foot-two, but I am one tough lady. [Talking to Karl.] We need to go toe-to-toe, eyeball-to-eyeball with the President and say, "Mr. President, you are wrong."
KARL: Bachmann would be a long shot, but few people fire up Tea Party activists more than she does. That's why the chairman of the Iowa Republican Party says she could be a force in the Iowa caucuses.
MATT STRAWN (Chairman, Republican Party of Iowa): They line up with her stated principles of limited government, economic freedom, shrinking the size of things at the federal level. So, I think there's an opportunity for her here.
KARL: So, will she run?
BACHMANN: I'm in for 2012 in that I want to be a part of the conversation of making sure President Obama only serves one term, not two.
KARL: She told us, she'll make up her mind by summer, regardless of what her friend Sarah Palin decides to do. For Good Morning America, Jonathan Karl, ABC News, Des Moines, Iowa.
CHANG: And, of course, ABC News is your campaign headquarters. Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos will moderate the Republican caucus debate in Iowa this December, just weeks before the first in the nation caucuses.
— Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
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Comments
Hey NB ladies: do you find 'Queen' disparaging?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:01pm.
Just curious.
Queen... severe bias just like on Palin
Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:22pm.
RE "Tea party Queen" on the screen shot of report -
Yes I do, but I am not a lady! When I think of queen I think of a goofy high school queen, a comedic skit on the queen of England, or even male drama queens. So I would say it is meant to be negative 99% chance.
Looks like they are gearing up to have her be Queen Palin the 2nd as in how criminal the media will treat her.
-- Maximusbraveheart -- Is TRUTH knowable? Moral Relativism is the abandonment of Truth. Truth is knowable. Truth conforms to Reality. Reality is observable by evidence & witness in this day & from history. Relativism is Sesame Street play land.
As part of their demonization of the Tea Parties . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:23pm.
. . . the Left and its MSM toadies have been trying to identify leaders and hang their faces on the movement. Having already beaten heavily upon the images of Palin and Bachmann, they declare these women to be leaders so that the public draws a connection.
The public doesn't seem to be buying into it, though.
When I think Queen
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 1:03pm.
Chris Matthews comes to mind. Ms.Tingles.
Actually, when talking royal titles
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 1:48pm.
....I prefer The Empress.
But hey, that's just me (BTW, that's the nic for my cat).
To seriously answer your question though. No. Everything the MsM does to try to insult conservative women I find so sadly stupid and without any nuance (as they're so fond of it) at all that it is just pathetic.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
ABC refers to her as not only a Queen, but also a "Darling"
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 2:05pm.
the headline for this interview on abcnews.com: "Tea Party Darling Says She Wants In on Conversation..."
I guess "favorite" would not have quite the same (mocking) impact.
Controversial
Submitted by Utherpend on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:04pm.
Thats Lib talk for effective, non compromising true conservative. Not a RINO like 50% of those in the Republican roll call these days.
And by "Controversial" they mean
Submitted by T Walt on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 4:06pm.
Pro-life
Anti- Big Government
Anti- Obamacare
Anti- amnesty
Feels taxes are too high
Wants to drill domestically
Has an appreciation and respect for Constitution
pretty controversial, if you're a left wing media loon
Can you say "hypocrisy" boys and girls??
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:16pm.
Aren't these the same media types who insisted on calling candidate Barack Obama a centrist?
Bachmann is a weaker GOP Presidential candidate . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:19pm.
. . . than Palin would be.
But throwing her hat in the ring may encourage others to follow suit.
Concur
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:26pm.
As of know, Bachmann is the weaker of the two. I think that Bachmann can improve her standing though, given enough time and practice.
Bachmann states her positions in a much more succinct and direct way then Palin. Bachmann comes off as a true conservative, where I still pick up on a lot of populist positions whenever I listen to Palin.
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
Bachmann Is...
Submitted by GeneralAl on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:20pm.
Bachman is the Tea Party Queeen and Obama is the Marxist Queen!
"Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away"!
And Barney Frank is the
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 1:13pm.
And Barney Frank is the "Banking Queen" - Paul Shanklin parody
hahahaha
Submitted by GregE on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 9:07pm.
For those who may not have heard it..........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CT6HIDPbPc
mb, Bawney is just lucky he's not locked up in the slammer
Submitted by Dave. on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 8:13pm.
...with a boyfriend named Big Bubba.
:-)
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Bawney might not find that so bad ...
Submitted by NL207 on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 8:21pm.
The slammer is a target-rich environment for his kind of love-making.
Very Upsetting
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:20pm.
I find the last line of this article to be very upsetting:
Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos will moderate the Republican caucus debate in Iowa this December, just weeks before the first in the nation caucuses.
So the swarmy, snarky, "put-down" type questions in this presidential election cycle are going to start right on schedule. When are the Republicans going to learn to stop agreeing to let members of the MSM dictate to them with regards to the debates, whether primary or general?
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
WHAT? Why, why would you
Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:26pm.
WHAT? Why, why would you have these 2 moderate the REPUBLICAN CAUCUS debate!!!! Besides bias, why would you want to pay them one thin dollar? Crazy! Who makes these decisions?
-- Maximusbraveheart -- Is TRUTH knowable? Moral Relativism is the abandonment of Truth. Truth is knowable. Truth conforms to Reality. Reality is observable by evidence & witness in this day & from history. Relativism is Sesame Street play land.
This is asinine beyond words.
Submitted by no tingly legs on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 1:01pm.
My gag reflex is kicking in. What's next on the agenda? Keith Olbermann as the Keynote Speaker at the 2012 Republican National Convention?
We need to break this "Debate MO"
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 2:23pm.
If the RNC won't do it, the candidates themselves must.
First, they ought to band together and DEMAND that these left-wing "moderators" are out, else they will not, as a group, participate.
If the passel of candidates can't agree to that, the first question that is asked must be roundly disparaged before each participant engages in debating the issue with something along the lines of "First, I must protest your framing of this issue from a left wing viewpoint. So let me begin by correcting xyz before I respond". Then each of the rest of the candidates need to agree to call out the left-wing feckless shillery of the moderators. And the audience needs to get loud in their approval of the shaming of the moderators. After about the third question, it ought to be enough embarrassment to make it stop.
First option is preferable, but I think we need to make it clear to the candidates that they'll not get our votes if they allow the left to define OUR ISSUES.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Back to Bachmann
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 2:51pm.
I could see Bachmann doing exactly this.
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
Your right Blonde
Submitted by Boudin on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 8:19pm.
The RNC should choose the moderators. But like Bohner, they want to make sure they are being "fair".
I am learning to dislike the RNC as much as libtards!
By using liberal journalists
Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 1:41pm.
By using liberal journalists you legitimize them in the minds of the general public. Why would we want to do that? This is a cultural war for the survival of a Constitutional USA vs. USSA (United Socialist States of America). Don't prop up your enemy!
Yes I stopped giving money to RNC. Give it to the Tea Party to support true conservatives! Rino Reps and selling us down a very similar road while going just a little slower.
-- Maximusbraveheart -- Is TRUTH knowable? Moral Relativism is the abandonment of Truth. Truth is knowable. Truth conforms to Reality. Reality is observable by evidence & witness in this day & from history. Relativism is Sesame Street play land.
Totally agree,
Submitted by UpNorth on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 7:46pm.
Blonde, this has to stop. Why do R's insist on committing ritual seppuku with the LSM?
No votes, and NO CASH.
Or, did the RNC find out that every single employee of FOX was on vacation that week? Every host on talk radio?
If you took.......
Submitted by almostacowboy on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 1:11pm.
If you took hyperbole away from leftist newspeople you'd be left with....................................(crickets).
I see nothing wrong with
Submitted by jdhawk on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 1:24pm.
I see nothing wrong with naming Bachmann, "most controversial." When I hear that I sit up and listen to what that the speaker is saying. Usually, this is followed by roundly criticizing conservative stances on the issues. This was not done. But, let's say it was. If that is the only way that we can get our views out to millions of viewers, then so be it. This is particularly true when the person in question is being interviewed for the piece.
Unfortunately, Bachmann's words and actions are not aligned. She talked about turning back duhbama care. Yet, her actions belie this. Bachmann, like the majority of the Tea Party Republicons elected last November are not ensuring that $105 billion to fund duhbama care this year is being stopped - or even creating and voting on legislation that would stop this funding.
Bachmann talked about reducing the budget deficit. So, far a pittance has been "reduced" - only 6 billion dollars. A drop in the bucket of a $3.7 trillion dollar budget that has to print money to come up with the first $1.7 trillion dollars of it.
Meanwhile commodities are going through the roof. My wife goes to the grocery store and prices are higher than the last time she went. The same is true down at the gas station. Food and energy costs have triples since the recession and are on stream to quadruple before the year is out.
62% of the federal budget is being spent on entitlement programs. We have the highest cost of living ever. We have the longest run of unemployment at these levels ever. We have . . . You get the idea.
Yet, these new congress critters are blithely moving along as if it is business as usual. All the while collecting a fat paycheck, perks, and a benefit package that would make make a Wisconsin school teacher sigh with envy.
Tea Party = RepubliCONS
Someone is definitely pulling a Con Job
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 2:10pm.
jdhawk says:
"Unfortunately, Bachmann's words and actions are not aligned. She talked about turning back duhbama care. Yet, her actions belie this."
What about this action? House Votes to Repeal Obamacare
The Republicans only control the House of Representatives. Democrats control the Senate and the Presidency.
If the Republicans controlled the House, Senate, and Presidency, and they fail to repeal Obamacare, then you can call them Republicons. Otherwise, you're the one doing the conning.
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
Yes, Kingfish17, we all know
Submitted by jdhawk on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 4:03pm.
Yes, Kingfish17, we all know that. That happened months ago. It was symbolic - an easy move on the part of the Republicons - they did everything they could, blah, blah, blah. Meanwhile, we see House Republicons go along to get along by authorizing the raising of the debt ceiling.
These are dire times that require action that should and will make the socialists howl. If they aren't protesiing a la Wisconsin, our team isn't trying hard enough. They aren't trying hard enough.
My comments still stand. We are being Republiconned!
By the way, there is a Heritage.org paper written a couple of years ago. It studied which party's president is the most spendthrift. You may be suprised to learn the dimocrats and the Republicons spend it like there is no tomorrow on about an even up basis. President Bush sure did. It appears the status quo continues . . . .
Hosts
Submitted by huskergramps on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 1:36pm.
A host is someone who provides hospitality. I am sure George and Diane will live up to the definition of a host when the Republican presidential candidates debate.
Liberal dictionary for......Controversial:
Submitted by redright88 on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 5:03pm.
any conservative who gets more air time than a typical liberal congressman
Or maybe any conservative who
Submitted by balboa on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 6:53pm.
Or maybe any conservative who says crazy things.
Crazy things like
Submitted by T Walt on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 9:45pm.
cutting taxes
Yeah that's what I meant...
Submitted by balboa on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 9:53pm.
Yeah that's what I meant...
How about
Submitted by UpNorth on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 2:59pm.
"we are the ones we've been waiting for"? Would that suit you better, Bal?
I think
Submitted by HockeyKid on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 6:02pm.
Juju should change her first name to something more grown-up sounding.
Like "Candi".
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
I Always Thought Of Bachmann As The Conservative Alan Grayson...
Submitted by TheReal7Sticks on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 12:37am.
Or maybe more appropriately, the conservative equivalent of Nancy Pelosi. Grayson was in a class all by himself, that being lower than Pelosi, which is kind of hard to do because she makes it seem so easy to be so loathed. Then he said the golden phrase "Here's what the Republican plan for healthcare is... drop dead." Then I knew there was someone on the left who could be as easily obnoxious as Miss "I'll slit my wrists before I ever support this healthcare bill." Therefore, I stand by my beginning thought.
-Christine O'Dumbell: The Alan Keyes of female politicians
Seven
Submitted by Radical1979 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 12:41am.
Really? I've always considered you as the intellectual equivalent of a rock.
Nah, Rad
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 12:46am.
He's dumber than a whole box of rocks.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Actually, Sticks---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 4:16am.
Grayson said the Republican plan was to tell them to "die quickly", not drop dead.
So whether you stand by, behind, or above your beginning thought, you still come across as a putz who is off his meds.
MD
Tea Part Idol
Submitted by ToonTheNews on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 11:01am.
The reason Michele Bachmann is so popular DESPITE the fact she is obviously not perfect is because Joe Middle America thinks she is attractive. A prime example is this video.
TEA PARTY IDOL.
Finally accepting the fact that they make mistake and aren't perfect, the Tea Party is attempting to appeal to the American Idol demographic with a music video.
The Michele Bachman Trio sings "Ad we know we weren't perfect"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjcmZtqidQk
Even though this is a parody poking fun at Michele Bachman I bet there are those that will think it is a really promo video despite the historically inaccurate babble. She can make the most ridiculous statement and the Tea Party drones will just keep fawning over her regardless of the fact that in doing so they are voting against their own interests.
Holy Cow
Submitted by Boudin on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 11:06am.
You guys got some new talking orders eh?
He take order good.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 1:46pm.
"Three egg roll and order Kung Po Chicken. 15 minute."
Like little robots*
Submitted by cajun2 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 3:06pm.
Yes, SoL, they take order good, almost like they were programmed. Media Matters has been "training" liberal useful idiots how to respond on Fox News. I have posted this an another thread but this is just too funny. They sound just like our recent trolls.
RedEye gives a great summary of Media Matters Boot Camp
Do they recruit on Mars?
Submitted by bassndude on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 1:50pm.
Do they recruit on Mars? I know they don't find these parrots on Earth. Got to be aliens. And insipid ones at that.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
There is a study out about...
Submitted by Rukus on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 4:14pm.
ToonTheNews. This is the result.
bachmann is runing for vp
Submitted by silent conservative on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 1:18pm.
she is setting herself up for vp on anyone's ticket. she would add a true conservative edge to the so called heavy hitters. think about it, who is not voting for gingrich/bachmann? or guilani/bachmann? or god forbid romney/bachmann
Black REP Prez
Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 1:52pm.
The RNC should actually educate the public on history, Rep history (and why it should again be the party of blacks), the Dem lies that sold us out, and the economy. Also cover how all laws are based on morals in some way and how that is very good. How what Progressives want is based on THEIR morals. Then just run a true, outspoken, savvy, conservative black for prez against Obama and see who wins! To quote Regan (in 1964!) "Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they KNOW so much that ISN'T so."
-- Maximusbraveheart -- Is TRUTH knowable? Moral Relativism is the abandonment of Truth. Truth is knowable. Truth conforms to Reality. Reality is observable by evidence & witness in this day & from history. Relativism is Sesame Street play land.
Guilani and Bachmann? Heaven
Submitted by bassndude on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 1:53pm.
Guilani and Bachmann? Heaven forbid Guilani. He is a NY conservative. NY conservatives are not really conservative. Romney, never! Gingrich? Maybe, but he has a lot of baggage to overcome.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
I am not that opposed to Guliani
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 2:14pm.
...particularly when paired with a true conservative, for a couple of reasons.
First of all, he has executive experience, lots of it. He is tough on crime, and is a law and order kind of guy.
Secondly, he is hard core on national defense.
Thirdly, I don't think he's an appeaser.
I know he has lots of minuses, his stance on abortion the first amongst them. And his marriages. He is, as you say, a NY conservative, like Mitt is a Massachusetts conservative, but it's where they were, and they are able to draw enough indies to get them elected, they've proven that point.
Unless Paul Ryan runs (or Allen West, which he's clearly not going to do at this point in time), I'm not in love with anyone. I'm favoring Barbour at this point. I would really like Newt to sit down and shut up, I'll never, ever forgive him for being happy with Pelosi about Global Warming. NEVER! Huckster, too. He's a snake covered up by a nice smile and a folksy preacher face. But we can't throw the baby out with the bathwater, and we will more than likely, as always, be left with the lesser of two evils (or two weevils, if you're a Patrick Davis fan).
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Well Blonde, I can agree with
Submitted by bassndude on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 2:25pm.
Well Blonde, I can agree with you on some points here. And I, like you, have no real soft spot for any of this bunch. I am really hoping for someone, somewhere, to step up. Someone who can speak like Reagan and get his point and reasoning across to all. A real Constitutional conservative. Right now, I do not see one in the line up.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
I know, it's frustrating, Bass
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 2:35pm.
I see Allen West in our future. But not in 2012.
I don't know if you saw this video (the Harry Reid one)....but Allen makes reference to the future here. It's absolutely fantastic to see this man, who speaks extemporaneously (and who can obviously tell jokes the same way!), as he discusses the future election, as well as the last one. Apologies if you've seen it before (I've posted it before)....but it is so on point for so many different topics.
I'd also add Pawlenty and Trump to my "not only no, but hell no" list.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I agree Blonde, I like West.
Submitted by bassndude on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 2:50pm.
I agree Blonde, I like West. I would like to see Tom Coburn consider running, but that is not going to happen. Coburn is not the speaker that Reagan was. But he is every bit the conservative. Ron Paul, now if not for his isolationist views would be a good one. At least he would get rid of the fed, and bring the dollar back to the top of the heap again. But he would let the ME go to blazes.
No Pawlenty and no Trump. I might run, but I am not much of a public speaker.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
West PLEASE run!
Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 2:48pm.
fyi his web site: http://allenwestforcongress.com/
I see that http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_West_%28former_U.S._military_officer%29 has this in their article on him: "Iraq interrogation incident."
This sounds like someone I would WANT covering my back! Like the '24' TV series... we NEED that type! Define our enemy too. No PC crap... just actual facts.
Add Star Parker of D.C. for Veep. She was a welfare slave & is now an outspoken conservative. We need her to convert the masses from government enslavement to freedom via the Constitutional movement. I donate to her. Her web site: http://www.urbancure.org/subs.asp?idsub=1
-- Maximusbraveheart -- Is TRUTH knowable? Moral Relativism is the abandonment of Truth. Truth is knowable. Truth conforms to Reality. Reality is observable by evidence & witness in this day & from history. Relativism is Sesame Street play land.
Have to admit there are a few things
Submitted by Boudin on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 6:17pm.
I dont like about Rudy, but like Bush I find him honest, with real compassion in his heart. He wont have any surprises, you will be able to anticipate where he is. I like that.
Why dont the libtards ever defend the policy of their leader?
Please, one of you libtards out there, please explain the dimwits agenda, and how were all going to love it?
Are all libtards cowards? Defend your policies!