|
 |  Politico -
Nov-05-2009Bachmann to protesters: 'Scare' Congress(topic overview)
CONTENTS:
SOURCES
FIND OUT MORE ON THIS SUBJECT
A Florida woman is happily answering Rep. Michele Bachmann's call to storm the steps of Capitol Hill on Thursday to protest Democratic health care proposals. The Minnesota Republican has been encouraging the "tea party" protesters who came to Capitol Hill on Sept. 12 to turn out again Thursday afternoon and arrange face-to-face meetings with their elected officials to talk about the health care legislation that could be put to a House vote as early as this week. "The only way they're going to listen is if real freedom-loving Americans come here to Washington noon on Thursday, look at the whites of the eyes of their members of Congress and say, 'Don't you remember, I told you don't take away my health care,' " Mrs. Bachmann told Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity on Friday evening. That was enough to inspire Orlando resident Donna Kearfott, who is anxious about the increasing size of government, to make plans to go to Washington. [1] House Republicans and tea party protesters spent the summer and much of the fall in an awkward mating dance, with neither group too sure it wanted to embrace the other. They consummated the relationship over the weekend in New York's 23rd Congressional District, and they'll come together Thursday in Washington for a coordinated assault on the Democrats' plans for health care reform. The idea took flight last week, when Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) told Fox's Sean Hannity that she hoped all of his viewers would join her for a press conference outside the Capitol on Thursday and then walk with her "through Cannon, Longworth, Rayburn," where they would go "up and down through the halls, find members of Congress, look at the whites of their eyes and say, 'Don't take away my health care.'" That may be a bit more than Republican leaders have in mind.[2]
Rep. Michele Bachmann took to Fox this morning to promote her tea party rally this week, calling it the "Super Bowl of freedom." Bachmann has called for a rally Thursday at noon on the steps of the Capitol, starring such conservative luminaries as Jon Voight. She then wants tea partiers to stream into the halls of Congress to talk to their representatives directly. "The only way they're going to listen is if real freedom-loving Americans come here to Washington noon on Thursday, look at the whites of the eyes of their members of Congress and say, 'Don't you remember, I told you don't take away my health care,'" she said.[3] Via TPM, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) took to Fox News this morning to plug the anti-health care reform rally which she referred to as "the Super Bowl of Freedom" she is organizing in Washington with the corporate-funded, small-government group Americans for Prosperity. After the rally which is scheduled for noon Thursday on the Capitol steps and, Bachmann said, will feature actor Jon Voight she said she plans to lead attendees into the Rayburn, Longworth and Cannon congressional office buildings so they can "look at the whites of the eyes of their members of Congress and say, 'Don't you remember, I told you don't take away my health care.'"[4] Rep. Michele Bachmann, D-Minn., appeared on Fox News asking people from across America to join her at the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Thursday at noon to make a "house call" before Congress votes on health-care reform. Bachmann wants to rally all "freedom loving Americans" to go into the congressional office buildings, look into the whites of their representatives' eyes and tell them they have to vote no on the reform. "This is the Super Bowl of Freedom this week.[5] Michelle Marston, Rep. Michele Bachmann's top congressional and political aide, confirmed Wednesday that she is leaving. She gave no explanation. Her departure, reported earlier in the day by Politico's Jonathan Allen, comes on the eve of the Minnesota Republican's first major event in Washington, a "house call" rally on the Capitol steps to oppose the Democrats' health reform plan. Thursday's rally, which Bachmann announced last week during one of her frequent appearances on Fox News with conservative pundit Sean Hannity, is attracting busloads of supporters from around the country. Marston, credited with raising Bachmann's national profile since she became her chief of staff last year, told Hot Dish in an email "I really don't have anything to say" about the departure. A 39-year-old lawyer, Marston has worked in five previous congressional offices since beginning her career on Capitol Hill in 1992, records show. Bachmann spokesman Dave Dziok said he could not comment on "personnel matters," except to say that Marston is working in the office until the end of the week.[6] House Democrats are bracing for a potential invasion of protesters in the Capitol complex on Thursday after Representative Michele Bachmann, Republican of Minnesota, urged opponents of the Democrats''' health care legislation to come to Washington to make their voices heard. Ms. Bachmann, in an appearance on Fox television Tuesday morning, invited opponents of the health care bill to join her for a news conference at noon Thursday on the steps of the Capitol. She urged them to visit the offices of individual lawmakers to tell them to vote against the bill.[7] Representative Michelle Bachmann (R) from Minnesota has called upon citizens to once again converge on Washington in a last minute protest to stop the House from passing Obama's health care reform bill this week. She is asking tea party protestors and all concerned citizens to, not just protest outside, but actually go to congressional offices and visit their representatives. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is pushing for a vote on the 1,990 page legislative mammoth, HR 3962, on Thursday or Friday this week. The Republicans will be introducing their legislation for health care reform as an alternative to the Democrats' plan.[8] " are sitting on the fence right now, and I think if they see their constituents coming to Washington D.C., that will make a difference," she added, noting that Democrats' bill would have failed a floor vote if the House took it up in August. "Speaker Pelosi has been able to bring the hammer down on Blue Dogs for the last two months, and we need to remind these members again of the lessons of August and the Tea Parties." Bachmann first announced she would hold her rally last week -- a move that earned her considerable scorn at the time, especially because she was encouraging protesters to confront lawmakers face to face. Bachmann has maintained that her protest is about restoring the healthcare momentum her party possessed throughout August, when Democrats across the country took heat at town halls for supporting a robust public plan. '''The American people need to stand up again and make sure that Congress hears them this time," she said in a release announcing the rally. "The people need to make a House Call on Washington this week and tell their Representatives to vote no to a government take-over of one-fifth of our economy. This is gangster government at its worst."[9] The American people spoke loud and clear at town hall meetings all across the country throughout August. It would appear that Congress didn't hear a word they had to say. The Democrats' latest health care proposal unveiled late last week may be packaged a little differently, but it's the same old bad bill as before. This bill is a trillion-dollar, budget-busting, government takeover of our health care system. It will put bureaucrats between people and their health care. It will lead to rationed care, hurting the most vulnerable amongst us first. It will break the bank, leaving our children to pay the bill with diminished freedoms and dwindling prosperity. The American people need to stand up again and make sure that Congress hears them this time. Speaker Pelosi is putting her bill on fast track to a vote - and it remains to be seen if the House will even get a chance to vote on the commonsense Republican alternatives. The people need to make a House Call on Washington this week and tell their Representatives to vote no to a government take-over of one-fifth of our economy. This is gangster government at its worst. I urge all Americans to come to Washington this Thursday. Come and meet up with your Representative and tell them that you want to control your health care. Harry Reid let slip today that the Senate may not take up health care this year.[10]
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) appeared on the Glenn Beck radio show today to promote her big protest event tomorrow -- in which she will bring "freedom fighters" directly into the halls of Congress to pressure members to vote against the Democrats' health care bill. "This is really the 11th hour, when we're calling people to come to D.C. It's not inevitable that Speaker Pelosi's health care government takeover is going to pass," said Bachmann. "And that's why the number one thing people can do is actually come, see their member of Congress, look at them in the eyes -- especially with other freedom fighters in tow -- and let them know that the lessons of August they should not forget, at their peril." She also said: "Don't bring your pitchforks -- bring your video cameras."[11] Ms. Bachmann'''s effort comes as Democratic leaders are working to lock down the votes needed to pass the bill. Aides to Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said they had alerted security officials about the possibility of crowds on Thursday but did not expect trouble. In appealing to demonstrators, Ms. Bachmann called the health care vote, tentatively scheduled for this Saturday, the '''Super Bowl of freedom.''' She has repeatedly accused Democrats of pursuing '''socialized medicine''' and a '''government takeover''' of the health care system. Some conservative groups said they were responding to Ms. Bachmann'''s request. In a statement, Tony Pessaro, the founder and chairman of a '''tea party''' antitax group in Bel Air, Md., said he had filled two buses and was working on a third. Mr. Pessaro said he led a caravan of 12 buses to the September protest. Another tea party group in Arkansas said it was encouraging members who could not visit Washington to fax their elected officials at precisely noon Thursday, and they singled out Representative Mike Ross, Democrat of Arkansas, as a target.[7]
Dang, that is a lot of freedom. That's if you're listening to Rep. Michele Bachmann's money quotes she's spewing to convince you to drop everything you are doing and come to Washington, D.C. to march around the Capitol with her. In an interview this morning on Fox & Friends, Bachmann called the health care vote the "Super Bowl of Freedom." She's been rallying supporters to join her for a Thursday noontime press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol followed by visits to members of Congress to stop the bill.[12] Sigh, I knew this would get fun. As you know, Rep. Michele Bachmann is planning her mega-Capitol Hill Tea Party tomorrow followed by Bachmann leading Tea Partiers through the halls of Congress demanding Congress not take away their health care. A few moments ago Fox News host Andrew Napolitano told Bachmann that "a friend in the American intelligence community" suggested to him that Nancy Pelosi might mount some sort of Capitol Hill security clampdown to stop the Tea Party event. (The idea apparently is that Pelosi would instruct Capitol security to become so onerous that, in essence, no one would be able to get into the building.[13] Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and the Tea Party Patriots are not expecting a warm reception on Capitol Hill Thursday. In a series of conference calls Wednesday night, representatives of the "thousands" of tea partiers who have promised to heed Bachmann's call to make a "last stand" against Democratic-led health care reform told their members to expect the worst from the members of Congress they plan to lobby.[14]
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) just finished up a conference call with conservative bloggers in preparation for tomorrow's Tea Party Patriot anti-health care reform rally she's hosting at the Capitol. TPMDC joined the call and asked Bachmann about the big story coming out of her office today: the resignation of her chief of staff, which some Republicans speculated was due to media stunts like the one she's hosting tomorrow.[15]
Tea parties are a new political force with an instant tradition: They themselves are instant -- spontaneously evolving within hours into muscular cultural events fed by passion, energy and sense of spectacle. Rep. Michele Bachmann, the veritable goddess of "tea parties," has organized a grass-roots rally at the Capitol for Thursday against the Democrats' health care reform plan; her cast includes silver-screen conservative Jon Voight and talk-radio host Mark Levin.[16]
'''Now, the thousands of people calling our office to tell us coming to Capitol Hill tomorrow ''' that'''s a story.''' Marston is referring to Bachmann's planned anti-health care reform rally on the Capitol steps Thursday, after which she said she plans to lead attendees through the halls of several congressional office buildings to confront members of Congress and voice their opposition to Democratic health care reform legislation. "When your captain's crazy, it's time to find a new ship,''' the lawmaker said.[17] "Now, the thousands of people calling our office to tell us coming to Capitol Hill tomorrow -- that's a story." Marston was referring to the prolific Bachmann's latest political brainstorm, a “house call” on the Capitol Thursday to which she's invited Fox News viewers and other conservatives to march with her through House office buildings, "find members of Congress, look at the whites of their eyes and say, 'Don't take away my health care.'"[18]
Bachmann is the woman behind Thursday's events on Capitol Hill which -- according to the numbers promised by regional organizers on the calls -- will bring more than 1,000 protesters face-to-face with the members of congress nearing floor votes on a pair of health care reform packages. Organizers said they expect final floor votes on the health care bills to come as early as this weekend, making the protests tomorrow their last chance to stop the reforms they see as a government takeover of health care.[14] In a conference call Wednesday night with bloggers and activists for the advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) called on protesters to "scare" members of Congress into killing the proposed health care reform bill.[19] Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) told Fox's Sean Hannity that she hoped all of his viewers would join her for a press conference outside the Capitol on Thursday and then walk with her 'through Cannon, Longworth, Rayburn,' where they would go 'up and down through the halls, find members of Congress, look at the whites of their eyes and say, 'Don't take away my health care.'''[2] The House's upcoming healthcare vote is the "Super Bowl of freedom," and voters must mobilize to defeat Democrats' "crown jewel of socialism," Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) said Tuesday. In an interview on Fox and Friends this morning, Bachmann also urged supporters to join her at a rally scheduled to coincide with Thursday's all-important healthcare vote -- a protest, the congresswoman added, that was designed to remind Blue Dog Democrats "of the lessons of August and the Tea Parties." "We're asking people to go into the office buildings. to find their members of Congress and tell them, 'Look, you have to vote no,'" she explained. "We don't have the votes to stop this, but the American people do."[9] Bachmann has been loudly promoting a tea party rally tomorrow on the steps of the Capitol. After the rally, which Americans for Prosperity is bussing people to from ten states, Bachmann wants her tea partiers to flood the halls of Congress, find their representative, "look in the whites of their eyes" and demand a vote against health care.[20] Congressional leaders may be planning a vote on health care reform this week, but Rep. Michele Bachmann isn't going down without a fight. The Republican lawmaker has been on a media blitz promoting tomorrow's rally against the Democratic health care proposal on the steps of the Capitol, which she has dubbed "The Super Bowl of Freedom."[21] House Democrats are bracing for a potential invasion of protesters at the Capitol complex, after Michele Bachmann, Republican of Minnesota, urged opponents of the Democrats' health care legislation to make their voices heard.[7]
In contrast to the Sept. 12 tea party protest in Washington, which was sponsored by conservative groups like FreedomWorks and the National Taxpayers Union, Thursday's "house call" is an official House Republican affair -- and Democrats say that ought to make the GOP uneasy. Asked whether he welcomes the protest, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), assistant to the speaker, said: "I am not going to encourage or discourage it at this point, but I think what this does is show America that you've got the most right-wing voices drowning out the pragmatists." Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who last month tried to publicly dissuade gay rights activists from marching on Washington, said that he sees the health care protesters as similarly misguided in their tactics. While Frank gives credit to the Republicans for "self-knowledge" -- "they need the help" -- he says they are looking for it in the wrong place. "They are an example of a principle I have tried to get activists to understand: The more emotionally satisfying you find an activity, the less it advances your cause," Frank says.[2] Bachmann is hosting a "House Call" and urging Tea Party activists to storm the Capitol on Thursday to oppose health care reform. Bachmann's office has seen a fair amount of turnover since she arrived in Congress in 2006, losing more than a dozen staffers in her first two years.[22] Events kick off at noon, with Bachmann rallying the tea partiers on the capitol steps. Then the group will fan out across both sides of Congress, directly appealing to a targeted list of House Blue Dogs and moderate Democratic senators to stop the bills their respective leaders are pushing through Congress. Bachmann said the she came up with the idea last Thursday, after learning of existing tea partier plans to protests outside Congressional district offices across the country. The speed in which the protest was put together was clear on the calls, with protesters conferring about parking, timing and other arrangements on the fly as they chatted on the conference lines.[14] "I think if we stop it, it could be dead for 10 years," Bachmann added. Before the group can get their message across, they have to get in the building. Some on the calls warned protesters to expect House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring the full force of her office to stop them. Organizers spoke of rumors that Pelosi had ordered Capitol Police to force protester buses to park far away from the Capitol and told police to deny them the chance to deliver letters based on trumped up fears of "anthrax." At one point, protestors were told not to dress "too nicely" for fear the media would characterize them as a "Brooks Brothers riot," after the astroturfed RNC protests that shut down the election recount in 2000. "The SEIU guys will do their best to send people in suits in there to make it look like we're spray-painting the Capitol or something," one national organizer said. Bachmann didn't confirm the protesters' fears, but she didn't do much to alleviate them either. "Don't bring your pitchforks -- bring your security cameras," she said to organizers. "That will absolutely scare your Representatives so much it will kill the bill."[14] Fox News is already pushing that idea when Andrew Napolitano suggested it to Bachmann that Pelosi might try to order a "clampdown." Problem is, the Speaker has little to no say over the security measures of the Capitol but they'll push the lie anyway. What's going to happen is that they'll try to manufacture a controversy. It's common etiquette to be quiet when traversing the halls of the Capitol in large groups - when these nattering nabobs noisily protest in the building, they'll be told by either security or a Congressional office to pipe down so people can get work done (it is an office complex after all). They'll try to spin this as "oppression" in order to "silence" debate. Same goes for when they enter Congressional offices. Some poor staffer will try to calmly tell them that the respective Representative/Senator only sees constituents and they'll claim it's a politician "avoiding" the masses. Honestly, if this gets too out of hand I can see Bachmann and GOP leadership getting reprimanded for this, if not by Dem leadership than by the Seargent-at-Arms for being so disruptive. Seriously, between this and the CAIR intern witch hunt and all the other crap the House GOP is doing I'm glad I'm not I don't work on the Hill anymore. They're not paid nearly enough to put up with this kind of crap.[11]
"Now, the thousands of people calling our office to tell us coming to Capitol Hill tomorrow - that's a story." Politico also got a money quote from an unnamed Republican House member about Bachmann and her inability to keep staff: "When your captain's crazy, it's time to find a new ship," the lawmaker said.[23] The image of travel-ready conservatives flooding the hallways of the Capitol complex to confront members of Congress may not be one that Republican leaders are too keen to project. A conservative Republican House member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggested that Bachmann's views -- and her willingness to state them -- make it hard for her to keep staff. "When your captain's crazy, it's time to find a new ship," the lawmaker said.[18]
Michelle Marston had been responsible for helping Bachmann get a copious amount of air time on cable news shows. While Marston didn't have much to say on the topic, an unnamed conservative Republican House member told Politico, "When your captain's crazy, it's time to find a new ship." For her part, Marston said in an email to Politico, "I'm just not talking about it, and frankly I don'''t think there'''s a story here.''[22]
Michele Bachmann is the only person in Congress who should NOT be voted-out next year. Actually, since Bachmann gleefully went along with many of Bush Jr's regular rape of our Constitution-warrantless spying on U.S. citizens and their communications for one-then she's EXACTLY the same as all those terrorists the Bush Jr Administration and GOP lackeys swore "hate us for our freedoms", so if anyone can point out the freedoms lost, eliminated or under attack from Obama that weren't first lost, eliminated or attacked by Bush Jr, then do point them out…Bachmann would have been a loyalist to King George III during the revolution. Bachmann pulled these same stunts while she was in the Minnesota Legislature. She never accomplisahed anything except promoting herself. She ignored her constituents and her district, failed to attend committee meetings and generally used her office like a p.r. firm. She's a fraud. Her own family business provides NO health benefits to their employees. Mother of all SuperBalls!!Pel osi's "HealthScareBill in its current form is the final blow to our freedom and it will the ultimate poison pill that will jolt this Nation and its freedom loving people into a coma for a long long time! Pelosi and her marxists cronies both in the House and WH must be stopped. Congresswoman Michele is right! But to me this is the "Mother of all SuperBalls".[9] Now, I thought health care reform was intended to provide health care to the uninsured. Is there some proposal that could be construed to threaten to '''take away my health care?''' This would be laughable if I didn'''t know that much of the Fox audience was just lapping this up ''' along with Carlson. Bachmann, continuing her promo, said, '''Then we're asking people to go into the office buildings Rayburn, Longworth, Cannon to find their member of Congress and tell them, '''Look, you have to vote no.''' We have very few options because we don't have the votes to stop this. What Bachmann was saying was that the Republican minority doesn'''t '''have the votes to stop this.'''[24] Not just the rally outside the building but whatever it is that's going to happen inside afterwards, with Bachmann leading the protestors through the halls looking for members of Congress who might vote for health care reform.[25]
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) said the event "is not something that has been carefully organized," calling it a "very spontaneous" happening that will be "powerful" if it "happens any magnitude." When asked if her boss was really calling for in-the-hall confrontations, Bachmann spokeswoman Debbee Keller said: "It's clear that e-mails and phone calls are being ignored by the majority, so Congresswoman Bachmann is asking anyone who can come to Washington to speak with their representative to do so. Perhaps a reminder of the face-to-face discussions they had at town hall meetings over the summer will help them realize that their constituents need them to vote no on this really bad health care reform bill."[2] Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is teaming up with Mark Levin and others to bring the town halls to Washington on Thursday, day after tomorrow, to protest the Democrats' intended takeover of the health care industry.[10]
"To come and let the members of Congress know that all the messages that came out in August at the town halls and tea parties are still relevant. People don't want to have government take over their health care. ''' Bachmann began. Bachmann wants us to believe that a Public Option (with the emphasis on '''Option''') is to '''have government take over their health care.'''[24] What happens shortly after might be leave a more lasting impression, however. "I'd love to have every one of your viewers join me so that we can go up and down through the halls, find members of Congress, look at the whites of their eyes and say, 'Don't take away my health care,' " Bachmann told Sean Hannity on Friday night.[21]
No, this isn'''t a spin-off from the Harry Potter series. This is the superlative that Michele Bachmann used to describe a gathering of the clans in DC that she is promoting, to pressure Congress to reject health care reform, during her appearance on Fox & Friends yesterday (11/3/09). It would be an insult to questioners in the rational media to call this promotional appearance an interview.[24] For starters. I don't know why she thinks the looters and leeches in Congress give a damn about the thoughts and wishes of the 85% (or is it 95%) of the people who are happy with their health care and skeptical of yet another huge government boondoggle. Thank God for people like Michele! She makes all of the rest of us look sensible and sane.[4] If you have not yet obtained an appointment, if may be difficult to do so, but it shouldn't prevent you from trying. The major objective of this event is to derail the Health Care proposals that have been put forth in the House and Senate. When you meet with your Congressman or Senator please be prepared to discuss the specific provisions that really set your hair on fire. '' (There is plenty of reading material on the home page of the website to help you with this). If you cannot attend tomorrow, please call your Congressman and ask him to Vote NO on the Pelosi plan.'' Harry Reid has yet to put forth his plan, but we should expect it will be ugly.'''' It doesn't hurt to Call Senators Warner and Webb to tell them specific proposals you think are heinous and an assault on our liberty.'' (Aside from the fact that any government health care mandate is unconstitutional.)[26] Bachmann said that last week, as it appeared a House bill could pass, "I was near despair." Last Thursday, she said that in desperation at the prospect of health care legislation passing, she happened upon the idea of a spontaneous meet-up of opponents of the bill on the steps of the Capitol.[19] A Republican warns that Americans should be frightened of the health care bill nearing debate in the House.[7] What the House health care bill really costs and other economic news from around the Web.[7]
A former member of the Reagan White House who now criticizes Republican economic policy answers questions on supply-side economics, health care reform and what it means to be conservative.[7] Bachmann, How about legitimate debate on the House floor, or does that scare you the way you're trying to scare your supposed constituents, who supposedly are experts on the intricacies of health care reform? When all else fails, let the wild rumpus start.[14]
Bachmann's appeal is not to "Tea Party activists" but to a much broader base of liberty-loving conservatives. She is NOT asking people to "storm the Capitol" but to make personal appeals to their Representatives and Senators for more rational action on the issue of health care.[22] If you're going to be up on Capitol Hill on Thursday, watch out! That's when Rep. Michele Bachmann is holding her Capitol Hill Tea Party. They'll start on the Capitol steps and then fan out into the halls of the building until they see the " whites of their eyes " and convince them not to give way to socialism.[27] The Stand Up America PAC, which describes its mission as "defeating right-wing extremists in the United States Congress," is trying to raise $10,000 off Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) tea party rally tomorrow. The PAC sent a fundraising email to supporters this morning under the subject line "Let's Ruin Michele Bachmann's Day," and calling for donations to raise $10,000 over today and tomorrow. "This is Bachmann's big chance to cement her role as the new leader of the Republican Party," the email reads. "It could be the best day of her career.[20]
Politico is reporting that a top aide for Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is leaving the congresswoman'''s office. According to Politico: '''The aide who helped turn Rep. Michele Bachmann into a controversial mainstay of cable news has informed colleagues that she'''s quitting - just as the firebrand Republican congresswoman prepares for her biggest media moment yet.''' The aide, Michelle Marston, declined to tell Politico why she was leaving.[28]
"You can turn the anger on her," Bachmann said. "It is not Michele Bachmann's fault" if the activists are angry tomorrow - "it is Speaker Pelosi's." Bachmann declined to answer a question on the conference call about the news that her chief of staff, Michelle Marston, was resigning.[19]
I think it could be dead for 10 years. Last Thursday, Bachmann said she appealed to Republicans but "the conference didn't pick it up." The following day, she decided to take matters in her own hands and made her plea directly to Fox News viewers on Sean Hannity's program. Bachmann said she received a call from actor Jon Voight who offered to join her in Washington, followed by a similar call from conservative talk-show host Mark Levin. Backmann reasserted a claim that Pelosi was considering tightening security in preparation for the activists, which she warned "would be a huge mistake."[19] These are the people that Bachmann is exhorting to come to Washington to exercise '''the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.''' As much as I love the Constitution and dissent, this does not bode well. Carlson showed no concern about either the hinted threats or the hostility toward those who might have a different opinion. She closed this political ad disguised as a news segment by chirping, '''People can get more information. They can go to FOX & Friends dot com - we'''ll link it to your website ''' if they're interested in showing up Thursday at noon.[24]
Marston replaced Bachmann's former chief of staff, Rich Dunn, last February. She beefed up Bachmann's outreach operations with the aim of getting her out in the public eye more often. "She looks like the type of person who you would invite in to have a cup of coffee at your table," Marston said at the time. "There are a lot of people who are good, smart, well-meaning, well-intentioned members of Congress, but they speak to the people like they are members of Congress. Rep. Bachmann talks to people like they are people." When Bachmann infuriated liberals with the suggestion that then-Sen. Barack Obama and other Democrats in Congress held "anti-American" views, Marston acknowledged that her boss wasn't for everyone.[18] "Don't bring your pitchforks," Bachmann said, "bring your video cameras." Bachmann expressed confidence that such efforts would stultify the Democrats' efforts. "I think that will absolutely scare these members of Congress so much that Pelosi will not get the votes and it will kill the bill.[19] Momentum and mission are building, meanwhile. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "is putting her bill on fast track to a vote - and it remains to be seen if the House will even get a chance to vote on the common-sense Republican alternatives," Mrs. Bachmann says. "This is gangster government at its worst."[16]
As Greg Sargent and Eric Kleefeld reported yesterday, the House Republican leadership has endorsed Bachmann's plan to bring an anti-reform rally inside the halls of Congress.[4] Video after the jump. Her plan for the rally, and the inside-the-Capitol tea party, has been endorsed by House Republican leadership. She also repeated her new catch phrase, that "socialized medicine is the crown jewel of socialism. This will change our country forever."[3]
A conservative Republican House member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggested that Bachman'''s views ''' and her willingness to state them ''' make it hard for her to keep staff. "When your captain's crazy, it's time to find a new ship,''' the lawmaker said. This says it all.[18] Asked Tuesday whether House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) supports the idea of having conservative activists confronting Democrats in the halls of House office buildings, spokesman Michael Steel would say only that "every American has the right to visit the Capitol and speak to members of Congress."[2] To block the will of the majority, the Tea Partier, Town Hall set, the ('''real freedom loving''') American people do. This sounds very much like encouraging a rabid and frightened minority to strong arm the House to vote against the will of the majority of their constituents.[24]
Martin, Bachmann and RedState.com's Erick Erickson told regional organizers on the calls that Thursday's rally and storm through the halls of Congress were the tea partiers last chance to stop what Bachmann called the Democrats' plan to "literally have the power of life and death over you."[14] Bachmann refused to answer questions about the resignation, saying tersely, "out of respect for privacy, I don't comment on personnel matters." Pressed on whether her staff has been upheaval over the Bachmann-led Tea Party Rally tomorrow, Bachmann again refused to respond. "I've already given my answer," she said.[15] Note to Tea Partiers: The Capitol building is not a 2nd Amendment zone.) Not surprisingly Bachmann rose to the bait, telling Napolitano that it would be a "big mistake" for Pelosi to use her power to sabotage the Tea Party.[13] Didn't they just have a tea party event in DC last Thursday where all of 10 people showed up? Why yes they did. Maybe Bachmann will be able to do better with her "star" power but frankly I doubt it.[15]
Hundreds of Richmond Tea Party members will be on hand as concerned citizens from'' across the region join together to Take a Stand Against Government Run Health Care.''[26] '''We want to bombard Congressman Mike Ross and every other member of Congress at the same time on one day and hopefully deal a final death blow to the horrific health care '''reform''' bill,''' John Wilson of the Conservative Action Project in El Dorado, Ark., said in a statement.[7] A health care vote is planned by the Senate Finance Committee; military spending bills and Iran sanctions also will be debated.[7]
I don't know. I tend to think the best counter protest would be to meet these nutjobs with absolute silence an no confrontation. I vote for a few people on the sidelines WITH VIDEO CAMERAS documenting 1) how few people really show up, 2) how crazy those who show up really are. They are really, really easy to bait into saying utterly foolish things if you ask them nicely about what they want, and then act sympathetic as the red light flashes and the tape rolls. Journalists, pundits and bloggers I trust who are not subject to the village echo chamber all concluded that momentum for health care reform ultimately increased after all the coverage of the hostile wackos shot their wad in August. What we don't need is an angry confrontation that allows them to claim persecution or for villagespeak to interpret it as equivalencies.[11] What am I missing here? Moron Bachmann wants to protest the Dems attempt to give health coverage to all Americans by having them tell congressman "Don't take away my health care".[18] Bachmann added that it was important to stop health care reform because "socialized medicine is the crown jewel of socialism."[4] In The New York Times Magazine on Sunday, columnist David Leonhardt takes a look at efforts to reform health care from within.[7] Expect a full plate of foreign policy and health care reform on Sunday morning, with news out of Iran and Afghanistan dominating the talk shows.[7]
Groups favoring a public option as part of a health care reform plan sent 134 business owners to Washington to lobby their legislators.[7] A Republican alternative to the Democrats' health care plan may have limited impact, a report finds.[7] The Republican proposal for health care reform weighs in at a mere 250 pages.[16] Some came away frustrated. As entrepreneurs gave their views on health care reform before a Senate committee, they didn't always keep to the script the Democrats had written for the day.[7]
A protest by conservatives against the Democrats''' health care legislation and other Obama administration efforts on Sept. 12, a Saturday, drew thousands of demonstrators to the West Front of the Capitol. It is hard to predict whether a weekday event would draw such a large turnout.[7] As Congress heads toward floor debate of major health care legislation, check this space for the latest updates from Washington and beyond.[7]
If the protesters succeed in scaring lawmakers, Bachmann said that it could cripple efforts to restructure health care for a decade.[19] How much a health care bill will cost or save depends on the assumed baseline, which is already built largely on a foundation of debt, an economist writes.[7] The latest news, developments, resources and multimedia on efforts to revamp the health care system.[7] Who's proposing to take away anyone's health care? Minnesota voters have some'splaining' to do.[18] Democratic women take the lead in offering a dividing line on health care and other policies.[7] Robert Reich and others weigh in on the weaknesses and strengths of the health care address.[7] President Obama says the voice of Senator Edward M. Kennedy is "sorely missed" in Congressional debate on overhauling the health care system.[7] STATE FAIR : " Everything is pre-existing." That's what one elderly fairgoer told U.S. Sen. Al Franken this year about her medical status, and he repeated the remark in a major floor speech on health care.[29]
"What's scary is that Rep. Bachmann will go to any length to protect the profits and abusive tactics of the insurance industry by working against meaningful health reform," said Kristie Greco, communications director for House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.). [19] Bachmann called tomorrow's protest a "desperate act," but one that grew from a fear among the public of what might happen if the Democratic health reforms come to pass. "There's no organization here," she told the callers. "It's a total organic act."[14]
The members of Congress, Republicans included, who respect Michele Bachmann likely can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Tomorrow's stunt with further isolate her in the "teabag" wing of the party.[17] Regardless of what transpires tomorrow, the event is gearing up to be one of the most electric moments in Michele Bachmann's already controversial congressional career.[21]
Politico reports that Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-Minn.) chief of staff Michelle Marston is stepping down.[17] "You either love Michele Bachmann or you don't love Michele Bachmann at all," Marston said in an interview with POLITICO last fall. Daniel Libit and Patrick O'Connor contributed to this story.[18]
An aide to Rep. Michele Bachmann quit her communications position, Politico reported on Wednesday.[22]
The events start at noon on the Capitol steps with Rep. Bachmann, actor Jon Voight, and talk show host Mark Levin as speakers for the rally. Protestors will then go into the congressional offices to speak with their representatives and leave copies of protest letters.[8] Thank you to Ms Bachmann for taking the extraordination actions to defend Liberty against those in the Congress who have contempt for it. What Rep Fox is saying here is what I hear from everyone I know. this Govt has turned into the enemy. The next time we have to go to the Capitol to make it clear them not to pass this law, it should be with the military and artillery.[2]
The idea was hatched by Bachmann and a small clutch of allies at the member level, and aides say that the response to it has been so overwhelming that the conservative Republican Study Committee has been tapped to help with the arrangements for the event on the West Front of the Capitol.[18] Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price of Georgia repeatedly characterized Thursday's event as nothing more than a large-scale "press conference" on the Capitol steps. "Truly, it is a press event," he told POLITICO, "a press conference to bring light to American people this week on Pelosi's government takeover.[2]
'''Nothing scares members of Congress more than freedom-loving Americans,''' Bachmann said. Nothing should scare other Americans more than a bunch of people who are convinced that they have a corner on understanding freedom or democracy.[19] Bachmann is a nutcase idiot loony. "I wish that they would do a penetrating expose to see if members of congress are pro-America or anti-America, I wish they would."[18]
Bachmann also urged her crazed, lemming-like followers to roam the halls of Congress to "see the whites of their eyes." "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." That hardly sounds like a "personal appeal for more rational action."[22] This will result in a few hundred goobers on the Capitol steps, being yelled to through a bullhorn by Bachmann and several other 'bagger Congresspeople. Of course, the liberal media will cover it like it's MLK in 1963.[11] No challenge from Carlson balanced that accusation. '''This is the Super Bowl of Freedom this week because socialized medicine is the crown jewel of socialism. This will change our country forever,''' Bachmann continued, in what sounded like a reading from a well-rehearsed script.[24] "Now I'm working on my second bus and have a waiting list of people to call back. "My phone won't quit ringing," she said. "This is the first time I've ever done anything like this, but our government is trying to take over our freedoms and it's crystal clear and it's very scary." As Sen. Barbara Boxer, California Democrat, oversaw the markup of her centerpiece cap-and-trade legislation Tuesday, it was a sure bet that Carly Fiorina was taking notes.[1] What bothers me is the abuse of the words Freedom, tyranny, and the like. They have all the right to shout their ideas, but the use of these words in the mouth of these people is an insult to those who actually fought against tyranny. They gather together in a trip payed by who knows who, shout for a while, and then go back comfortably at home. They think they are "fighting against tyranny" and in a couple of years they will be enjoying the health benefits passed by the supposed "tyrants".[3]
What Dems need is a gathering of sane, normal, average people to provide a counterpoint to these whackjobs. Extra hint to Blue Dogs: These nutjobs would never vote for you in a million years. If you care what they think, you are beyond dim.[11] It's clear people are starting to WAKE UP in Virginia and New Jersey and Maine! Even in our small city in NH we managed to throw out one or two of the Liberal Big Spenders yesterday. Only 13.5 % showed up to vote, but it's clear many of them are paying attention every day to the multitude of news sources that prevent any of us from having any excuse NOT to know what is going on at all levels of government. It's clear also that many don't yet care. They will! It's coming. Let's get a BUSINESS MANUFACTURING TRUST together to bring back some industries with new technologies and create some REAL JOBS. VERY FEW in this country understand anything about Manufacturing, including bankers and politicians.[18]
I love you Michele. You are one of the few politicians that truly cares about this country and the people. I will be there in spirit Thursday and will continue to make those calls to my progressive rep.[2]
While fact-free, the language is, frankly, a barely disguised call to violent arms. At a time when a decade of GOP economic policies (and a prior number of years of pro-market, deregulation-happy Clinton years), with the division of wealth wider than ever and regular folks getting the shaft, this could get ugly. Their nonspecific rage is irrationally aimed at many of the wrong targets (no serious Tea Bag protests about corporatist control of American society and concentration of wealth, for example). Anyway, I don't take this seriously as a credible, long-term political movement of any kind. (Led by Bachmann????) But it creates conditions for awfulness.[15] In announcing the event on Fox News, Bachmann specifically named the tea parties.[22] Fox News just announced the event is expected to draw 6.4 million teabags to the Capitol.[3]
"Storm the Capitol" is the language rightwing news outlets and advocacy groups from WorldNetDaily to the Tea Party Patriots to Free Republic posters are using to describe the event.[22] Here's a question: What got more attention in the media and what do you think swayed the mind of the public more, the tea party marches and town halls, or a couple doctors standing up in the SFC mark-up and a couple speeches by the president? The obvious answer is the former which is why we all need to start marches of our own.[3]
Thomas Jefferson would vote for Bachmann, and not Obama. or Olympia Snowe. or Romney. or Huckabee. let alone any of the political chaff that belongs to the Democratic party. think about that for a minute or two.[18]
Check your facts. As with all of Bachmann's followers, facts and truthful information play no role in their mental processes or beliefs. Bachmann has shown her ignorance and ability to lie over and over again, earning the "Pants on Fire" award for every single thing that passes her lips. She is not eloquent, informed, or any of the things her followers attribute to her. She is an embarrassment and could not pass a U.S. history or civics test under any condition--a prerequisite for new citizens but evidently not of those who hold public office. Shame on Bachmann and shame on her followers for perpetuating this farce.[2] Actually, the breaking news will be the cease and desist order that comes from the NFL. Even advertisers are not allowed to use the words Super and Bowl in the context of a big event. I don't know if it's the NFL or the Network that carries that game that holds the rights to the name, but it would be funny to see them slam the door on Bachmann.[3] AM.MN: Obama 'causing civil unrest' so Voight aids Pawlenty, Bachmann « Minnesota Independent: News.[29]
"We learned that during the town halls." Bachmann told organizers on one of the calls that her goal for the day was a simple one. "Don't forget -- the purpose of this is to kill the bill," she said.[14] Interestingly enough, Blue Dog Democrats do still seem on the fence about the House's healthcare bill. After the Congressional Budget Office released its cost estimate of Democrats' latest bill last week, caucus leaders asked the CBO's director for a more nuanced analysis of how the proposal might ultimately bend the cost curve.'' '''In order to make an informed decision about the legislation, we believe it is necessary to have a full and clear description of its long-term budgetary effects as CBO can provide,''' they wrote.[9] Republican organizers are planning for activists to go into the House office buildings and the U.S. Capitol and confront members directly after a press conference at noon.[19]
Now, the thousands of people calling our office to tell us coming to Capitol Hill tomorrow ''' that'''s a story."[22]
"I heard Michelle talking about it on Friday night and got up the next morning and said every American needs to be in Washington, so I told people about it and sent a link out and finally decided to take it upon myself to get a bus," Mrs. Kearfott told The Washington Times over the phone. [1] Noon time, 'High Noon', Washington DC on Thursday. The answer to this question was the reason for Bachmann'''s appearance.[24]
America needs more Michelle Bachmann's. We need less Bachmann types of both parties in Congress.[18] Multiple sources have confirmed that Michelle Marston, a veteran Hill aide, is leaving Bachmann'''s office.[17] Jon Voight, whose most well-known screen credits include two movies involving sodomy (Deliverance and Midnight Cowboy), is joining forces with Michele Bachmann? Interesting.[29] Or, you and I could ruin it." "If we can show Michele Bachmann that we are committed to defeating her and her right-wing cohorts, if we can show that her actions motivate us as much as her supporters, we will send the strongest possible message that we are going to beat her in 2010," it continues.[20]
Speaking to Bachmann, Gretchen Carlson introduced the promotion with "Now I know you and a group of other Republicans are having this town hall sort of get together. [24]
SOURCES
1. Hot Button: Answering the call - Washington Times
2. Michele Bachmann leads 'house call' protest on Hill - Daniel Libit - POLITICO.com
3. Bachmann: My Capitol Tea Party Is 'The Super Bowl Of Freedom' | TPM LiveWire
4. Bachmann Promotes D.C. 'Super Bowl of Freedom' Anti-Health Care Reform Rally « The Washington Independent
5. MinnPost - Bachmann wants you in D.C. for 'Super Bowl of Freedom'
6. Top Bachmann aide departing | StarTribune.com
7. A Health Care Protest, by Invitation - Prescriptions Blog - NYTimes.com
8. Storm The Capitol Protest in Washington DC on Thursday: How to get there from Baltimore
9. Bachmann: Healthcare vote is 'Super Bowl of freedom' - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room
10. Power Line - If You Can Get to Washington On Thursday.
11. Bachmann Calls For 'Freedom Fighters' To Come To Capitol To Stop Dem Health Care Bill | TPMDC
12. Bachmann: Health care reform vote is the "Super Bowl of Freedom" - Minneapolis / St. Paul News - City Pages - The Blotter
13. Getting Whackier | Talking Points Memo
14. Michele Bachmann, Tea Partiers Prepare For Last Stand On Health Care | TPMDC
15. Bachmann Refuses To Speak About Chief Of Staff Resignation | TPMDC
16. Inside the Beltway - Washington Times
17. Top Bachmann Aide Quits « The Washington Independent
18. Bachmann aide no longer taking care of business - Jonathan Allen - POLITICO.com
19. Rep. Michele Bachmann to protesters: 'Scare' Congress - Daniel Libit - POLITICO.com
20. Anti-Right-Winger PAC Tries To Raise Money Off Bachmann Rally | TPM LiveWire
21. Momentum building around Bachmann health care rally | StarTribune.com
22. Bachmann aide quits « Minnesota Independent: News. Politics. Media.
23. Bachmann top aide quits one day before health care "house call" - Minneapolis / St. Paul News - City Pages - The Blotter
24. News Hounds: Michele Bachmann and The Superbowl of Freedom
25. Hill Staffers, Listen Up! | Talking Points Memo
26. Health Care Press Conference November 5, 2009 | Editorial
27. "The Super Bowl of Freedom!" | Talking Points Memo
28. MinnPost - D.C. Dispatches: Bachmann aide leaving job
29. AM.MN: Obama 'causing civil unrest' so Voight aids Pawlenty, Bachmann « Minnesota Independent: News. Politics. Media.
GENERATE A MULTI-SOURCE SUMMARY ON ANY SUBJECT
Enter your search query below. WAIT 10-20 sec for the new window to open.
Get more info on Bachmann to protesters: 'Scare' Congress by using the iResearch Reporter tool from Power Text Solutions.
 |
|  |
|
