Minnesota has given the world Michele Bachmann, and I am not sure what to think of Minnesota right now. This is the start of the Recall Bachmann ‘09 campaign.
Minnesotans are often portrayed as no-nonsense, hard-working, dutiful Mid-Westerners. Northern Plains people, to be exact. They endure all sorts of weather from the searing heat of summer to the deep, bitter cold of winter. Still, they march on through life with a simple, solid approach, even if they are just a little different. At least this is the impression that Garrison Keillor gives me about Minnesotans. I haven’t listened to Keillor lately — I’m sure he must be as aghast that his people have turned loose Ms Bachmann on rest of the world.
How did Minnesotans choose to elect Bachmann in the first place? Certainly, she is physically attractive, so if Minnesotans were going by looks alone they didn’t make a bad choice. However, it’s difficult to imagine how Minnesotans chose their representation by looks alone, but maybe they aren’t really different than the rest of us, no matter how much Keillor tries to make me believe so. Maybe over the past decade the sensible Minnesotans decided to leave behind the cold, harsh winters of Minnesota for places like, maybe, Iowa.
I had no idea Bachmann even existed until that fateful afternoon last Fall when she appeared on Hardball. Chris Matthews often interrupts his guests and tries to pin them down on what they are saying (or perhaps what he wants them to say), but on that particular afternoon Matthews let Bachmann drive the show. He gave her plenty of room to loosen the garrote she put around her own neck, but in that sheer determination of a Minnesotan during a hard winter, Bachmann resisted any help and continued to tighten the garrote until she was extremely red, so to speak (never, ever blue). Certainly, her declaration of an anti-American (read communist) witch-hunt would cause Minnesotans to revisit their decision to choose her as a representative to the world. We are certainly aware that a few Minnesotans had a change of heart, but I guess in the final estimation of representational abilities, Elwyn Tinklenberg just wasn’t as sexy as Michele Bachmann. We all know that she wasn’t elected based on brains.
Of course, if you haven’t recently heard, Ms Bachmann has ventured into the subjects of world finance, constitutional law and general political anarchy (the two of which are rather incompatible, but I have a feeling that incompatibility has never been a concern to Ms Bachmann). Let’s examine the major points of Ms Bachmann’s political expertise:
- Bachmann thinks that we should have a McCarthyesque hunt for anti-Americans and terrorists amongst her peers in Congress. VIDEO
- Bachmann thinks that Tim Geithner has violated the Constitution, but fails to understand that the Constitution allows Congress to pass laws under which the Department of Treasury operates. VIDEO (first segment, but all segments are worthy)
- Bachmann believes that America has been invaded (by whom we are not sure) and she is working behind enemy lines. She encourages the citizens to overthrow their own government, the same government for which she participates as an elected representative. Article on TPM
I am protesting Michele Bachmann. I am protesting stupidity, no matter what it looks like. I hereby call upon all Minnesotans to demand that Michele Bachmann resign from her seat in the House of Representatives, and if she does not comply, to overthrow the government, specifically responding to Bachmann’s own request. I call upon Minnesotans to rid the political world of at least one stupid, incompetent and dangerous politician. Sure, this one among many, but we have to start somewhere.
I almost forgot. I am also protesting Minnesotans inability to decide on their choice of a US Senator. I guess Ms Bachmann finds that an acceptable distraction to her political antics and anarchy. If I were a conspiratorialist, I would proclaim that Ms Bachmann had some hand in creating that distraction, but honestly I don’t think she has the mental capacity.
Mr Keillor, where is the Minnesotan sensibility here? Where are Minnesotans? Have they entirely evicted common sense from the land of ten thousand lakes? Or are they too busy counting ballots in the senate race to pay attention to what one of their own daughters is doing?
Tags: America, campaign, citizen, Congress, Constitution, finance, Government, Iowa, Law, Matthew, McCarthy, Minnesota, MSNBC, NBC, political, Senator, sex, war, youtube
Please replace "Minnesotans" with "Minnesota 6th district residents." Maybe you're not aware, but she is a representative, and only people who live in the 6th get to vote for or against her, not Minnesotans as a whole. The majority of Minnesotans are left of center and don't like Bachmann. It's not our fault the 6th was Gerrymandered to make it a guaranteed Republican seat. Hopefully when we lose a representative in the next re-districting Michelle will have a primary challenge against John Kline (R-2nd district).
"I am also protesting Minnesotans inability to decide on their choice of a US Senator." This is a little ridiculous and shows ignorance on the part of the author. We're working through the situation in a constitutional manner. Bachmann has nothing to do with this process at all and it is damaging to the rest of the author's essay to suggest she is messing things up. Just learn a little Minnesotan patience, it will be worked out soon.
"I am also protesting Minnesotans inability to decide on their choice of a US Senator." This is a little ridiculous and shows ignorance on the part of the author. We're working through the situation in a constitutional manner. Bachmann has nothing to do with this process at all and it is damaging to the rest of the author's essay to suggest she is messing things up. Just learn a little Minnesotan patience, it will be worked out soon.
Minnesota also gave the US House Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to that body US House. I will second the response from the previous commenter that "Minnesotans" should be replaced with "Minnesota 6th district residents." I could, and gladly did, vote for Keith Elison, and I'm rather sad, but can do nothing, about Bachmann representing any part of the state.
I Believe it was a Mr. Hightower that said, (I also believe I'm paraphrasing) "If there were no lunatics in the House of representatives, it wouldn't be a truly representative body."
she's insane. someone got a hold of a christmas letter she wrote back in '03.
http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2008/10/positioned_in_f.php
she mentions her daughters 'measurements.'
Anyone who sees Tim Geithner as a public enemy demonstrates a discerning capacity of what is really going on. It is a shame that you folks don't understand just how bad Geithner, Bernanke, Paulson and the banksters on Wall St. and their cohorts on Capit"a"l Hill. Sounds like a bunch of people more worried about their Rep talking to imaginary friends than they are worried about her going after real enemies. Tsk, tsk.
To Minnesotan: While Michele Bachmann was elected by the citizens of the 6th district, whether fondly portrayed indirectly by Garrison Keillor or not, Minnesotans are Minnesotans. Or, have Minnesotans been characatured unfairly by its own?
To Roo: If Bachmann represented a district in Texas or California, which are often viewed as having perhaps more than their fair share of crazy folk, I would just scoff at Bachmann. However, she represents Minnesota — the heartland — the land of non-crazy folk. I guess people really are the same no matter where you go.
To Tom: I stated that I assumed that Bachmann has nothing to do with the senatorial syndrome, specifically because she lacks the mental capacity. The lack of a US Senator is a symptom of problems in Minnesota. What happened to Minnesotans? Constitutional meanderings? Fair is fair, but how long are Minnesotans willing to go without a Senator? At the rate we are going, it looks like 2014 will be the year!
I even sent money to Elwyn Tinklenberg, and I've never even set foot in the state. Minnesotans cannot protest what other Minnesotans do?
Thanks, RTNB. This post has been marked for inclusion in the next edition of the Carnival to Replace Michele Bachmann, at Quiche Moraine (a blog by Minnesotans for the rest of the world.)
Bachmann is an idiot and isn't indicative of Minnesotans, rather conservative Minnesotans and conservatives in general. I would like to see her recalled, though it is highly unlikely. An upset in her next election would be equally satisfying.
Regarding the Franken issue. We decided on Franken. Coleman and the Republicans know this and are dragging the process through the courts. With each appeal, the Minnesota election process is looking better and more fair to the voters, despite the Republican claims that it is broken. The only reason that this is dragging on is they don't want to allow Obama to have one more critical vote.
[...] Recall Bachmann ‘09 [...]
Yes, I’m in Bachmann’s district and I’d like nothing better than to replace her with pretty much anyone.
“….at Quiche Moraine (a blog by Minnesotans for the rest of the world.)”
Uh no, it’s a horrible blog in my opinion, that engages in publishing lies about people and personally attacks critics and even harasses people. It’s also run by a total bitch named Stephanie Z who coddles horrible writers like Mike Haubrich. All in all, a bunch of snobs and a place to avoid.