National GOP Pulling Financial Support For Michele Bachmann
A Republican source has confirmed to Election Central that the NRCC is indeed pulling all its advertising for Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), whose antics since her McCarthyist rant on Hardball have quickly put this once-safe incumbent in serious danger. Several hundred-thousand dollars worth of TV time had previously been reserved on Bachmann's behalf, but now it has all been cancelled, as Huffington Post first reported.
Bear in mind that Bachmann was heavily favored to win re-election before this whole mess happened, but since then her Democratic opponent has received $1.3 million in online donations and another $1 million in commitments from the DCCC. The national party is now directing its attention to other races.
Bachmann could still potentially win, as this district voted 57%-42% for George W. Bush in 2004. But she's now on her own. It's a rare thing for a national party to totally cut off an incumbent, so this should give you an idea of just how unpopular Bachmann is among Washington Republicans right now.
Karma's a bitch, ain't it?
October 22, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's nice to see karma show up quickly in this case.
October 22, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love Karma more and more!
October 22, 2008 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did her karma run over her dogma?
October 22, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
There weren't even skid marks!
October 22, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, in her case, I think her dogma ran over her karma.
October 22, 2008 8:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, her dogma definitely ate her homework.
Possibly her whole district, in fact.
October 22, 2008 9:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
My karma gets 40 MPG!
October 22, 2008 7:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, my karma gets 44, going 75+ mph. =D
But yeah, anyways, this Bachmannn character is too stupid to hold office or for her own good.
October 22, 2008 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Michelle: "hey, who you callin' bitch ?"
October 23, 2008 3:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
ABC/WashPo tracking poll: Obama 54 McCain 43
http://www.abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/Politics/story?id=6087668&page=1
October 22, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anybody know the current polls on Bachmann's district?
October 22, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
for those asking about how the polls look in MN 6th it is now listed as a toss-up. Last week it was republican.
Thank you Michelle
October 22, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you're running with a "R" next to your name, you're pretty much on your own this election. In fact, they're running as far as they can from their brand name.
What about McCain camp? Don't forget, She dig a hole for herself in an effort to find hidden treasures for McFalin.
October 22, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Some very smart R's like Mark Kirk in IL 10 have long been using the strategy of being closet Republicans by claiming an independent label. Kirk is a Republican but won't show the brand anywhere. He has a very wealthy and educated constituency, and that cuts both ways.
October 22, 2008 8:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's exactly right.
NRCC to Bachmann: if you care about keeping your seat, get off the teevee and put on your walking shoes.
Can't stress enough how EXTREMELY conservative this district is -- she should win it fine if she works for it
October 22, 2008 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS
IS
EXCELLENT
NEWS
FOR
MICHELE!
MWAAAAHAAAAHAAAAAHAAAA!
October 22, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heh. The only hope Michelle has is to hope people confuse her with Michelle Obama. Go, conflation!
October 22, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
That anti-American scumbag needs to be out of congress. I'm glad the GOP agrees.
I hope El runs some commercials with her on hardball and her lying at that meeting today.
October 22, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't you just love how her rabid right wing garbage is destroying her? I love how she thought this bullshit would play.
October 22, 2008 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
What can I say? She wanted the coverage. And she's left with no "cover."
October 22, 2008 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
she just didn't (and still doesn't) understand that 'obama/dems/liberals are anti-american/un-american' is SUBtext, only to be implied, not stated outright. you want the people listening to you to think it without your actually saying it out loud.
tweety only asked her if he was reading the subtext correctly and she just wasn't smart enough to keep it in her pocket.
October 22, 2008 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've seen this woman on Larry King prior to her genius on Hardball, and she is nutty as rocky road ice cream (look at me sounding like Dan Rather).
This woman deserves to lose and I love that the RNC basically said to her "Look, you sound like a crazy person an we want nothing to do with you. Fuck off."
October 22, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I *wish* they were cutting her off because she's crazy. I think they are cutting her off because she made a fool of herself on national tv and is too embarrassing to support now. Plus, she's dug a huge fundraising hole for herself that they don't want to fill.
I don't think they've pulled any support from Hayes (NC-R) who said that liberals hate those who work and achieve and believe in God. I suspect it's because that was only an audio message and has not generated the same fundraising dollars for his opponent as El has received. I wish the blogosphere would funnel more attention to those idiotic comments to help his opponent.
October 22, 2008 5:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Titanic now runs short of lifeboats, and all the hitherto rich, staid Republican passengers begin to elbow each other and to push their most vulnerable overboard.
October 22, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
My first reaction was GREAT! It's wonderful that there are consequences for dreadful comments.
Then I realized what a gullible sap I continue to be. The RNC probably is pretty sure, despite the influx of cash, that she's going to win. This way, they get to make a very big public gesture and look good at the same time, while not really jeopardizing their chances.
October 22, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gosh, there I was feeling all positive and hopeful and you go and remind me that rainbows are only an optical illusion and pots of gold are a myth.
October 22, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm maintaining hope...
October 22, 2008 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, geez, sorry. I hate it when someone throws cold water on good vibes, and I didn't mean to do that.
8 years of the current administration and current Republicans has made me a deeply cynical and distrustful person.
October 22, 2008 6:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's HOPE for you!
October 22, 2008 7:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
2 things:
One, the RNCC has cut funding to the worst of the worst but who knows to keep his head very down, Lamborn of Colorado Springs, CO. They told a number of party members that if Lamborn loses they would like to see that and run a better candidate in '10 when they think they can make Congressional gains.
They are actually looking for a new Freshman class and these Congressperson need to know how to be opposition party members not nuts like Bachmann or Lamborn.
2) Her first national showing was on Larry King and she made loooney tunes statements there....but when ant-American in light of the Pro-American stuff or real-Virginia stuff made it contextual.
October 22, 2008 10:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
The issue is less what the Republicans in Washington think about Bachmann's chances now that she's jumped the shark. The issue, from the Party's perspective at least, is how badly she'll stink up the whole Republican joint. They're worried about their chances, not hers.
October 23, 2008 12:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
She should really update her "in the news" page because she is most definitely "in the news".
October 22, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Have we seen any recent polls out of that district? I would like to see what his chances are.
October 22, 2008 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had no idea the NRCC was so anti-American to abandon Michele Bachmann at a time like this. Perhaps she'll denounce them too.
October 22, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
All she's got left is the Rapture.
October 22, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh God Therap - I just spit coffee all over myself!! That was too funny! thanks.
October 22, 2008 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
That picture reminds me isn't she the same crazy lady who said Pelosi was delaying the second coming of Christ by trying to save the planet?
I would like to meet the electorate who voter her once, if they're the ones voting again, I don't see how she can loose.
October 22, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not quite, but close:
Bachmann on saving the world
October 22, 2008 6:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ooops the href didn't work so good. The link is:
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/08/gop_rep_to_environmentalists_j.php
with Bachmann saying that Pelosi didn't need to save the world because Baby Jeebus already has.
October 22, 2008 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would feel bad for her but I am not fond of politicians to begin with especially for saying she didn't say what she did. Then called on it she said that she was tricked.
She isn't the first to lie about things nor the last but the difference is that she crossed the line. These sort of tactics are Rovian. We are now seeing that people had enough of it.
Apparently, her true colors broke through and no one in RNC wants to waste money more than they need to on someone like her. Now she is in political isolation. I can't say she didn't deserve it.
October 22, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Funny how they never had a problem with this kind of stuff pouring out of her mouth until now. And its not like she was off-message, given the kind of crap they're spewing out in the mailers and the robocalls and Gov. Sparkleburst's speeches. And God knows she didn't say anything that party's intellectual vanguard--Malkin, Coulter, Hannity, et. al.--haven't been saying in as many words for years.
October 22, 2008 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just want to remind everyone of the real issue here:
"...that party's intellectual vanguard--Malkin, Coulter, Hannity, et. al.--"
Kinda says it all, don't it?!
October 22, 2008 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
She probably runs around Congress spouting off nutty stuff and driving everyone crazy. I read this as they never liked her to begin with and are willing to lose a seat (What's one more when you're getting your ass handed to you?) in order to be rid of her.
October 22, 2008 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
The more moderate and sensible Republicans start speaking out and taking their party back, the more hope I have for this country. Remember back in the good old days when we could disagree with Republicans and still like them? Wouldn't it be nice to go back there again?
October 22, 2008 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. But I think it'll be a while longer before the GOP hist bottom. It's coming, though.
October 22, 2008 6:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
The ultimate "bottom" is Rove...
October 22, 2008 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Remember the scene in Deliverance where Ned Beatty squealed like a pig? That's how I like to picture Rove.
October 22, 2008 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ewwwww.....
October 22, 2008 7:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or were you reffering to the Redneck that got an arrow through his throat?
October 22, 2008 7:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, it's coming...in 8 years. Could take longer. The Republicans deserve a long spell in the wilderness. And they'll need it, too. The recriminations from the coming bloodbath will take more than one presidential cycle to play out. The business types will blame the religious conservatives, and vice-versa, and both will try to say that despite 30 years of solid control of government, conservatism was never really tried. That fight could go on quite awhile before they settle it, and then they'll still have to cultivate new leadership that actually responds to, like, reality.
Popcorn? I favor Paul Newman's Natural flavor.
October 23, 2008 12:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I read at HuffPo that other GOP Senators are thinking about doing their own anti-American ads in order to hold on to their seats! I thought that was hilarious! Why would you want to imitate a losing strategy? They are clueless
October 22, 2008 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can you say 'Makaka'?
I knew you could....
Now, can you say 'Buh-Bye'?
October 22, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Michele's real goal is one of those Neiman Marcus wardrobes and a spot on FOX.
October 22, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, I think its kinda mavericky;)
Michelle Bachman = Minnesota Maverick!
October 22, 2008 6:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is obviously triage, but maybe they are cutting her funds because they think she'll win without them, as opposed to thinking she can't win even with them?
October 22, 2008 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
They should cut their funding from all sleazy Republicans. I wish they would! I think the American people would love to see that!
October 22, 2008 7:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
They needed the money to pay for Palin's wardrobe.
October 22, 2008 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I must really commend the Republican Party for making the right move early on this. They're probably more terrified than morally indignant, but since they're rare around here, I'll give credit where it's due. McCarthy? Come on...
October 22, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bachmann Turned her McCarthyism into Overdrive now the voters will be Taking Care of Business at the polls.
October 22, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
You reap what you sow.
October 22, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
as of Sunday, the R incumbent in MN-03 was all pissed off because RNC was to take TV $$$ from him to give to her - now they're not giving it to either ???
here is TV ad purchased with all that filty blogger lucre -
http://www.tinklenberg08.com/
Go El !!!!
October 22, 2008 8:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like his voice. :)
October 23, 2008 1:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Could not have happened to a nicer friggin' whack-job.
She has "runaway bride" crazy eyes. She and "Mean Jean" Schmidt need to crawl back into the slime-holes from whence they were spewn forth.
October 22, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
She will probably still win because her district has been gerrymandered for her and most of her constituents dont' think what she said is all that crazy, and when she does she's going to feel empowered to do as many more crazy things as she wants.
October 22, 2008 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
That smile of hers is a close second to Senator McCain's for the most unnatural/disturbing
hope this means I never have to see it again
October 22, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
the NRCC just had sexy time in her back vagine
October 22, 2008 9:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's "McCarthyite"
October 22, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
God bless America.
And may God (and the American people) punish Michele Bachmann at the ballot box.
Then may she go directly to the hell reserved for totalitarian Republicans.
October 22, 2008 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
October 22, 2008 11:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
October 23, 2008 12:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus loves me, this I know, because he told Bachmann she had to go.
October 23, 2008 12:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Three questions:
1) If Bachmann gets voted out of office, whither our snark for the next two years?
2) Should this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJmBPCYt5LY) become the TPM theme song for the Congressional races? Any other suggestions?
3) And how do you get the pipe-smoking libertine next to your photo? (I actually am a pipe-smoking libertine.)
In any case, go Obama. Look forward to the election night party in Grant Park, whose early planning Drudge (!) is calling hubristic. I'll be smoking a pipe, drinking sack and claret there.
October 23, 2008 2:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, I see the coffehouse radical appeared automatically next to my post. Disregard question 3.
October 23, 2008 2:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bachmann is far more appealing in person than on television, and her views and opinions and especially her worn-on-her-sleeve fundamentalism are very much in tune with her district. She has a lock on the anti-abortion vote, which is by definition a majority in the 6th CD.
The chance to defeat her depends on whether the voters decide that she is embarrassing them. This is Minnesota, and you are not supposed to make a spectacle of yourself (unless you are Jesse Ventura.) And even Jesse's popularity suffered after he got elected. He couldn't win today. The same "don't mouth off" factor is being used to try to hobble Al Franken's candidacy.
I think she will win, but not by much. That district is very spread out and it's hard to get a pulse there. I'll drive around parts of it tomorrow and look for omens and portents. And the Obama campaign in Minnesota may have the potential to carry a lot of people along in a GOTV tsunami.
The old Republican Rovian Sec. of State here got beat in the last election so we will expect a free and fair election in the North Star State this year. Wish the same were true elsewhere--but it isn't. PLEASE get yourself a copy of the Greg Palast-Bobby Kennedy, Jr., comic book "Steal Back Your Vote." DO it today---time is of the essence.
October 23, 2008 3:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a story from the LA Times.
Michele Bachmann's rival reaps benefits of her 'Hardball' comments
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-bachmann23-2008oct23,0,4832573.story
Tinklenberg made over $1.3 million since Bachmann opened her mouth.
October 23, 2008 5:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
This year's Makaka Candidate.
October 23, 2008 5:07 AM | Reply | Permalink