US Representative Michele Bachmann - a first-term Republican, up for reelection in Minnesota’s 6th District - has come under fire for her controversial comment about Obama’s patriotism. The comments came during the course of a Friday night interview on MSNBC, when Bachmann asserted that Obama has a close connection to 1960s radical William Ayers. She said that Obama “had a very strong association with Bill Ayers.”
When asked by Chris Matthews whether she believes that Obama may have anti-American views, Bachmann replied: “Absolutely. I’m very concerned that he may have anti-American views.” She also said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, both Democrats, have “far-leftist views.”
When asked whether she considered members of Congress anti-American, she said: “The news media should do a penetrating exposé and take a look. I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out are they pro-America or anti-America."
The congresswoman is now retreating from the statement. Appearing on WCCO on Sunday, she said she did not mean that Obama’s views are anti-American, adding: “That was a misreading of what I said.” Clarifying the statement, Bachmann said the Democratic presidential nominee’s views are “concerning” and deserve more media attention.
A spokeswoman for Bachmann also said in a statement: “This has all been a political spin version. Bachmann never called all liberals anti-Americans, but that’s what the media hype has turned it into.”
After the controversial comments by Bachmann, campaign donations poured in to her opponent, Democrat Elwyn Tinklenberg, who said Bachmann’s comments “undermines our political process. Instead of being able to disagree respectfully, it turns it into this kind of vilification. You’re just not disagreeing. The other person is un-American.”
Custom Search
.jpg)