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Bachmann's Defining Moment

By John R. Guardiano on 8.15.11 @ 11:36AM

Forget for the moment Texas governor Rick Perry, who has yet to win anything outside of his home state of Texas. Michele Bachmann's win in the Ames, Iowa straw poll, coupled with Tim Pawlenty's withdrawal from the race, is further evidence, I believe, that Bachmann is the GOP frontrunner for the 2012 presidential nomination.The question for her Republican rivals is: how can she be stopped?

Not easily, that's for sure. The truth is that Bachmann is an excellent candidate. Quick, poised, and articulate; sharp, cogent, and persuasive, she inspires confidence and respect.

For example, as Tim Mak reports, the most talked about moment in the Ames debate was when Byron York asked Bachmann whether, as president, she would be submissive to her husband. (This because Bachmann once said she decided to study tax law at her husband's urging because the Bible commands wives to be "submissive" to their husbands.)

Bachmann's answer, notes Jennifer Rubin,

was a home run, not only in substance, but in delivery. First was the dramatic pause. Then the smile -- no offense taken -- and then the conservative feminist grand slam.

First, Bachmann thanked York for asking the question. Then she responded:

Marcus and I will be married for 33 years this September 10th. I'm in love with him. I'm so proud of him. And both he and I -- what submission means to us (if that's what your question is) -- it means respect.

I respect my husband. He's a wonderful, godly man and a great father. And he respects me as his wife. That's how we operate our marriage. We respect each other. We love each other.

This was, as the political pros like to say, a "defining moment" for Bachmann. It showed, in the words of veteran political analyst Charlie Cook, that Bachmann can "play at this level," the national level. She can hang with the big boys and hook and jab with the heavyweight candidates such as Perry and Mitt Romney.

Sure, Newsweek can try and caricature Bachmann as an enraged right-wing crazy, but voters who have met Bachmann know better. They know that she's relaxed, grounded and comfortable in her own skin.

Voters like and appreciate Bachmann's message of hope and promise -- the promise that Obama can be defeated, his legislation (and especially ObamaCare) overturned, and the country set on a new and more conservative path forward.

All of which is to say that Romney and Perry have their work cut out for them.

View all comments (25) | Leave a comment

SER| 8.15.11 @ 12:06PM

As a Texan, I can support Michelle Bachman. I also support Rick Perry. I like Herman Cain. As long as we Conservatives realize that we don't "lose" with any of these candidates, we can win the election.

A. Doer| 8.15.11 @ 12:29PM

How do you see Bachmann winning the general election? The hard-core conservatives love her, obviously, but you can't win the election without a candidate who also appeals to the middle. Not to mention that other than Palin, nobody would energize progressives more than Bachmann. Even progressives who are unhappy with Obama would work hard to prevent a Bachmann presidency.

Perry, on the other hand, would have little trouble appealing to moderates and independents. As with Romney, the things that are weaknesses in trying to get support from the right (a progressive position on immigration, deep Islamic connections that would be fatal to most politicians, being a former Democrat who helped Al Gore get elected, etc) will convince moderates that he's much more open minded and moderate than a Bachmann or Palin or Santorum would be.

Warrior| 8.15.11 @ 4:07PM

Using your argument, Reagan was unelectable. It is a myth that a conservative cannot appeal to the middle/independents. Most independents and "middle" voters identify more with conservative values than liberal. The Republicans need to run a conservative, after all, look at the last middle of the road candidates (McCain) results.

simon templar| 8.15.11 @ 4:20PM

The warrior has the sword of truth.

Bo| 8.16.11 @ 2:05PM

Reagan could communicate to the middle and get them to understand that they think like him. Bachmann can't do that. She barely beat Elwyn Tinklenberg in her gerrymandered congressional district because she can only effectively communicate to the true believers.

martin j smith| 8.15.11 @ 12:07PM

Wether Bachman get the nomination or not, I think that if Republican Party has anything in their little should and their brain they should NOT ALLOW THE LEFT TO GET AWAY WITH THE NAME CALLING SMEARING CRAP THAT THEY HAVE TOLERATED. ENOUGH ALREADY !!!!!!!!

NotPropagandized| 8.15.11 @ 3:24PM

I'm with you, but it's easier to read when caps are minimized. Thanks....

simon templar| 8.15.11 @ 4:19PM

Martin..you are wise.

Conservative View| 8.16.11 @ 9:02AM

Martin, you aint seen nothing yet.

Obama hasn't an arrow left in his quiver. He has achieved absolutely nothing but the collapse of the country. The only weapon he has left is the mud he is standing in, and trust me, he and his pals are going to sling it, just as hard and fast as they can.

This next ellection is going to end up the nastiest ellection in American history. What the liberals did to Sara Palin will look like a love fest compaired to what they will do with Bachman were she to win the nomination for the Republican Party.

Our hope, our only real hope, is that at some point the MSM will become so discusted with the mud that they will turn against the Democrats, and two, that the American people will see it for what it is. Expect lies, distortions, slanders, and thugs disrupting every Republican meeting that is held.

Here it comes people, get ready for it.

Occam's Tool| 8.15.11 @ 12:21PM

As a Minnesotan, I LOVE MICHELE! I wanted her as my congresswoman, and finally got Cravaack! She rocks and she rolls and she Takes Care of Business! As a Tea Partier, I love her!

Clint| 8.15.11 @ 1:24PM

We Are In A Media War.

The GOP Ruling Elite RINO-CINO's Are Attempting To Set Us Up For Their Boy Romney.

We Tea Party Patriots Sent A One-Two Near Dead Heat Message In Iowa.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

Rise Up.

PattyMor| 8.15.11 @ 12:35PM

I support Bachmann and will continue to do so until Sarah jumps in. In addition to accomplishments in real life, we have another articulate, good looking Republican woman. Not only does she have to defeat the Democrats, but also the liberals hiding out in the Rat Party.

Casey Abell| 8.15.11 @ 12:42PM

"I support Bachmann and will continue to do so until Sarah jumps in."

Then you'll probably be supporting Bachmann for a while. Romney and Perry certainly wouldn't mind Palin getting in. But Sarah looks plenty happy as a well-paid cable TV personality.

Trinacria| 8.15.11 @ 1:57PM

Defining moment?

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

"I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!"

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask rather what you can do for your country."

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself."

"....I love my husband."

Really?

simon templar| 8.15.11 @ 4:17PM

Trinacria
I am sure you do not know just how profound, "I love my husband" actually is. Anyone over the age of 45 knows it is, given 4o years of male bashing, pissing on fatherhood, feminist hatred for males, downgrading marriage, instant divorce, and sexual warfare. It was revolutionary. Just look at the reaction to something once held as just normal, typical, and expected.

Trinacria| 8.15.11 @ 4:41PM

ST-
Yeah, you're right. Our grandchildren will be reading about the quote that changed the world during the 2011 Iowa Republican Debate in their history books. In fact, the stock market is up today, the Taliban is on the run, and we're one step closer to solving our crushing national debt problem. Yes, it's true...love conquers all!

Conservative View| 8.16.11 @ 9:04AM

it's a whole lot better than "eat your peas."

NotPropagandized| 8.15.11 @ 3:22PM

I totally agree with this and have huge regard and anticipation for Bachmann. RickPerry is unquestionably in the same league, meaning that both Romney and Bachmann also have their work cut out for them in this campaign. It is so hopeful to think we'd have either Bachmann or Perry as the nominee. I suspect either one is capable of getting US back on feet again!

simon templar| 8.15.11 @ 4:10PM

Nice to see some positivism, encouragement, and balanced thinking. Thank you.

TennesseeVolunteer| 8.15.11 @ 3:23PM

Trinacria, maybe you would prefer that she side with Gay marriage, or Islam is responsible for most of our best inventions, or "I have visited all 57 states".
sorry, out here we are real people. We understand when someone says "I love my husband" that is code for I believe in God, ethical behavior, good financial management, not telling lie after lie after lie. Not demonizing your opponent ("Tea Party advocates are terrorists or the Tea Party downgrade)
She didn't sidestep the question, she met it head on. Not like throwing Rev. Wright under the bus, or disclaiming a relationship with Bill Ayers or not releasing transcripts, birth certificates or other relevant info.
Trinacria, thanks for playing.....

Trinacria| 8.15.11 @ 4:03PM

TV,

You rather miss the point (pity that, as this is usually the exclusive domain of the left). For the folks in Tennessee, I'll try to be more explicit (I really do hate to generalize; in my defense, however, you do have that rather nasty business of giving the nation the gift of Al Gore). The point was not that I disagreed with Ms. Bachmann's response; on the contrary, I applaud and respect her honest (and honorable) reply. I do question, however, Mr. Guariano's characterization of the response as a bold and defining moment.

Again, for the good folks in Tennessee (by which I mean "the real people"), this is what the rest of us refer to as nuance. One can both agree with Ms. Bachmann's statement AND recognize that it doesn't rise to the level of a "defining moment".

So, to review:

Party A states that, in said party's opinion, Ms. Bachmann's statement did not happen to rise to the level of a defining moment, at least in the conventional sense. Following a rigorous examination of the statement, Party B concludes with certainty that Party A supports gay marriage, Islam, Reverend Wrigt, and Bill Ayers.

And ye wondereth whence comes the stereotype, Tennessee? Thank YOU for playing (though I really must insist you make it a more sporting endeavor next time, chap).

simon templar| 8.15.11 @ 4:08PM

With respect, I think we are arguing over very small and trivial things. We got bigger fish here to fry. I do wish everyone out here weilding knives is up for the fight when a nominee is indeed picked and walks out there to the battlefield in 2012...cause it is going to be bloody and filthy, hope you all will have some fight and energy left then when its most needed.

Trinacria| 8.15.11 @ 4:46PM

With respect, the point is that when we lower the bar and call true but mundane and unexceptional statements profound, we end up with mundane and unexceptional presidents (Exhibit 1: "What America needs is hope and change").

simon templar| 8.15.11 @ 4:03PM

The QUESTION IS, SHOULD SHE BE STOPPED!
Let the democrats attempt to STOP our candidates not US!
What our candidates should be doing is SELLING themselves to US and convincing US that they are the best for the job because of their experience, background and records.
Why is this so hard to grasp?
Now, think back John, to 2008. Do you remember the dem candidates shredding each other up like the Republicans?
Let each stand on their own words and merits...save the knives and the stops for the democrats.

TennesseeVolunteer| 8.15.11 @ 6:03PM

Trina, I have obviously erred in taking on such a large intellect and as any true Southern gentleman will bow to your clear superiority. However, what I am pointing out is that you found fault with nuance and ignored the importance of her message. We rednecks and hillbillies in the South are honored to know you...and thank the Lord, most of us in Tennessee did not vote for the Global Windbag, Al Gore!
All the best!