It is becoming standard in politics now — the “not intended to be a factual statement” statement. If you don’t like something, just lie about it, because the media will not call you on it.
Here’s just the latest example. Today, Michele Bachmann appeared on Fox News Sunday. Chris Wallace asked her about the accusations that she and her husband received government handouts for the family farm and for her husband’s counseling clinic. Bachmann responded that the farm was owned by her father-in-law “And my husband and I have never gotten a penny of money from the farm.”
Well, except that Bachmann’s own financial disclosure forms show that she has received tens of thousands of dollars — and probably hundreds of thousands — from the farm (disclosure forms do not show exact amounts). I guess she isn’t technically lying because that isn’t “a penny”, it’s more like ten million pennies.
She also claimed that the $30,000 to her husband’s clinic was for employee training, and that she or her husband had not benefited from the money. So, the clinic’s employees receiving free training from the government doesn’t benefit them? Seriously?
At the end of the softball interview, Wallace asked whether she was a “flake” because of a “history of questionable statements” and “gaffes”. A clearly irritated Bachmann responded “I think that would be insulting, to say something like that, because I’m a serious person.” I guess if you can’t respond with a good lie, the next best thing is to act insulted.
Or if you can’t do that, then deflect. On Face the Nation, Bachmann was asked about the farm subsidies, and she responded that the public should be more outraged about the increase in limousine usage under Obama.
It is going to be an interesting election.
UPDATE: The Washington Post declares that Bachmann is the Republican candidate to watch … for inaccuracies. My favorite one is her claiming that John Wayne was from her hometown, saying “that’s the kind of spirit that I have, too.” Unfortunately, she got the name wrong — it was serial killer John Wayne Gacy Jr. who lived in her hometown. No word yet on that kind of spirit.
12 Comments
And the “limo increase” is also a lie. Like the claims that all the Democratic spending went to “their rich friends” – nothing like diverting attention from Republican looting of the poor to give money to the rich.
On the other hand, let’s face it – lies are all they have. If they told the truth they would never get elected.
Well, I guess old “W” didn’t use the limo in DC all that much since he spent half his presidency in Crawford, TX.
See, I know that it wasn’t really half, but I’ll just say half since you won’t call me out on it.
“It is going to be an interesting election.” And I am going to try ever so hard to maintain my sense of humor. No really, I am, I promise. Really.
Oh, and Tony, you are wrong about W and his time in Texas. I am quite sure that it was at least 3/4 of the time – at least in his dreams.
Here’s a good article from CBS News about the “limo increase” lie, and how Bachmann deflects questions (or just outright lies) — http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/26/ftn/main20074485.shtml
According to the GSA, the majority of the increase in the limousine fleet reported by Bachmann was in FY 2008-2009, which was actually budgeted by the Bush administration. Not only that, but many of the vehicles that are categorized as “limousines” by the feds are law enforcement and security vehicles.
Another example: When confronted (on Face the Nation) with an obvious lie of hers (claiming that Obama had only issued one offshore oil drilling permit, when his administration had issued over 200 permits), Bachmann doubled down and merely asserted “I haven’t misled people at all.”
hey now, W only spent 490 days at the Ranch, 487 days at Camp David for a combined 977 days which according my math is far, far short of the 1095 days that would equal 3 years. (sarcasm)
BTW, Miracle of Miracles, Michelle Bachmann actually said something that got a true rating over at Politifact. Of course it’s just the statement that Obama voted against raising the debt ceiling when he was a senator.
Here is the thing I hate about this…we can blame the media for not calling them out on it all we want…but politicans on the other side never call people on it either.
Sure they do, No U. Anthony Weiner called out the Republicans on their lies, and you saw what the media did to him.
Yeah, but it’s few and far between
I agree with you, No U, that it is few and far between. Barney Frank does it too but I suspect he gets more press here in MA than elsewhere. He’s not easy to understand. And he is an unattractive gay man which doesn’t go over well in our media.
I’m pretty big into Bernie Sanders. I keep telling my “liberal” Democratic senators that they need to listen to Bernie a bunch more. Alas, they never respond.
Charles from Little Green Footballs continually refers to her as Bachmann (R-Mars) and I laugh every time I see it.
1032 – that comment about Bachmann is an unfair racial slur on all Martians. They wouldn’t elect her either.
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