Sunday, June 26, 2011

Fox News Asks Bachmann, 'Are You a Flake?'

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June 26, 2011 1:14 PM

ABC News Russell Goldman reports:

Just before boarding an Iowa-bound plane to kick off her presidential campaign, Michele Bachmann was asked a surprisingly blunt question: "Are you a flake?"

"I think that would be insulting to say something like that because I'm a serious person," Bachmann told Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace.

Bachmann, R-Minnesota, is a three-term congresswoman now neck-and-neck with Mitt Romney at the top of the most recent Iowa poll, but she has a reputation for making provocative statements and sometimes gaffes.

Wallace did not ask about any of those statements specifically and Bachmann, who has stayed consistently on message since a CNN debate two weeks ago, used the question to repeat her biography.

"I'm 55 years old. I've been married 33 years," she said. "I'm not only a lawyer, I have a post-doctorate degree in federal tax law from William and Mary. I've worked in serious scholarship?my husband and I have raised five kids, we've raised 23 foster children. We've applied ourselves to education reform. We started a charter school for at-risk kids. I've also been a state senator and member of the United States Congress for five years."

"Do you recognize that now that you are in the spotlight in a way that you weren't before that you have to be careful," he said, following up.

"Of course a person has to be careful with the statements they make," replied Bachmann. "I think now will be an opportunity to speak fully on the issues. I look forward to that."�

Asked if the campaign believed Wallace's question was sexist, or if the same line of inquiry would be put to one of the male candidate's, Bachmann spokeswoman Alice Stewart told ABC News "it was an insulting question all around."

Bachmann arrives today in Waterloo, Iowa, the town of her birth. She officially kicks off her campaign form there Monday.

June 26, 2011 in Michele Bachmann, Russell Goldman | Permalink | Share | User Comments (46)

User Comments

If she thinks that was a tough question, then wait until the Dem friendly media start taking her apart.

She was in friendly territory, with Fox.

Posted by: Rick McDaniel | Jun 26, 2011 1:31:35 PM

Bachman is certifiably insane, which of course means that the Republicans will love her, and make her their queen.

Posted by: doubting thomas | Jun 26, 2011 1:44:06 PM

If Michelle Bachmann is prone to gaffes then what of Obama and his "corpseman" and 57 states in the US? Or do only Republlicans commit gaffes?

Posted by: Sal Bifulco | Jun 26, 2011 1:47:39 PM

Wallace and Fox have overstepped their perceived importance. It was not just blunt but remarksbly crude and insulting. Wallace, I'm rethinking your actual importance and news savy.Disappointing for someone I respected as a news person.

Posted by: Howard Laderman | Jun 26, 2011 2:16:14 PM

Is Chris Wallace fired yet?

Posted by: Tom Clark | Jun 26, 2011 2:23:56 PM

Look every where for the dirt on her and then just make it up like the press always does. How did the frenzy over the Palin e-mails work for the press. Found out she was doing her job and heaven forbid it showed she had more experience than their
messiah Obama.

Posted by: deadwrestler | Jun 26, 2011 2:30:00 PM

thats a typo should be FAKE

Posted by: dj | Jun 26, 2011 2:32:16 PM

TOM CLARK:
Of course the emails didn't show what we have seen /heard for the last 3 years.. but then a rumor has it that Alaska officials didn't release all emails and the ones they released were approved/redacted by palin's attorney ... Go Figure

Posted by: elek | Jun 26, 2011 2:42:56 PM

Doubting Thomas:
Obama has already passed the test and is in the White House as a result of voting system..47/57 really does it sound as idiotic as 'founding fathers worked tirelessly ......' you know the rest..
and members of Congress - anti american.. who is she to say what's American and what's not...

Posted by: elek | Jun 26, 2011 2:45:53 PM

Hmmm..it seems to me that Joe Biden is somewhat prone to gaffes. Do you think Chris Wallace would ask him if he is a flake?? Seems like we have some double standards here!!'

Posted by: Sharon Stinson | Jun 26, 2011 3:17:27 PM

Wallace was just doing what his boss Roger Ailes told him to do. Fat Ailes, hippo Limbaugh. and pigman Rove are pushing beached whale Cris Christie to run. They are throwing the Tea-pee crowd under the bus.

Posted by: Saul | Jun 26, 2011 3:31:01 PM

Chris should have asked "Are you for real".

Posted by: spacerook1 | Jun 26, 2011 3:36:32 PM

I notice that there is a tendency for people to pad their CV when they run for political office. I am curious about Bachman's claim about having "a post-doctorate degree in federal tax law from William and Mary". In my line of work (science) a postdoc is not a degree, but is the equivalent to getting a specialization after you receive your doctorate. Someone should check the specifics on Bachman's claim-- because if someone is dishonest now, I cannot imagine that the should hold any public office--- especially President of the USA.

Posted by: think-long-term | Jun 26, 2011 3:53:44 PM

Are you a flake? YES
Are you a fake? YES

Posted by: Julie | Jun 26, 2011 4:00:45 PM

Are you a Sarah Palin psychotic wannabee? YES

Posted by: Julie | Jun 26, 2011 4:01:24 PM

OK, I checked what appeared to be a US News and World Report site and found that:

Bachmann earned her law degree from Tulsa's Oral Roberts University in 1986 and a Master of Law degree in tax law from the College of William and Mary in 1988.

Posted by: think-long-term | Jun 26, 2011 4:08:40 PM

Another gotcha question from the media right?

Posted by: John Jay VI | Jun 26, 2011 4:24:17 PM

After reading many of the comments,our education system shows it's colours.

Posted by: manwithoutaparty | Jun 26, 2011 4:31:54 PM

Why did he need to ask, of course she's a flake as proven by the non-sense statements she has made. She's also a liar when she repeats the story she "raised 23 foster children". When quizzed for details about duration of stays she admitted the durations "varied". Most were only a few days at a time. Hardly any ones notion of "raising". As for "post doctoral" taxation studies any lawyer who takes a few courses in taxation can make the same statement. All lawyers are Juis Doctors, J.D.'s. There are no Ph.D's in the crowd. She is a deceitful exaggerator.

Posted by: Tad | Jun 26, 2011 4:36:04 PM

"I'm 55 years old. I've been married 33 years," she said. "I'm not only a lawyer, I have a post-doctorate degree in federal tax law from William and Mary." .... then how come she gets EVERY Tax question wrong??? I work in accounting - I know she gets them completely wrong because we laugh at how badly she gets it. I also love how she couldn't even answer THIS question. She NEVER seems to answer a question directly- even my 11 year old noticed it!!

Posted by: kay | Jun 26, 2011 4:57:06 PM

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