Run, Michelle, run

Brian Snyder/Reuters Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota spoke in New Hampshire, an early voting state, earlier this month.

That a teabag makes a statement, and that the media covers a woman holding a teabag to make a statement, tells much about American politics and American media.


Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota seized the media spotlight on Thursday by merely leaking out the possibility that she might — someday, maybe months from now — form an exploratory committee to consider running for president.

She has learned to listen to media advisers who are teaching her all about spin.


The flurry of headlines was a testament to her ability to heighten interest by being dramatic, and even provocative, in her statements. Just a day earlier, for example, she warned against the “black-robed masters” in Iowa. In other words: judges. (The comment came in a speech in which she applauded voters for turning out three members of the Iowa Supreme Court who had voted to legalize same-sex marriage.)

Would that include the black-robed masters who handed the 2000 election to one George Walker Bush?


In appearances in Iowa this week, Ms. Bachman made no attempt to tamp down the speculation, repeatedly uttering two words: “I’m in!” But in a brief interview, when asked to expound on her remarks, she said: “I’m in to make sure that Barack Obama is a one-term president. I am in, in terms of 2012, to make sure that we do have a rock-solid conservative.”

What she fails to understand is that if they make sure they have a rock -solid conservative as the party candidate just about guarantees Barack Obama becomes a two-term president. One can only hope she continue to think so, to agitate so, and to help make it so.

Go get 'em, Congresswoman

Bachmann to form exploratory committee in June, possibly earlier. I'd vote for earlier, meself. CNN's headline calls it an exclusive story, but I've already seen it in other places. Anyways, the woman who identified the Battle of Lexington and Concord as having been in New Hampshire (and then excoriated the liberal media for picking on conservative women more than on men, and certainly on liberals) might run for President. Run, Michelle, run, I say.

Bachmann bid could shake up GOP field Shake it, stir it, the GOP needs something, and Bachmann is one that can provide something, that's for sure. A history lesson, for one.

THIS is why WE need unions

Brown Brothers

100 Years Later

The Fire That Changed the Working World

A narrative of the Triangle shirtwaist fire, which killed 146 workers; Jewish victims; centenary events; a book; Q. and A.; garment workers today; the shirtwaist; the building; an activist; photographers; new leaders.

Republicans in disarray

Disarrayed, just the way I like 'em.

A couple of the driving forces behind the Republican victories in November’s midterm elections now threaten to derail the GOP’s chances to recapture the White House. The far-right tea party, which energized the party’s base last fall, now poses a significant hurdle for any Republican presidential aspirant. Candidates who can meet the radical movement’s exacting standards to get through the primary contests will likely be unacceptable to the American electorate at large.

Run, Michelle Bachman, run. And pull your party hard to the extreme right.

In fact, the radically conservative approach adopted by new Republican governors like Scott Walker in Wisconsin or Chris Christie in New Jersey threatens to create a backlash not only among Democrats but moderate independents. The harsh, anti-union measure pushed through the state legislature by Walker and the Republican majority in Wisconsin already looks like a Pyrrhic victory because of its negative reverberations throughout the country.

One hopes that sooner, rather than later, the general public wakes up and sees the radicalism of these union busters: they are doing the bidding of their moneyed benefactors and slamming middle class workers.


In short, it’s looking more and more like the Republicans are up that proverbial creek and their paddles – the tea party and Fox – are taking them in the wrong direction.

Run, Michelle, run.

Obama Strategy: Share Credit (and Blame?)

As they prepare to wage political war against President Obama, the potential 2012 Republican candidates are doing everything they can to draw sharp distinctions with him. But Mr. Obama isn’t cooperating. Rather than emphasize his differences with potential Oval Office rivals or Republican adversaries on Capitol Hill, the president is taking every opportunity he can to embrace members of the other party as co-conspirators in his efforts to confront the country’s challenges. The logic behind Mr. Obama’s approach appears to be rooted in the belief that voters — and especially independents — are looking for evidence that politicians in Washington are working together on problems rather than content to live with an unending stalemate.

He might as well try and control the spin. It helps counter the Republican effort to draw sharp contrasts with him.

In addition to appealing to some voters, the bipartisan rhetoric from Mr. Obama may be an attempt to disarm his potential 2012 rivals and Republicans on Capitol Hill. In Miami this month, Mr. Obama stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, to promote education reforms.

Hanging out with Jeb was interesting. Countering Romney's criticisms by reminding voters that Obamacare is based on Romneycare is political common sense. Remaining above the fray will make him appear presidential; the Rose Garden strategy is a time-honored tradition that works. Until the heat of the election.

Spinnin' the news

Back in the US, the Republicans continue pursuing their agenda. In hearings called to examine homeland Muslim extremism, the Council on American-Islamic Relations is on the proverbial hot seat. From Minnesota, home of that moderate and sober voice, Michelle Bachman, comes Chip Cravaack (yup, a grown man serving in Congress calls himself Chip). Navy veteran, patriot.

After Peter King blabbed on, Representative Frank R. Wolf of Virginia accused CAIR of “an attempt to stifle debate and obstruct cooperation with law enforcement.” Representative Chip Cravaack of Minnesota went further, telling a witness, Leroy D. Baca, the Los Angeles County sheriff, “Basically, you’re dealing with a terrorist organization.” Sheriff Baca disagreed.

For the casual observer, it may have been a puzzling set of comments. But it is an old argument for CAIR, an aggressive civil rights organization that has long been pilloried by conservatives as the American Civil Liberties Union with a Muslim spin.

For these jerks, the ACLU is evil.

Run, Ron Paul, run

Paul once voted to deny Mother Teresa the Congressional Gold Medal because he didn't think the government should have to pay for it.

That's the spirit. I hope he runs.