Saturday, June 14, 2008

Politico Bachmann Puff-piece Fails on Follow-up Questions

Daniel Libit of Politico was granted an interview
with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN-06). Since the Congresswoman is very selective about who gets interviews, it is disappointing that such a well-regarded news service would not confront her answers with her votes.

From the article, she responds to a question of what she will do when she gets back home :
Bachmann: … Every weekend now when I go home, I will go to the grocery store, I’ll buy food for the family. We have five kids and 23 foster kids that we raise. So I go to the grocery store and buy a lot of food.
Politico: How much is your bill usually?
[SNIP]
Bachmann: Oh, coupons, generic brands, I don’t get the fluff. I’m just buying staples. It’s always boring when Mom goes to shop, the kids like when Dad goes to shop. And it was $79 for three bags of groceries, and I went home and told my husband, "I just feel for families of young children right now, because energy has had a direct impact for increases in the prices of food."

Let’s ignore the implication that there are 28 children at her table, and focus on how she “feel for families of young children right now.”

In all our communities there are families struggling … her district is not immune to foreclosures and food shelf shortages.

But her votes do not support families.

Consider Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 which she consistently voted against even when a majority of Republicans voted in Favor of this legislation.
The bill devotes about two-thirds of its funds to nutrition programs such as food stamps and healthy school snacks.

Or this week, where twice she voted Against the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008. The vote indicates that a veto could be overridden thanks to the number of Republicans who recognize the impacts to American families. The funds for this program are already available, and by authorizing this expenditure, could actually stimulate the economy --- maintaining jobs and providing for families.

Politico fell for her Motherly talk without looking at her votes.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks you. I had many of the same thoughts when I read the piece, just couldn't put the words to them.

She just doesn't understand the real impact, who can when they are pulling in a 6 figure salary? Her votes don't reflect the district, or an understanding of how the current economics affect ALL families, not just those with little children.

Eric J. Burton said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Amen, MC.

I covered MB as a reporter and editor and actually like her personally, so I understand how fluff pieces happen.

But basic research shows she hasn't been looking out for anyone other than the Bush admin. and her PAC donors.