Bachmannalia! House Eccentric Becomes Genuine National Figure
Just got back from watching a bit of the Bachmannalia — many thousands are now amassed outside the Capitol — and here are a few quick thoughts.
* Michele Bachmann now appears to have a genuine national power base of sorts. When she was first announced as speaker, there was a throaty outpouring from the crowd, one of the most emotional of the afternoon. Maybe it’s because of diligent efforts by Dems and liberal media to elevate her on a regular basis. Maybe it’s largely due to her own notoriety and antics. Maybe she shrewdly seized the historical moment.
Whatever the cause, there’s no denying that Bachman has built a respectable following of sorts that hails from all corners of the country, judging by the crowd. As of today, she’s genuinely a national figure.
* Bachmann genuinely believes she’s a direct political descendent of the American revolutionaries. She’s not a huckster in any sense. Watching her speak leaves no doubt whatsoever that she genuinely believes she’s locked in a death struggle with tyrrany and that the fate of global freedom and Democracy hangs in the balance.
* Large chunks of Bachmann’s base are still culturally stuck in the 1960s. Perhaps the most interesting speaker of the day — one that drew loud, emotional cheers and boos — sounded tones that were completely indistinguishable from the hippie-bashers of 50 years ago.
The speaker was John Ratzenberger, a.k.a. Cliff Clavin (sigh). He told a tale that dripped with still-fresh resentment about how he was a techie building the stage at Woodstock — Woodstock! — when the rains came and the National Guard had to be called in to save the day. Clavin, still visibly angry, excoriated all the love children for bashing the military even as they relied on the military to save their precious, America-hating festival.
Clavin then drew a direct line from the sixties longhairs right to Nancy Pelosi and Obama, saying that our current leadership is culturally akin to “Wavy Gravy.” Gives you a strong sense of the cultural roots of today’s strain of angry, resentful Bachmannalia and Tea Party-ism. Are we really still fighting this battle?
I’ll have quotes for you soon.
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Jesus what a clusterfuck.
By my estimates there were half a million people there.
Right Greg? Or was it closer to a million?
“respectable following ”
Greg.
dude.
Looks like Palin has competition.
I think it’s probably the unsealing of the 7th seal and either the GOP or we are doomed.
How large was the crowd? Most sources are estimating it at around three thousand. If that is the case, then all Bachmann averaged was around 60 people per state. That is a pathetic showing, for both Bachmann and FAUX NEWS, since they could not persuade many of their viewers to even bother to show up.
Apparently, little Cliffy Clavin has finally learned to speak in the presence of women – as long as their hair is white, they’re completely stoopid, and they’re over 70….
Tena — “respectable” — in size.
irony
Liam, I don’t know about that. she’s a member of Congress. she’s not Sarah Palin. she didn’t have a national profile. now she does.
mike & Tena – exactly – WTF ?
mnay thousands amassed ??? Tell me you’re snarking, Greg.
Anyway, today’s big news is the AARP ensorsement of the “Pelosi Plan”.
bachmaan and her minions (not millions, Greg) are a freakshow.
“she didn’t have a national profile. now she does.”
Yes, as a batshite crazy woman.
That’s some subtle-a*s*s irony.
LOL
It’s a respectable size. Two or three hundred would be very laughable.
The problem is, as I said, that’s about the sum total of their voting base – right there on the streets of DC.
“Michele Bachmann now appears to have a genuine national power base of sorts”
I’ll put President Obama’s power base up against that unruly brainwashed mob any day of the week/month/year.
Regrading the whole Mooseburger vs. Guano-Brain Queen of the Teabagging Wingnuts controversy, I say we settle this competition once and for all, like reasonable adults:
Body oil, mud pits, Jello pools and string bikinis ONLY!
Who’s with me?
Greg,
You are missing the point. It is the size of the following that counts. Neither FAUX NEWS, or Bachmann Turnout Overdrive could deliver today.
Of course the loons that show up for her, are going to cheer for her. It is the massive amount of FOX Viewer Loons, who did not show up, which is the real story.
Seriously, doesn’t Rush claim 3 million listeners? Giving him the benefit of the doubt on that, it’s roughly the population of Dallas Co., Texas.
Up against the entire rest of the nation.
Another biggie. AMA endorses “Pelosi Plan” (me likey that term – thank you, you stoopid repugs).
“The influential American Medical Association on Thursday said it supported passage of the Democratic-written healthcare legislation that the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on this week.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE5A44C020091105
amk, why would anyone care about an AARP endorsement? The teabaggers are going to kill the bill. That’s definitely more important to a legislative process taking place that could impact everyone in the U.S. ultimately.
Wonder if the Dems will ever have a show of pro-reformers on the steps of the capital?
“Body oil, mud pits, Jello pools and string bikinis ONLY!”
You have to start the whole thing off with jello shots and frozen strawberry daiquiris or it’s not going to ever go right.
and AMA, I mean, Who cares about them. The teabaggers are taking back their country!!!
Can do, Tena. I’m nothing, if not open-minded. (wink)
“Another biggie. AMA endorses “Pelosi Plan” (me likey that term – thank you, you stoopid repugs).”
Oooo – me likey, too – all of it.
“Maybe she shrewdly seized the historical moment. ”
O you didn’t put “shrewd” and Bachmann together in the same sentence.
Yes mike. While the fvcking teabaggers are making themselves as a$$es in front of the Capitol Building, the dems are working inside getting the job done.
And the media (including Greg) are attracted to the latest shiny object.
Are we really still fighting this battle?
Yes, and we will be as long as the core of the Baby Boom generation is in political power.
3,000 is incredibly weak.
A pro-reform rally in June drew 25,000, and that was without the benefit of Fox News promotion. The gay rights march last month drew something like 40,000-80,000. And, uh, that’s not the #1 issue this year. 3,000 is a joke. So is 5k or 10k.
Oh, and when Woodstock happened the current President of the United States had just turned EIGHT.
If you were 25 at Woodstock, you’re eligible for Medicare and Social Security. That kid born at Woodstock? Uh, she’s approaching menopause. That’s how out of date this hippie bashing is.
Greg…aren’t there more important stories today??
“If you were 25 at Woodstock, you’re eligible for Medicare and Social Security. That kid born at Woodstock? Uh, she’s approaching menopause. That’s how out of date this hippie bashing i”
Please don’t remind me.
Although, that’s one reason I have a house in Taos. It’s where old hippies go to die.
44 just a short time ago used Gibb’s WH press briefing to announce the AARP endorsement BUT after he left reporters wanted to know why Goldman Sachs got H1N1 shots and if the terrorists are going to get them as well.
Yes Trinity, there are. Here’s one.
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE5A42WB20091105
Don’t mean to step on your comment, Trinity, but I kind of like knowing what the crowd is really like from an eye witness. We sure as hell won’t get a more clear idea out of any of the media.
“BUT after he left reporters wanted to know why Goldman Sachs got H1N1 shots and if the terrorists are going to get them as well.”
LOL!
This is a fun thread and fun topic, actually.
The Major News Of The Day.
How to Decaffinate Old Used Teabaggers!
AARP Endorses House Health Care Reform Bill.
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/66533-aarp-endorses-house-healthcare-bill
“Democrats scored a huge coup Thursday when the AARP announced its endorsement of the House healthcare bill.
The public support from the seniors’ lobby comes just two days before House members are set to vote on the landmark legislation.
“We started this debate more than two years ago with the twin goals of making coverage affordable to our younger members and protecting Medicare for seniors,” AARP CEO Barry Rand said in a statement. “We’ve read the Affordable Health Care for America Act and we can say with confidence that it meets those goals with improved benefits for people in Medicare and needed health insurance market reforms to help ensure every American can purchase affordable health coverage.”
While the endorsement hardly guarantees success for the Democrats, the group has a fearsome track record of getting its way in major political debates. The AARP played a decisive role in derailing President George W. Bush’s effort to add private investment accounts to Social Security in 2005. Two years prior, the AARP enraged Democrats by endorsing and helping to enact Bush’s plan to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare.
Polls have shown senior citizens to be the hardest segment of society to win over on healthcare reform. An intensified effort by the AARP could provide a significant boost to the effort.”
I have yet to see that this “following” be any sort of national coalition that could bring power back to the GOP, but i suppose that that is the point eg? Amass your own cult, funnel money and media acclaim towards you and lambast about how corrupt the opposition is while never engaging in the tricky job of governing as
disparate a thing as the United States. I hear all the time that Obama’s coalition of youthes, minorities and women is faltering… and yet they sure aren’t landing in the GOP or bachmann conservative camps. There is no path to victory for them, just self agrandizement.
The Tea Party Brigade is a temper tantrum.
The guy from Freedom works said he’ll be handing out talking points to help people out when they go to their Representatives to tell them how this health care bill will affect their families.
Get a hold of that thing Greg.
Paul W. – I think you pretty are seeing their voting base right there in D.C.
As for the Democrats – some progressives are always angry, a lot of them like to complain, but most do vote and they vote Democratic.
The only part of our coalition I worry about is young voters. It’s hard to get them to show up; it’s hard to keep them interested.
Tena… Gibb’s seems very annoyed that somehow Wall Street is getting flu shots while kids are waiting. He said the CDC is on the case.
“The Tea Party Brigade is a temper tantrum.”
Word.
They lost. They are the worst losers ever, which follows since they are the worst winners ever – they threaten and gloat.
Thanks Andy.
“44 just a short time ago used Gibb’s WH press briefing to announce the AARP endorsement.”
I need to see that clip somewhere.
Congressional Budget Office evaluated the Republican Health Care Bill, and found that it will leave 52 million people with no coverage.
Alan Grayson could have spared the CBO all the effort and expense. The Republican bill is what Congressman Grayson said it was:
Don’t Get Sick, and If You Do, Die Quickly; AKA Republican Health Care Reform Bill.
“He said the CDC is on the case.”
I have visions of guys on Goldman’s trading floor with their sleeves rolled up like heroin junkies, and CDC agents in hazmat suits breaking in and grabbing the syringes out of their hands.
Mike said: “The guy from Freedom works said he’ll be handing out talking points … Get a hold of that thing Greg.”
DITTO THAT!!!!!
Please get that thing and post it everywhere!
“52 million people with no coverage.”
It’s my understanding it wouldn’t cover even the number of uninsured in Texas.
They should of ended the rally by saying.
“Now lets go march on Congress to deny tens of millions of Americans health care!”
Paul. You hit it on the nail. The instigators of these stoopid tea-baggers are in it for self-aggrandizement. palin, bachmman, armey, limp, glenda, insanity et. al. And these unlettered tea-bagging morans would jump of the ledge for them.
Over at Think Progress:
“DIVISIBLE”
Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) had the honor of leading the anti-health care protesters on Capitol Hill today in the Pledge of Allegiance. To show his fervent devotion to the Pledge, he gave a short speech about the importance of the phrase “under God.” However, when it came time to actually recite the Pledge, he was so excited about that one phrase that he forgot to say “indivisible” before “with liberty, and justice for all.” The crowd seemed to remember the actual words though, which threw Akin a bit off track.
Watch it: (at TP)
Holy cow.
Here’s that obscene, despicable Dachau “poster”
Right-wing protesters at GOP rally display prominent sign tying health care to the Holocaust.
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/05/holocaust-sign/
Send that link around please.
This from Matt Yglesias regarding today Bachmann shenanigans. I missed most of it working so I’m still catching up. I’m Liam though the real news is AARP and AMA endoresements. Although it is entertaining, did anyone see how huge that sign was from Dachau or wherever. If I was supporting a rally as a Congressperson and someone showed up with a sign like that I’d be getting really nervous about now.
Matt Yglesias observes, “There are all kinds of nutty people in the world, but these kinds of things are the wages of a conservative leadership and media that’s consistently tried to drum-up opposition to health care reform not by opposing things that are actually in the bill, but with demagogic opposition to completely fabricated provisions.”
“If I was supporting a rally as a Congressperson and someone showed up with a sign like that I’d be getting really nervous about now.”
No kidding – that ain’t no small sign, either.
“This is event is so momentous, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) has apparently decided to deepen his voice specially for the event.
–Josh Marshall”
roflmao! He’s had some really witty one liners up lately.
One more thought before I get back to work. I think we should embrace the name “Pelosi Care”, she’s done more to advance HCR than anyone else in the House, Senate or WH as far as I’m concerned, and she desrves a freaking medal for it.
If it were up to me;
I would call it;
AmericanCare.
PeopleCare.
Or
CompleteCare.
Oh and at the opposite end of the spectrum, nine people were arrested at Lieberman’s office demanding to see him and ask why he supports Aetna over his constituents.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/nine-arrested-protesting_n_347039.html
“she desrves a freaking medal for it.”
Word.
She’s an awesome speaker period
YIKES… the real story of the day!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/keith-olbermann-sean-hann_n_346833.html
More on the Wall Street gets flu shots story. I know this is supposed to be Bachmann’s day in the sun but I can’t help myself.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/swine-flu-vaccine-banks-g_n_346907.html
NO, here’s the real story of the day:
“The Raw Story:
The Pentagon’s Office of Inspector General is conducting a new investigation into a covert Bush administration Defense Department program that used retired military analysts to produce positive wartime news coverage.
Last May, the Inspector General’s office rescinded and repudiated a prior internal investigation’s report on the retired military analyst program, which had been issued by the Bush administration, because it “did not meet accepted quality standards for an Inspector General work product.”
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/pentagon-pursues-investig_n_346960.html&cp
But where’s the goddamn change I was promised? I don’t want a piece of birthday cake unless it has a rose on it!
The AARP and AMA endorsements are really important because it shows that they both believe it’s going to pass. Best HCR news all day. Gives confidence and cover for the House bill to pass, and gives the House a better hand when they get to the Conference Committee.
But Tena is right…the Pentagon story is the biggest news of the day. Incredible. It’s a real shame NO ONE in the media will cover it – for obvious reasons. I don’t think even KO or Maddow have really dived into this story – again, for obvious reasons.
Let’s hope the new IG shines some light on Bush’s propaganda program.
From TPM
“TPMDC’s Christina Bellantoni reports a massive backup of people outside Longworth office building. Hundreds of people are trying to get inside. They have blocked traffic and some supportive cars are honking. It’s a massive disruption. And many protesters are shouting, “Kill the bill!”:
Bachmann asked all the viewers of Raw Insanity’s show to attend her rally, and all she got was this!
A couple of hundred nut jobs, like herself.
I would caption it:
A Small Infestation Of KillBillies.
I love the endorsements. Those two just deflate every wacky argument that the right has raised against reform. And they both endorsed Pelosi’s bill which is the better bill.
“Incredible. It’s a real shame NO ONE in the media will cover it – for obvious reasons.”
Hell, I’d be satisfied if Glenn Greenwald would just read the story and acknowledge it but he won’t. He’ll find something to use to compare Obama with Bush.
@Tena
“Those two just deflate every wacky argument that the right has raised against reform.”
That would be more true if the tea baggers weren’t getting all the coverage. Conflict gets the coverage, every time. I’m not sure if their plan was to release the endorsemets today to blunt the GOP push…but unless there’s a vote today that they needed to reassure members on, it probably would have been better to wait until tomorrow.
Okay, hector and badger, and ye shall receive. Here’s your AARP thread, okay?
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/obama-to-congress-listen-to-aarp-pass-health-reform/
@Tena
“Hell, I’d be satisfied if Glenn Greenwald would just read the story and acknowledge it but he won’t. He’ll find something to use to compare Obama with Bush.”
No kidding. But it’s even more than that which frustrates me. There’s real news here. This is a full fledged, legit, newsworthy scandal. The US Government used the Pentagon as a propoganda tool to build support for a war. This is the stuff Pulitzer’s are won on.
But every network got duped, and is now implicated, so they won’t cover it. And so many major bloggers are obsessed with the politics battle (which has it’s place, no doubt) that they won’t do straight up hard news. And it might just be too big a story for some random citizen journalist to get at, unfortunately.
I can understand Bachman’s idiocy. She is a congenital moron. She is exceedingly dumb.
Has Ratzenberger always been such hyperventilating peawit? It sounds like he has taken one too many blows to the head, has a raging case of untreated syphilis, or senility has begun to set in. Anyone who is in agreement politically with Michelle Bachman by definition has got to be nuts.
Please oh please, please, PLEASE let Michelle Bachman run for president in 2012. She could pair up with Palin. Who’s the conductor on that crazy train?
Gasman, that ticket – Bachmann-Palin – would get so shrill that eventually only dogs would be able to hear the candidates.
What difference does it make to all of you? If the people marching are so off base and nut jobs why comment on them. Oh and yeah lots of us can’t be there because we have to work to pay of Obama’s handouts thankyou good and right and grouned leftists
“thankyou good and right and grouned leftists”
grouned? Usually I can just supply the missing letter mentally, but I don’t get this one.
“Oh and yeah lots of us can’t be there because we have to work to pay of Obama’s handouts”
Hardly – you and everyone else is still working to try to pay for George W Bush’s two wars. We haven’t gotten around to replacing any of the TARP money yet and that wasn’t Obama =- that was Poulson and the Bush Administration.
Yeah and TPM stole my “The Storming of The Hill” slogan.
Pink commie rag.
As a senior citizen and knee jerk liberal Democrat myself, I love it! With this army of protesters marching in their walkers, the new Republican Party will rise again like Ricard Nixon on Viagra.
Don’t worry Obama, you’ve easier got another term, and then finally my dream of Hillary as POTUS will come true.
Wavy Gravy? The Simpsons had an episode where Mr. Burns made a reference to Wavy Gravy to show how old and out-of-touch he was – and it first aired FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.
Oh, yeah, this is a movement that’s building for the future.
Why did you take “whack job” out of the title?
Large chunks of Bachmann’s base are still culturally stuck in the 1960s.
Large chunks of the coneservative base are stuck in the 60s and their talk radio heroes, like Bennett, Savage and Levin, are also afraid of DFHs.
To the Archie Bunkers still smarting over Woodstock:
“There, there. You’ll be dead soon.”
And the modern GOP will be defunct.