THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

I had the pleasure recently of interviewing Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.

http://bachmann.house.gov/

I met her in May at a leadership meeting in Washington, DC, for the Republican Jewish Coalition. She wowed the crowd, and is definitely a rising star in the Republican party. At that event, she agreed to an email interview. Her staff was friendly, courteous, and responsive. It took three months to finish the interview, which is consistent with members of Congress.

Before getting to the significant amount of substance that Congresswoman Bachmann brings to the political discussion in America, I first want to offer one piece of frivolity that is apolitical.

The Congresswoman is gorgeous. She might be the most beautiful woman in all of politics. I suspect she went into politics because while modeling is glamorous, it does not allow for tackling world issues. I plan to start a rumor that Minnesota voters believe their state lottery is rigged because her husband won the lottery by being married to her.

Fawning aside, she is brilliant on the issues. She is an unapologetic conservative republican , and she wears her conservative credentials with pride. The republican party in general has great ideas, but does not always market them properly. Congresswoman Bachmann is a highly effective spokesperson, and the party would benefit from giving her a prime time speaking slot at the GOP Convention in her home state of Minnesota.

Until then, America will have to settle for her brilliance in this email interview.

1) What is the Michele Bachman story? What made you decide to enter the

political arena and Congress?

I never longed to be a career politician, but an opportunity presented itself in 2000 to challenge an incumbent and not so responsive Minnesota State Senator. It turned out the numbers were on my side. I won then and again in 2004. In 2006, when Congressman Mark Kennedy decided to run for the U.S. Senate, I made a run for the U.S. House. Two years later, here I am in Congress seeking a second term, and I couldn’t be happier.

2) What can ordinary citizens do, besides donating money and voting for you?

to help win the War on Terror? What obligations do we have, and how can we

help?

There are so many great organizations that exist who are truly proud to work with and honor the troops putting their lives on the line to preserve our freedom. I suggest that everyone find one of these organizations, such as Operation Minnesota Nice or Homes for Our Troops, and learn how to get involved. You can learn more about local options at www.americasupportsyou.mil

3) It is one thing to ask people to have faith in God. It is much tougher to

ask people to have faith in Government. What does our government do right?

and what does it need to do better so people can start believing in their

government again?

From the founding of this great nation, our forefathers have had heated debates on which policies are best for our nation. At the beginning it was Thomas Jefferson feuding with John Adams, today we have John McCain pitted against Barack Obama. What’s most unfortunate about politics today is the deep mistrust and bitterness that political parties have for each other. You do not see as many cross-party friendships as previously and the sense of working together as one body has greatly diminished from years past. We need to look no further than this energy debate we’re having now. With the exception of a handful of Democrats, it’s the R’s versus the D’s, and the Democrats are not willing to work with us to hash out a comprehensive policy. If it’s drilling they don’t want it, and they aren’t even willing to debate it. Americans deserve better.

With all that said, the mere fact that our country allows for so many differing opinions makes our nation a true model of government.

4) With regards to foreign policy, what have we done right, and what have we

gotten wrong, in the last 8 years, and what steps need to be taken to

improve the situations that require improvement?

9/11 has changed America’s foreign policy forever. We should support our military’s efforts to combat terrorism, to ensure the safety of our country, and to further democracy in other parts of the world.

The most important vote I have taken in Congress was for FISA to ensure that our intelligence professionals have all the tools they need at their disposal. Prior to 9/11, our intelligence community was at a great disadvantage as a result of the Clinton White House, and thankfully we’ve had a President who understands the importance of keeping our homeland safe and secure.

5) The American dollar seems to be in free fall, and homeowners are seeking

a bailout at taxpayer expense. Should government get involved, and is this

even a problem at all? If so, what needs to be done?

As a member of the Financial Services Committee, I’ve had the opportunity to take part in these discussions at the most basic legislative level. No matter how Washington spins it, the housing legislation it just passed does no good for America’s homeowners. With this bill, Congress is turning a blind eye to irresponsible borrowers and is, in fact, rewarding them with a federal program paid for by struggling taxpayers barely able to make ends meet. Proponents of the housing bill claim that it actually creates revenue because it forces Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - currently in a very precarious financial position themselves - to pay a principal balance of each business purchase. But, in the end, this only puts taxpayers on the hook for even more money when Fannie and Freddie end up raising their fees to lenders in order to curb their increased costs. Simultaneously, the bill gives Fannie and Freddie billions of dollars of taxpayer backing to remain financially stable with no guarantee that they will never again overextend in this same way and require another taxpayer bailout. Our nation’s housing market will recover more quickly if Congress is more circumspect in its actions. Giving the government the privy to expand programs and increase oversight only stunts the growth of the free market, and forcing more taxes on innocent taxpayers is not a solution, it’s a recipe for disaster.

6) What would be the main qualities and criteria you would look for with?

regards to potential Supreme Court justices? Could they disagree with you on?

major issues, and still be qualified? How do you feel about how they ruled?

on the DC second amendment case?

My ideal Supreme Court Justice is in the mold of Justices Scalia and Roberts, judges who do not view their position as an express lane to further their personal ideology and politics, but who are strict constitutionalists.

7) Do you support the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive action? Do you feel that?

it may be necessary to take pre-emptive action against Iran? How does it

differ from the Bachmann Doctrine?

We must do what we can to keep our nation safe. If there is compelling evidence that shows Iran is an imminent threat to the United States, we should act and act swiftly.

8.) What Americans call 9/11, Israel refers to as every day life. Israel is

then asked to show restraint. What is your view on Israel taking pre-emptive

action, including a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities if necessary? What

about with regards to the disputed territories such as Gaza? What about

against Damascus, who funds Hezbollah?

I believe that Israel has the right to defend itself against hostile extremists. Israel has been the shining symbol of freedom and democracy in an area historically rampant with violence and oppression and has become an economic leader of the Middle East by proving to its people the rewards of capitalism, while also leading the region in other facets of a free society, including human rights and freedom of the press. Israel should do what’s necessary to protect its citizens. I strongly urge my colleagues to stand committed to a free Israel.

9) Attempts to partially privatize social security and fix the ticking time

bomb of Medicare have been met with hysteria about throwing old people on

the street and leaving them to die. The issue was demagogue by the

demagogic party in 1995. Do you favor any privatization of social security?

If not, why not? If so, how can it be framed in terms that do not frighten

seniors?

I believe that we should ensure that those currently receiving Social Security should continue to do so in its current form, but also give a new generation of workers the right to invest some of their money into accounts of their own. I understand the volatility of this issue, but it’s another instance where we must put partisan rhetoric aside and take action for the benefit of our nation’s future.

10) Many on the left preach compassion but you as a conservative actually

live it. What made you begin to bring foster children into your life, and do

you envision continuing to do so?

My husband and I have cared for 23 foster children, and I understand full well the struggles these children face on a daily basis. There are more than 500,000 children in foster care nationwide, many of whom come from troubled homes and have been moved from family to family several times. These children are family, and I firmly believe that Americans should extend a helping hand to those in trouble. Taking in foster children was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

11) Without delving too deeply into your personal life, what would you want

Americans to know about Michele Bachmann the person? 100 years from now,

what would you want people to remember about you, and what would you hope

the history books say about you?

What keeps me fighting every day is my mission to leave a better and safer country to my children and future generations to come. More government is not the answer to the challenges facing our nation. Never was. Never will be. America’s true stripes present themselves through personal liberty and entrepreneurship. We must do all we can to continue the proud history and heritage of our great nation.

12) Do you get bored with the marriage proposals that you get inundated with

on a daily basis, and does your share of the 18-30 year old male vote

decrease when they find out you are happily married?

For as many enthusiastic supporters that I have cheering me on, there are probably just as many hoping for me to fall. The more success you have, the more persistent these antagonists become. I firmly believe that our opponents may shout the loudest, but we can tell the truth the longest and we have to, because there’s too much at stake to cower away. I am so thankful to all my supporters.

I would like to thank Congresswoman Bachmann and her staff for their grace, class, and professionalism.

I suspect that her combination of charm and political intelligence will have her moving up the ranks rapidly. My prediction of Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty being selected as John McCain’s running mate leaves a vacancy in the Governor’s mansion that she may be asked to fill. If Senator Norm Coleman fills the seat, then she would be a solid choice to fill that Senate seat.

Then again, Senator McCain could shock the world and select Congresswoman Bachmann to be the next Vice President.

Whatever her next position, America is lucky to have such a talented woman give her prime earning years to public service. I am taking part in a conservative radio blogger group that will be meeting her at the GOP convention. I look forward to thanking her again.

eric

This entry was posted on Friday, August 15th, 2008 at 12:01 pm and is filed under POLITICS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.