Video: Bachmann on “Courage”
posted at 10:40 am on July 20, 2011 by Tina Korbe
Last night, when the House passed its “Cut, Cap and Balance” legislation, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) voted against it — because, as she explains it, the legislation didn’t go far enough. In the first place, she said, it did nothing to address Obamacare, the largest spending and entitlement program in our nation’s history. But, more broadly, from Bachmann’s perspective, no deal deserves a debt limit increase. Today, she followed up her “no” vote with the release of her second campaign ad, entitled, “Courage.” The thrust of the video is simple: Bachmann will not compromise on the debt ceiling.
The ad boasts the same personal charm as her first ad, “Waterloo,” and again mentions that she grew up in Iowa. But it also highlights the firmness on fiscal issues that, in many ways, is a Bachmann hallmark. When she says determinedly in the first sentence of the ad, “I. will. not. vote. to. increase. the. debt. ceiling,” she reiterates each word with a pointed hand gesture. The ad also mentions her time in Congress, casting the reality of her tenure there in a positive light: She has watched while her colleagues in Washington have voted to spend money the nation doesn’t have. “Watching” reflects the reality of her record, which at least one competitor has criticized as “nonexistent” — but which just as easily could be characterized as her biggest strength. She has been in the trenches this entire time and she has cast the votes conservatives would presumably want her to cast, up to and maybe even including — although this seems like a stretch — her “no” vote on “Cut, Cap and Balance.” At least she’s always voting “no” for the right reasons.
When Bachmann says, to conclude the ad, “I have the will and the courage to see this through,” it’s hard not to believe her, especially in light of the firm statement she released yesterday to combat reports she experiences “incapacitating” migraines. Even in that statement, she turned her attention quickly to the fiscal issues facing the country, allowing herself little time for self-pity.
Related Posts:
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Rand Paul is a true statesman, unlike the rest of the worthless DC bureaucrats.
UltimateBob on January 22, 2013 at 5:13 PM
If he can bring the libertarians and conservatives together, it should be enough to outvote the looter/moocher coalition.
SirGawain on January 22, 2013 at 5:14 PM
House GOP has decided to go with sequestration as their end game – defense cuts and all.
They have zero reason to trust Obama, Reid, or the media; so they have contented themselves with the $1.2 trillion of automatic cuts, including $100 billion this year.
It may be all they get for the next couple of fiscal years.
I applaud this strategy – at least as a starting point.
matthew8787 on January 22, 2013 at 5:17 PM
Telling the truth shouldn’t be dependent on opinion polls.
sharrukin on January 22, 2013 at 5:17 PM
I can’t say I ever find myself disagreeing with a single thing Rand ever says…
I really hope he gets a fair look in 2016
thurman on January 22, 2013 at 5:18 PM
If Pelosi wants to embarrass Boehner, she will have her troops vote FOR the debt ceiling waiver.
matthew8787 on January 22, 2013 at 5:18 PM
An army of one.
Can’t win a war that way, though.
And war has been declared by President Downgrade.
Good Lt on January 22, 2013 at 5:20 PM
These animals(Boehner, Cantor & the rest of the rinos),are defying the Constitution, just like the TRAITOR-in-chief and for the sake of, the TRAITOR Occutarding the White House! Well Republicans, feel that in between your shoulder blades? That’s a rino knife in your back. Get used to it. eSTABrepub/rino TREASON & Collusion, requires BETRAYAL and Back Stabbing! Forever the legacy of the GOP!
http://www.paratisiusa.blogspot.com
God Bless America!
paratisi on January 22, 2013 at 5:20 PM
All paid for with taxpayer monies. Does Paulie really think it is going to be easier to deal with the real obstructionists in DC? These stools just don’t pay attention.
tommy-t on January 22, 2013 at 5:21 PM
Rand Paul – emerging
jake-the-goose on January 22, 2013 at 5:21 PM
I’m becoming a Paulbot.
Mirimichi on January 22, 2013 at 5:21 PM
Exactly. Unless he’s able to build a concensus, it’s useless pandering.
WisRich on January 22, 2013 at 5:23 PM
To hell with the[Republican] establishment it’s the establishment that put us in this position in the first place.
– Andrew Breitbart: The Undefeated.
idesign on January 22, 2013 at 5:25 PM
Then surrender now, because the gutless GOP will never fight. The ‘consensus’ with them is to run away to victory.
sharrukin on January 22, 2013 at 5:25 PM
I can think of one – he said he is willing to compromise with the Dems on comprehensive immigration reform (aka amnesty). But, other that that (and that’s a big that), he is better than the Ryans and Rubios. I also like Ted Cruz and Susana Martinez.
bw222 on January 22, 2013 at 5:28 PM
Paul is technically correct – the new House “plan” IS retreat.
We’ve heard this before (early last year) … “Oh hey, we had to cave on the budget cuts this year because we need the political capitol in order to kick Obama’s ass on the debt ceiling!”
And how did that turn out?
The GOP should adopt the French Flag as it’s symbol – since they are equally as spineless as the Frenchies are.
HondaV65 on January 22, 2013 at 5:29 PM
Obama has annoited himself as the ‘Anti-Reagan’, determined to establish Unltra Progressivismas the new NORM as ‘aggressively’ as Reagan did with Conservatism….more in line, however, the was Hitler brought ‘Nazi’ party to Germany. I liken the GOP to the FRENCH – despite seeing the on-coming evil & still being able to do something about it they turned gutlessness and let evil have it’s way. The GOP is too busy NOR wanting to be disliked….gutless cowards.
easyt65 on January 22, 2013 at 5:31 PM
If he runs in 2016, Ryan’s primary opponents are going to destroy him as someone who talks like a fiscal conservative but has voted for a ton of bills that have helped to bloat the federal debt.
bw222 on January 22, 2013 at 5:31 PM
Sheesh…I’m all for “picking your battles”, but the R’s don’t seem to pick ANY!
ellifint on January 22, 2013 at 5:33 PM
Sometimes the truth hurts.
WisRich on January 22, 2013 at 5:34 PM
At this point I would / will not support ANY of the current ‘white flag ‘ gutless GOP as Presidentin the future…
easyt65 on January 22, 2013 at 5:35 PM
Yup, no worries, Gallup has him up +4 and cruising to victory for 2016…
/
hillsoftx on January 22, 2013 at 5:39 PM
What truth would that be?
That the GOP is worthless? That has been obvious for some time, but it’s not an excuse to grovel like Ryan and Boehner do.
sharrukin on January 22, 2013 at 5:39 PM
The Tea Party has been branded ‘radicals’ by Progressives, the people who violate the Constitution & who wand to get rid of it & the Debt Ceiling…the GOP is trying to ‘rein ain’t the Tea Party because it is actually putting up a fight….
TIME TO DUMP THE GOP…END RHE PARTY OF GUTLESS. TALKERS…AND SUPPORT THE PARTY OF CONSERVATIVES WHO ARE STILL WILLING TO ADHERE TO WHAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS INTENDED!
easyt65 on January 22, 2013 at 5:40 PM
There are times when I really feel like I’m warming up to the blue Buddha guy. He does email me quite a bit.
Bmore on January 22, 2013 at 5:40 PM
No truer words..every time they go to draw a line in the sand, they discover they are standing in quick sand.
hillsoftx on January 22, 2013 at 5:41 PM
Obama knows that whenever the real fight happens with the GOP that he will win so this allows him to pretend to magnanimous and bipartisan etc. If the GOP wants to keep retreating to different hills why should Obama care. He knows that GOP will never die on any hill they pick.
gwelf on January 22, 2013 at 5:41 PM
Does he have to be an R though? I am a wee bit tired of those R’s. Cowards the lot of them. To heII with them!
Bmore on January 22, 2013 at 5:41 PM
Obviously Rand didn’t get the GOP memo to fall in line, smile, and say “everything is all right.”
portlandon on January 22, 2013 at 5:41 PM
(R)etreat
(D)emand
portlandon on January 22, 2013 at 5:42 PM
I have had a RandBot streak for a while.
This is my fave ever.
When my stupid green toilet sucks-
I always thing of him and laugh like hell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAn1FWInBi0
bazil9 on January 22, 2013 at 5:45 PM
thing=think
bazil9 on January 22, 2013 at 5:45 PM
..while they did what, exactly?
The War Planner on January 22, 2013 at 5:46 PM
b!!!
Bmore on January 22, 2013 at 5:46 PM
How can you pass a budget that will balance in ten years when one Congress can’t hold any future Congress to the policy?
Cindy Munford on January 22, 2013 at 5:49 PM
B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bazil9 on January 22, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Good, work on making it fail in the senate. Bundle of laughs that would be.
lester on January 22, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Bi-partisan restriction of choice.
Bmore on January 22, 2013 at 5:51 PM
A male republican with testicles??? I haven’t seen one in ages.
GhoulAid on January 22, 2013 at 5:51 PM
Obama wants to build a consensus. By exterminating every single Republican possible, destroying them in every single way, he can then “work together” with the remaining members to ram every single bit of communist propaganda down our throats.
It’s that simple, really.
And the GOP Establishment is falling for it hook, line and sinker.
Myron Falwell on January 22, 2013 at 5:52 PM
Ha! Blue Buddha called her a busy body. Worth the price of admission right there. I’m sorry about that toilet too. Next up green guns that won’t fire.
Bmore on January 22, 2013 at 5:53 PM
Retreat my ass….some people think that anyone who is not totally in favor of political suicide is retreating. Nonsense. I agree with Krauthammer on this…this tactic gives Republicans the only realistic opportunity they have to make the Democrats own any part of this debt. Thus far the House has come up with deficit reduction plans and budgets…the Senate has not done any of that. When the day comes that Rand Paul can get a budget out of the Senate then he can lecture the House. Truth is this plan might be the only way to get Reid to pass a budget. And if he does not then the Democrats will not be able to blame the Republicans..this time.
Terrye on January 22, 2013 at 5:54 PM
I am not a Rand Paul fan, but he is helping himself by being the only one with an R behind his name that is willing to stand up to the tyranny of Obama. That will take him a long way in his quest to be the nominee if there is still a Republican party in 2016. It will also make him target #1 of the Obama/Clinton machine.The remainder of Repubs appear to be a bunch of eunuchs in the face of a full on assault of our Republic.
Paul/Cruz 2016?
Rockshine on January 22, 2013 at 5:54 PM
too bad rand is so short.
reminds me of that song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NvgLkuEtkA
renalin on January 22, 2013 at 5:55 PM
The GOP, the French of American politics.
voiceofreason on January 22, 2013 at 5:56 PM
Does this debt deal include all approved spending during it’s ‘tenure’?
If so, then when the continueing resolution for the second half of fiscal 2013 comes to the floor, it will nicely increase the debt by ANOTHER 600-800+ Billion!
And IF they decide to go ahead and issue a CR for 2014 spending then it could increase the debt ceiling another 1.6+ trillion for that as well.
Then could all just go home and raise money for the next election!
Freddy on January 22, 2013 at 5:57 PM
You can pass it, future Congresses can not be held to it. This has been the rub for a long time now. It is all smoke and mirrors, nothing else. Our government is a failure, much like the upholstery on an old old car. In desperate need of not just work, but starting over from new cloth. I am beginning to think we will just have to put up with the old upholstery a few more years. It isn’t comfortable, doesn’t look good and frankly it smells. It isn’t even paid for yet.
Bmore on January 22, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Like when the Democrats didn’t pass a budget for years, and then it really damaged their 2012 election outlook, and then… wait?…what are you going on about?
sharrukin on January 22, 2013 at 5:58 PM
And next it will be we must cave because we can’t have the threat of a government shutdown.
I have zero faith the Republican elites (which saddens me to say Ryan is now one of) will hold the line on any issue.
b4itsover on January 22, 2013 at 5:59 PM
Every day the Republicans wave the white flag. Every day we have more and more to say about them that isn’t positive. It’s so frustrating that they are as stupid as they are. We are losing this country and they have no reaction to it except to give it over to the Dems. So far Rand Paul is the only one in the Senate that is actually taking a stand. A couple in in the House and that’s all we’ve got.
BetseyRoss on January 22, 2013 at 6:01 PM
Let’s consider this rationally instead of through an irrational fear impulse. The 48 percent of voters who didn’t vote for Obama are not saying “I’m gonna vote for Democrats if these Republicans don’t abandon conservative principles and push for even more debt!”. Right? I think we can agree on that. Now, let’s consider it from the Obama voter’s perspective: “If those Republicans would just spend us into debt quicker, I’d vote for them instead of the real McCoy debt raisers!”. Yeah, it doesn’t seem very likely to happen that way, does it?
Buddahpundit on January 22, 2013 at 6:05 PM
The Senate Dems are interested in passing a budget now for the simple reason that they will have to have a way to “feed their beast”..Now that most taxes rates are permanent their only way is to pass a budget..:)
Dire Straits on January 22, 2013 at 6:06 PM
I don’t think that the GOP is well positioned to win any battle of public opinion. If the GOP took a position that 90% of the country agreed with and the Democrats took the opposite position, you can rest assured that the GOP would be surrendering on that position in very short order. They are just that stupid and incompetent.
But, that aside. I don’t give a flying f*ck about the politics of it, or the battle for public opinion. Sometimes people just need to do what is right, the consequences be damned. Right now, the GOP needs to save America from itself. But they won’t. Cowards. Whining, sniveling, spineless surrender monkeys.
besser tot als rot on January 22, 2013 at 6:06 PM
And here we were told they caved on fiscal cliff so they would have more “negotiating power” if the Bush Tax Cuts were off the table… Just goes to show you.. The GOP has the biggest bunch of cowards leading it.
GO RAND PAUL. He’s already got my vote.
fatlibertarianinokc on January 22, 2013 at 6:08 PM
You get a governor running, you have the ready-made candidate to crush Ryan for the 2020 nomination (assuming Next-In-Line™ Santorum takes his birthright in 2016). On the other hand, the last few GOP nominees have been diametrically opposed to the “historic base” on the issue of the day.
Steve Eggleston on January 22, 2013 at 6:15 PM
As much as I like Rand Paul and think the way forward is a more libertarian approach for the GOP; he needs to have a proactive strategy, not a negatively reactive.
Tater Salad on January 22, 2013 at 6:15 PM
The only reason the debate was encumbered by the threat of default is because the Republicans threatened it. They have had absolutely no idea how to fight for what they want and make the Dems look bad in opposing their plans.
Screw Ryan. He’s dead politically to me now.
Dusty on January 22, 2013 at 6:19 PM
Once again Rand Paul is right, damn that’s gotta piss off you idiot neocons
MoreLiberty on January 22, 2013 at 6:25 PM
It’s in the “blank check” form he likes so much, and which the “Pubbies” had up until now resisted with all the ferocity of a drowned kitten. He knows he’ll get the longer-term “blank check”.
Steve Eggleston on January 22, 2013 at 6:26 PM
This Rand Paul fellow is really making a name for himself.
Can you imagine him and say, Col Alan West, running for the nom in 2016? EPIC!
sbvft contributor on January 22, 2013 at 6:30 PM
Rand Paul(R)- I notice an R after his name. He’s dead to me.
Mr. Arrogant on January 22, 2013 at 6:31 PM
“at the risk of public opinion”……
…..I am going to try my hardest to not go all postal….
however, WE LOST ALREADY! The only thing left is to do what
is right for this country. Which not doing is what got us into
this mess in the first place.
Rand Paul is currently the only one making any sense. And I don’t
think either the rinos or lefties worry about him; if he becomes
too powerful the media will paint him with the broad brush
of his dad’s apparent crazy.
Amjean on January 22, 2013 at 6:33 PM
I’m really really starting to like this guy.
He is actually a man with principles. Me likey.
gophergirl on January 22, 2013 at 6:36 PM
That was funny.
Mirimichi on January 22, 2013 at 6:39 PM
Nice to see Reid actually put something up to vote on so that someone could actually try to oppose it and vote against it. It is such a rare thing to see that. I was starting to become convinced that the Senate was becoming like the Bermuda Triangle of legislation, a place where house bills go but are never seen from again.
William Eaton on January 22, 2013 at 6:41 PM
Nice.
Just got a call from Paul’s people. He’s drumming up support for a national right to work bill. Busy fellow.
Good to see you, idesign.
wolfsDad on January 22, 2013 at 6:47 PM
Martinez is pro-amnesty, Cruz isn’t. Case closed.
TxAnn56 on January 22, 2013 at 6:47 PM
Have to say it’s nice to see a politician make a statement rather than straddling the line. Props if he sticks with it.
kim roy on January 22, 2013 at 6:51 PM
The media and the Democrats will always blame the Republicans.
bw222 on January 22, 2013 at 6:51 PM
We need more politicians with principles like Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Ted Cruz. The rest may as well be Democrats.
Common Sense on January 22, 2013 at 6:54 PM
As much as I dislike the GOP, why? If there’s someone who is speaking and *MEANING* the right words, why discount them based on that?
Sure, I’d prefer a third party, but if there was a way to get in good conservatives through the GOP why toss them away?
It’s early. We’ll see soon enough how much of it he means and how much of it is useless red meat.
kim roy on January 22, 2013 at 6:55 PM
Creepy Reid is continuing to make threats.
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/278591-reid-to-goip-36-hours-for-filibuster-deal-or-nuclear-option
onlineanalyst on January 22, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Unless the gop can find someone, ANYONE, that can communicate and resonate with JOE SIX PACK……
This party ain’t a goin’ anywhere in 2016.
Hey, isn’t it time for the God King to take a vacay?
PappyD61 on January 22, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Does every single Rand Paul post have to be accompanied by the “he’s positioning for 2016″ deal. Yeesh. It’s making sound like everything he says is only with that in mind. Maybe the guy is actually conservative and just saying what he believes.
Dongemaharu on January 22, 2013 at 7:06 PM
We tried that in 2010. It was fail.
Mr. Arrogant on January 22, 2013 at 7:16 PM
rofl..Funny how you didn’t buy that from other GOPers..:)
Dire Straits on January 22, 2013 at 7:26 PM
Exactly. Hey, you’re catching on!
Dongemaharu on January 22, 2013 at 7:53 PM
LoLz..If you think so..Good luck..:)
Dire Straits on January 22, 2013 at 7:55 PM
Oh. I see I overestimated you. Er…Rubio/Christie 2016! There, feel better?
Dongemaharu on January 22, 2013 at 8:03 PM
LoLz..:)
Dire Straits on January 22, 2013 at 8:06 PM
Rand Paul-Marco Rubio 2016
Jack_Burton on January 22, 2013 at 8:07 PM
…it seems to be working on me!…seems to be the only Republican… that has to be cautious when zipping his fly!
KOOLAID2 on January 22, 2013 at 8:18 PM
…lobotomylester…again!…GFY!
KOOLAID2 on January 22, 2013 at 8:21 PM
It sounds like the GOP plan is a no-cap debt limit until May 23. I predict the debt / deficit for 2013 will soar in those months, and as the deadline approaches it will soar even more.
Dasher on January 22, 2013 at 9:00 PM
I was wondering where Michele Bachmann went. LOL
ddrintn on January 22, 2013 at 9:28 PM
No, the “Look at me!!!” feel about Rand Paul is a bit obvious. It’s grating, to be honest.
ddrintn on January 22, 2013 at 9:30 PM
Finally, someone I can vote for in 2016. Thank you Senator Paul!
Panther on January 22, 2013 at 9:35 PM
A few good people slipped in. It’s going to take a bit of time to overcome 40+ years of liberal indoctrination.
Gotta try, right? Not all are going to be winners. What’s the alternative? Giving up?
kim roy on January 22, 2013 at 9:47 PM
And we didn’t even try in 2012. The conservative wing imploded upon who to support as the Not Romney, and that was all she wrote. Achin’ and Murdock provided the parting shots.
Myron Falwell on January 22, 2013 at 9:52 PM
Oh well, we’ll see how everything shakes out for 2016 as the next couple of years go by.
ddrintn on January 22, 2013 at 9:56 PM
I DO think we need to try a different tactic. We need to start educating our children that are just being born and to keep them away from every point of liberal indoctrination there is. If that means home schooling, it means home schooling. Etc, etc.
You can FORGET about this emerging generation. The under-30 crowd is proving to be a total blight; useless and worthless, and forever arrested to government and free bennies. Gotta have their free birth control and subsided 10-plus year college “education” . They will be all automatic Dem votes until the day they die; Hilter or Satan could run for POTUS and would capture that crowd simply because they would be running as Democrats.
Myron Falwell on January 22, 2013 at 9:59 PM
The GOP are mopre worried about BEING LIKED / NOT BEING HATED, risking the end of the GOP, that they are willing to BETRAY TRUE CONSERVATISM, BETRAY the AMERICAN PEOPLE, and SURRENDER WITHOUT PUTTING UP A FIGHT (even though they know what Obama is doing is destroying the nation)! What they are demonstrating, however, is the EXACT REASON, why the GOP NEEDS to be destroyed, a new party taking it’s places!
Our Founding Fathers were common people who FOUGHT TYRANNY, OPPRESSION, & MASSIVE GOVT W/OUT REPRESENTATION. Had Boehner, McConnell, & these other GOP ‘Leaders’ been in charge rather than Washington, Jefferson, & Franklin we would STILL be under Brittish rule! Our nation’s history is filled with examples of great leaders who fought and sacrificed to protect & defend this nation & it’s Constitution. THIS GOP, however, does not want to fight at all for fear of losinng their cushy political positions, their massive un-deserved salary, the best medical care WE can afford, trips, expense accounts, perks, & BEING ABOVE THE LAW!
I am mad as H#LL…and I am wondering what it is going to take to get the rest of Americans who love this country to get mad as well?! Talk is cheap…and is getting us no where but a front row to watch this POS in the White House destroy our nation…and to watch the GOP, a bunch of GUTLESS, opathetic excuses for men (& women) & ‘Leaders’ who are content to pick up the proverbial fiddle & play while ‘Rome’ Burns! It is time for a peaceful revolution, to repel the Communist/Socialist, Anti-Colonialist Horde that is setting about doing what they promised in 2008 – to ‘fundamentaly change the U.S.!
easyt65 on January 23, 2013 at 7:30 AM