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Subscribe to RSSIn an interview airing Monday, Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann told radio host Scott Hennen that Herman Cain has been "inconsistent” on key issues -- the most forward-leaning attack she has made to date on Cain, who remains neck-and-neck with GOP front-runner Mitt Romney in recent polling.
Notably, Bachmann declined to directly answer questions about charges of sexual harassment against Cain -- dating back to his time running the National Restaurant Association during the 1990s -- that have threatened to stall his campaign for a week now, and instead hit him on matters of policy.
“Well people are looking for an adult in the room. That’s what I am,” Bachmann said, deflecting a question about whether the Cain saga helps her own campaign.
An excerpt of the interview was made available on a blog run by the co-host of “The Scott Hennen Show.” The interview was taped Friday during a brief telephone call into the show, according to the Bachmann campaign.
"There ha[ve] been 10 instances in the last month where he’s changed his positions on significant issues," Bachmann said during the call, citing Cain’s shifting statements on abortion, on a federal marriage amendment, and his modification of his own 9-9-9 plan.
“He said that 9-9-9 would be equitable and fair, then he changed it to '9-0-9' after people called out his errors,” said Bachmann, referring to a provision in Cain's economic plan that would exempt people in selected lower-income areas from paying federal income tax.
On this point, the attack may be more than just a matter of inconsistency. Bachmann is also the only Republican candidate demanding that all Americans -- including the poor -- pay income taxes, a position she outlined during an economic policy address last week in Ames, Iowa.
Bachmann also took aim at Cain on foreign policy. “He said that he would allow the terrorists to go out of Guantanamo Bay," Bachmann said. "In other words, he would release the terrorists. Then he changed his mind and said, ‘No.'"
She continued, “He just said this week that China was developing a nuclear weapon. They’ve had one for 47 years.”
The statements may also be a preview of a kind of damning-with-faint-praise attack Bachmann will use against Cain during the run-up to Iowa caucus -- the nation’s first primary contest -- to be held Jan. 3.
A recent Des Moines Register poll (released a day before the scandal erupted) put Cain in first place in Iowa with 23%, followed by Romney with 22%. Bachmann trailed in fourth place with 8%.
“Everyone loves him," Bachmann said of Cain. "Who doesn’t? He has a great personality. But, this is the leader of the free world that we’re talking about.”
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No comments - none, nada, zilch...are you taking notice Bachman...in sports parlance you are what is referred to as "toast"...you've embarrassed the teapugnicans, the state of MN, and the few repubs left with a conscience, of course the one person not embarrassed is obviously yourself - what a waste this country has turned into with the likes of bachman being touted & flouted by the right wing nuts as a "legit" candidate - along with Perry who has a closet full of skeletons just waiting to be opened...face it wing nuts you are going to be left with Romney, and with his plans announced to gut medicare & social security his campaign in the national election will make bachmans look realistic!!!
Well people are looking for an adult in the room. That’s what I am
ha ha ha ha
Jay Leno had the line of the week when he said; Herman didn't realize 'her-ass' wasn't TWO words...
Bachman is consistent--she consistently gets her "facts" wrong.
And Cain isn't inconsistent, he is just rudderless. He is anti-abortion while believing the government has no say in the matter. There will be absolutely no allegations of sexual misconduct except while he was head of NRA (not sure if that is rifle or restaurant). Bachmann consistently gets her facts wrong; Romney flip-flops on a weekly basis; Perry believes he might get better at debating; Cain is rudderless. What a playing field.
That's ok....these republicans are keeping Obama from having to point out how "incompetent" they are. What can he say about these republican candidates that they haven't already said about each other?
Michelle is right on this one. I have to agree with her 100%. Even a broken clock s right twice a day. :)
So Bachmann sees herself as "the adult in the room"? Can't wait until tomorrow's Stewart/Colbert takes on this pronouncement...
Poor michelle: casting about for someone to pay attention. I guess that "bring back pauper's prisons" slogan wasn't catching fire?
What is it about Cain that just makes women want to make trouble for him, now Michele is harassing that poor man.
It is what those conservatives love to do - harass. Apparently, harassment is the only way conservative adults can have a conversation.
Bachmann is in the throes of political death. She has shown the nation, and the world, that she is an ignorant, simple-minded, republican fool who got her "motor runnin' from the likes of Sarah Palin. If this country needs to distance herself from anything or anyone, Bachmann and Palin are the reasons. They cannot even maintain an intelligent conversation without blaming someone, usually a democrat, for their lack of an answer. She is a stupid woman and we all know that you can't fix stupid. You can, however, do less drastic things. I hope both Palin and Bahmann wake uo tomorrow with a third nipple so they can milk that baby like they're milking the American people,
If she has a one on one debate with Cain, I don't know about three nipples, but there will definitely be three boobs on the stage.
Great thinker can influence people or even break down a stable philosophy by using intellect and elegant criticism.
oh... the irony....
I am voting for Bachman - She represents what all true Anericans feel about how things are. We need carig Americans lkike her.
???????????????????????????????????????????? Please tell me you don't vote.
Did you just use "caring" and Bachman in the same sentence??
squeezing blood out of the poor? stalking homosexuals? Whining about the soldiers who WON'T be killed if we end a nearly 9 year old war?? No sane American would claim this pathetic creature to represent them for dog catcher..you've GOT to be a troll...
If Rick, Herman and Michelle were all called by God to run for the Presidency, then God was just fu**ing with two of them
Bless your heart, if you think we are not true Americans if we don't think or talk like her, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. But your opinion is incorrect. She cannot be President. She can speak for you all you want her to, but she is too ill-equipped to be President.
You have to be kidding me. So those of us who disagree with her politics aren't "true Americans"? That has to be one of the most arrogant posts in months. You should be ashamed of yourself.
I don't normally nitpick about spelling errors, however, in this case I will make an exception!
This is what's passing as educated voters these days..?
Fiesty,
It's a paradox. The more "information" available to us as a nation, the dumber we get.
It's the Kelly Bundy Syndrome.To retain a new fact/idea/concept, a previousl one has to be erased/forgotten.
When the new info is not as dependable as that being replaced,dumbing down occurs.
Correct about the clock, Palin2112 (you sure about that year?)...but it's the other 23 hours and 58 minutes each day we'd really have to worry about if Michelle was at the helm.
Absolutely right, Michelle. And that's why YOU will never be that person.
Paiso,
"I am voting for Bachman - She represents what all true Anericans feel about how things are. We need carig Americans lkike her."
You are certainly welcome to vote for whoever you want. At least for now it is still a free country. That said, I respetfully disagree with your choice. A am a true American. My ancestors came to North America in 1597 and so that means I am probably as much or more American than very many. How dare you infer that I am not a true American. I am not calling you Unamerican because we happen to disagree. You see, friend, democracy thrives on dissent and difference of opinion. Ms. Bachmann cares, alright, for the 1%ers whose welfare she cares very much about. I have heard what she has said. Now, if she doesn't mean what she said than she is a liar. She seems hypocritical as well but that is an opinion I share with millions of others. Since Michelle Bachman is not doing well in the polls I would suggest that she isn't popular with very many people as compared to others running for the GOP nomination. Personally I would love to see her nominated because it would be a cakewalk for Obama to gain reelection.
So, disagree with me if you wish but please don't ever call me unAmerican or infer that I am not a true American because I happen to disagree with her extremist ideas.
LMAO when Bachmann starts on you it is time to go home
jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj
Bachman has crazy eyes. Cain is a pain. I'm voting for Romney, I don't mind him wearing flip flops.
Does Iowan really favor a candidate who do not know China possessing nuclear weapon? If most of Iowan do not know China had nuclear weapon then maybe it is about time to change Iowa caucus to the last one in the presidential nominating process.
Mister Cain didn't say they didn't have nukes but that they are in the process of sophisticating the armaments duhhhh
Actually he said they didn't have nukes, he corrected himself the next day after he was called out for his complete lack of knowledge in foreign affairs. Which is by the way true, he has shown himself to be uneducated even for the average American on foreign policy. His tax plan sucks, he is a mouth piece and not an overly bright one for the Koch brothers. One would think with all their money they could buy a smarter mouth piece. However, on the topic of Bachman, she is clearly not presidential material but at least she has shown some grasp on presidential powers, unlike ANY of the other candidates that are making promises that are a joke. Like repealing Obama care the first day, is not within their power.
And I also give her credit that she doesn't use the woman card every to defend herself. She isn't going around calling every male a woman hater, unlike Cain who is resorting to the race card which is entirely pathetic. Who hasn't he pointed that finger at, republicans, democrats, the media, everyone that disagrees with him, and all that after he viciously criticized others for ever claiming racial discrimination. I am sure he has really won over people in that community.
Yah!!!!we get it Mrs. Bachman your all grown up and mister Cain is just dopey diaper baby and no body sees it. Come on Pleeeeeeeeez
Seriously? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black... (no racial pun intended!)
Bachmaan you are consistently wrong misinformed down right ignorant.You cant open your mouth with out making an ass out of your self.I don't like Cain but I don't like you either
But outside I'm a child hiding in the bushes