Washington (CNN) - Rep. Michele Bachmann, a potential Republican presidential candidate, is taking issue with Michelle Obama over the first lady's recent promotion of breast-feeding.
Speaking to conservative talk radio host Laura Ingraham Tuesday, the Minnesota Republican said Obama's efforts to promote breast-feeding and the IRS's announcement that nursing supplies that aide in the practice can be deducted from tax returns amounts to a "new definition [of] the nanny state."
"This is very consistent with where the hard left is coming from," Bachmann told Ingraham. "For them, government is the answer to every problem."
"I've given birth to five babies and I breast fed every single one of these babies," she added. "To think that government has to go out and buy my breast pump for my babies? You wanna talk about the nanny state, I think you just got a new definition."
The comments come on the heels of Obama's recent contention that breast-feeding can play a key role in reducing childhood obesity.
"We also want to focus on the important touch points in a child's life. And what we're learning now is that early intervention is key. Breastfeeding. Kids who are breastfed longer have a lower tendency to be obese," Obama told a group of reporters last week, according to Politics Daily.
"Breastfeeding is a very personal choice for every woman," Kristina Schake, a spokeswoman for Obama, later said. "We are trying to make it easier for those who choose to do it."
It's not the first time Obama has faced ire from the right when it comes to childhood nutrition. Sarah Palin told Ingraham last fall that "the first lady cannot trust parents to make decisions for their own children, for their own families in what we should eat."
From CNN Politics
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The FLOTUS is not a political figure. This is not political issue. Most right wingers discredit everything the first family does. The flotus is only highlighting a viable option for new mothers, which has been scientifically, psycologically and medically proven to be beneficial on all levels. Breastfeeding fights obesity, improves the immune system for the children and creates a greater bond between mother and child.
Has Bachmann NO shame?
Michelle Obama has more class in her pinky than Michele Bachman will ever have. Michele Bachman should well know about a nanny state however. Her family got most of their wealth from farm subsidies. She thrived off from nursing the teat of the American taxpayer for years!
Take your pick as to who is more ridiculous, Palin or Bachmann.
Bachmann: The Ninny State.
People like this are the reason I have a hard time voting for a republican.
I don't know about all that. I'm a pretty right-leaning conservative, but her angle just seems like criticism for the sake of criticism.
Aren't there more pressing matters Bachmann should be worried about? Breastfeeding? Is this a joke?
One of the scariest people in politics! They go on these right wing radio and TV programs like Laura Ingraham and get there agenda and questions handed to them without any surprise. If Michelle and Palin refuse to interview any other programs or journalist because they "aren't fair" what makes them think they are ready for the world stage? You must be able to think on your feet! Michelle is just another soon to be former political person cashing in on hate radio and TV. Rush, Hannity, Bill O' and Beck have paved the way for fascism to come to this country "wrapped in an American flag carrying a bible"
This is the lady that wants to get the GOP nomination for POTUS.
And her big issue is breast feeding,......really?
What? Someone from the Tea Party who doesn't want a tax break??? OK Bachman. Pay back the gov't subsidies on your family farm.
Could Bachmann find a more ridiculous talking to attack...? And how dare a GOP'er use "personal choice" in any commentary.
I am amazed at how narrow minded and eager to attack many of today's politicians are. Good for Bachman if she didn't need any assistance breast feeding, but what the hell does that have to do with those who do have trouble and may not be able to afford a breast pump. Horray to Mrs. Obama for supporting such an important cause. I have traditionally voted Republican, but I can assure I will not if Bachman is the Republican candidate.
sorry "...talking point to attack...
Five kids – just like Palin. It is amazing that stupidity seems to breed and reproduce at an alarming rate! Darwin in action! Can some one just put a muzzle these mama grizzlies?
Now that Palin is starting to fade, can we please ignore this ignorant woman, too. Bachmann may be even dumber than the huckster from AK.
If parents were feeding the children properly then we would not have seen such a huge deterioration in health of the children. I have seen lots of parents giving coke and pepsi products to their 2-3 year old child. What does that say? A responsible parent. And breast feeding should never be optional. It is a basic requirement and every child's right. If people can't take proper care of their child in terms of nutrition then what is wrong with government taking care of some not-so-educated parents? Michele Obama has done nothing wrong. In fact, I would applaud her efforts to put some sense in people's mind. To let your child get blown up like a baloon shows how much you care fo rthe child and that is almost like a child abuse.
What Bachmann calls "the hard left" is called caring about and advocating for the people you represent in more civilised parts of the world.
Did we run out of serious politics to talk about? from the center it seems both the "far" left and the right babies need someone to shove a "tit" in they're mouths, they're whining in the media and we have to listen,
It's amazing how politicians can "just talk" when they have an audience. The evidence is clear that breastfeeding has many many benefits, including the ones highlighted by the first lady. Ms. Bachman was likely informed by a good doctor or had good role models or both. She did breastfeed her children. Mrs. Obama is using her platform to advise and inform those who many not be as fortunate. Ms. Bachman should stop being so selfish and contrary for the sake of being contrary or for the sake of being heard. I suspect she is an intelligent woman but she doesn't always show it. Mrs Obama is right!
Good grief ... this woman is an idiot – just like her twin, Sarah. Not that I think either woman stands a snowballs chance in hell of getting elected, but heaven help us if either one ever does. It would truly be the end of the world as we know it.
Really? Suggesting that breastfeeding is healthy and making it easier to do so in public is an example of a "nanny state?"
The fact that some people actually listen to and believe the rantings of these lunatic political rakes is astounding.
Wow, this is a new low, even by Bachmann's standards. One, her statements show she doesn't understand taxes at all. The government is NOT buying breastpumps, you twit, it's allowing Moms to deduct the cost. Two, she says she breastfeed her own kids. Did she or did she hook them up to one of her family's many gov't subsidized cows?
Please stop embarrassing my home state.
class versus no class...Michelle Obama versus Moronishelle Bachmann. There is no comparision
What a moron.