Bachmann stresses social conservatism, digs at Cain on abortion stance
Des Moines, Iowa (CNN) – Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann stressed her social conservatism to a large gathering of evangelicals in Iowa, where she has fallen from high poll positions.
Bachmann keyed in on issues of interest to the roughly 1,000 people at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition in Des Moines on Saturday.
"It was when I became 16 years of age that I was confronted with the question in my own life. What would I do in Jesus Christ?" Bachmann said. "What would his place be in my own life? And I made a decision on November 1, 1972 - when I bowed my knee and received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. And my life was changed forever."
From there, the Minnesota congresswoman waded into a number of other issues: from the controversy over Israel's borders, to protecting the U.S. border with Mexico.
Bachmann also touched on one issue of special importance to social conservatives.
"I want you to know quite firmly, I stand for life - from conception to natural death," Bachmann said regarding abortion.
After her speech, the candidate was asked her feelings on the still brewing controversy surrounding fellow GOP candidate Herman Cain. The conservative businessman caused a stir last week after comments to CNN's Piers Morgan seemed to suggest he was not fully committed to ending legalized abortion in the U.S. - a passionate cause for conservatives.
Cain, also attending the forum, attempted to erase doubts about his pro-life stance during his speech. But it was not enough to convince Bachmann.
"Well I think its very important that our candidate for the presidency is a pro-life candidate. We're a pro-life party," Bachmann told reporters. "And the president of the United States says that he is personally against abortion. But he doesn't believe that the government shouldn't be involved. And that is the statement that Mr. Cain made. And that's very disturbing for a lot of people. And it's very important that our candidate for president can clearly articulate that they are pro-life and that they believe that life deserves protection - from conception till natural death."
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I think it is important that a woman have control over her own body. I am not sure that men have the right to make laws which tell women what they can or can not do. Each woman should be free to make her own choices without fear of government intervention.
This campaign has turned Bachmann into a terrible person.
Cain has a long record with the Pro Life movement and put up $1 million of his own money for a pro-life ad campaign in minority communties.
Herman Cain is has done much more for the Pro Life movement than Bachmann has.
Bachmann is desperate....and will never get my vote.
Hey Bachmann and conservatives. If life should be protected from birth to "natural death" then ya'll should be anti-capital punishment. The death penality isn't "natural death."
" from conception till natural death." This is the extreme right wing of the party changing the GOP, moving the GOP out of the mainstream of America. Think about it, if a woman used a morning after pill, she would be guilty under their new law. There is no way to pinpoint the moment of conception, so anything a woman does would be illegal. This is not mainstream America. But, Bachmann has never been mainstream America, only in her twisted mind. I really have a hard time understanding how the fine people of MN 6th can continue to elect her. Maybe now that they have really seen and cringed when speaks they will vote her out of office. Maybe there is still hope.
Wingnuts can't stop talking about women's bodies. Where are the jobs,jobs,jobs that they promised last year?
What! I am surprise backman had it in her to focus on someone else that wasn't Obama, last debate every question she got asked she incredibly found a way to put Obama front and center, even if she had to go out in the barnyard where no one could understand her rambling. It was like na na na na Obama na na nana Obama. Answer the question Michelle. Your obsession with Obama is freaking folks out.
Michele Bachmann Is so dumb she don't even know that she done. She losing all of her staff and she wrong even face the fact. Minn. should thing about even reelect her has a congress person again.
stupid lady in Sarah failings...
Yes, go right ahead, Republicans, nominate on these religious extremists. That will guarantee Obama 4 more years in the WH. Not that I like all of Obama's "spending" initiatives, but I would rather have a spender than a religious extremist.
Big talk from a little person. She is small, just like her poll numbers.
....and after birth, no healthcare!!! She worries about a baby UNTIL it is born, then it is on its own!!! SOME CHRISTIAN!!
...oh, and, if he/she commits a crime, kill them!!!!
How did she get elected from a seemingly intelligent state?
Isn't it odd that most people who are staunchly against abortion are also staunchly pro-death penalty and pro-gun?
And the extreme rightwing Krazy Klown Konservatives create yet another smokescreen to divert attention from their refusal to assist in improving the economy.
any voter who votes for this deranged woman should be put in a straight jacket like she should be in!
the sicker the rights views the more they appeal to the loony tunes in the republican party!
Why is she still in the "news"? (CNN).
She has been out for a long time already.
A pro life party that believes in war and the death penalty. Go figure.
I thought they wanted government OUT of people's lives?!
I guess it is only selectively when it benefits the wealthy!
True Christianity is a PERSONAL relationship with God. Politicians have turned faith into a tool for attacking their political rivals and for acquiring political power and influence. They have become modern-day pharisees, that group of self-righteous and judgmental Jewish leaders that Jesus clashed with so often in the Bible.