Bachmann keeps pushing GOP: Don't pick 'compromised' candidate
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (CNN) – On the same day that tea party darling Michele Bachmann lost out on the first big tea party presidential endorsement, the Republican presidential candidate continued to swing against those things menacing her campaign.
On Monday, the Minnesota congresswoman suggested that front-runners Rick Perry and Mitt Romney are "compromised" candidates, put a positive spin on her falling poll numbers – and even outright dismissed a closely-watched straw poll in Florida.
All of it happened at a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bachmann, speaking to a small group of supporters, began her comments by re-stating a warning to Republicans: don't compromise.
"We can't settle, this time, on our candidate," Bachmann said. "We need a fighter, this time. We need a champion, this time. We need someone who's been in Washington, who's actually seen what these problems are and who's actually fought against these problems."
While she did not mention names, her political targets were clear.
Perry has publicly blasted the idea of building a fence along the U.S.-Mexican border, instead favoring a "boots on the ground" approach. The Texas governor also stands by his state's law that provides in-state tuition assistance to the children of illegal immigrants. At her rally, Bachmann told reporters: "We…need to make sure that we have a candidate who is committed to securing the border in the United States all across the border. And we can't have a candidate that is anything less than committed to taking away the magnets and the inducements at the federal level – and at the state level – that are drawing illegal immigrants into the United States."
"I will build the fence and I will not have the mandates, the taxpayer-supported mandates, to bring illegal aliens into the United States," Bachmann added.
Perry has defended his decision behind his 2007 executive order that would have required young girls to get an HPV vaccination against cervical cancer. The Texas governor has since apologized for how he tried to enact the measure – and staunchly denied any claim he did it for political gain or campaign contributions.
And yet Bachmann continued to launch political missiles.
"We're finding out that there are candidates that are compromised when it comes to political donors," she said. "That political donors have given them money and then a lot of political appointments and a lot of deals have been given back to those political donors. And our candidate can't be compromised when it comes to owing political favors to political donors."
Meanwhile, Romney has stood by the health care law passed in Massachusetts during his term as governor. It includes an individual mandate that requires state residents to purchase health care or pay a tax penalty.
At her rally, Bachmann said: "In 'Obamacare,' there's an unconstitutional mandate. So whether it's at the state level or at the federal level, we cannot have our nominee compromised on the issue of healthcare."
And apparently blasting both Perry and Romney, who've both said they'd repeal the nation's health care law by issuing an executive order if they become president, Bachmann said: "Our nominee needs to understand that we cannot deal with 'Obamacare's' problems simply by issuing an executive order or by a waiver. We can only deal with 'Obamacare' by repealing it, root and branch."
The Minnesota congresswoman was asked about her falling poll fortunes. The latest CNN/ORC International poll puts her in seventh place – with a paltry four-percent – even behind undeclared candidate Sarah Palin.
Bachmann was asked: is she concerned that her campaign is flagging?
"No, not at all. We're very grateful with where we're at right now," Bachmann said. "I think what we're seeing is that other candidates, at this point, are making changes in their campaigns."
"We think we are positioned perfectly right now."
The candidate also addressed her last place finish in a Florida straw poll – by outright dismissing it.
"We did not participate in the Florida Straw poll," Bachmann told reporters. "We put our effort and our money and our time here in Iowa, in the [Ames] straw poll, because this straw poll here in Iowa was crucial. This most reflects a general election, a general caucus or a general primary. Because here, anyone with an Iowa driver's license had the ability to come out and vote in the straw poll."
Bachmann continued: "In Florida, there was a select pool of individuals who had to pay to be in that poll and it was not reflective of the general population of Florida."
Bachmann asserted that she's been warmly received in Florida as she's recently campaigned there.
Bachmann was asked about losing the first big endorsement from an influential tea party figure. The congresswoman is the head of the House Tea Party Caucus and frequently pushes the movement's message.
"The marvelous thing about the tea party is that it is not a central organization," she said. "There are many tea party organizations…so I anticipate what you will see are numerous endorsements that come from around the nation to various candidates."
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Throw this fruitcake a lifesaver !
the party is over Michelle. Go back to your isolated little religious compound called your district and pray away the gay.....starting with your husband. Nobody is listening anymore. They've either figured out that you don't know what you are talking about or your T-B positions have been usurped by others
Bachmann just continues to give bat guano a bad name...
Apparently, insanity is not in her list of compromises. If it were, she'd quit the campaign now.
Yes lets totally elect someone who is against compromise. That way we can just keep arguing about the same stuff forever and get nothing done. Jesus how do idiots like her have supporters?
Ms. "I hate government"...excluding, of course, her government salary, benefits and pension...
A "compromised" candidate? I'll tell you what a compromised candidate is! How about someone who is constantly preaching against the "evils" of socialized healthcare, while at the same time, having and enjoying the federal taxpayer-funded, government-run, socialized congressional healthcare plan? Would you happen to know any intellectually dishonest hipocrites like this, Michelle? Who me, you ask?
The woman is certifiably insane and a pathological liar.
Believing what an incompetent like Ms. Bachmann says is the biggest compromise of all.
Still bringin' da crazy!
Didn't read the story. Don't want to read words from a compromised candidate.
Sure...let's go with un-compromised stupidity aka Michelle Bachmann!
The problem for her is that she will never be that candidate. She also seems to think that Obama is going to lose not matter which one of these people who are running for the nomination. I don't think that is the case because there are no good ideas that I have heard from any of these people. They are all using the same old ideas; recyling I guess is good. I just wish these people would get something that actual does work. The tried and true GOP lines of cutting taxes and and regulation doesn't work.
Amazing. How in the hell did this mental case become an elected offical, and a media queen. Speaks volumns about the nation, and how far it's sank in the past 10 years.
Dear Michelle, take your ball and home. Things are becoming tougher and tougher for you. Pawlenty was wise and he saved his time and money. You should also open up your eyes, see and do the same! Just an advice free of charge!
So yesterday's news! It's over and done. Just like Sarah.
GOP don't pick a comprised candidate!! It is much better that you pick Bachmann, a proven loser.
Bachmann's finished. She can stand around and yell that she's not until the cows come home. She's been outcrazied by both Perry and Cain. The numbers don't lie. Get over it and get lost. You're just trying to be a spoiler at this point. Hey Bachmann: don't go away mad, just go away. Loser.
another repo nut job. The christian far far right. Lets pray all the gays straight and make a fortune doing it. Do the repos actually have any real candidates?
Michele Bachmann is done!
She is running our of money. Her message is stale. Her continuous putting her foot in her mouth is getting her nowhere.
Compromised? As she and her wack-job husband collect thousands of Federal dollars to help "cure" gayness, she calls someone else compromised? Really????
Bachmann said that she wanted to get rid of all taxes. How will she pay for her border fence? Donations? And if the government isn't giving him handouts, how will her husband pay for his employee training?
Obama / Biden 2012 / Hillary 2016
Bachmann, the "tea party darling", is too stupid to realize ALL the Grand Obstructionist Party candidates are "compromised".
Send the tea party home in 2012!
Look at the photo- she's waving by-by as the ship sinks.