Michele Bachmann says government, not Bank of America, at fault for proposed fees on debit card purchases

Republican presidential candidate, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., holds a town meeting at New England College in Henniker, N.H., Monday, Oct. 10, 2011.

/ AP Photo/Cheryl Senter

HENNIKER, N.H. -- If your bank starts charging you to use your ATM card, blame the federal government, Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann told students here.

"Did ya'll hear last week that your debit card you now have to pay a 5 dollar a month debit card fee?" the Minnesota congresswoman told students at a town hall meeting on the campus of New England College on Sunday. "Well thank you federal government; that's thanks to Dodd-Frank."

Bank of America announced last month that starting next year they will begin charging debit cards holders $5 monthly fees to customers who use debit cards to make purchases.  The bank contends it needs to recoup money it will lose because the Dodd-Frank financial regulations capped the amount of money it can charge merchants for debit card transactions.

Bachmann said if she were elected, she would repeal Dodd-Frank, enacted to curb some of the financial excesses that, according to the bill's supporters, led to the near-meltdown of the nation's credit system in late 2008.

The congresswoman's town hall meeting lasted about 45 minutes because an audience of about 100 students, dotted with Bachmann supporters.

When one audience member likened the Occupy Wall Street protesters to the Tea Party movement, Bachmann quickly begged to differ.

"I don't think they are similar to the Tea Party at all," said the congresswoman, who founded the Tea Party Caucus in the House. "If Occupy Wall Street wants to be upset about something they should go in front of the White House and that is where they should be protesting."

Bachmann will be among the eight GOP presidential contenders participating in the Bloomberg/ Washington Post Debate at Dartmouth College on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. She has one more New Hampshire event planned for Wednesday before heading back to Iowa, where she was born and where she is focusing most of her campaign efforts.

[cmart6]

I was at the Henniker town hall which lasted 90 minutes. There were about 150 attendees with many of her supporters. She had a very enthusiastic welcome, other than from 2-3 hostile Democrat plants.

[Progress4USA]

150... Wow...what a huge audience!!!! (She's gone!)

[Kenny777_y]

you saying C.B.S is telling lies?

[Rodeo_Joe]

Bachman is like a really bad KARAOKE singer who won't step down off the stage.

And the FOX Bobbleheads love it.
A majority of Americans reject the theory of Evolution.

Capital Punishment ties the USA with China, Iran, & North Korea.

[Progress4USA]

Say what you will... She's still a heck of a comedian!

[todaypost]

Lesson in History. Boston Tea Party started when England posted a three pences increase on tea. The GOP Tea Party took the Boston Tea Party as their name and how quick they forgot the Boston Tea Party lesson.

GOP/tea party said they are against entitlement and favor cuts. But they are ok with Corporation entitlement -- charging customer fees for huge bonus to banks CEOs. Why don't they tell the banks to cut the spending, like reducing CEOs bonus.

This just shows Tea Party is not representing americans and shall be thrown out like the red coats.

[greatwhitebear]

Of course she supports the bank. Whadda u expect from a corporate hag?

[DCCorruption]

Or, you could blame the banks. Bachman is an imbecile.

[ahrats]

Hey TEA PARTY women spoke person, BANKS decide what FEE's they charge to make money from their BANKING ACCOUNTS and the rates are not the same for all, the rich get kickbacks, no Fee's, and rest pay the rich people FEE's.

[lg144]

Fanaticism and ignorance is forever busy, and needs feeding. And soon, teabagging republicans, with banners flying and with drums beating we'll be marching backward, backward through the glorious ages of that 16th Century when bigots burned the man who dared bring enlightenment and intelligence to Americans through their government.

[DCCorruption]

Great lines from Inherit the Wind and definitely very true today.

[lg144]

The irony of how apropos it is to the radical teabagging republican neanderthals of today.

[fwd23515]

"...full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

[formerusmcsgt1]

Bachmann said if she were elected, she would repeal Dodd-Frank, enacted to curb some of the financial excesses that, according to the bill's supporters, led to the near-meltdown of the nation's credit system in late 2008.
----
So, according to Michelle anyway, the excesses were justified and the government was wrong to stop them.

Sheesh.

Is she on the take or what, eh?