October 14, 2011 11:05 PM

Bachmann questions U.S. involvement in hunt for African accused of child kidnapping, rape

By
Sarah Huisenga
Topics
Campaign 2012
Michele Bachmann

Republican presidential candidate, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., speaks during a Faith and Family Council news conference, Oct. 4, 2011, in Des Moines, Iowa.

(Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa - Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann on Friday questioned President Obama's decision to provide U.S. forces to help hunt down a central African terrorist accused of kidnapping, raping and killing thousands in the region.

"I do not know enough about it to comment on it," Bachmann said at a town hall meeting here. But she went on to add "When it comes to sending our brave men and women into foreign nations, we will have to first demonstrate a vital American national interest."

She noted that she opposed the president's decision to commit American forces to aiding the pro-democracy forces in Libya who eventually ousted dictator Moammar Gaddafi. "He did not get permission from Congress; he just did it unilaterally," said Bachmann, adding: "It just happened again."

"This is a very serious matter," Bachmann continued. "You do not just send American troops in."

Obama sends troops to Africa to counter rebels

At a later Iowa event in Estherville, the Minnesota congresswoman sounded a more deeply skeptical note. "We are already engaged in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Libya and now he's sent another hundred more over to Uganda," she said, referring to U.S. troop deployments. "I will tell you George Washington was right when he said in his farewell address, be careful of unnecessary foreign entanglements."

Obama on Friday notified House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, that he plans to send about 100 military personnel, mostly Special Operations Forces, to central Africa. The first arrived in Uganda on Wednesday.

Others will head to the surrounding countries of South Sudan, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their mission will be to advise forces seeking to kill or capture Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army.

Kony is on the U.S. terrorist list, is wanted by the International Court, and has been condemned by human rights groups for atrocities that include the mutilation of children and trafficking in sex slaves.


  • Sarah Huisenga

    Sarah Huisenga is covering the Newt Gingrich campaign for CBS News and National Journal.

Add a Comment See all 22 Comments
by Lawyers-Guns-n-Money06 October 17, 2011 4:37 PM EDT
Bachmann: "Where the F**K is Uganda? Is that next to Paraguanda? Get Palin on the phone and ask her if she can see it from her porch in either Alaska or Arizona."

"On second thought, scratch the Arizona question. Since she moved there, the place spontaneously combusted and you can't see to the end of the driveway, let alone Uganda."
Reply to this comment
by Progress4USA October 17, 2011 8:21 AM EDT
"I do not know enough about it to comment on it," Bachmann said at a town hall meeting here.
---

If she stuck to that reply on every issue, she would actually be ahead in the polls.
Reply to this comment
by lizziem88 October 16, 2011 5:08 PM EDT
"I do not know enough about this situation."

Well, maybe she should learn. You know, since she is running for president of the United States.
Reply to this comment
by _MrMike October 15, 2011 7:52 PM EDT
Bachmann belongs in Uganda-On a one way ticket.
Reply to this comment
by godspede October 15, 2011 6:08 PM EDT
He sent 100 troops to train a government in how to defeat a plague to humanity. These guys in Africa have killed thousands for no good reason other than their own insanity. To suggest that we can't spare a few scores of soldiers for a non-combat mission to prevent these atrocities is pathetic.
Reply to this comment
by ruffiannd October 15, 2011 11:52 AM EDT
Forgive us Ms.Bachmann, but you can barely run your own life. Your inane public statements have left your campaign in shambles, and your pray-the-gay-away business has become a laughing stock. Please pardon us if we do not take your views on foreign policy seriously.
Reply to this comment
by ruffiannd October 15, 2011 7:38 PM EDT
Wow, don't have a stroke there pk.
by Well_You_Aint_Me October 15, 2011 9:29 AM EDT
"This is a very serious matter," Bachmann continued. "You do not just send American troops in."


Well she just lost the support of Dick Cheney.
Reply to this comment
by tvwatcher5345 October 15, 2011 8:04 AM EDT
bachmann is right we should not be sending our military anywhere unless there is a threat to the US, look at iraq, sadam was not a threat to the US at all, and the bush adimistration got us into the worst military blunder of all time
Reply to this comment
by Sloughfoot October 15, 2011 7:02 AM EDT
"I do not know......" The smartest thing this canidate has ever said.
Reply to this comment
by lightenupgear October 15, 2011 4:31 AM EDT
The LRA has abducted over 66,000 children and forced them to become child soldiers or sex slaves to soldiers. In addition, the LRA has displaced over 2,000,000 people.

You're really questioning whether or not sending US troops to Uganda is justified?
Reply to this comment
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