Bachmann expands on spending policies, paints opponents as "frugal socialists"

Republican presidential hopeful U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., speaks during the Iowa Republican Party's Ronald Reagan Dinner, Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, in Des Moines, Iowa.

/ Michele Bachmann, Iowa

WASHINGTON - Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., clarified the conditions under which she would demand a balanced budget from Congress and pledged to cut off foreign aid to countries that hold U.S. treasury bonds, while taking aim at some of her fellow candidates as "frugal socialists" in a Monday speech to the Family Research Council.

Bachmann expanded on previous policy positions, in which she has pledged to send balanced budgets to Congress. But in a move that is likely built on her efforts to shore up her foreign policy chops, Bachmann said Monday she would never send Congress an unbalanced budget - "except in times of declared war."

The move would allow Bachmann more leeway in discussing how she might wage a war as commander in chief. She criticized President Obama for his handling of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, telling the audience of roughly 40 people that Obama "has not listened to his troops on the ground. He has not listened to General Austin in Iraq. He has listened to General Axelrod in Chicago," referring to Obama's strategist David Axelrod.

The Family Research Council speech is one of a series of recent events for Bachmann aimed at maintaining her support among religious conservatives, a group she hopes can propel her ahead of her opponents as her campaign has lost steam in recent months.

Bachmann also pledged to stop sending aid to any countries like China, Mexico and Egypt that owned U.S. treasury bonds. "China owns over $1.2 trillion in these bonds. This is a significant portion of our national debt," Bachmann said. "Yet we are giving aid to China? Giving money away for free to the nations that own our debt instruments? Have we absolutely lost our minds? It's like giving your banker a large gift while he still holds our unpaid mortgage."

The candidate had harsh words for her fellow opponents, whom she accused of being "frugal socialists."

"We can't preserve liberty for ourselves and our posterity if the choice in next November is between a frugal socialist and an out-of-control socialist," Bachmann said. When a reporter asked her who she was referring to, she joked, "You see, that's part of the puzzle that you figure out when I give the speech. Good try!" she said as the audience chuckled.

Her criticism was mostly directed at fellow candidates Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and Herman Cain, though Bachmann did not name names. Of Perry and Romney, Bachmann said that some candidates have "naively" pledged to use waivers or executive orders to repeal Obama's healthcare law - two options that Romney and Perry have proposed.

In a thinly veiled reference to Cain's varying statements about his pro-life stance - he has both said government shouldn't tell people how to handle social decisions as well as saying abortion should be outlawed - Bachmann said, "I'll never be confused about that issue, and you won't find YouTube clips with me advocating anything else."

[MurdochSucks]

Why is alright to have an unbalanced budget during a time of "declared war?" She can declare war on atheism and spend, spend, spend to her hearts content. Her husband declares war on his own homosexuality and siphons money from the taxpayer. She siphons tax subsidies for her war on hunger. Why would her presidency be any different? What a tool!

[hhandyman]

When Ms Bachman gets out of wonderland of her fake history and mental mythology where her thought process returns to honest logic she may be ok as a person but never a leader of a nation.

[starving1968-3]

by sngore November 7, 2011 9:47 PM EST
It must be Bachmann believes she can throw out socialism and scare people into voting for her. She should remember this is the United States, and socialism has never had a place here and never will.







Who paves your road and plows the snow in the winter?

Picks up your garbage?

Answers 9-1-1, and sends the fire dept when your shed is on fire?

Educates MOST of Americas children in public schools?

[dj_chi]

The socialist? Really?

[fedup12]

Frugal=Conservative.

But her labeling the ones who dont believe in her religion as socialist is just wrong.

I am so tired of religion controlling politics.

[fedup12]

I guess I should have said frugal=fiscally conservative.

But they think you arent **** if you dont believe in their fairy tale.

[starving1968-3]

Fiscal conservative?

That's a myth as much as a unicorn or bigfoot is.....

[kbbpll]

I'm pretty sure she has no idea what a "declared war" even means, or that the US has not "declared war" in 70 years. I'm also pretty sure nobody really cares what policy position she's trying to obfuscate with this.

[baileyccc]

"The Greatest Show on Earth" continues in the Cain camp, they have over 1259 comments on his latest harassment and a white dye blonde has step forward. This Bachmann can get 50 replies to anything she says.
I can't wait to here how they will fumble tomorrow. You have my vote, Mr. President.

[hagar39]

Socialsit? Don't Bachman understand if you are a retired or working goverment employee you are a SOCIALIST! This includes, teachers, professor at state schools, firemen, law enforcement, some EMS workers, paek rangers, people, in the military and military retirees.
Yes, I know some of the people who votes Republican. They don't understand the GOP philosophy. They should never get a raise.

[retiredgustav]

If you use the intestae highway system you are participating in SOCIALISM!

[gadfly65]

If your children go to public school, or if you use public parks, or if you call the police, or if the fire department extinguishes your house fire, you benefit from socialism.

[GreedyOldPartee]

What, she stilling running? She couldn't get anyone attention if she was unclothed and on fire. Aye dair minnysoda, we found your village idiot.

[watkinsjr2000]

This woman is an idiot, & the fact that she's being treated as a serious candidate for the GOP presidential nomination shows just how far out the party has become.

[bobnjersey]

[ "You see, that's part of the puzzle that you figure out when I give the speech. Good try!" ]
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no matter how many speeches this woman makes ... they'll be no rational or cognitive assessment of her intent.