November 22, 2011 5:10 PM

Michele Bachmann would like foster children in the White House

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Campaign 2012

Rep. Michele Bachmann told CBS Radio News on Tuesday that she would be "delighted" to be able to have foster children living in the White House if she is elected president.

"Foster children are children that come out of very challenging circumstances and I think it'd be marvelous to have foster children in the White House," Bachmann told CBS Radio News National Correspondent Dan Raviv.

Bachmann says she and her husband Marcus have "raised" 23 foster children - all girls - in addition to their biological children. Bachmann usually took the children in when they were teenagers, and has not named them out of concern for their privacy. 

The Republican presidential candidate told Raviv that "it'd be a good idea to see a mom in the White House" because mothers understand that "the next generation deserves at least the same level of opportunities that we have."

Bachmann, who was promoting her new book "Core of Conviction," also discussed her opposition to the cuts to Defense set to "trigger" in 2013 as a result of the supercommittee's failure to reach a deal. She warned of "200,000 of our military let go by the end of next year."

Bachmann said there should be cuts to Defense but they should be in procurement, with contractors paid a fixed price that isn't tied to how long it takes them to deliver. She also said there are weapons systems that can be eliminated.

"We can take cuts, but not in areas where we currently have deployed our brave men and women around the world," she said. Bachmann went on to suggest that "President Obama has put American forces now in Libya," though the operation there only involved U.S. air power and there are not actually U.S. troops on the ground.

Bachmann also discussed her strong religious beliefs, calling herself a "committed Christian" and saying "most people in the United States are people of faith."

"And the beautiful thing about the United States is we stand for religious liberty, no matter what a person's faith is, or whether they have no faith at all, we uphold the right of people to stand for their faith."

Bachmann also said her book shows a "more human side" of her that is often ignored in the media.

"My family lost nearly everything and we went to below poverty, and I had to start working as a young girl at age 12," she said. "I was babysitting because I had to buy my own glasses, my own clothes, because my mother as a single mother just couldn't afford it."

Full CBS News coverage: Michele Bachmann

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Add a Comment See all 19 Comments
by johnjs305 November 28, 2011 10:56 AM EST
Ok...this is DEFINITELY nothing more than publicity for this evil woman. If she really was a foster parent, she would be aware that there is a strict confidentiality agreement to protect the kid's safety. The White House is too public of a place for foster kids to be and stay within the confines of confidentiality! How do I know this? I've attended foster care training classes. Bachmann again is lying to make her base quiver with happiness over her ignorance.
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by italianro November 23, 2011 10:41 AM EST
Michelle Bachmann is a two faced you know what, and I am very glad we know who you really are now. Jimmy Fallon was right when he played that song called "That lyin B" you sicken me. When you sat there at the family forum and agreed you weren't going to attack another candidate. I think its also pathetic that your campaign staff not even after the debate was finished started attacking Newt Gingrich, you sicken me, and anybody that thinks you can win is highly mistaken.
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by BillMedvecky November 23, 2011 10:25 AM EST
So warm and touching, ain't it? She and her husband "Raised" 23 poor girls in her own home... Now the end of the story: She and hubby were paid $475.00 PER DAY, PER GIRL, to allow them to live in their "Therapeutic" home for fat girls. The girls were supplied by hubby's University. Notice how the girls have NEVER come forward on their own and told us how "Wonderful" life with Michelle was...NOT ONE GIRL. Michelle of course hides behind "Confidentiality". How convenient for her and hubby, huh? 23 girls, $475.00 dollars per day (Tax free!). That amounts to Michelle "Opening her home and heart" to the fatties for $10,925.00 PER DAY that every one of them enjoyed her husbands brand of "Christianity". Doing the math, if each girl lasted for JUST 30 days putting up with Michelle, hubby and her walked away with a cool 304,750.00 and could put every dime in the bank because the $475.00 only payed for "Therapy", not any expenses related to Room and Board. Sorry Michelle, you don't get any pats on the back for being a great humanitarian, you were running a mighty lucrative business off these girls. You my dear, are a piece of ****!
Reply to this comment
by johnjs305 November 28, 2011 10:49 AM EST
Bill, $475 per day? That's wrong. Please get your facts right. I'm in her district (unfortunately) and I've looked into fostering kids. It's less than $40 per day. If we're going to call her a liar on things like a $200 million dollar per day trip for Obama, we need to be accurate with our facts.
by newsworthy8 November 22, 2011 9:54 PM EST
Really I pity this country if they choose to elect a person like this, or matter of fact any of the GOP group that are running for President. I hope Americans really look a this group. Not one of them would be a good strong leader, not one.
Reply to this comment
by formerusmcsgt1 November 22, 2011 9:29 PM EST
The Republican presidential candidate told Raviv that "it'd be a good idea to see a mom in the White House" --
---
Does this airhead think Obama's a widower?
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by ToolMangler1 November 22, 2011 9:58 PM EST
"Does this airhead think Obama's a widower?"


No!!!! She thinks that only 'Wasps' take care of foster children. and the The 'Obamas' are 'Black' therefore not as human as 'she' is...
by JRC_903 November 22, 2011 8:33 PM EST
Unless she gets with the plan, she is going to be mighty upset with GOD very shortly. She always phases things as "she wants this--- and she wants that.." but she should remember that it is NOT what she wants at all. The way I see it, good Christians accept what GOD has wrought. They may disagree with it--but they remember-- "render onto
"ROME" what belongs to ROME--at least until the next election.
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by JRC_903 November 22, 2011 8:27 PM EST
I would have to say, depending on the relative intelligence of these foster kids, and ms. Bachmen, they may have raised her.
Reply to this comment
by NewsScanner247 November 22, 2011 8:15 PM EST
Raised 23 foster children? Um, yeah, right. Having teen kids in your house for a few days to a few weeks in NOT raising them. Protecting their privacy? Um, yeah, they should be 18 by now and if she "raised" them, they should be PROUD to say how she "raised" them and helped them and how much they appreciate it. *crickets chirping* What's that, Michele?
Reply to this comment
by boatdocster November 22, 2011 7:58 PM EST
Most foster kids are smarter Bachmann... If she really wanted to be a parent, adopt NOW!!
Reply to this comment
by AOCGUY November 22, 2011 7:33 PM EST
I think she should ask the President and his family first.
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