Bachmann defends Wisconsin moves on collective bargaining

[Joanne98]

(Reuters) - Tea Party activist and Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann on Saturday defended moves by fellow Republicans in Wisconsin to reduce state union bargaining power.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has sparked mass protests in the state this week with a proposal to cut state employee benefits and roll back public union collective bargaining rights.

"Don't let anyone tell you that the government workers in Wisconsin are losing their collective bargaining rights over wages," Bachmann said in a speech to a South Carolina Republican women's group.

"They are not. They are retaining them. It's their collective bargaining right over their benefits."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/19/us-bachman-idUSTRE71I3UJ20110219

[still_one]

1. bachmann should pay attention to her own district in her own state. For an insignificant blow hard

she sure gets a lot of media time

her and her buddy sarah palin

The press in this country is such a screwed up enterprise today

[wellstone dem]

2. As someone who lives in her district. I deserve more hearts.

Believe me, I need them.

[polichick]

3. Finally, someone to ask about this! How in the hell did she get elected...

...and re-elected?!?!?

[wellstone dem]

7. Well, it's like this

There is a relatively strong independent party in Minnesota. So the first two times, she was elected she ran against political outsiders who did not want to attack her. With the third party candidate picking up around 6% of the vote, MB was elected with less than a majority of the vote. Her district is gerrymander to protect Ellison and McCollum's districts in the Twin Cities. It picks up a ton of GOP suburbs.
This last election, she raised 10 million dollars most, from outside sources. Her opponent Tarryl Clark is a smart and saavy politician, but the Dem leaders in the Minnesota Senate screwed her. They said they had the votes on a tax increase bill that was going to be vetoed anyway, but when Tarryl ended up being the last Senator to vote on the bill (because of a family emergency) her vote became the deciding vote in favor of the bill. Ads went up calling her "Taxin' Tarryl" on that vote, and misrepresented votes on other issues. Hard fought election, but couldn't overwhelm the Tsunami that ended up turning the MN house and Senate GOP. Thank goodness we got Mark Dayton as Governonr.

Am I bitter, yes.

[polichick]

9. Thanks for the explanation - complicated situation...

I'm sure it's frustrating.

But you're not alone - my state's Man-on-Dog Santorum is back!

[Wait Wut]

4. LOL!!!

I'd give you one if I had any left!

This is all I've got...
:loveya:

[wellstone dem]

8. Well, I'll give you one just for laughing.

[Wait Wut]

12. Thank you!

You've just helped prove my theory...laughing is good for you!

:toast:

[MurrayDelph]

5. "We are not taking away their bargaining rights"

"We are just crippling the shit out of them so as to make them useless"

[last_texas_dem]

6. Wonder if Walker will bitch about her "meddling"?

[NICO9000]

10. WTF is she babbling about?

Is this double-speak or what?:

""Don't let anyone tell you that the government workers in Wisconsin are losing their collective bargaining rights over wages," Bachmann said in a speech to a South Carolina Republican women's group. "They are not. They are retaining them. It's their collective bargaining right over their benefits."

Retaining what? Their collective-bargaining rights over benefits? Or do they want them to trade their benefits outright for the right to collectively bargain? What is it with these Rethug women who are even dumber than their male R counterparts?

Love that demon graphic, Joanne. Is there a site with other pix like that?

[Arkana]

11. Please, don't insult demons by comparing them to that crazy-eyed worthless sack

of human garbage.