Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann on Thursday again refused to answer a reporter’s question about whether controversial “gay-to-straight” reparative therapy is performed at clinics owned by her and her husband, Marcus Bachmann.
In a question and answer segment during an appearance at the National Press Club, Michele Bachmann dodged a question posed by the Washington Blade, “Do you believe that reparative therapy can change gay people into being straight and has any federal funding gone to your clinic for the practice?”
“Well, I’m extremely proud of my husband,” Bachmann replied. “I have tremendous respect and admiration for him, and we’ll celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary this coming September.
“But I am running for the presidency of the United States. My husband is not running for the presidency, neither are my children, neither is our business, neither is our foster children. And I am more than happy to stand for questions on running for presidency of the United States.”
Watch:
Earlier this week, reporters from an Iowa TV station said Bachmann’s staff denied them access to the candidate because they’d previously questioned the congresswoman about reparative therapy performed at the clinic.
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When a reporter from WQAD in Davenport, IA, raised the issue during a satellite interview two weeks ago, Bachmann’s staff threatened to end the interview. When Bachmann was back in town Sunday, WQAD reporters said they were promised a one-on-one interview. Instead, they said they were “openly” and “aggressively” denied access.
