On Saturday, Republican Representative of Minnesota, Michele Bachmann, won the Iowa straw poll.
Though this poll does not have any “official” status (the first primary is not till February), it does indicate how strong a candidate is seen by the Republican electorate. Bachmann won with 29 percent of the over 17,000 ballots cast; with libertarian Ron Paul of Texas right on her heels with 28 percent.
Michele Bachmann
Though many individuals, on both the right and the left, assert that Bachmann is a “show” candidate, and that serious candidates, such as Rick Perry or Mitt Romney, will most likely be the Republican nominee for President, Bachmann’s first place finish at the Ames straw poll is not something to scoff at, and she is certainly a candidate that warrants close scrutiny.
Though she has attempted to whitewash her previous image of a very conservative Christian with theocratic leanings, it is important that the LGBT community not allow this “whitewashing” to take place, for under a Bachmann administration LGBT people would be thrown under the bus in favor of a “Christian Inquisition” in the U.S.
Though this might seem an extreme statement to make, the ideology of those in the Bachmann camp make such a statement very accurate. For example, at the Bachmann tent in Ames, Iowa earlier today, Rick Green of the right-wing revisionist history group Wallbuilders gave a speech on the dangers of moral relativism, saying, “We’re not just gonna say, ‘oooh everybody’s equal and moral relativism for all!”
Wallbuilders, a Christian publishing and “history” organization headquartered in Texas, is not a fringe organization in conservative christian circles. This organization, which advocates for the submission of political authority to the doctrines of the Bible (or at least their interpretation of the Bible), is praised by organizations and individuals such as Focus On The Family and Glenn Beck. Their website, for example, explicitly states this mission,
WallBuilders’ goal is to exert a direct and positive influence in government, education, and the family by (1) educating the nation concerning the Godly foundation of our country; (2) providing information to federal, state, and local officials as they develop public policies which reflect Biblical values; and (3) encouraging Christians to be involved in the civic arena.
Any research on the organizations founder and main spokesperson, David Barton, also reveals a disturbing pattern of purposeful historical misinformation and error. From slavery to immigration, Barton has put a right-wing Christian spin on history; all in an attempt to show how the Founding Fathers of the United States were all “Christian” men who wanted the United States to be a puritan “City On A Hill”.
Bachmanns alliance with an organization like Wallbuilders is not coincidental; for she has been a staunch advocate for the Religious Right since her tenure in the Minnesota Senate. From anti-marriage equality propaganda to her husbands participation in “gay-to-straight” therapy, she has proven herself an advocate for the complete submission of reason and science to a preconceived religious ideology.
Why does her husband (and her) advocate for “changing” homosexuals? Because their religion tells them too.
Why does she oppose even civil unions for gay and lesbian couples? Because her religious beliefs assert that she cannot validate same-sex couples.
Why does she advocate for a strict constructionist interpretation of the Constitution? Because the Founders — as brilliant Christian men — knew best.
Bachmanns rise into the upper echelons of the Republican Party (and her rise as a serious presidential candidate) should give all moderates, independents, and liberals great pause.
Though she might attempt to style herself as a viable and mainstream candidate, her version of government is anything but moderate. Instead, it screams the elevation of one groups religious beliefs above all else, and that groups beliefs codified into law; and this, my friends, is what is known as a theocracy.
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This woman should not be allowed to run for the presidential candidacy!!! She is a hateful and ignorant women. She will completely destroy all the positive movements towards gay rights and equality. I pray that she does not make it far!!
Look. Here is another fine specimen
Give her lots of rope and she will more than likely hang herself. Figuratively. Politically. Her idiocy reigns supreme. Ho’oponoono…
Bachmann is going to implode on her migraines and her problem with pathological lying.
Ron Paul thinks that marriage should NOT be a federal issue.
He thinks the government should be out of it completely, but he respects states rights.
Here is a summary of his postion on gay marriage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9yMxIldwCc
The Republican party, as a whole, does not stand for our rights as American citizens. It is utterly absurd that we, the LGBT community, must be forced into their right wing conservatism. The Declaration of Independence states we are all created equal and we ALL have a right to the pursuit of happiness. So when a political group makes it part of their agenda to halt our pursuit of happiness, something is terribly wrong. I am ashamed of members of our elected government because they lost sight of what being the “voice of the American people” is really all about. I am from a state where out of 9 elected officials to DC, only one.. ONE.. would even consider hearing my voice (and I’m not even in his district). Where is our equal treatment? Where is our pursuit of happiness? The GOP quite literally makes me sick to my stomach, just thinking about what they are doing to this great country. Just plain sick!!
Bye-bye Michele – you don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell!!! Bigot!!!
What’s with these people in Iowa…Scary!!!
Bachmann is a V
I hate this woman with burning passion..
She scares the shit out of me, to be quite honest. This whole election is going to stress me out. She’s just *so* off her rocker and the fact that there are people who don’t see that weakens my hope for our country.
I do not see God in this woman at all. There’s a difference between religion, and having a relationship with God.
She must be hit in the face. HARD.
Theocracy? More like hypocrisy! She ‘believes’ that this will get her into the white house?! Once she says ‘there will b no gay marriage while I’m in term’ there r gonna b plenty of VERY angry from washington dc, new York, and California
Rhetoric like this won’t win any respect from your detractors.
Wallbuilders, for a Christian-Political organization, isn’t really that bad. Their main goal is to mobilize Christians in politics through presentations. And calling Michelle Bachmann a theocrat is about as accurate as painting Obama as a communist.
You can knock Bachmann for her policy votes and poor substance. That alone is enough without drumming up this kind of non-sense.
I thought that having morals included love thy neighbor as thy self, forgiveness, etc. What about freedom of expression? Oh I know……her religion doesn’t include these things. Like I’ve said before…..send ‘em all to Uranus because they are so proficient in speaking out of theirs. ~smh~
She is horrible ! Can you imagine her speaking with the heads of other countries? Frightening.
Alright, im done. how about canada? :)
Some years back I would (brag), each time,that there was no way at all that Bush would get into office. If democrats again fail to show up to vote(again) we will be doomed to right wing extremism.
Her face looks like a leather handbag, and her personality… Ah, who am I kidding? SHE HAS NONE!!
If that hate machine is a Christian then I am a rutabaga .
Please re post this !!! People need to wake up and truly see what could happen if Bachmann and the GOP win. Too many are saying its too early to make a decision, but we need to watch all candidates closely.
@Vincent….Bachmann has been Botoxed within an inch of her life. Her face is blank, but her hatred is palpable.
Please someone pie face this bitch. Pffffft.
Bigot and worse…a codependent, a unimaginative liar who panders to those to deliver whatever it is that she thinks they want to hear (of course that will only work successfully to the very limited, in human integrity, group she sucks up to these self-righteous moralless zealots). She´s a landslide of a loser, let´s hope she gets the Republican nomination (slightly more cunning than grandstanding silly-goose Palin).
The Rise of Christian Theocracy, is that anything like The Rise of The Planet of the Apes?
I thought Sarah Palin was scary, but Bachmann has her beat.
Dangerous woman!
I hope that we learned our lesson from England on this one. It doesn’t work.
I posted a huge rant on this on my own facebook page. People like her scare me to no end!
Please tell me the US isn’t dumb enough to elect someone who doesn’t even have a grasp of basic second grade American History?
but science has come time and time again to disprove religion….
If I see a theocracy coming I’m grabbing my gun.
hey bitch suck my clit!
wow, america is getting so outdated…she wont win, if hilary couldnt, then she wont have a chance…
Yes Victoria, the US is dumb enough. The US is full of highly ignorant, highly superstitious, high people. I guess I fit in ok here though since I fit one of those 3 descriptions most of the time.
Every GOP candidate, every single one, is a Fascist nutjob because they love to suck and protect the corporate dick.
Another genius
A theocracy. Wonderful. Just what we DON’T need. As a Christian i’m embarassed!
am forced to live in england cus i cant bring my parnter home with me, and with ameiricas gay rights progress ill still be living in england in 10 years time….plus side, enlgand is lovely place an equal towards gays and striaghts.
She needs to actually read what the Bible really says about Marriage.
This is not Christianity. I come from Christianity. This is Fascism. Same as Nazi Germany. It’s happening again. HERE!!
>.>
We are people just like anyone else, we serve our country, we are viable in the work force, we pay taxes, we raise children, we excel in most everything we do, we love…just because we love differently doesn’t make us less important to the world…you cut us we bleed red just like you Michele…what an ass
The rise of Christian Theocracy and the Decline of American Intellegence, hmm coincidence… I think not!
Oh gawd!
She is an anti-constitutionalist. We have and never should have a state religion.
Batshit crazy
next what? Sharia?
Michelle Bachman – the Anita Bryant of the new Millenia. We know how the last one turned out; It’s time to rise up to make sure it happens again!
What part of seperation of Church and State doesnt she get?
I’ve been saying this for a while. The tea party isn’t far from what Hitler did to germany and if they get in, this country is in deep trouble.
KEEP RELIGION OUT OF POLITICS, BIATCH!!!
She is scarey!
Keep religion out of politics or start taxing it..
Does anyone here see a resemblence between Marcus Bachmann and Liberace? Nothing intended against Liberace. Additionally, 23 foster children means 23 state support checks. What were the motives, really? I get angry at the Octomom doing her best to use here children as employment.
I love it! I hope she gets the nomination. It will be the most comedic election ever with an assured Democratic win.
I’m ascared. I don’t want to be inquisitioned under any buses.
I agree Jeff only the nut job right wing bible thumpers will vote for her. I think most Americans would be scared away by that type of b.s. And rhetoric. The republicans have a big problem on their hands with all these wacko tea baggers. They wont stand a chance to win if they run a tea bagger
hmmm separation of church and state anyone?
One of the things that we have done as progressives or LGBTQ folks is underestimate not only the opposition but the extent to which our ostensible leaders are in agreement/community/complicity with the opposition. This can be felt more so with the class issues but it is prevalent in the social issues too, sadly.
1 timothy 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
says it right there, ms christianity.
Ugh… thanks LGBTQNATION.
Anyone want to explain why there is an ad to donate to Rick Santorum`s campaign on this page?
Seriously?
…and we thought Bush was bad.