Michele Bachmann Versus Paul Wellstone

After she was elected to the U.S. House in 2006 as a very conservative in 2006, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann -- who had already stirred more than her share of controversy -- compared herself to another Minnesotan who sometimes stepped outside the typical boundaries of the American political process.

"You have to remember I'm from a state where Paul Wellstone was elected during a Republican tide," explained Bachmann, in an interview where she frequently referenced the liberal senator who served Minnesota from his election in 1990 until his death in a plane crash just days before the 2002 election. "There's a great deal of authenticity that came from Paul Wellstone."

It was an easy comparison to make, as Wellstone was not around to defend himself.

And Bachmann continues to abuse the privilege by suggesting that she serves and speaks as a Minnesota "outsider" in the Wellstone tradition

The embattled congresswoman, whose reelection campaign stumbled after she made the Joe McCarthy-on-steroids suggestion on MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" that it was time to start investigating "anti-American" members of Congress, is defending herself by claiming that she's a populist "independent reformer" who is under attack by "the elites."

That may sound like Wellstone.

But Michele Bachmann's visceral partisanship, rigidity and McCarthyism mark her as a polar opposite of the former senator. While Wellstone delighted in forging bipartisan alliances with his conservative colleagues -- whose ideological stances he treated not just with respect but the genuine interest of a political scientist -- Bachmann rants about the need to ask members of Congress who disagree with her: "Are they pro-America or anti-America?"

The truth is that, when she got her start in state politics, as a state Senate candidate in 2000 and 2002, Bachmann was among the most outspoken critics of Wellstone in Minnesota.

Bachmann opposed everything Wellstone stood for when he was alive, and she has maintained that opposition.

In September of this year, the House approved the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 -- a bipartisan initiative begun by Wellstone more than a decade ago in conjunction with New Mexico Republican Senator Pete Domenici to require insurance companies to provide adequate coverage for Americans who struggle with mental health challenges, alcoholism and drug abuse.

In this fall's critical vote, a solid House majority rejected the pressure of the insurance industry that for years had stalled progress on the legislation. (As Wellstone Action noted before the vote was taken: "or years, Paul Wellstone championed legislation that would end discrimination against people suffering from mental illness. After his death, a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives named the legislation, which would treat mental illness the same as physical illness, after Wellstone. Since then, despite overwhelming bipartisan support, this common sense bill has languished in Congress.")

It was actually as a result of the determined efforts of a Minnesota Republican, retiring Congressman Jim Ramstad, that the Wellstone Act finally got its long-delayed House vote. Every member of the Minnesota delegation backed the bill, which eventually became law after being included in the final version of the financial bailout bill that Congress passed a few days later.

Every Minnesota member, that is, except Michele Bachmann.

Bachmann's suddenly viable opponent, Elwyn Tinklenberg, a one-time United Methodist Minister with a long history of activism at the local and state levels in Minnesota, is by any and every measure the more Wellstonian of the contenders for the seat representing the state's 6th congressional district.

Tinklenberg had this to say about the congressman's vote against the Wellstone Act:

Bachmann's vote is a moral failure to look out for some of our most vulnerable citizens," Tinklenberg said. "It is this kind of extremism that is preventing real healthcare reform in our country. We need to start prioritizing people's health and wellness over the profits of the insurance companies. That's the approach I will take in Congress.

Michele Bachmann can try to compare herself with Paul Wellstone if she wants.

But Elwyn Tinklenberg sounds and acts a lot more like the senator I knew and worked with for more than a decade.

At the risk of stating what should be the obvious: Voting with the insurance industry to block a health care reform and calling those who disagree with you "anti-American" is about as far from Paul Wellstone as any Minnesotan, or American, can get.

To paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen: Congresswoman Bachmann, I worked with Paul Wellstone; I knew Paul Wellstone; Paul Wellstone was a friend of mine. Congresswoman, you're no Paul Wellstone.

Comments (27)

1. LOL...can't wait for LVLIB to show up and post...

   "Mr Nichols...you say 'McCarthyism' as if it was a BAD thing?!?!?!?!"

   heheh

   Posted by Maskdelta at 10/23/2008 @ 2:01pm

2. Paul Wellstone continues to stand out for me as one of the most honorable and respected senators. I valued the depth of his intellect and knowledge. I see those same characteristics in Obama. And before the far right conservs jump all over this, chanting things like "socialist, liberal, lefties", I also add Senator Chuck Hagel to my list of truly remarkable statesmen...those who have the ability to work together, building on each other's strengths and respecting each other's differences. Bachman is the complete opposite. She and Palin mock those who have differing viewpoints as anti-American and use incendiary rhetoric that separates American citizens, just as the Bush administration did when they spewed out, "you are either with us or against us." In a healthy democracy, differences are listened to with respect.

   Posted by susijakarhu at 10/23/2008 @ 4:21pm

3. One day prior to his tragic death in 2002, I received a personal e-mail from Senator Wellstone. I was impressed by the depth and thoughtfulness of his response. I was honored that he had taken so much of his personal time to write and share his own thoughts and feelings about the decision before Congress regarding whether or not to go to war with Iraq. Somehow I had expected to receive a form letter from a staff member in response to my concerns and fears and was surprised to instead receive such a personal response that reflected how he was wrestling with the issues at the time. His death was truly tragic. I can't help but think that things may have turned out differently over the past 6 years had he still been alive today. Minnesota and America lost a truly great statesman and citizen.

   While I no longer live in Minnesota, it appalls me to think that MN Congresswoman Bachmann would have the nerve to compare herself to Senator Wellstone. From what I've seen and read, they are polar opposites. But then, is it really surprising? Paul Wellstone never needed to compare himself to anyone. He was his own man with strong character who stood by his own moral convictions. Ms. Bachmann who is severly lacking in personal character attempts to wrap herself in the aura of Paul Wellstone to hide her own weaknesses.

   Posted by Cwelegal at 10/23/2008 @ 6:07pm

4. Providing people with drug and alcohol rehab and providing mental health coverage saves the country lives and money.

   Posted by i'm nobody at 10/23/2008 @ 7:11pm

5. After Michelle Bachmann disappears from politics -- and I hope it happens soon, and peacefully, and without anything so dramatic as an airplane crash -- no politician will ever, ever try to compare himself or herself to her.

   Bachmann's comparison of herself to Paul Wellstone is the greatest homage that any radical right-wingnut could pay to a great liberal statesman. It almost moves me to pity her. But there will be time enough for pity when she is out of office and I, as a Minnesotan, no longer have to suffer the effects of Bachmann's spiteful and mean-spirited contributions to our legislative process, not to mention our political climate.

   Posted by JakobFabian at 10/23/2008 @ 8:32pm

6. We knew Paul Wellstone, and Bachmann is no Paul Wellstone.

   She's more of a Josef Goebbels.

   Posted by sloper at 10/23/2008 @ 9:09pm

7. "hmmm...things looking bad...hey! i'll go FARTHER right just as the country is tilting left! that fascist crap still has to work with someone!!!"

   stupid? stupid like a fox (news addicted moron)!!!

   Posted by dexter666 at 10/24/2008 @ 01:14am

8. Very tragic that she is a hypocrite of the highest order.

   Dont they have no shame to take credit for something they have not contributed at all but always been a strong critic. What sort of a woman is this, and who elects her, those people dont seem to have any conscience. She is a self-centered hypocrite of the highest order, not wonder Katrina was breathing fire at her, and here Nichols caught her double, not double umpteenth number of standards.

   We are wasting our time even thinking of her, I spat on my TV screen while she was talking, that should answer what a low lifer she is,

   Posted by aleemsyed at 10/24/2008 @ 04:30am

9. Minnesotans must ABORT THE HIDEOUS RIGHTWING ZOMBIE BACHMANN!!!

   Posted by PhilMcCrevice at 10/24/2008 @ 10:02am

10. Darin-They,very much, are cost effective if one looks at the big picture rather than profits for insurance companies.I worked in the mental health and social services field for over twenty years am quite aware of the cost to society if these things go untreated.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 10/24/2008 @ 10:15am

11. Here are the questions that keeps me from going to sleep. Who are the people who vote for people like Michele Bachmann? Do they all walk around with pointy white hoods over their heads? Who are these people? Are they the people that Senator Obama was talking about when he said that "these people tend to cling to their guns and religion when times get tough."? Why the heck did he apologize, he seems to have been correct? Rev. Jeremiah Wright also seems to have been correct. Why is the chattering media still calling Rev. Wright a black racist? Is there something in the American DNA that has made us collectively mentally challenged? Is it like what happened to the Brits "in breeding". Does anyone know the answers?

    Posted by lachatte at 10/24/2008 @ 11:01am

12. Actually, they aren't cost effective. But they are very profitable for the mental health specialists who lobbied Congress to pass the laws subsidizing them. When Congress starts paying the bill for Healthcare (socialized medicine) you can bet these boondoggles will be the firet thing cut.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 10/24/2008 @ 08:45am

    Your comments scream ignorance. To consider mental health coverage as a boondoggle is Bachmannian reasoning. The inclusion of this legislation in the bailout was worth more than the bailout itself, if and when it works. Hey "I'm nobody, nice to hear you were one of us, or should I say "are" one of us. Thanks Bro

    Posted by Truthman at 10/24/2008 @ 11:04am

13. Does anyone know the answers?

    Posted by lachatte at 10/24/2008 @ 11:01am

    Yes, I know the answer and it is: Make the ballot box into an "ABORT BACHMANN FROM GOVERNMENT CLINIC". Line up outside the building with raucos signs and make a helluva lot of noise to get inside of this action, Minnesotans!!!

    ABORT BACHMANN'S CAREER!!!

    And as someone wisely noted above, while this freakshow rightwing zombie Bachmann shamelessly attempts theft of Wellstone's lofty reputation, no one will try to compare themselves to Bachmann after her tenure as an MC has been aborted and she goes back to being a Palin-like nobody.

    Posted by PhilMcCrevice at 10/24/2008 @ 11:08am

14. Is there something in the American DNA that has made us collectively mentally challenged? Is it like what happened to the Brits "in breeding". Does anyone know the answers?

    Posted by lachatte at 10/24/2008 @ 11:01am |

    Yea, we need to get out of the country and experience other cultures on their own terms. I have seen too many Americans on vacations who are an embarrasment to our country. We are sooo ethnocentric it's sickening!

    Posted by Truthman at 10/24/2008 @ 11:12am

15. Truthman-Glad to help out and share my life experiences.Glad to see some new blood on here,too.Welcome.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 10/24/2008 @ 12:13pm

16. Darin-Some reform is needed,but I'm not talking about the mildly depressed,but am referring to drug addicts,alcoholics,and people with the more severe forms of mental illness.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 10/24/2008 @ 1:00pm

17. I see a lot of metal health treatments do no more good than massages. You talk to a therapist for an hour a week and feel better about yourself for a little while, but you have to go back next week, and the next for years on end without ever fixing anything.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 10/24/2008 Your overgeneralizing as I did, sorry. Not all therapist do long term psychotherapy. Ever heard of brief therapy. Ins. companies are quite comfortable with something that works fast.

    Glad you googled the word. It is exactly what I meant.

    Posted by Truthman at 10/24/2008 @ 1:16pm

18. You say 300 million Americans need to change in order to prevent you from being embarrased? Don't you think you are a little full of yourself?

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 10/24/2008

    I have never been embarrassed. I said an embarrassment to our country, like our president.

    Posted by Truthman at 10/24/2008 @ 1:22pm

19. Your "culture" includes a belief that multi-culturalism is paramount. A belief that ignorant Americans who don't travel are to be denigrated. And you believe your beliefs are suprior to those Americans who don't agree with your culture.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 10/24/200

    Anthropologists know that they are ethnocentric and work to overcome it while in the field. You also spoke of my beliefs. I did know that you knew me personally or can you read minds? If you really don't think that the world sees Americans as ethnocentric, you are blind.

    As far as being full of myself. I guess I am, as there is no other self in me but me. Unless you think I have a problem with dissociation. (another word to google)

    Posted by Truthman at 10/24/2008 @ 1:36pm

20. Well, I'm not embarassed and I don't think the country is either.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 10/24/2008 Have you asked them?

    Posted by Truthman at 10/24/2008 @ 1:51pm

21. And you believe your beliefs are suprior to those Americans who don't agree with your culture.-----Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 10/24/2008 @ 1:02pm

    So Darin, you DON'T believe your beliefs are superior? Then why do you fight for them so hard????

    Posted by Maskdelta at 10/24/2008 @ 1:55pm

22. well folks, i'll put in my 2 shekels for darin the troll mister, i guess your systematic denial of mental health care to those who need it will have to include soldiers who return from the field with PTSD 'cause of their witness to violent death and destruction----oh, and you can include mrs. mccain's admitted breakdown and subsequent addiction in earlier times; i guess someone like her would have to forgo shopping at saks jandal to pay her considerable rehab bills

    Posted by Sherri Wong at 10/24/2008 @ 3:03pm

23. as some one who works "overseas" most of the year... And who works with mostly "real 'mericans" if ya know what i mean... Ethnocentric is spot on... Darin, you are a troll.. Getting down to cabo or cancun isnt international travel... I am an American, and the one thing that seperates me (in my own humble opinion) is perspective. If more of "my friends" (if i may use Mcnastys expression) from the right, had more perspective on other cultures, maybe, just maybe, things would be better... The "real Americans" who see this country as the beacon on the hill, are delusional (at best...). Damn You Bill Clinton !!.. (its all his fault right ??)

    Posted by Vvf1969 at 10/24/2008 @ 7:33pm

24. Ins. companies are quite comfortable with something that works fast.

    Posted by Truthman at 10/24/2008 @ 1:16pm

    plop, plop, fizz, fizz.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 10/24/2008 @ 7:59pm

25. I have never been embarrassed. I said an embarrassment to our country, like our president.

    Posted by Truthman at 10/24/2008 @ 1:22pm

    i was sort of embarrassed when I was sent to Montreal last year on a job. The folks I met there wanted to know what the hell was wrong with Bush. And I didn't seek out conversations with political overtones, especially on the job. They wanted to know if Americans by and large really supported Bush and his policies. I made some feeble noises about some believing that vote fraud occured, but dammit, it WAS embarrassing.

    Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 10/25/2008 @ 4:35pm

26. I could care less what someone in a foreign country thinks of our elected officials. Posted by lvliberty1 at 10/25/2008 @ 9:28pm

    The real question on their minds was not about the elected officials, rather the people that elected them. The reflection of the nation as mirrored in it's choice of representation. (I can't resist) Dig?

    Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 10/25/2008 @ 9:57pm

27. Posted by lvliberty1 at 10/25/2008 @ 10:03pm Yeh, I was always glad to come home, too. I was a boarding school student on the other side of the pond (high school age) for a couple of years at the end of the '60s. I got plenty homesick. I still love to travel, though. Montreal is a beautiful city. I tried to speak French, which they appreciate, but mine is now so poor that they would answer me in English after a while LOL

    Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 10/27/2008 @ 03:18am