In 2009, months before James O’Keefe’s video sting was released, Michele Bachmann went on Glenn Beck’s Fox News show and denounced ACORN.
“Will members of Congress stand with ACORN, or will they stand with the taxpayer?” Bachmann said. “We have a fiduciary duty to look out for the best interests of taxpayers.”
Bachmann, who was alarmed about ACORN’s history of employees’ being indicted for voter fraud, had proposed an amendment in the House Financial Services Committee that would have banned taxpayer dollars from going to any organization that had been indicted for or convicted of voter fraud. Then–committee chair Barney Frank had originally supported the amendment, before switching positions.
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A few days later, Bachmann highlighted the issue again, appearing on CNN’s Lou Dobbs program to debate Frank about the topic.
Around the same time, Bachmann used the media attention she’d generated and wrote a petition denouncing the taxpayer funding of ACORN. “If Congress can’t draw the line here — if they can’t say that an organization repeatedly charged with violating the law and public trust should not have access to federal funds — where will they draw the line?” Bachmann asked. “I urge you to sign this petition and join me in the fight to protect your tax dollars from being used and abused.”
While the ACORN defunding would have to wait a few months, Bachmann did get one significant boost from her ACORN activism: Her petition elicited 100,000 e-mail addresses, according to a source close to Bachmann. Later on, she could include those new supporters in the periodic fundraising e-mails her staff sends out.
Welcome to the formula that drives the Bachmann fundraising machine. For the Minnesota congresswoman, the fundraising process, according to that same source, is a “good combination of being out there, being vocal on the issues, having a microphone . . . building your list online, and giving people a way to get involved online.” In other words, Bachmann appears on a top-rated show like Sean Hannity’s Fox program or Mark Levin’s radio program, talks about a controversial issue, rolls out a petition, and watches the fan base expand.
It’s an astonishingly successful method, and one that allowed Bachmann to shatter previous records in the 2010 election cycle. Her haul of $13.2 million was the most any House member had received in an election cycle in the past 20 years, according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis for the Washington Post. In previous years, the top fundraising totals for House members had been in the $5 million to $6 million range.
It’s that fundraising mojo, paired with her Tea Party credentials, that makes Bachmann a viable contender in 2012’s Republican primaries.
Small donors are a tremendous source of volunteers. Small donors are also recruiting friends and neighbors to join the campaign. They spread the message at work,in churches,and where ever they go. They write letters to local news papers and are inclined to call in to TV and radio stations.Small donors win elections.
Yeah, Bachmann's campaign oughta reach small donors. I made a small contribution to her House race last year and now they call me several times a week!
The next time I take the call from them, they will be asked to remove my name. Very annoying.
"This will do her no good, as she cannot win the moderates and independents over."
She can win moderates and independents over if she wants to, but it looks unlikely that she will take that path.
You don't need to compromise your beliefs to remain inclusive of people who have some differing opinions, but apparently Bachmann hasn't learned that lesson yet.
Yeah, well, she also has a few other distinct advantages, being fiscally responsible, not falling for the "rape and incest" diversionary tactic used to justify on-demand taxpayer-funded abortions, and, not least, would make a hell of a better President than the one we've got.
Don't know if I'm part of the country club set? I have clubs and friends with membershps and I HAVE A PAC. Sad to say [I love this lady's moxy], but IMO VP may be a better target for her. Sarah has done OK on this path [absolutely] inspite of the moron that topped the ticket.
Michele's campaign [so far] is a disaster. She sends requests to sign petitions without the petition text. Hello???? I have a different problem than noted by others posting. Via tele [from CA] DC office sends me to campaign office who sends me to email company doing communications who don't return phone calls. Has happened twice now. I plan to ask her on 6.29.11 when I'm told I'll be able to ask questions on her big deal tele consult with supporters. Promises, promises... This won't do...
It's early days, to be sure. As of now, however, I'm leaning toward la belle Michelle. She does indeed have a shot at the nomination (though I'm not convinced that she's not more interested in the VP slot). Anyway, despite the fact that my long-time employer will be closing shop soon, I do indeed intend to make an occasional small donation to help make Bachmann POTUS.
Sorry, NR writers. You just do not get it. No matter how many good points you make, Bachmann is not electable. Too many people, and not just the MSM, think she is a crack pot. Disclaimer: I do not think she is one. I am just a realist.
I dontated a month ago to Bachmann and the campaign hasn't stop calling since. Its my cell and they've called through the day 3 times now.
I was polite but I too am annoyed.
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