Get FREE NRO Newsletters

 

June 11 Issue  |  Subscribe  |  Renew

Close

New on NRO . . .

The Corner

The one and only.

Print   |  Text
 

Bachmann ‘Messed Up’ on Vaccines

Sources close to Rep. Ron Paul tell NRO that the Texas congressman is frustrated with Rep. Michele Bachmann for “fumbling” her attacks on Gov. Rick Perry’s vaccination policies.

“We are pretty pissed off about it,” says one confidant. “She messed up, making it harder for other candidates to speak up. Taking on Perry on this front, with serious arguments, could have been a long and very successful line of attack. She went a step too far and embarrassed the field. She polluted the issue.”

Paul aides note that the congressman, a physician, is concerned about vaccines, but would never take Bachmann’s approach. “He is very cautious about vaccines, especially federal mandates. But he is ultimately pro-science,” the source continues.

Indeed, campaign sources don’t expect Paul to say much on this front in coming days, mostly due to Bachmann, in their view, having already exhausted the topic, at least for many primary voters.

New on The Corner. . .


COMMENTS   25

EXPAND  

   09/16/11 19:13

the whole "bachmann vs vaccines" thing validates my major concern with her. not being anti hpv vaccine, but taking the "vaccines cause retardation/autism/global warming/terrorism/deforestation/juvenile delinquency/cancer/fibromyalgia/warts/english sweat/adhd/etc" tack. this shows a lack of connectedness to reality, and a dangerous hyper-responsiveness i don't need in a president. now, if i were voting for sultan of cookoobananastan, that'd be different . . .

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
Bob Brunson
   09/17/11 09:52

Agree 100% with your sentiments. The "Cookobananastan" characterization is memorable!

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
   09/16/11 19:14

How funny. After Santorum and Bachmann, it's Paul, considered the nut, talking sense.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
Bill Wilde
   09/16/11 19:19

Even a broken clock is right twice every day. Cordially, Bill

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
flurmf
   09/16/11 19:38

Not so funny. Bachmann has never made any sense.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
wpa38
   09/16/11 19:30

The word 'pro-science' caused me to get itchy, so I checked ... and sure enough, Paul agrees with Al Gore on "global warming". He doesn't like the Kyoto Treaty for some obscure legalistic reason, but thinks we should voluntarily commit national suicide to "end emissions" anyway.

External Link 

In other words, Ron Paul is just like all the Commies who call themselves 'pro-science': he knows nothing at all about science.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
   09/16/11 19:34

It has nothing to do with science. It has everything to do with being responsible. Let Leftists go trigger happy on the negative effects of everything to the point that regulation by others are needed. Conservatives and libertarians should always be cautious but overall receptive when risky but potentially beneficial products come to market.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
Richard in Texas
   09/16/11 19:34

The issue is not really a public health issue, and Ms Bachmann's mistake is in treating it as one. The issue, rather, is one of a constitutionally weak governor in Texas taking upon himself something that should have been done in the legislature.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
flurmf
   09/16/11 19:38

Next week, Bachmann will be at 2%. I wonder if Mitt will keep paying her to attack Perry.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
   09/16/11 19:54

Robert Costa is telling us Bachmann 'messed up' on vaccines? How about just "Bachman is messed up".

She has ZERO chance of winning the general election, and should continue to go bat crazy for another 5 months, so Perry will look 'moderate' by comparison:)

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
   09/16/11 20:01

Paul is a quack if he believes he has a snowball's chance in hell of being the Republican nominee for President. On the other hand, maybe he'll pull another Ross Perot in order to torpedo the Republicans. I am surprised he wants Bachmann to carry his water for him in going after Perry. I suppose he doesn't like the mano y mano approach.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
elviscostello
   09/16/11 21:10

She is acting like stalking horse for Perry.This is classic misdirection. The real scandal is that Perry was pimping for the drug company that he had ties to, but now, thanks to this lunatic Bachman making up thing about vaccines causing retardation, the real scandal gets overlooked, and Perry gets to look sane by comparison.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
   JRapp
   09/16/11 21:33

When Ron Paul’s people are honestly embarrassed that YOU’RE the nut, and they have a point, then your campaign is in serious trouble. I don’t agree with others that she’s a stalking horse for Perry, but Perry owes a debt of gratitude to Bachmann for her Jenny McCarthy conspiracy nutter impersonation, which has made Gadrsiol about her rather than Perry’s crony capitalism at the expense of the freedom of Texas parents.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
J Ryan
   09/17/11 10:03

Jenny McCarthy without the scientific credibility!

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
MattTrey
   09/16/11 22:13

Evidence of campaigns coordinating to take down Rick Perry?

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
Herschel Smith
   09/16/11 22:31

Bwahahahaha ... gasp ... hahaha. A "long and very successful line of attack."

Good grief. They are as delusional as Bachmann's campaign is. If this is all they have got on Perry, queue it up. Perry is the nominee.

I don't like his position on immigration, and maybe some pressure would help him to change his position. For heaven's sake, folks (Paul, Bachmann). Be useful, even if you have no chance of winning.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
   09/16/11 23:08

C'mon, Congressman Paul, you'll have to forgive Congresswoman Bachmann. After all, she's been 'Hannitized' a long time.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
srk
   09/17/11 09:55

wow..i knew she was a lightweight. just didn't know she would float off this quickly.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
Johnny B. O Brien
   09/17/11 10:15

I use to respect Bachmann, I just can't believe what she is doing. She has proven she is not even close to being presidential material. The only person I know less qualified is Obama. These republicans are screwing up. Romney is scaring seniors or trying to scare seniors. He needs to debate the issues rather than throw dirt in Perry's face.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
Ellis
   09/17/11 12:44

I think the Ron Paul team has an inflated sense of their own importance. Its about time for the no chance candidates like Paul and Huntsman to bow out of the race. Paul took himself out of contention long ago with his ignorance of geo-politics and offers nothing that the serious candidates don't.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
Load More Comments

Add a Comment

Already Registered? Log In Here.


The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.


* Designates a required field.
© National Review Online 2012
All Rights Reserved.
Subscriptions
NR / Print
NR / Digital

Gift Subscriptions
NR / Print
NR / Digital
NR Apps
iPhone/iPad
Android

NRO Apps
iPhone
Support Us
Donate
Media Kit
Contact