Bachmann's phony ACORN outrage draws national scorn again

[Minnesota Raindog]

The Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact at the St. Petersburg Times takes down our State Embarrassment once more:

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/may/21/michele-bachmann/bachmann-claims-acorn-has-access-85-billion-federa/

U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann's latest outrage focuses on an old nemesis: ACORN.

Not only are there new charges in two states related to fraudulent voter registration efforts by ACORN and its employees during the 2008 presidential election, she said, it now appears the group could tap into billions of dollars of federal money in the economic stimulus and Obama administration's proposed 2010 budget.

In a May 6 press release, Bachmann sounded the alarm:

"At least $53 million in federal funds have gone to ACORN activists since 1994, and the controversial group could get up to $8.5 billion more tax dollars despite being under investigation for voter registration fraud in a dozen states..."

And once again, PolitiFact's Truth-O-Meter is buried in the "False" zone:

"But Bachmann's statement is irresponsibly misleading on several levels. She says the group under indictment for voter registration fraud could tap into billions of federal dollars. In fact, none of the federal money can be used for voter registration activities.

"An affiliate like ACORN Housing could conceivably apply for a grant to build an affordable housing project, or to buy, fix and sell abandoned homes, but that's exactly what the money would have to be used for. Suggestions that one of the affiliates might funnel money to ACORN for political activity is, so far, unsubstantiated conjecture. And then there's the matter of trying to make a splash by throwing out the massive $8.5 billion number, suggesting ACORN "could get" it, as in all of it. That's absurd. We rule Bachmann's statement False."


What is it with these people and their obsession with ACORN anyway?

[CatholicEdHead]

1. ACORN is their code word for election fraud

That somehow ACORN, by getting out minority votes is the epitome of illegal election fraud. :crazy:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. Evidently, according to the Republicanite contributors to the Strib's website comments

people of color voting is inherently election fraud, because said people vote Democratic only to keep their welfare benefits (which, of course, they're all on) flowing freely, so that they can live high on the hog on the hard-earned tax dollars of the residents of Eagan. :sarcasm:

[dflprincess]

3. Like the bumper sticker I saw in Eagan today

"I voted for jobs and all I got was Socialism". (Don't I wish).
The same car had another sticker of the GOP elephant with the words "Don't say we didn't warn you." The "O" in "you" had the Obama logo.

It scares me that these people are allowed to wander around on their own.

[glinda]

4. I am for "Indefinite Detention" with these people.

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[CatholicEdHead]

5. So, just a modern adaption of the Reagan era

"Welfare Queens" talking points. :crazy: :puke:

[dflprincess]

7. The nut case who lives across the street from my mother

now has added a sign to his yard that says "Thank you Gov. Pawlenty". (This is the same nut that had the large "Michelle Bachmann for president" sign up a few months ago. He also sometimes flies a U.N. flag on which he has drawen a cirlce with a red line through over the U.N. logo)

I would guess, based on his house and the vehicles I've seen parked there, that this guy is not in the income bracket that would have seen their taxes raised. I hope he's still thanking Pawlenty when his property taxes go up or he needs the Bloomington police or fire department and they don't have the resources to respond promptly.

[glinda]

6. Bachmann thinks she is an authority to anything sounding like "NUT".

[mascarax]

8. Dear Michelle - enough w/ACORN! When can you lower gas prices again?

Seems like while Michelle has gotten distracted with the stale ACORN bashing, gas prices have recently increased at least 40 cents! She needs to refocus her "outrage"...remember when she lowered gas prices the last time? Or, um, took credit for it...well, whatEVER, we all know it was our fearless champion who took care of *that*!

Maybe the nut job who lives by dflprincess' mother could put in a word with Michelle.

[CatholicEdHead]

9. Michele is looking for higher office (e.g. US Senate)

So she has not time for day to day things like jobs or higher gas prices in the 6th. You need to whine about ACORN, Gay Marriages, Endless Tax Cuts or you do not have a chance in the GOP Primary. All that matters to her is to get Amy Klobuchar's Senate seat.

[Mister Ed]

10. Maybe that's how we get rid of her.

I don't think she can win a statewide election. The state as a whole just isn't as wacko as some parts of CD6.

Then again, we'd better not take any chances. Better notify our operatives at ACORN to activate Plan X immediately. Hee hee hee! Wait 'til all the members of the Taxpayers League show up at the polls and find out they can't vote because, according to the records, they're convicted felons!

:evilgrin: :bounce:

[CatholicEdHead]

11. If she does this, she will also gut the GOP statewide

The gutted the 6CD to go from state senator to US Rep in the 6th. All the long term moderates were purged by Bachmann single issue office holders all over the 6th. She would have to purge the MN GOP statewide on her push for the nomination. This would leave the GOP even weaker in the long run as running on a Bachmann-like platform statewide would marginalize them to the 20%ers base. Any moderate would go to the Independence or DFL.