Liveblogging Michele Bachmann at CPAC

February 19th, 2010 at 12:56 pm | 8 Comments |

| Print

Follow FrumForum’s coverage of CPAC via twitter @DavidFrum, @FrumForum, @timkmak and @noahkgreen.

Click here for FrumForum’s CPAC Diaries with up to the minute gossip and news from the convention.

Click here for liveblogging of CPAC 2010 convention speeches and panels.


Surprising amount of genuine feeling, passionate story-telling by Michele Bachmann, and on interesting topics. Given my low expectations going into the speech, I was actually impressed! Professor Bachmann would get an A on www.ratemyprofessors.com.

Posted at 1:33pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *

 

This is the full quote alluded to by Michele Bachmann. Remarks made by Dr. Joseph Warren, delivered in Boston, 1775:

Our streets are again filled with armed men; our harbour is crowded with ships of war; but these cannot intimidate us; our liberty must be preserved; it is far dearer than life, we hold it even dear as our allegiance; we must defend it against the attacks of friends as well as enemies; we cannot suffer even Britons to ravish it from us.

Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of. Our enemies are numerous and powerful; but we have many friends, determining to be free, and heaven and earth will aid the resolution. On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important question, on which rest the happiness and liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves. The faltering tongue of hoary age calls on you to support your country. The lisping infant raises its suppliant hands, imploring defence against the monster slavery. Your fathers look from their celestial seats with smiling approbation on their sons, who boldly stand forth in the cause of virtue; but sternly frown upon the inhuman miscreant, who, to secure the loaves and fishes to himself, would breed a serpent to destroy his children.

Posted at 1:30pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


Bachmann’s finishing line: “I charge you again today. As [American Revolutionary War patriot] Joseph Warren said ‘Act worthy of yourselves’.”

Posted at 1:21pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


Strangely interesting history lecture by Prof. Bachmann. She discusses founding fathers, quotes Joseph Warren, talks about Germany post WWI.

Nothing crazy yet.

Posted at 1:16pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


Debt implosion is terrible, says Professor Bachmann. She cites Germany in 1920s and Argentina in 1940s.  Bachmann continues by saying that “you can indulge in fantasy football, but you can’t indulge in fantasy economics!”

Bachmann reads out the Declaration of Independence. Crowd joins in.

Posted at 1:10pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


Professor Bachmann runs us through the state of the American economy. Now with charts!

Posted at 1:05pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


Before bailouts “100 percent of the private economy was private,” says Bachmann. Really?

Since then 30 percent has been taken over by the government, she claims.

Posted at 1:03pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


Tech problems: Bachmann tries to go to slide two: “Can I get some help here, Mr. Producer?”

Puts up a really packed graph on the screen showing annual American deficits

Posted at 1:01pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


Charles Krauthammer gets a round of applause, when Bachmann mentions his column in the Weekly Standard: “‘Decline is a Choice”

Posted at 12:58pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


Right side of the room: packed to the hilt. Left side is empty. Totally empty. Conscious decisions by attendees?

Posted at 12:56pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


First slide of Bachmann’s speech: Bush waving, with the subtitle “Miss me yet?”

Posted at 12:55pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


Michele Bachmann arrives.  “Thank you Arlen Specter,” she starts. “How does it feel to be part of the waiting majority?”

Posted at 12:52pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *

 

Morrissey in introducing Bachmann: “She comes from a state whose Senator is Al Franken!”

“ACORN!” Yell several voices in the room, along with a chorus of unhappy muttering.

Posted at 12:51pm by Tim Mak


Surprise visit from Rush Limbaugh, who appears via video conferencing to introduce Ed Morrissey, who will in turn introduce Bachmann. Manages to make a swipe at “drive-by media” saying Morrissey proves citizen journalism can be better than MSM.

Posted at 12:50pm by Tim Mak

*  *  *


Bachmann is 10 minutes late!

Posted at 12:30pm by Bryce McNitt

*  *  *


Best and Worst of CPAC

WORST: I’ll be reporting from Michelle Bachmann’s speech at CPAC, starting in a few minutes.

If I have a seizure, please drag me out of the room and put me in a dark, soundless room without any external stimuli for twenty-four hours. Thanks you.

Posted at 12:27pm by Tim Mak

Recent Posts by FrumForum Editors



8 Comments so far ↓

  • GOProud

    Well, when you don’t have Sarah Palin to bash or kick around… I guess you have to settle for Michelle Bachmann.

    “If I have a seizure…”?

    Newsflash Tim, this isn’t HuffPo east. Could you try a to be a tad more professional in your punditry.

  • sinz54

    GOProud:

    You don’t attract people to your cause by shooting from the hip.

    Tim Mak said he was impressed. Be glad.

  • JeninCT

    Sinz wrote: “GOProud: You don’t attract people to your cause by shooting from the hip. Tim Mak said he was impressed. Be glad.”

    Tim Mak’s seizure comment was juvenile.

  • GOProud

    Sinz54 observes: “GOProud: You don’t attract people to your cause by shooting from the hip. Tim Mak said he was impressed. Be glad.”

    First, I didn’t shoot from the hip. My post at 1:02 was in response to Tim’s comment about the worst assignment at CPAC was having to blog about Michelle Bachmann. That’s why I said he could be a tad more professional –unless you think, Sinz54, making a juvenile comment like having a seizure ’cause Tim had to do it is “professional”. JeninCT didn’t think so, either.

    Heck, in today’s world of bloggers-gone-mad, smart aleck cracks may be about as professional as it gets… I hope not. Tim may be wrong often on reading GOP tea-leaves… like in the case of all the fuss he wanted to perceive existing over the so-called “Purity Test” at the RNC mtg last month… I think he’s equally wrong on initially dis’ing Bachmann –no matter how far afield she gets, she’s still worth of a respectful, insightful report by Tim especially at CPAC event… it is, sort of, her turf, no?

    I’ll leave shotting from the hip for spindoctors like RobertDoughBoiGibbs; he clearly enjoys continuing his role as campaign hack for the Obami whilst on the govt payroll.

    Second, I’m not interested in attracting people to “your cause” –whatever the hell that might be as defined by you.

    Finally,

  • GOProud

    (finishing) Finally, you’re the guy shooting from the hip here since your comment was made long after Tim’s final tweet was a’tweeted… care to apologize?

  • Michele Bachmann's Recommended Reading | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.

    [...] live-blogger Tim Mak gave an A to the history lesson from “Professor Bachmann,” gushing:Surprising amount of genuine feeling, passionate story-telling by Michele Bachmann, and on [...]

  • Michele Bachmann’s Recommended Reading | Step Down Obama

    [...] live-blogger Tim Mak gave an A to the history lesson from “Professor Bachmann,” gushing:Surprising amount of genuine feeling, passionate story-telling by Michele Bachmann, and on [...]

  • Michele Bachmann’s Recommended Reading | Conservative Principles Now

    [...] live-blogger Tim Mak gave an A to the history lesson from “Professor Bachmann,” gushing:Surprising amount of genuine feeling, passionate story-telling by Michele Bachmann, and on [...]