Michele Bachmann Results

Arch-conservative Rep. Michele Bachmann narrowly won reelection last night. Bachmann fended off a challenge from Democrat Elwyn Tinklenberg that became serious after her appearance on Hardball last month when she claimed -- to the shock of many in her district -- that Barack Obama and his wife Michelle held anti-American views and couldn't be trusted in the White House. She even called for the major newspapers of the country to investigate other members of Congress to "find out if they are pro-America or anti-America."

The Star-Tribune reports:

Bachmann held on to a narrow but significant lead over Tinklenberg with 8 of 10 precincts reporting and a dwindling number of areas where he could find enough votes to make up the difference. Bachmann said Tinklenberg called her and conceded shortly after midnight.

Bachmann credited her victory to her vote against the $700 billion financial rescue package and her campaign to open up restricted areas for oil drilling to bring down the price of gasoline.

Here's the Hardball appearance:

Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC), who said at a rally that "liberals hate real Americans," lost his seat to Democrat Larry Kissell.

Comments

[sippewissett]

I hope that Minnesotans would be so embarassed by this religious zealot/right-wing hater that they'd bury her in some of their famous snowbanks and leave her there until spring. What a huge disappointment to learn otherwise. Bachmann will be heavily scrutinized during her next term and will get a regular pounding in the press for her radical views so either she modifies her behavior and her language to be more inclusionary and less fringe OR she will lose next time. YES, WE CAN.

[gabemill]

The fact that a twit like this can be re-elected to national office is a testament to the ignorance of the voting public. Shame on you, Minnesota!!!!

[zeptepi]

Michelle Bachmann is an embarrassment for Minnesotans. How she got elected in the first place is hard to imagine. She does not represent most of us, and her right wing conservative base is shrinking quickly. She outspent her opponent El Tinklenberg by 2-1, and he only lost by a 4% margin. With any luck by by next election, she will have opened her mouth and inserted her foot, just enough times to ensure her demise in the next election. We don't need any more politicians like Bachmann. Bringing a narrow minded, devisive view of the world, does not enhance the political debate. Look what happened to Elizabeth Dole!

[dameofdismay]

Hey tjtdad, play nice. It's not my fault, plus I gave El money and he's not even in my district. Those folks in the 6th district are wack jobs.

[imworking4me]

Who keeps cranking out these right wing blabbermouths?? Let's find the source and spray it with Raid!!

[netgui68]

I can't believe she beat Tinklinberg, how could anyone vote for her after what she said on MSNBC to Chris Matthews? I guess we will just have to make the best out of it and use her as a model and representation of what the Republican party has become.

[dimplesmile7]

Conservatives will vote for any nut job just to have the seat is filled with one of their own, even if the person is off balance like Bachmann. More proof that the GOP should not be in charge.

[tjtdad]

Minnesotans?!?!? Coming from Wisconsin I always thought you folks had your act together (irrespective of the Jesse Ventura hickup). Are you folks crazy? The lady you just re-elected sure is. Oh well, the election was still 90% fantastic.

[lemonyashes]

Can someone from Minnesota tell us why this would happen? I said I would never visit Minnesota as long as Bachmann is in elected office because I'm a liberal Democrat and obviously I don't know what Minnesotans would do to me if I entered the state so I am afraid to find out. Boycott Minnesota since Minnesots could have told Bachmann by their vote that what she says and believes is not acceptable.

[dameofdismay]

Hey, if you want to boycott the 6th disctict, that's ok with me. BUT, don't forget that Minnesotan's elected the FIRST MUSLIM CONGRESSMAN EVER to the House!!! Kieth Ellingson of District 5 (Minneapolis). And, we elected Barack Obama, and we're the home of the late great Senator Paul Wellstone and Hubert Humphrey! And don't forget Walter Mondale!

We're a great state! We LOVE liberals!

[EliasWilliam]

Calm down - it's a blue state!

[catinca]

How can anyone vote for her or Stevens? What an amazing country we live in.

[momforbetterworld]

Yes, what are these people thinking???

I could believe that they voted for Michelle Bachman, I have a friend from Minnesota who just adored Palin/Bachman type. What are they thinking???

[Well-Hell-Mell]

The Real issue is:
The Republican party has been stomped into the ground by the Christian Right zealots now taking over the "Conservative" lable and making it a dirty word to the majority of Americans. It is the Conservative party that MAIN Stream Americans and the hard core liberals "hate".

The Conservatives throw lables at anyone that does not bow to their doctorine (social control). They even trash the few Republicans that remain with the title of RINO's. IF you resist being led by the hand by the "Christian Right" led by Dobbson then your must be anti-American. If would dare to consider a woman's right to determine when and how she bears children then you are derided, harassed or maybe killed in a clinic bombing all in the name of God (more of a Devil act than God like don't ya think?). They have become such a cult that they can not see they have driven people to the other side.

I had been a life long Republican since 1966 but finally could not take being lumped with these zealots. After Bush trashed Steam Cell research I changed my registration to "D". I did vote for McCain because I am a Republican but hell no I'm NOT A CONSERVATIVE! Fools like this nut lady have driven the main stream Amercian to support anyone is is not a Conservative. Notg because they are Anti-Amercian...because they are anti-Conservative party.
Well-Hell-Mell

[DWP]

Let's see how she gets along in a Congress which she believes houses anit Americans. I suggest she has lost all effectiveness. Her district has wasted their influence in Congress, but if they sent her to the Congress maybe it is what they deserve.

[lemonyashes]

Yea who in Congress but a few nuts like her would give her the time of day? I hope Minnesota suffers and are unable to get anything done because nobody will listen to Bachmann. Ostracism is the ultimate way to right a wrong. Minnesota did not right the wrong with their vote so the rest of America and Congress will. What exactly was wrong with the Minister Elwyn Tinklenberg that Minnesota voted Bachmann back in?

[LollieDotCom]

I'm appalled at this clear sign that McCarthyism has not be eradicated from America. Ms McCarthy-Bachmann you are a tragic stain on your state's otherwise good name and on the history books of this great country. Every night as you drift off to sleep, I want you to remember what the footnotes about you will say in history books.

Whoever gave real meaning to the name Santorum, needs to do the same for your name Ms. McCarthy-Bachmann. I can think of no one that deserves the honor more this year.

[pencilpusher]

I just checked Santorum at Google. The top item returned is STILL the correct definition and still a great example of political blowback. Bachmann deserves the same honor.

[gorgol]

HEY...THIS IS NOT BAD NEWS...we need such a "flake"...someone that would vote for "witch hunts" and maybe burning at the stake..those that she doesn't deem "patriots"...we need her so we can be reminded just how close we can come...to what we almost became...

[jackstpaul]

Don't blame Minnesotans, blame the people in her district. Were this a state-wide race, she'd have lost with what she said. Bad district= bad Rep., just worse given that it's Bachmann. We've been waiting for her to implode. It finally happened, but maybe too late in the campaign. It'll happen again.

[willisbones]

I am a life long native Minnesotan. I can't believe Bachmann was re-elected and I will be sorely disappointed if Coleman gets back to the Senate.

That said, 5 of 8 Minnesota districts elected Democrats, and Obama carried the state quite easily. We have some things to be ashamed of, but for the most part, I think this is a pretty good place to live.

[Nina28]

Thank you ALL states that voted Obama, even the ones that had McCain in the lead, those states considered Obama too, even if it was only 39%.

Bachmann is an idiot but hopefully, the people of Minnesota make sure she focuses on her job of keeping to the issues and not some more distraction and division by keeping the constitution in mind in honoring the separation of church and state.

[lemonyashes]

Minnesota ultimately sent someone to Congress that terrifies the rest of us, if Minnesota doesn't agree with the decision then Minnesota needs to do something. Why is such a district allowed to flourish in Minnesota? The rest of the country may have to pay for this woman's mistakes that Minnesota District 6 elected. So the rest of Minnesota needs to act if you don't want this to affect or reflect on your state.

[trisha08]

That woman has CRAZY eyes.