Chris Wallace Asks Michele Bachmann: 'Are You A Flake?'

WASHINGTON -- As Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-Minn) presidential candidacy grows more serious, and as her position in the Iowa polls continues to strengthen, she will, undoubtedly, be asked about some of the more provocative avowals she's made in her past.

Sunday was -– sort of -– one of those moments. While Fox News Chris Wallace didn't press the Minnesota Republican on any specific statement -- whether it be that President Barack Obama was creating a gangster government, that anti-American sentiment existed in Congress, or that NATO air strikes had killed up to 30,000 civilians in Libya -- he did touch on the broader point.

"Are you a flake?" he asked.

Bachmann seemed offended by the line of inquiry. "I think that would be insulting to say something like that because I'm a serious person," she explained. She then went on to tout all the ways in which she was, indeed, serious.

"I'm 55 years old. I've been married 33 years," she said. "I'm not only a lawyer, I have a post-doctorate degree in federal tax law from William and Mary. I've worked in serious scholarship … my husband and I have raised five kids, we've raised 23 foster children. We've applied ourselves to education reform. We started a charter school for at-risk kids. I've also been a state senator and member of the United States Congress for five years."

The exchange wasn't particularly illustrative of anything, save Bachmann's adeptness at turning a question she doesn't like into a platform to discuss her best attributes. So Wallace asked again.

"Do you recognize that now that you are in the spotlight in a way that you weren't before that you have to be careful," he said, with the tone of a professional counselor as opposed to an interviewer.

"Of course a person has to be careful with the statements they make," replied Bachmann. "I think now will be an opportunity to speak fully on the issues. I look forward to that."

Comments

[pepster100]

12:44 AM on 07/03/2011

The problem was Wallace's question about Bachmann being a flake, was that he asked it as a question.

He should have just made a statement of fact, she is a flake. Pure and simple.

[bobojack1]

11:09 PM on 07/02/2011

She is a freak and the longer she remains in the public eye the better for the country as it reminds us of where we don't want to go!

[minggnim]

10:21 AM on 06/29/2011

The Bible clearly says, "I (God) permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent.

[Dede Eagleburger]

03:01 PM on 06/29/2011

are you saying I should quit my job then?

[kissmylips13]

04:47 PM on 06/29/2011

minggnim, you are a fool.

[smburwick]

09:51 AM on 06/29/2011

If your moniker is keepleft---stay there.

[smburwick]

09:44 AM on 06/29/2011

Wme: how many rich people have stepped up and sent voluntary checks to this government? eh? Why don't you ask Bruce Springsteen why he has a tax credit organic farm on his huge property? What Bachmen meant is that there will be frewer to take care of the 40%+ who don't to squat. Rich people move like out of NYC and California and go to other places with their money. How many poor people have offered you a job?

[smburwick]

09:41 AM on 06/29/2011

One thing for sure Wallace is not social progressive, but definitly democratic conservative.

[ainygma]

06:34 PM on 06/29/2011

Wallace is just a reporter....to be truthful he is probably the most honest reporter in the profession today because he pulls no punches against democrat or republican. Wallace is a centrist probably center right.

There is no such thing as a conservative democart. BTW: a conservative is not necessarily a republican.

[smburwick]

09:39 AM on 06/29/2011

MMMMarilyn; are you a racist??????

[kjtvc]

02:28 AM on 06/29/2011

Has anyone considered that Roger Ailes prompted Wallace to ask the question so she could shoot it down impress with her credentials, thus giving her gravitas? I wouldn't put anything past Ailes.

[the902inc]

06:50 PM on 06/28/2011

I think Chris is the FLAKE !!!!

[Dealerdeb1]

07:06 AM on 06/29/2011

I don't think he meant is as anything but playing the devil's advocate. Didn't boither me as a woman she better grwo a tough sakiin becaue woman that are conservative get absoultely hammered with abuse from the media and the left. I think it was obvious was he was asking "are you a flake like the libs say you are?" To promote a thoughful answer. I think she answered exact;ly right and sounded Presidential.

[the902inc]

07:21 AM on 06/29/2011

You Are Correct !!!

[ainygma]

06:36 PM on 06/29/2011

I agree. Michelle Bachmann/Sarah Palin(Probably not running :() or Michelle Bachmann/Ron Paul 2012(Ron Paul btw predicted the housing bubble back in 2001)

[ChuckDarwin]

05:58 PM on 06/28/2011

Not a flake; a demagogue who's preaching to a nutty electorate, the Tea Party.

Crazy as it sounds, Bachman stands a good chance of getting the nomination unless a better candidate with good Tea Party credentials gets in the race soon. The Tea Party will control the nomination, and right now Bachman's the only announced candidate that is loved by the Tea Party. It sure as heck won't be Mitt Romney. He may win a couple of early primaries in NH and MI, but he won't get much farther than that.

[ainygma]

06:39 PM on 06/29/2011

I agree Mitt Romney and i most certainly do NOT want Mitt Romeny as the nominee or as president. Bachmann for PRESIDENT!!!!! Restore america from this liberal insanity!!!

So you think the tea party is nutty? So is it nutty to want lower taxes? Less entitlement programs? Return to Constitutional conservatism? Fiscal responsibility? Less government spending? Less foreign aid? so is that nutty? Your the nut for believe in any liberal media propaganda.

[darkelflass]

05:39 PM on 06/28/2011

She's a flake and she's wasting her money because she will never be elected.

[Skiwee]

05:14 PM on 06/28/2011

Any more flakey and she's be in my cereal bowl.

[westphilly726]

05:20 PM on 06/28/2011

LOL

[Dede Eagleburger]

03:04 PM on 06/29/2011

lol-must be a big bowl!

[misslunalaguna]

04:11 PM on 06/28/2011

I've been to 57 states, and I'm not a flake............. King Hussein Obamessiah

[johnr49]

09:45 PM on 06/28/2011

King Hussein Obamessiah - how old are you, 5?

[Holymolly]

12:37 AM on 06/29/2011

Yeah, I've been there with yer mom....Mary.

[ainygma]

06:41 PM on 06/29/2011

Lol. you said is Misslunalaguna

All hail the Golden Boy! Give me a freaking break!!!! the Liberal media does everything including licking Obama's posterior. The lap dogs!!

[misslunalaguna]

04:08 PM on 06/28/2011

Just goes to show all of you libs that Fox is in on the dumbing down of America scam just like the rest of you. Their reporters and hosts have been muzzled for years by that evil Rupert Murdoch and Saudi Prince Prince Al-Waleed. That's why they havent gone after Obama on any of his past. Don't believe me?

Then why hasn't Chris Wallace ever ask Obama a relevant question such as..... " People say you are a Marxist or Socialist. How do you respond."

[ainygma]

06:46 PM on 06/29/2011

Why hasn't the media asking him if he is a Marxist or Socialist? Because he isn't. He is a
"Progressive" "wink" "wink" Progressivism=Socialism/Marxism....

Lets see if he is a Marxist

Obama is anti-business=Marxist/Communist/Socialist
Obama is anti-rich=Marxist/Communist/Socialist
Obama is against strong national defense=Not really Marxist/Socialist/Communist but it in reality means cutting defense budget and shifting that money over to social programs which is Marxist/Socialist/Communist
Obama is anti-israel=Marxist/Communist/Socialist

If it quacks like a duck, Walks like a duck and looks like a duck....

[panamarine]

09:33 AM on 06/28/2011

Guess what folks? A flake is a flake is a flake. Period. Whit that said....I have heard Ms. Bachmann call our President worse things. Now she feels offended when its right back at 'ya? Come on, she can dish the dirt and vile at Obama and the Government (Gangsta Government. Anti-American Obama, etc) BUT feels sooooo offended at the charactarization of her persona, which incidentally seems to fit. Hannity, another mud slinger at Obama, was almost in tears defending her. Hypocrites!

[Gyrlznluv]

10:51 AM on 06/28/2011

She gives our President no respect; she deserves no respect, and will never get any from me.

But a warehouse size bottle of dandruff shampoo, because you are a flake!!!!!

[panamarine]

11:21 AM on 06/28/2011

Gyriznluv: That crop of Republican candidates also show no respect for the current Presidential office holder-Obama. They use the most disparaging characterization that is so disrespectful, that I find it embarrassing (what the world thinks? for example). not to mention it makes my blood boil to hear them. With the exception of Huntsman who have declared himself to be a gentleman and a worthy contender that will not stoop low to the name calling, he will stick to the issues, period. The others don't seem to want to go that route. Oh, another one who will disagree on policy principles with Obama is Ron Paul, but not get into the mud slinging to make points with a particular segment of America. Those two are my horses in that race. So to speak.

[westphilly726]

05:21 PM on 06/28/2011

"But a warehouse size bottle of dandruff shampoo because you are a flake."

LOL