Bachmann Doubles Down On Opposing Debt Ceiling Hike In New Ad

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) had already released a 30-second ad this month in which she said the words, "I will not vote to raise the debt ceiling."

But in her first ad, that statement didn't come until 20 seconds into the spot. On Wednesday morning, Bachmann released a second 30-second ad to make extra clear where she stood. This video gets right to the point.

"I will not vote to increase the debt ceiling," Bachmann says in the first four seconds. Bachmann pauses between every word to emphasize each one. She gestures with her hands.

If anyone thought that some skepticism and criticism among conservatives of Bachmann's populist stance was going to get her to change her mind, they were wrong.

It's clear that the Tea Party favorite is seeking to make the debt ceiling hike a pivotal moment in the Republican presidential primary. Bachmann has already zoomed to the second spot in the latest polls: a Wall Street Journal/NBC survey released Tuesday showed her at 16 percent, behind former Massachusetts Gov. MItt Romney's 30 percent.

Bachmann's stance is viewed by many in the GOP as irresponsible. Republican leaders in the House and Senate feel she is far too cavalier about the government defaulting and is encouraging others to downplay the consequences of such a scenario. Her insistence on a repeal of President Obama's health care law being included in any debt ceiling increase was ridiculed recently in an interview with Fox News' Bill O'Reilly.

But the 55-year-old, third-term congresswoman is combining Tea Party orthodoxy on the issue with a political calculation that this could be the issue that vaults her over the other more cautious Republican primary candidates. It is bet that is not without some risk, however, and the weeks to come could have significant impact on whether she does in fact rise higher or come back to earth.

The rest of Bachmann's ad takes on the tone of a journal entry or a letter home from summer camp.

"So here I am in Congress watching these people borrow more money that we don't have so that my children can be further indebted," Bachmann says.

She then uses a word you can expect her to reference more often as this debt ceiling showdown goes on to differentiate herself from other Republicans: courage.

"We have to deal with the economic reality and I have the will and I have the courage to see this through," she says.

WATCH:

Comments

[PWM]

08:13 AM on 07/29/2011

So she will violate the constitution while running for president.

[Thomas DuGan]

09:29 PM on 07/25/2011

Hey, did you get the news? this person was born in Iowa, and he knows where John Wayne was born. Go To facebook.com Thomas Kipley DuGan
Check out the page.

[lblackw105]

07:20 PM on 07/23/2011

You guys stop picking on her, she will make a perfectly....adequate vice-president for whining Sarah!

[2Patriotic4U]

05:57 PM on 07/21/2011

I would vote for this lady over Obama anyday! In spite of the bashing she bounces back and stands by her word, her morals and her convictions. Our nation needs more leaders like her, and we will get them in November, 2012.

Okay, now all I have to do is sit back and wait for the pathetic and predictable hate mongering replies of the insecure and ignorant.

[wadisplace]

05:01 PM on 07/21/2011

She seems to be adamant about her decision. At least she lets the Public know her vote. Other Congressmen would not have the guts to do so.

[Godfearing]

12:20 PM on 07/21/2011

Reading about Michelle Bachmann's husband direct connection to God and being able to pray the gay out of homosexuals, I was wondering why he don't use this connection with God and pray that extra 75 pounds he appears to be carrying around. Heal thyself before intruding on others.

[Martha Riddle]

02:32 AM on 07/21/2011

How does a person of such limited understanding come to be tax attorney, and a successful politician? She has less understanding of the debt ceiling than I do! While becoming an attorney, did she just woo them with so much BS and nonsensical jabber that no one could possibly understand, so her law professors said "PERFECT!" Seriously. She's .....out there.

[PWM]

08:14 AM on 07/29/2011

Palin apparently has a degree in journalism, yet when asked "what do you read" was unable to answer considering how wide open the question.

[MarkJudiGoet]

01:41 AM on 07/21/2011

I guess she has to speak very slowly so her supporters will understand what she's saying.

[AnitaMan]

11:29 PM on 07/20/2011

"I will vote for making your gay friend straight"

[teachone]

11:17 PM on 07/20/2011

Oh does she, well the American people double down on opposing Bauchmann for any political office, including being the whitehouse cleaning lady!!

[ernestkp]

10:42 PM on 07/20/2011

I only wish she had the courage to stand up to her own ignorance.

[zippythedude]

10:02 PM on 07/20/2011

Michele Bachmann "doubles down"... hmmmm.....I'll be right back.

[rdk70816]

09:57 PM on 07/20/2011

No flip flops there. No defaults either.

[Basselope]

09:37 PM on 07/20/2011

Someone should tell this loon to read the constitution.

[AnitaMan]

11:29 PM on 07/20/2011

and jump off a bridge

[goldiekins]

09:30 PM on 07/20/2011

Michelle Bachman, you are probably a nice person. I said probably. But you don't what you are talking about. It is time for you to be quiet. You are not an expert on the budget, on the deficit, on anything. You have not provided one ounce of anything for the state of MN, and now you want to tell all of us to be on a budget, when you youself, and your husband, took subsidies, both in health care and in farm, and lived on them joyfully, and you have the gall to tell us how to live without SS or Medicare. Go fly a kite.