University Of Iowa Apologizes For Bachmann Tweet

By RYAN J. FOLEY, Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The University of Iowa is apologizing for a joke on a school Twitter feed that appeared to refer to Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann as a cougar.

Trying to make light of reports of a mountain lion or cougar sighting in Iowa City, the school tweeted Thursday: "I didn't know Bachmann was in town. Bah-dum-bum." A cougar is a term for older women who seek out younger men.

The university removed the posting after an inquiry from The Associated Press. It later tweeted an apology.

Iowa spokesman Tom Moore says a staff person was responsible and actions were being taken to "address this situation."

Bachmann's campaign released a statement saying she was grateful not to be called "The Old Lady in the Shoe."

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Comments

[mpilkanis]

08:54 AM on 10/01/2011

Bachmann is most certainly not the Old Lady (That Lived) In a Shoe. She's more like the christianist martinet that lives in a fantasy world.

[mypathoflight]

08:54 AM on 09/16/2011

I've heard that the cougars at the Des Moines zoo are suing the University of Iowa for defamation of character.

[AcademicFreedom]

01:38 AM on 09/16/2011

The University of Iowa is a state sponsored school. Like most universities, the liberal administration, professors, etc. create an environment where rudeness toward people who they disagree with is rampant. Were such a comment made against Obama, the offending students would most likely be under severe disciplinary action and possibly charged with hate offenses.

[OneFish]

01:05 PM on 09/16/2011

Persecutio­n complex? How do you feel about the "war on christmas?­"

[theRealAmerica]

04:41 PM on 09/19/2011

Is that where Joe Wilson graduated? I did not know that. I mean, assuming he graduated.

[Pixiesnix]

12:52 AM on 09/16/2011

So-so joke, there are waaaay better things to make fun of Bachmann for.

[LoftonCroix]

11:32 PM on 09/15/2011

Her husband is a cougar as well

[So silly]

08:41 PM on 09/15/2011

I too apologize. Cougars are beautiful, intelligent animals.

[Vantunow]

08:40 PM on 09/15/2011

Hope she mauls me!

[Caroleeena]

09:14 PM on 09/15/2011

Oh, if she got to be president, she most certainly would.

[OneFish]

01:06 PM on 09/16/2011

She's vile.

[jsgaetano]

08:32 PM on 09/15/2011

Insanity is never attractive.

[theindex]

06:53 PM on 09/15/2011

University of Iowa snacks cougar b@lls. A curse upon you and all your sports teams.

[vinnieboiblue]

06:30 PM on 09/15/2011

She has called the President a "thug". Called the President a "a friend of terrorists". Called his wife a dictator for telling Parents the truth about unhealthy foods, an kids getting obese from a lack of exercise. And not once, did she ever apologize!

[BewilderingBeing]

07:05 PM on 09/15/2011

Exactly! but if u listen to pudits, even Jon Stewart he will say it somehow equal on both sides

[vinnieboiblue]

08:32 PM on 09/15/2011

I know it happens on both sides, but my point is , why should a University apologize for a student's tweet? We are a free society, and the Freedom of Speech, is one of the most celebrated and practiced Rights!

[Nutcase]

05:56 PM on 09/15/2011

The apologies should be directed to all dumb animals.

[nanreh]

06:26 PM on 09/15/2011

no question! GOP/TEA PATIERS Iowans are very dumb, they like this woman, who is the distilled version of plain IGNORANT, what an insult to COUGARS of all ages and species

[HawkeyeD]

09:32 PM on 09/15/2011

You do know that you are insulting an entire state for the results of a Republican Party fundraiser vote by 20,000 people, right?

[CrazyCarl]

05:33 PM on 09/15/2011

Are you kidding me? That was deserved of an apology? HA ! There's so much more than could've been said....

[freddsky]

05:16 PM on 09/15/2011

Meanwhile, comments that Marcus is a vixen go unchecked?

[drmr]

09:06 PM on 09/15/2011

Marcus is just FAAAAAABULOUS!

[kenhamlett]

05:06 PM on 09/15/2011

I am a liberal Democrat, and I do not support Michelle Bachmann in any way. Your remark is offensive and indefensible.

[Skotyman]

05:38 PM on 09/15/2011

Oh don't get your Birkenstocks in a bunch.

[MountPanic]

06:34 PM on 09/15/2011

That's your opinion, and it's worth about as much as mine. Have a cookie.

[fanofariana]

05:15 PM on 09/15/2011

LOL FF

[edgeninja]

04:40 PM on 09/15/2011

Puh-lease! I've heard cruder jokes on Jay Leno. Talk about overreacting.