So here is the theme Rep. Michele Bachmann is now using for her campaign: "Don't Settle." Last week, she delivered a convocation address at Virginia's Liberty University, and she used this theme as advice to the students of the Jerry Falwell-founded institution. "Don't settle in your spiritual life," she said. "Don't settle in your personal life. Don't settle in your career goals. And as a nation, we can't settle either."
Also, America is "on the ropes right now with very high employment"? I hope she means the opposite.
Of course, the real theme here may as well be, "And, hey, don't settle for, say ... the current front-runners in the GOP nomination race." Here, Bachmann makes it clear that Mitt Romney is the real thing for which we should not be settling:
"BACHMANN: This isn't the time for settling. About three weeks ago, I started hearing the mantra, 'Anyone but Obama. We need to make sure the conservative candidates stand next to the wall and get behind the moderate candidate.' This is not the year to get behind the moderate."
That's a pretty verbose "mantra," but the implication is clear -- let's not rush to anoint Romney. Let's not settle at all! (Though Bachmann's admonition that "we need to stand with our ally Israel" suggests that you're allowed to settle if you intend to shtetl.) And lest you think Bachmann isn't up to speed with who is really chewing into her support, she's got a "Don't Settle" video that targets Rick Perry as well.
"BACHMANN: We can't settle for a president who would encourage more illegal immigration with magnet policies like tuition breaks for illegal aliens and their children. That's an abuse of an executive power."
Of course, the big story this week is that everyone's desire to not settle is fueling hope and speculation that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will jump into the race, so Bachmann might want to be careful what she wishes for.
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