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Tarryl Clark

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Accountability for BP -- and for Michele Bachmann

Posted: 06/21/10 12:27 AM ET

I guess we shouldn't be surprised that Michele Bachmann is back in the news.

After all, even as Minnesota families struggle to make ends meet, Congresswoman Bachmann is more interested in publicity and promoting a personal agenda than in getting anything done for the people she's supposed to represent.

Still, even for her, leaping to the defense of BP in the wake of the massive Deepwater Horizon spill is shocking.

Michele Bachmann in her own words: "[I]f I was the head of BP, I would let the signal get out there -- 'We're not going to be chumps, and we're not going to be fleeced.' And they shouldn't be. They shouldn't have to be fleeced and make chumps to have to pay for perpetual unemployment and all the rest."

She's even accused President Obama of "extorting money" from BP.

It's shocking -- and offensive. There are real people down in the Gulf who are losing their livelihoods. BP should be held accountable for what it's done. And Michele Bachmann should be held accountable for taking their side.

Look, I get just as upset as you do when I see politicians like Michele Bachmann putting big corporations above working families. But getting upset isn't enough -- we have to take action.

That's why I decided to run against Michele Bachmann for Congress. I've spent my career working to improve my community by founding Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity and leading Community Action. As a State Senator, I fought to create jobs and build a better future for working families. And while I've been working hard for my constituents, Michele Bachmann has -- by her own admission -- accomplished nothing for the people of the 6th District. This isn't what we wanted in our Congresswoman.

I believe in accountability. When a government program doesn't work, we should stop paying for it. When a company spills billions of gallons of oil into the Gulf, that company ought to pay to clean it up. And when a Congresswoman makes it clear that her loyalties don't lie with her constituents, it is time for a change.

And so my campaign is releasing a TV ad -- no fancy gimmicks or sneaky politics, just Michele Bachmann's own ridiculous words in defense of BP.

I know it's early in the campaign -- and it's a big addition to our budget -- but I think actions should have consequences, whether you're a big corporation that just dumped oil all over the Gulf Coast or a Congresswoman defending that big corporation.

We're also launching an email campaign to rally our supporters to say, "Enough!" Times are hard for families in across Minnesota. People need jobs, they need better schools, they need health care they can rely on. They don't need a Congresswoman who spends her time building her celebrity status by jetting from state to state to headline Tea Party rallies and right-wing fundraisers.

I hope this ad will put Michele Bachmann on notice that we've had enough of her antics. And I hope you're ready to help me take her on. Visit TarrylClark.com to find out how.

 
 
 
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08:13 PM on 07/07/2010
This is a true statement, but a misleading quote of Bachman. The perpetual unemployment that the Congresswoman is referring to is part of a fund that the Obama administration has set to deal with the unemployed oil workers that will not have a job do to the US closing down oil rigs that are currently in use. She is not objecting to BP paying for the clean-up in the Gulf.
03:54 AM on 06/30/2010
this woman represents my district and I dont understand why she keeps getting reelected. Everytime she opens her mouth I think she will have finally dug her own grave but nooo! I dont get it. Oh the shame
06:17 PM on 06/25/2010
Thank you for running, Tarryl! One less loon in Congress will be a great accomplishment.
04:23 PM on 06/25/2010
Good luck, Tarryl. I hope the sheep are finally able to see the light.
04:03 PM on 06/22/2010
Isn't Tarryl great!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
BCubedReg
Everything is possible
08:58 AM on 06/22/2010
Tarryl,

Good luck to you in the upcoming election bid and I hope you unseat Michelle Bachman. However, I am pessimistic about your chances. Michelle Bachman didn't turn crazy last night. She's been crazy for a while. And yet, her constituents voted her into office again in 2008 which suggests Minnesotans in her district are either not very bright or suffer from Stockholm Syndrome.

Good Luck anyway.
10:34 PM on 06/21/2010
Repubs: You can keep your Corporate leaders, I will choose my goverment over "Corporate America" any day.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
KayJay90
What in the world...?
05:51 PM on 06/21/2010
Well, I did my part by contributing to your campaign, Ms. Clark -- and I'm not even a resident of your state.

Here's a first -- you're on "Hardball" with Chris Matthews RIGHT NOW, while I'm typing this thumbs-up comment to you! Good luck, the best of luck in your campaign!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
lavndrblue
05:29 PM on 06/24/2010
Thank you for donating to Tarryl's campaign! I am a constituent and we need all the help we can get to defeat our nutcase of a Congresswoman! Thanks again!
05:00 PM on 06/21/2010
Bachman is an embarrassment to her state. Who voted this woman in office any how ? Unbelievable !
04:51 PM on 06/21/2010
Bachmann is correct. Ms. Bachmann is deserving to be POTUS in 2012.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
tamparob
I ain't no fortunate son.
02:03 AM on 06/22/2010
I know a secret about Michele...just waiting for the righ time to divulge...shh...don't tell anyone
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CraigR
Born okay the first time
11:05 AM on 06/26/2010
I would love to see her run for president. Then her brain-dead laughable comments would be heard by so many more Americans. She would provide election-time hilarity!
04:43 PM on 06/21/2010
I agree with Ms. Clark. Ms. Bachmann must be removed from Congress and placed where she belongs which is the White House in 2012.
05:01 PM on 06/21/2010
Bachman/Pallin 2012.............should provide lots of material for Saturday Night Live
04:36 PM on 06/21/2010
Bachmann is a true freedom fighter and one of the shining stars in Congress.

Bachmann for POTUS 2012.
05:02 PM on 06/21/2010
LOL..................as expected from a Republican Tea Bagger
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
LetMeUnderstandThis
10:05 AM on 06/22/2010
Tea Bagger, LOL
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
KayJay90
What in the world...?
05:56 PM on 06/21/2010
I think Hammerofthor just found a new name so he can share some of his Palin verbal p o r n with Bachmann.
09:12 AM on 06/22/2010
Stay classy Lib.
04:28 PM on 06/21/2010
Why would anyone expect accountability with Michele?

No matter what we say, she will just find a way around it....because she doesn't care about facts or reality. She can say something completely wrong and just state that she is right with nothing behind it. That is how she, and her friends, operate

It is rather insulting to everyones intelligence but people like Michele know that it is the only way for her to continue in politics
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
zero1319
They only call it class war when we fight back.
03:45 PM on 06/21/2010
I lived in Minnesota for three years, and loved every minute of it. For the good of that wonderful state, I wish you all the best in November, Ms. Clark. Great article.
03:09 PM on 06/21/2010
Bachmann will scream her way to victory as usual and then go on to work for sister Sarah in 2012.