Michele Bachmann, Chris Wallace, and the flake question

[EveningStar]

Michele Bachmann and her supporters need to take a deep breath. Chris Wallace was merely asking Bachmann a question relating to how many of her critics view her. He himself wasn't calling her a flake. The exchange below bears this out.

 

It was nice of Wallace to apologize, though - even though he did nothing wrong.

 

People heard "Are you a flake?" and tuned everything else out. I expect that type of reaction from liberals. I don't expect it from conservatives. Also, such reactions as "Why didn't he ask 'X' the same question?" are missing the point.

 

Video of exchange (scoll down)

 

Exchange from transcript:

 

WALLACE: Finally, let's talk about Michele Bachmann because -- and you say -- it's interesting. You say that the people saw in the debate and saw you as a serious person. I don't have to tell you that you have -- the rap on you here in Washington is that you have a history of questionable statements, some would say gaffes, ranging from -- talking about anti-America members of Congress -- on this show -- a couple of months ago, when you suggested that NATO airstrikes had killed up to 30,000 civilians.

 

Are you a flake?

 

BACHMANN: Well, I think that would be insulting, to say something like that, because I'm a serious person.

 

WALLACE: But you understand when I say that, that that's what the rap on you is?

 

BACHMANN: Well, I would say is that I am 55 years old. I've been married 33 years. I'm not only a lawyer, I have a post doctorate degree in federal tax law from William and Mary. I work in serious scholarship and work in the United States federal tax court.

 

My husband and I 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 a member of United States Congress for five years. I've been very active in our business.

 

As a job creator, I understand job creation. But also I've been leading actively the movement in Washington, D.C., with those who are affiliated with fiscal reform.

 

WALLACE: Do you -- do you -- and I think it's important to say that. But do you recognize that now that you're in the spotlight, in a way that you weren't before, that you have to be careful and not say what some regard as flaky things?

 

BACHMANN: Well, of course, a person has to be careful what statements that they make. I think that's true. And I think now, there will be an opportunity to be able to speak fully on the issues. I look forward to that.

 

WALLACE: Congresswoman Bachmann, we want to thank you so much for coming in today. Always a pleasure to talk with you. And safe travels on the campaign trip.

 

BACHMANN: Thank you. Thank you.

[EveningStar]

Bachmann doesn't accept apology for 'flake' question

[NCTexan]

I listened to the video and I don't buy that Wallace was just teeing up what others say.

 

He said it with implied agreement that it was something that is true and she should address. Otherwise, he would have said... "Some out there say that you are a flake. What do you say to them?"

 

Then he implied that her "misspeaking" (which every public figure does... and especially the idiot in the White House) was proof point that she's a flake.

 

This was a "How long have you been beating your wife?" interview technique... and he knew what he was doing.

 

She was right not to accept an apology.

[Valin]

Bachmann doesn't accept apology for 'flake' question

 

 

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned / Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned."

 

 

For what it's worth Bill Bennett went on a tear this morning against Cris Wallace.

[righteousmomma]

I just watched Pat Caddell give Cavuto his opinion on the Wallace and Bachmann interview and even Caddell who is a Democrat and really likes Wallace as a personal friend thought he should not have asked the question in that matter.

Wallace is right this minute saying he did not "do it right". He apologized and she has accepted.

[Saltbag]

It was the lead question and obviously intentional. I wouldn't accept the apology, because it was disrespectful and planned before the interview. The fact he acts so surprised that she was perturbed and he received angry Emails from viewers just compounds how stupid he looks.

[EveningStar]

I listened to the video and I don't buy that Wallace was just teeing up what others say.

 

He said it with implied agreement that it was something that is true and she should address. Otherwise, he would have said... "Some out there say that you are a flake. What do you say to them?"

 

So Wallace is a bad guy here because he didn't phrase the question the way you would have phrased it?

Edited June 27, 2011 by EveningStar

[EveningStar]

It was the lead question and obviously intentional. I wouldn't accept the apology, because it was disrespectful and planned before the interview. The fact he acts so surprised that she was perturbed and he received angry Emails from viewers just compounds how stupid he looks.

 

As I said, people heard, "Are you a flake?", went red in the face, and heard nothing else. So much for conservatives being irrational to irrational people.

Edited June 27, 2011 by EveningStar

[Saltbag]

It was the lead question and obviously intentional. I wouldn't accept the apology, because it was disrespectful and planned before the interview. The fact he acts so surprised that she was perturbed and he received angry Emails from viewers just compounds how stupid he looks.

 

As I said, people heard, "Are you a flake?", went red in the face, and heard nothing else. So much for conservatives being irrational to irrational people.

 

 

It was actually the second instance that made me upset. Her response:

 

BACHMANN: Well, I would say is that I am 55 years old. I've been married 33 years. I'm not only a lawyer, I have a post doctorate degree in federal tax law from William and Mary. I work in serious scholarship and work in the United States federal tax court.

 

My husband and I 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 a member of United States Congress for five years. I've been very active in our business.

 

As a job creator, I understand job creation. But also I've been leading actively the movement in Washington, D.C., with those who are affiliated with fiscal reform.

 

So, of all the meaningful talking points to inquire about in her response, which are not flaky, his response is:

WALLACE: Do you -- do you -- and I think it's important to say that. But do you recognize that now that you're in the spotlight, in a way that you weren't before, that you have to be careful and not say what some regard as flaky things?

 

So, it's not his phrasing, but his persistence. The point of his interview was not to discuss issues, but to call her a flake. My opinion, and I think it's reasonably rational.

[righteousmomma]

As I said, people heard, "Are you a flake?", went red in the face, and heard nothing else. So much for conservatives being irrational to irrational people.

 

Irrational has diddly squat to do with the issue.

 

So Wallace is a bad guy here because he didn't phrase the question the way you would have phrased it?

 

Nope, has nothing to do with Wallace being a "bad guy" or a good guy.

Btw, your response to both NCT and Saltbag is a pretty sarcastic, snarky thing to say to a fellow conservative. You are on our side, aren't you? Or are you?

 

The way Wallace phrased it - and as he himself has agreed- was "not right" and it was phrased in a way that screams sexist patronizing put down to an accomplished, very intelligent, highly qualified serving Congresswoman.

 

Why even ask her such a plainly dufus shallow question?

[NCTexan]

I listened to the video and I don't buy that Wallace was just teeing up what others say.

 

He said it with implied agreement that it was something that is true and she should address. Otherwise, he would have said... "Some out there say that you are a flake. What do you say to them?"

 

So Wallace is a bad guy here because he didn't phrase the question the way you would have phrased it?

Yup... That's how I judge flakes and you're coming pretty close with the phrasing of some of your comments as well.

[Pepper]

I listened to the video and I don't buy that Wallace was just teeing up what others say.

 

He said it with implied agreement that it was something that is true and she should address. Otherwise, he would have said... "Some out there say that you are a flake. What do you say to them?"

 

Then he implied that her "misspeaking" (which every public figure does... and especially the idiot in the White House) was proof point that she's a flake.

 

This was a "How long have you been beating your wife?" interview technique... and he knew what he was doing.

 

She was right not to accept an apology.

 

Exactly, NCTexan. It was purposeful.

 

 

 

WALLACE: Finally, let's talk about Michele Bachmann because -- and you say -- it's interesting. You say that the people saw in the debate and saw you as a serious person. I don't have to tell you that you have -- the rap on you here in Washington is that you have a history of questionable statements, some would say gaffes, ranging from -- talking about anti-America members of Congress -- on this show -- a couple of months ago, when you suggested that NATO airstrikes had killed up to 30,000 civilians.

 

Are you a flake?

He could have asked:

 

How do you explain those statements? or even How do you explain those gaffes? BUT NOT Are you a flake?

 

 

 

It would be the same as if we did this:

 

INTERVIEWER: Mr. Wallace, some people are questioning the true intent of your remarks against Michele Bachmann during your interview. Those people claim that you did it on purpose. Are you an a-hole?

[Pepper]

Questions

 

Will all those* with severe cases of Palin DS or MicheleBDS vote GOP if either woman happens to be the nominee or on the ticket as VP?

 

 

Will all those* with Mitt Romney DS vote GOP if he happens to be the nominee or on the ticket as VP?

 

Those = that's just on our side, not including knee pad stenographers of the media and all other Libs

[EveningStar]

Btw, your response to both NCT and Saltbag is a pretty sarcastic, snarky thing to say to a fellow conservative. You are on our side, aren't you? Or are you?

 

I had second thoughts and edited the snarky parts out, but I guess I wasn't fast enough.

[pollyannaish]

I am beginning to see a weird bias regarding women who are running. It seems there is a portion of our countries elites who are no longer embarrassed to admit they a woman who is on the right, maintain their marriage in a traditional way, has more than one or two children they have raised themselves and are good looking and feminine...they are stupid.

 

So let me put this succinctly: Traditional women are stupid.

 

Bachmann is amazingly accomplished, as a wife and mother, as a career woman and as a human being. She is EXACTLY the kind of person we want running in this country. She has the ability to UNDERSTAND many groups. And yet she is denigrated as being a flake? Really?

 

She's made some stupid gaffes. But name ONE politician who hasn't. And that includes the Jack Kennedys and the Bill CLintons and the Ronald Reagans of the world. Good grief.

 

That she would be called a flake is beyond the pale. By anyone. And Chris Wallace bringing it up in this way is biased. He can bring up the gaffes and the fact there is more scrutiny now. That is completely fair. BUT. When was the last time you heard a MALE Democrat---LIke that FLAKE WEINER--be asked that question? And that guy actually IS one.

 

The press in this country has completely lost all sense of any perspective.

[Geee]

Pollyannaish-I was thinking the same exact thing when I read this article this morning.

 

http://www.therightreasons.net/index.php?/topic/33104-sarah-who-dccc-picks-bachmann-as-new-fundraising-bogey-woman/

 

This is on the Dem side, but I see the same with some of the Pubs.

[EveningStar]

This has nothing to do with traditional women, people. I am married to a traditional woman and I owe her everything - everything!

 

This has to do with rational critical thinking. Wallace threw Bachmann a softball, IE: this is what others are saying about you. She fumbled it and you "rational" so-called conservatives flipped out and descended upon him like liberal locusts.

[NCTexan]

This has nothing to do with traditional women, people. I am married to a traditional woman and I owe her everything - everything!

 

This has to do with rational critical thinking. Wallace threw Bachmann a softball, IE: this is what others are saying about you. She fumbled it and you "rational" so-called conservatives flipped out and descended upon him like liberal locusts.

Based on your comments concerning Michelle Bachman EveningStar!... I highly suggest that you do not vote for her in the primary.

 

If by chance, she becomes the GOP candidate running against Obama... then vote however your heart leads you.

 

Or you can abstain from voting completely and help Obama win.

 

This is just my unsolicited advice... worth exactly what you paid for it.

[righteousmomma]

EveningStar says:

This has to do with rational critical thinking.

DING, DING, DING YES it does. And that is exactly the point of our discontent.

 

Chris Wallace was not using critical thinking - and especially not critical thinking with fluid intelligence. A serious newsman lowered himself without thinking into a 24 hour sound bite parrot.

 

And as for:

Wallace threw Bachmann a softball, IE: this is what others are saying about you. She fumbled it and you "rational" so-called conservatives flipped out and descended upon him like liberal locusts.

 

Love your analogies and metaphors.

You are right "liberal locusts" are devouring and destroying. They are determined and have wicked bites and will change our landscape forever if not defeated at the ballot box.

 

As for "so -called conservatives" I proudly claim the label "conservative" as maligned and misunderstood as it is in this great post modern entertainment game of life where whiffle balls substitute for baseballs and nerf balls for footballs.

[pollyannaish]

This has nothing to do with traditional women, people. I am married to a traditional woman and I owe her everything - everything!

 

This has to do with rational critical thinking. Wallace threw Bachmann a softball, IE: this is what others are saying about you. She fumbled it and you "rational" so-called conservatives flipped out and descended upon him like liberal locusts.

 

I'm not flipped out about it, I just think its an illustration of the differences between the way conservatives and liberals are treated in the press. And liberals KNOW this. This is how they frame and control the debate. They shove out things like: Bachmann is a crazy flake, Palin is a lightweight quitter, Ryan wants to kill old people and children, and to go backwards Ronald Reagan is an amiable dunce, and George Bush is a spoiled brat frat boy idiot. Now to be fair, both sides do this. And both sides are asked about it. The DIFFERENCE is in tone and you can't see it in transcripts. When the GOP is asked these questions, its a serious accusation. When liberals are asked these questions its with a wink and a nod. As a result, people get paranoid.

 

I have concerns about Bachmann that have to do with management abilities, but think her visionary contributions are great. She is a smart, accomplished woman with a lot to offer--except perhaps knowing the birthplace of John Wayne . The framing of everyone on the right as crazy loons is destructive to our country, and it is not surprising that many of us on the right tend to react negatively to it. Why wouldn't we?

 

Finally, unlike most here, I am actually Chris Wallace fan and think, by and large, he is fair. So I don't think he has an agenda and this is not, in my estimation about him or his question, but about the way the media takes the "word" of which side. Dems are innocent until proven guilty (and sometimes not even then Charlie Rangle) and Repubs are guilty even when proven innocent. Its the world we live in.

[EveningStar]

Thank you, pollyannaish. That's a very good reply.

[nickydog]

Yes, it is.

[Chickadee]

Yep, how to control and frame the debate: (from Pookie's Toons 6/24/11)