Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann during a recent book-signing event. Photo: Suzanne Stone.
Last week, at a meeting held at the Waverly Pizza Ranch in Iowa, Michele Bachmann was asked by 18-year-old Jane Schmidt, the president of Waverly High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance, why same-sex couples were no allowed to get married. The Minnesota congresswoman put the teenager straight and very clearly explained to her that they could.
Indeed, Mrs. Bachmann kindly spelt out that a gay man could get married if he wished to do so. As long as he got married to a woman. The same holds true for a gay woman, of course, provided she is happy to wed a man.
This week, the 55-year-old Republican presidential hopeful went to South Carolina to hold a book-signing event to promote her latest publication, Core of Conviction: My Story. At some point, an 8-year-old boy, who appeared to be queuing with his mother, Lora, to speak to the congresswoman, whispered to Mrs. Bachmann, “My mom is gay but she doesn’t need fixing.” Mrs. Bachmann was too far away to hear the young boy but, encouraged to speak louder by both his mother and the congresswoman, Elijah shyly repeated his statement. Mrs. Bachmann did not make any comment and waved Elijah and his mother goodbye as they walked away.
Although the person who shot the 40-second clip insisted that the boy’s mother got nervous but that the boy insisted on speaking to Mrs. Bachmann, the congresswoman was clearly set up. At the beginning of the recording, the young child is clearly heard shouting ‘no’ as he is being pushed towards Mrs. Bachmann. He is then clearly encouraged to speak to her. And the fact that the whole episode was filmed and choreographed so that Mrs. Bachmann’s reaction was captured so perfectly indicates that she was indeed the victim of a dirty trick.
Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann's latest book, Core of Conviction: My Story.
Nevertheless, the really amusing part of the exchange was Mrs. Bachmann’s reaction. She did appear lost for words. She did look stunned. Maybe she was? Maybe, in order to protect the child’s feelings, she did not wish to engage and tell Lora that she did need fixing? Maybe she realized that she would not manage to convince the boy that his mother was suffering from a ‘sexual identity disorder’?
We all know Mrs. Bachmann’s views on homosexuality and same-sex marriages. At no point has she flip-flopped about the issue. Maybe it’s time to move on. The lady’s not for turning.
