Bachmann's campaign implodes -- anti-Americans run wild

Game-changer

As Cillizza points out, these remarks have changed the course of the race.

And, the Cook Political Report -- one of the most highly respected handicappers of Congressional races and The Fix alma mater -- moved the race (subscription required) from likely Republican to toss up yesterday.

Of the race, Cook House editor David Wasserman wrote: "Bachmann's comments likely changed the complexion of her reelection race overnight and helped to turn the race into even more of a referendum on her."

Crisis communications

Not afraid of television cameras, she went back on the air Sunday morning -- this time on appeared on WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, and was asked about her Hardball statement on Obama.

Not immediately backing down from the remark, she said the issue is about "the associations that Barack Obama has" before calling on the media once again to investigate Obama's views, relationships, and associations.

On an Obama presidency she said the public should expect tax increases, socialized medicine, a $40 trillion climate change tax, and the removal of the secret ballot during labor union organization votes.

Anti-American?

But what about the anti-American views that she said Obama harbors?

"I'm not saying his views are anti-American," she said. "That is a misreading of what I said. I don't believe that that is my position. I'm calling on the media to take a look at what his views are. Because I think they've had an appalling lack of curiosity."

More clarification

She appeared on John McCaslin's "Inside the Beltway" radio program yesterday to further clarify her point of view.

"It is amazing to me how the wind tunnel and spin can go around and around in an echo chamber," she said. "And this is simply a lie. I did not question Barack Obama's patriotism, I did not say he was anti-American."

Remember him?

Governor Tim Pawlenty, a short-lister for VP a couple months ago, spoke out about the controversy yesterday and stood in the safest spot possible -- right in the middle.

"I don't think it's fair or appropriate to suggest that Barack Obama is anti-American," he said. "If you do a lot of interviews, eventually you are going to say something that you wish you had said differently. It's just the nature of talking all day."

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