That Time When Bernie Sanders Tried To Debate Michele Bachmann On CNN & Her Comedy Of Errors

by Leslie Salzillo

The soon to be officially announced presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, from Vermont, and former MN Republican Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann, from Uranus, were guests on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. The show aired just before President Obama addressed the nation with his 2014 State Of The Union Speech. Sanders discussed issues that included income equality, minimum wage, education, social security, jobs creation, corporate wealth and tax evasion. Bachmann, a known liar (documented by Politifact), read from the repetitive Right-Wing, Koch-sucking Declaration of Co-Dependance, while interjecting something about "Australia." She did do a good job of sticking to the script; I'll give her that. She was completely unyielding to a mature, courteous, and educated debate.

It really was unfair pairing the two. Bernie Sanders knew what he was talking about, defended his positions, and asked pertinent questions, even while continuously being interrupted. When asked to declare her stance on cutting social security and raising the minimum wage, Michele Bachmann dodged and evaded like a boxer avoiding a punch. I've never seen any politician do it quite so well. Points for that. She did cave a bit at the end when Blitzer jumped in and also pushed her for an answer. Blitzer, who did not do a very good job moderating did cap the "debate" very well at the end, not putting Bachmann in a good light. Bachmann took at as a compliment. She gets confused.

Now, the conversation did start off non-partisan, and I think Sanders wanted to keep it focused on the problems, rather than the parties, but Bachmann seemed to not know how to have that kind of conversation.

Given the disparity in basic intelligence, (I'm serious. I think Bachmann has a few "toys in the attic") it's almost cruel that they were put together in the same ring. This clearly it's no contest. Sanders won just on intelligence, before the first round began. But I will say, just watching some of his expressions as Bachmann rants, makes the video worth watching. The amount of patience he shows is remarkable. I especially enjoyed the end watching Sanders laughing at her, kind of like, "Is she kidding with this?" I think what made this especially enjoyable for me to watch was knowing Bachmann is no longer in office and still under investigation for campaign fraud.

Am I incredibly tough on Michele Bachman? I am. She was a waste of taxpayer money. The anti-LGBT and anti-choice politician voted against reducing college costs, called global warming a "hoax"/"voodoo," tried to repeal ACA healthcare reform multiple times, perpetuated the "death panel conspiracy theory," voted against minimum wage increase, and is an in-your-face-judgemental-pseudo-Christian... The woman makes me angry just looking at her. She had no business being in our American government. Do I hate her? No.

Do I love Bernie Sanders? I do. The man works for the struggling everyday people, not for the parties, not for the wealthy. He has no problem going the most powerful and corrupt individuals/1% and corporations in America -- all while doing his best to lift up the poor and middle class. Can you imagine what he'd do, if given the power of the presidency? Many are eager to find out.