I couldn’t believe the article I read late Monday. It alleges that Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has such bad migraines that it incapacitates her. Jonathan Strong over at The Daily Caller writes:
The former aide says Bachmann’s congressional staff is “constantly” in contact with her doctors to tweak the types and amounts of medicine she is taking. Marcus Bachmann helps her manage the episodes.
Sources who spoke to The Daily Caller said they did so because they are terrified about the impact the condition could have on Bachmann’s performance if she actually became president. They also worry that the issue could blow up in the general election campaign, giving President Obama an easy path to re-election.
“It’s a careful choice of words I used: ‘incapacitated,’” the adviser says.
“As president, when she’s in crisis management mode, is she going to have the physical ability to withstand the most difficult challenges facing America?” the former aide asks.
TheDC agreed to provide the sources anonymity because they were providing information only a select group of people could know, at great professional risk.
I almost thought I was reading a different Jonathan because this article reminds of the type of story that Jonathan Martin of POLITICO would write about Sarah Palin since this is based on anonymous sources. Knowing people who get regular migraines, and having suffered with cluster headaches myself I understand how bad they can be. However, Congresswoman Bachmann admitted yesterday that yes she does get them and they are well controlled with medication. She’s served in Congress for a number of years and this is an alleged problem that is now surfacing?
Please the whole thing doesn’t pass the smell test, and I would like to think Iowa voters and voters nationwide are smarter than that. If you choose not to vote for Congressman Bachmann don’t let your vote be based on the testimony of a spineless twit who doesn’t have the guts to identify themselves. As David French at the National Review pointed out yesterday since the person is anonymous we have no way of asking follow-up questions – like what does “debilitating” mean to you? Having to visit a walk-in clinic because you are away from home and still making it to your activities (like she did in California) doesn’t seem to meet the definition.
Considering what ailments past Presidents have had this seems rather insignificant. Linking her migraines to stress makes this hit piece even worse – incredibly subjective. Where’s the proof? There’s none which is why this piece of tripe shouldn’t be taken seriously.
Photo by Dave Davidson
Update: Congressman Steve King told ABC News (heh, couldn’t give me the scoop, I emailed them yesterday) that her migraines have not impacted her role in Congress.
…we asked one of her closest friends and allies in Congress whether he’s ever seen them impact her job performance.
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, told us on ABC’s “Top Line” today that the answer is no:
“If you would watch her public appearances and see how she performs in each one of them, there would be no clue of such a thing in her public appearances,” King said. “She is one who always rises to the occasion. And all of us have had our times when we’ve been short of sleep — our travels have been intense, a lot of things are pounding on us from the outside. But when it’s time to step up and do your job — are you ready for it? And I think you can see she always is.”