How could she have been re-elected? How could that nut, with her nationally televised call for an investigation into "anti-Americanism" in members of Congress--have been re-elected, this year? The year of Obama, the year of an increase in Dem seats in the House, the year of the conservative crack-up?
One reason: it's God. Well--not God. It's her use of God, of the sacred name, and the way she and the national evangelical political machine have harnessed it for political purposes. (continued)
I went back and transcribed an audio segment from an interview that Bachmann did this year on Wallbuilders, a radio ministry hosted by evangelical conservatives David Barton and Rick Green.
I did that because it's been suggested that Bachmann will have to back off on some of her "social conservative" agenda, now that she's been re-elected and the Dems have increased their majority in Congress.
"Social conservative?" What's that mean? It's a euphemism. That's how evangelical conservative politicians like to see themselves and their agenda described in print--and for the most part, professional media comply and use that euphemism to describe their agenda to unwary readers. You see: if journalists described politicians like Michele as "Christian fundamentalist politicians" or "evangelical politicians" that description--even though accurate--would alienate some of the voters they hope to attract: libertarian conservatives, voters who aren't evangelicals, voters who really do care about separation of church and state.
I don't think that Michele is going to back off the "evangelical conservative" agenda at all. Her ambitions are ultimately national, and the support of the national evangelical machine has been key to advancement almost since the beginning of her political career.
One thing that people have to understand about Michele is the "two faces" thing. When she's courting evangelical support, she presents herself very differently than the way she does in other forums. For example, she speaks differently than she does during her appearances on secular conservative talk radio (the Jason Lewis show, etc.) She speaks very differently from the way she speaks on CNN or MSNBC, talking to mainstream political audiences.
Another difference is the way that Michele herself is presented to evangelical audiences by evangelical media. In that forum, she is presented as a hero; a champion of the evangelical worldview fighting against an ungodly, secular government. That's been going on for about eight years. It amounts to free political advertising for herself and her agenda in evangelical media.
If you want to understand Michele Bachmann's career and why she can triumph regularly despite the fact that she does little or nothing for her district, you should probably read the following excerpt. Note the way that the host of the program describes and treats Michele. You see: the people who take these forums seriously (and there are millions of them) believe that Michele is representing true Christianity in politics. So they believe that if you oppose Michele or her agenda in any meaningful way--you are opposing true Christianity. You can't really win arguments with Bachmann supporters who come to the table with that pre-supposition.
This was broadcast this year, this campaign season, during the week of the Democratic convention. Pay attention to how host Rick Green talks about Michele Bachmann. It's representative of how she's been presented by evangelical conservative broadcasters for nearly eight years:
Bachmann: We didn’t get and gain this prosperity that we have in this nation, this level of freedom, by our own hands, this has been God’s gift and only when we submit ourselves to Him, His will and act in accordance with His plan will we continue to be blessed as a nation, that’s why I’m so honored to be able to be there and work hand in glove with you, with Wallbuilders ministry to make sure that we can maintain America’s freedoms because they will evaporate very, very quickly, it will make our heads spin how quickly these freedoms will evaporate if we don’t continue to be ever ready to make sure that we preserve them.
Bachmann: ...If freedom was just natural, that it sprung up and everyone was respectful of other’s freedoms, the whole world would be living in freedom. But we realize that mankind is sinful and mankind continues to try to lord over power over other men. And that’s what we continually have to be vigilant about. To make sure that we each continue to preserve that freedom. And of course freedom begins with self-control. The Bible is right, it begins with self control. When we control ourselves that’s truly how we have self-government.
Green: Well you have to reassure our listeners to know, because I just know there are people listening right now, that as they hear you speak like that they’re going Wow there is somebody with a biblical worldview in congress. would you encourage them and let them know not only are you there, but there’s a lot just like you and you guys have the Prayer Caucus and other groups that come together. And if folks I think knew how many of you are there and the wonderful way you are taking a biblical worldview into that arena. I think they would be encouraged.
Bachmann: Thank you for asking about because that is what has given me more hope than anything. I joined the Prayer Caucus as soon as I became a member of Congress. I was sworn in, this is my first term, in January of 07, and I would say we meet together for prayer during the very first votes of the week so whether we fly in on an Monday or a Tuesday, we meet in room 219 just off the house chamber. So if you have C-SPAN on and you’re watching us vote at the first votes of the week, just realize right behind the door of 219 just off that chamber, there’s a group of believers on our knees, we’re confessing, we’re repenting of our sins and of the sins of our nation, we’re crying out to a holy God for His mercy because we believe that God has given us a privileged position as members of Congress in this great country and it up to us to humble ourselves before a mighty God and to call upon Him and ask Him for his graciousness, for wisdom and understanding that’s beyond ourselves. And if there’s anything that’s been impressed upon me, Rick, over these last nineteen months, it is that the future our country rests in confession of sin and in repentance, turning away from that sin. As we do that, God most certainly will keep His hand of blessing upon this nation.
But as we reject Him and reject our religious heritage, our Christian heritage, then God says in his word He is no respecter of persons, He is not partial. He will lift that hand of blessing off our nation. It is that simple. And so each one of us whether we’re an elected member of congress or whether we are biblical-believing individual--we can each pray, we can each confess, we can each repent, and cry out to a Holy God on behalf of this great nation.
Green: You know that was too good. I’m gonna have to have you on once a week. You are so right on. You just confirmed everything for me. A couple of years ago when you were first running, I was there doing a home-school conference in Minnesota with Drew Ryan and some other folks and he was telling me "You know, man, Michele’s the one we want to win this thing and you know, let everybody know," and there were a lot of the young people from Generation Joshua that were getting involved, and everybody was talking about it, even some of the radio folks I was on with while I was there, talking about how great you were and how solid you are in your worldview and everything and David’s been telling me that as well, but Congresswoman, you just nailed it, you’re like the men of Issachar you understand the times and you know what to do. What a blessing to have you there, I know you’ve encouraged our listeners. Our guest Michele Bachmann from Minnesota, Congressman Michele Bachmann. We’ll be right back with Wallbuilders Live with David Barton and Rick Green