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Did Michele Bachmann Rebuff Chris Wallace Apology For ‘Are You A Flake’ Question?

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» 76 comments

Chris Wallace almost seems to be making as much news as that which he is reporting. During the most recent episode of his Internet-only recap of his Sunday news program Wallace apologized to viewers (and ostensibly Michele Bachmann) for asking the GOP presidential hopeful “are you a flake?” ABC’s Jonathan Karl caught up with Bachmann to discuss asked her straight out if she accepted the Wallace apology. Hard to say that she flat-out refused the apology, but it is fair to say that she refused to address it.

In his words, Wallace “didn’t mean any disrespect,” and was only affording Bachmann the opportunity to address those “out there who do think she’s a flake.” He went on to say that he believed that she answered that question quite well.

But when Karl recently caught up with Bachmann, he asked her straight out if she accepted the apology, to which she replied “well, it’s insulting,” before adding “those are the small issues,” as an aide ushered her away.

Bachmann handled this potential public relations problem like a champ – she did not acquiesce to either the reporter looking to drum up a feud, nor did she allow for Wallace’s question to become the pervading meme from this odd narrative. The take away? Here we are talking about Michele Bachmann on the day that she officially kicks off her presidential campaign, which can only be good news for her.

Watch the clip below, courtesy of ABC News:

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  • possibly

    A flake working for a flake news outlet asked a flake a question that everyone knows is true.

  • Just4thefax

    possibly said:
    A flake working for a flake news outlet asked a flake a question that everyone knows is true.

    Fact: Stay on topic we are not here to discuss MSMBC or CNN.

  • Azarkhan

    possibly said:
    a question

    Wallace should have been more precise and asked the question like this:

    “Possibly, who is an ignorant left winger who keeps his head up Obama’s a@@, thinks you are a flake. What do you have to say to a moron like that?”

  • Steve_27

    Another story thats not a story. And Colby, as much as my writing sucks, you inspire me that I may still have hope getting a job in this field.

    Do they have aplications there?

  • seek

    Classy lady. Good for her.

  • Just4thefax

    Fact: Bachmann is giving the media a big target since her poll numbers are up and will be getting higher as the RINO Romney drops. She empresses me, more each time I hear her speak.

  • writer

    I’m sure Wallace’s question was nothing next to the crucifixion the media is planning for her.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    “Chris Wallace almost seems to be making as much news as that which he is reporting.”

    When this happens, the individual ceases to be a journalist. And, it has happened far too often across the broadcast spectrum.

  • TangledThorns

    Bachmann is handling this well. This also give her the cred that FOX News doesn’t support any GOP candidate out there.

  • Steve_27

    Steve_27 said:
    Another story thats not a story. And Colby, as much as my writing sucks, you inspire me that I may still have hope getting a job in this field. Do they have aplications there?

    application, sorry. See, told ya. lol

  • Jackie_Treehorn

    Why did you lie to Walalce about the family farm Bachmann?

    Another typical politician the Tea Baggers will try to pass off as an “everyman”….

  • The Lantern of Truth

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    When this happens

    Robert ticked off that he has to learn all of Bachmann’s children’s names and come up with nasty nicknames and insults for each .

  • writer

    I think he picked that up in church.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    The Lantern of Truth said:
    Robert ticked off that he has to learn all of Bachmann’s children’s names and come up with nasty nicknames and insults for each .

    Actually, so far I haven’t seen Bachmann trot her children out on the stage to prance around, nor am I aware of any of her children involved in criminal activity, cussing like Sarah N. Italy, throwing their uncovered thighs into the air, getting pregnant from wine coolers or doing anything tawdry. Perhaps, she is a good mother.

  • writer

    But if the King sees any of Bachmann’s kids ‘out there’ in public, it’s their ass!

  • Just4thefax

    Jackie_Treehorn said:
    Why did you lie to Walalce about the family farm Bachmann? Another typical politician the Tea Baggers will try to pass off as an “everyman”….

    Fact: She didn’t lie or it would look more of like all of Obama’s appointments to his cabinet positions that didn’t pay taxes. That’s what liars look and sound like.

  • valkyrie101

    Azarkhan said:
    Wallace should have been more precise and asked the question like this: “Possibly, who is an ignorant left winger who keeps his head up Obama’s a@@, thinks you are a flake. What do you have to say to a moron like that?”

    That was almost word for word what Ailes had originally suggested, but Wallce went with flake.

  • Sanders Youth

    Chris Wallace wouldn’t have said that to a male candidate.

  • Sanders Youth

    Go Michelle Go!!!!

    Bachmann, who will announce her White House bid Monday from her birthplace of Waterloo, Iowa, trails in a head-to-head matchup against Obama by 14 percentage points.

  • Just my Opinion

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    Actually, so far I haven’t seen Bachmann trot her children out on the stage to prance around, nor am I aware of any of her children involved in criminal activity, cussing like Sarah N. Italy, throwing their uncovered thighs into the air, getting pregnant from wine coolers or doing anything tawdry. Perhaps, she is a good mother.

    What are the odds this idiot RRK would ever say something like this to Todd
    Palin eye ball to eye ball?
    My offer remains open, brave keyboard kommando!

  • Jackie_Treehorn

    Just4thefax said:
    Fact: She didn’t lie or it would look more of like all of Obama’s appointments to his cabinet positions that didn’t pay taxes. That’s what liars look and sound like.

    1. She claimed the farm was only owned by her father in law when her name is on the deed.

    2. She claimed she earned no income from the farm when tax filings from herself showed earnings of up to $100k in previous years off of it.

    Your bow down to politicians is hilarious. Screaming about “Socialism” and then jumping to defend a right winger who rakes in the dough with her federally subsidized farm.

  • Azarkhan

    Jackie_Treehorn said:
    1. She claimed

    And we’re supposed to believe a lying, hateful piece of sh*t like you? LOL

  • Sanders Youth

    The Obama campaign are celebrating that Michelle Bachmann is polling so well with the Cons right now, I am sure they already have a bunch of commercials ready, just in case she actually gets the nomination. If I haven’t said it before I will say it now I LOVE THE REPUBLICAN ELECTORATE! Always their very worst enemy, they nominated a real winner last time and I am sure won’t disappoint again.

  • Just4thefax

    Jackie_Treehorn said:
    1. She claimed the farm was only owned by her father in law when her name is on the deed. 2. She claimed she earned no income from the farm when tax filings from herself showed earnings of up to $100k in previous years off of it. Your bow down to politicians is hilarious. Screaming about “Socialism” and then jumping to defend a right winger who rakes in the dough with her federally subsidized farm.

    Fact: My wife’s name was put on my bought country house. How much did she put in to buying it. Zero. When I sell it someday how much money will she have in hand at the sell of it. Zero. Just like Bachman she has Zero into it. Just like she said.

  • Just4thefax

    Sanders Youth said:
    The Obama campaign are celebrating that Michelle Bachmann is polling so well with the Cons right now, I am sure they already have a bunch of commercials ready, just in case she actually gets the nomination. If I haven’t said it before I will say it now I LOVE THE REPUBLICAN ELECTORATE! Always their very worst enemy, they nominated a real winner last time and I am sure won’t disappoint again.

    Fact: I see there are a few Kool-Aid drinkers not willing to get off the drugs. Oh yea just make them legal right?

    Fact:Direction of Country
    Polling Data
    Poll Date Right Direction Wrong Track Spread
    RCP Average 6/2 – 6/20 29.5 63.7 -34.2
    Bloomberg 6/17 – 6/20 26 66 -40
    Associated Press/GfK 6/16 – 6/20 33 63 -30
    Rasmussen Reports 6/13 – 6/19 26 65 -39
    NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl 6/9 – 6/13 29 62 -33
    CBS News 6/3 – 6/7 31 60 -29
    ABC News/Wash Post 6/2 – 6/5 32 66 -34
    Obama will get spanked by bachman if this doesn’t change.

  • Jackie_Treehorn

    Azarkhan said:
    And we’re supposed to believe a lying, hateful piece of sh*t like you? LOL

    Yeah because watching the interview and seeing the words come out of her mouth is “lying”.

    Typical blinded right wing idiot. Does it hurt to be that stupid?

  • Azarkhan

    Jackie_Treehorn said:
    Yeah

    So we should take the word of a hateful moron (you!) over that of Michele Bachmann? Not happening.

  • seek

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    Actually, so far I haven’t seen Bachmann trot her children out on the stage to prance around, nor am I aware of any of her children involved in criminal activity, cussing like Sarah N. Italy, throwing their uncovered thighs into the air, getting pregnant from wine coolers or doing anything tawdry. Perhaps, she is a good mother.

    Perhaps you are a freaking idiot! Grow up.
    Tell me about “throwing their uncovered thighs in the air”? Cause you have resorted to the dumbest damn things to further your hate agenda.

  • skyfet

    To be (a Flake) or not to be (a Flake) that is the question.

    William Shakespeare, from the play Hamlet.

    Excluding the flake.

  • Just4thefax

    Jackie_Treehorn said:
    Yeah because watching the interview and seeing the words come out of her mouth is “lying”. Typical blinded right wing idiot. Does it hurt to be that stupid?

    Fact: Do you take drugs for all that pain?

  • Steve_27

    Jackie_Treehorn said:
    Yeah because watching the interview and seeing the words come out of her mouth is “lying”. Typical blinded right wing idiot. Does it hurt to be that stupid?

    I missed it and am not familiar with the incident. Do you have any links?

  • seek

    Jackie_Treehorn said:
    Yeah because watching the interview and seeing the words come out of her mouth is “lying”.

    Typical blinded right wing idiot. Does it hurt to be that stupid?

    Is there a possibility that you’ll rebut like an intelligent adult you purport to be? Cause right now you’re sounding very much like a “typical blinded left wing idiot, and you would know if it hurts or not.

  • Paul G

    Jackie_Treehorn said:
    Yeah because watching the interview and seeing the words come out of her mouth is “lying”.

    Typical blinded right wing idiot. Does it hurt to be that stupid?

    I see we have another diaper wearing cubicle living newbie Moron.

  • sharrow

    this is a very good website you can go and see it

    http://www.shoes4world.com

  • Azarkhan

    skyfet said:
    To be (a

    Or in your case: “To be a fool, or…” Actually, you don’t have a choice, do you?

  • Cecelia

    Wow!… Bachmann handled that surprisingly well!

    She made it clear that it wasn’t an “okay” question and she’s not entertaining that bs now or in the future.

    Wallace did the right thing in apologizing.

    I’m sure he wanted her to address all the smack Chris Matthews has been talking about her appearing “hypnotized”, etc, but instead ended up essentially asking her to defend herself against what is little more than an ad hominem attack.

  • Greg

    IMO the problem with the Wallace question (flake) was that it lacked rigor… an attempt to prove “tough” as an interviewer while wasting an opportunity… it was the consumate softball question.

  • valkyrie101

    Sanders Youth said:
    Go Michelle Go!!!! Bachmann, who will announce her White House bid Monday from her birthplace of Waterloo, Iowa, trails in a head-to-head matchup against Obama by 14 percentage points.

    The tea party strategy is to run this like a relay race. First Bachman hits the trail and campaigns the tea party message throughout the country until she reaches the point where she either runs out of funds, or is hopelessly behind. Then she will drop out, while complaining about the flakey treatment she got from the lamestream media, but she will also rip the republican establishment for turning a blind eye to tea party concerns about big government, etc. etc. At that point, or shortly after, following an outcry from the tea party faithful for Sarah to jump in and save the world from Barack Obama, the negro, and Mitt Romney, the Mormon, Sarah will enter as the strongest third party candidate in modern history. Every dime that Bachman spends spreading the tea party message is a dime spent for Sarah Palin.

  • skyfet

    Azarkhan said:
    Or in your case: “To be a fool, or…” Actually, you don’t have a choice, do you?

    Ahh, must have touched a freaking nerve.

  • Bill Huggins

    This campaign is going to RULE. Wait until she has to go on a non-Fox interview show and all her past soundbites are brought up.

    COMIC GOLD

    WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE LION KING MICHELLE

    BAHAHABAHAHABAHAHAHhhhhhhHahahHhah

  • TeaPartyNation

    Ya gotta wonder: Is wallace’s contract with FOX about to end, and was this insult to Bachmann and the FOX viewers an on-air video resume for him to submit to the “Corrupt B-tards” at the the M(ore)S(ocialism)from N(itwit)B(iased-socialist)C(lowns) network?

  • Sanders Youth

    valkyrie101 said:
    The tea party strategy is to run this like a relay race. First Bachman hits the trail and campaigns the tea party message throughout the country until she reaches the point where she either runs out of funds, or is hopelessly behind. Then she will drop out, while complaining about the flakey treatment she got from the lamestream media, but she will also rip the republican establishment for turning a blind eye to tea party concerns about big government, etc. etc. At that point, or shortly after, following an outcry from the tea party faithful for Sarah to jump in and save the world from Barack Obama, the negro, and Mitt Romney, the Mormon, Sarah will enter as the strongest third party candidate in modern history. Every dime that Bachman spends spreading the tea party message is a dime spent for Sarah Palin.

    So Sarah Palin is going to be Ross Perot?

  • Sanders Youth

    Just4thefax said:
    Fact: I see there are a few Kool-Aid drinkers not willing to get off the drugs. Oh yea just make them legal right?

    Fact:Direction of Country
    Polling Data
    Poll Date Right Direction Wrong Track Spread
    RCP Average 6/2 – 6/20 29.5 63.7 -34.2
    Bloomberg 6/17 – 6/20 26 66 -40
    Associated Press/GfK 6/16 – 6/20 33 63 -30
    Rasmussen Reports 6/13 – 6/19 26 65 -39
    NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl 6/9 – 6/13 29 62 -33
    CBS News 6/3 – 6/7 31 60 -29
    ABC News/Wash Post 6/2 – 6/5 32 66 -34
    Obama will get spanked by bachman if this doesn’t change.

    Fact: Learn how to copy and paste a graph so non-douchebags can read it.

  • Sanders Youth

    Just4thefax said:
    Fact: Do you take drugs for all that pain?

    I am drug and alcohol free.

  • felixw

    By all means, criticize Bachmann for his positions on issues. Even point out when she flubs a factual reference. But this kind of insinuating character attack is unworthy of Chris Wallace — unless he is trying to get a job at MSNBC. In that case, it’s exactly what Chris Wallace needs to do — since MSNBC’s whole programing is built around insinuating character attacks and avoidance of frank debate on the issues of the day. One might even call it the “Rachel Maddow philosophy of journalism.”

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bruce-Kennedy/1439463341 Bruce

    Bachmann, are you a flake? We report, you decide.

  • valkyrie101

    Sanders Youth said:
    So Sarah Palin is going to be Ross Perot?

    No, she is going to win.

  • Nature Freak

    From The Washington Times today,

    “Rep. Michele Bachmann kicked off her presidential campaign on Monday in Waterloo, Iowa, and in one interview surrounding the official event she promised to mimic the spirit of Waterloo’s own John Wayne.

    The only problem, as one eagle-eyed reader notes: Waterloo’s John Wayne was not the beloved movie star, but rather John Wayne Gacy, the serial killer.”

  • writer

    Nah. Gacy was a Democrat. Remember the photo of him posing with Rosalyn Carter?

  • Greg

    Nature Freak said:
    From The Washington Times today,

    “Rep. Michele Bachmann kicked off her presidential campaign on Monday in Waterloo, Iowa, and in one interview surrounding the official event she promised to mimic the spirit of Waterloo’s own John Wayne.

    The only problem, as one eagle-eyed reader notes: Waterloo’s John Wayne was not the beloved movie star, but rather John Wayne Gacy, the serial killer.”

    Great catch…she refuses to disappoint her critics.

  • Nature Freak

    Greg said:
    Great catch…she refuses to disappoint her critics.

    You can’t make stories like this up. Politico is now mentioning it.
    Bachmann may be a decent foster parent, but no way should Michelle be POTUS!

  • writer

    Which of the fifty seven states was she in when she said it?

  • Nature Freak

    Everybody loves a clown!

    Maybe Bachmann can go to Burlington, Vermont and mimic the spirit of Ted Bundy?

    Somebody on her presidential campaign is in hot water, unless this was her own brain child.

    I hope this really hurts Bachmann. The fact it happened in “Waterloo” is even more delicious.

  • Nature Freak

    writer said:
    Which of the fifty seven states was she in when she said it?

    Saskatchewan

  • writer

    Well that does it! Call out the Marine Corpse!

  • Nature Freak

    John Wayne Gacy…

    This is frickin’ comedy gold.

    This may go viral on the internet. Wonkette, Daily Kos, and Think Progress are now picking up on “Gacygate”.

    Waterloo…
    “The history book on the shelf
    Is always repeating itself”

  • writer

    Obama makes gaffes? Just gaffes. A Republican does it? The Apocalypse!

  • Nacho

    She sure is thin skinned, isn’t she.

  • Nacho

    writer said:
    Obama makes gaffes? Just gaffes. A Republican does it? The Apocalypse!

    Saying you have the spirit of a serial killer is a pretty awesome gaffe.

  • Cecelia

    Nature Freak said:
    “Rep. Michele Bachmann kicked off her presidential campaign on Monday in Waterloo, Iowa, and in one interview surrounding the official event she promised to mimic the spirit of Waterloo’s own John Wayne.

    The only problem, as one eagle-eyed reader notes: Waterloo’s John Wayne was not the beloved movie star, but rather John Wayne Gacy, the serial killer.”

    Could have been worse.

    She could have misspoken at a Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony and said the recipient was alive when he is actually dead.

  • Cecelia

    She could have visited another country and proposed a toast right in the middle of their national anthem…

  • writer

    Nacho, Gacy was such a good Democrat, Rosalynn Carter posed for pictures with him.

  • Nacho

    writer said:
    Nacho, Gacy was such a good Democrat, Rosalynn Carter posed for pictures with him.

    So this is Bachmann’s attempted move to the center?

    She does have killer spirit.

  • Nacho
  • Cecelia

    She could have said that Afghanistan needed more Arabic translators though Afghans don’t speak Arabic.

  • writer

    Gacy was also gay. Maybe Michelle was trying to get their votes.

  • Nacho

    writer said:
    Gacy was also gay. Maybe Michelle was trying to get their votes.

    Or maybe she’s gay.

  • writer

    Nah. If she was gay, it’d be politically incorrect of you on the left to make fun of her.

  • Bill Huggins

    writer said:
    Nah. If she was gay, it’d be politically incorrect of you on the left to make fun of her.

    Only if they were making fun of her gayness; but making fun of her for a gaffe has nothing to do with political correctness.

    Brush yourself up on definitions of words and comprehension skills before you try to project theories
    You don’t understand on others.

  • writer

    Huggins, I said IF she was gay. Political correctness means there are certain groups you can’t make fun of. Basically if you’re a straight white person, it’s open season. Anything other than that and the left is offended.

  • purveyor

    Prayer in school, euthanasia, abortion, birth control, homosexuality, are issues associated with the “Social Issue, Republican Party.”

    In fact, for a plurality of Republicans, these are NOT, the main issues, rather, National Security and Economic Stability , etc., are.

    This fact disturbs a majority of Republicans who recognize the tangible salvation of the Nation is Primary, Gays Lesbians, etc., are at most, ancillary. (At least for the moment!)

    Furthermore, the Social Conservative, Republican bloc, agitate’s Liberal Democrats.

    Ergo: If the Republican Party marginalized the Social Conservatives, would Moderate Democrats be open or willing to vote Republican and a Platform of Economic commonsense?

    I’ve said it before: The Conservatives want to get in your bedroom, the Liberals, want to get in your wallet. Can’t we get both, out of each?

    PURVEYOR OF RHETORIC

  • purveyor

    Cecelia said:
    She could have said that Afghanistan needed more Arabic translators though Afghans don’t speak Arabic

    Isn’t that, why, um, er, they would need more, um “translators”? I’m confused…

  • purveyor

    Cecelia said:
    She could have visited another country and proposed a toast right in the middle of their national anthem…

    Wow, I just got here, nice work CECELIA. Good Posts! Touche’

  • Tedderman

    I wonder how Michelle’s investigation on “un-Americans” in congress turned out? But who can ever for get her history lesson, informing us “the founding fathers worked tirelessly until slavery was ended?” Don’t worry folks, now that she’s running for president we’ll likely hear many, many, many more before “Zippy the squirrel” gets tired of sorting the nuts in her head.

  • X-3

    Did Michele Bachmann Rebuff Chris Wallace Apology For ‘Are You A Flake’ Question?

    NO.

  • Steve_27

    writer said:
    Which of the fifty seven states was she in when she said it?

    Now now, this aint fair, she had been up for awhile and was tired.

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