Best of Bachmann (MSNBC, Aug. 5, 2009) — “Countdown” looks at how Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) may easily win reelection in 2010. Keith Olbermann reports. (04:36)

Transcript of ‘Countdown with Keith Olbermann’ for Wednesday, August 5, 2009

KEITH OLBERMANN, HOST (voice-over): Which of these stories will you be talking about tomorrow? […]

The man who nearly unseated Michele Bachmann last year will not run against her next year. I am really torn.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MICHELE BACHMANN, R-MINNESOTA: I may not always get my words right, but I know that my heart is right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OLBERMANN: A Bachmann-apalooza and more — now on COUNTDOWN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BACHMANN: I would love to see an exposé like that.

(END VIDEO CLIP) […]

OLBERMANN: And now that her 2008 opponent has dropped out of the 2010 race, tonight — the greatest hits of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. […]

On the one hand, she is a positive menace in the House. On the other, news that her last opponent will not try again to unseat her next year means we might get to still have Michelle Bachmann to laugh at. […]

The dilemma, a man who might have made a great Congressman drops out of the race to unseat Michele Bachmann. On the other hand, think of how much less insane the Republicans would look without Michele Bachmann. The latest from Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District next. […]

And yes, the democracy would be safer and saner without her, but with Sarah Palin a civilian, Joe the Plumber unable to get any campaign traction going, and Mark Sanford hiking the old Appalachian Trail, what on Earth would we do without Michele Bachmann?

In our number one story, Elwyn Tinklenberg, the man who nearly unseated her last year, says he will not try to do so again next year, ending his candidacy just eight days after it started, citing a crowded Democratic field. “In a difficult district during tough financial times, we will be spending large amounts of time and money trying to defeat each other, rather than defeating Michele Bachmann. That is not a campaign I want to wage. Nor is it the kind of campaign that strengthens our chances of electing a Democrat next fall.”

Funny, you’d think that even if we can put together a highlight reel like this one that you’re going to see, Michele Bachmann would be self-defeating.

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GEORGE W. BUSH, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our cause in the world is right. And tonight that cause goes on. God bless.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One Minnesotan spent some serious time at the president’s side after his State of the Union Address last night.

BUSH: You want me back in Minnesota?

REP. MICHELE BACHMANN, R-MINNESOTA: Oh, absolutely.

OLBERMANN: Mr. Bush tries to ignore her. Ms. Bachmann is not giving up. Then finally, the pull. And we’re going to get — no, she gets kissed. And now, there’s the kiss.

BACHMANN: The president and I enjoy a great relationship. When he and I were back visiting the collapsed bridge, he reached over because he wanted to give me a kiss when we were down at the site. And I had pulled back and he said, “What?”

I have experienced that throughout my political career, being labeled a kook. Michael Steele, you be the man. You be the man. I don’t think it has been established yet as a fact that global warming is the issue of the day (LAUGHTER). But there isn’t even one study that can be produced that shows that carbon dioxide is a harmful gas.

She [NANCY PELOSI] is committed to her global warming fanaticism, to the point where she has said she is just trying to save the planet.

We all know that someone did that over 2,000 years ago. They saved the planet. We don’t need Nancy Pelosi to do that.

Carbon dioxide, Mr. Speaker, is a natural by-product of nature.

OLBERMANN: You know what else is a natural product of nature, Congresswoman? Disease, anthrax, fatal lightning strikes, being eaten by wolves, and stupidity.

BACHMANN: Really, now in Washington, I’m a foreign correspondent on enemy lines.

Because this columnist Michael Barone has called. He said now we’ve moved into the realm of gangster government. We have gangster government, a gangster government. I want people in Minnesota armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax. We now have an imperial presidency, where the American people need to get outraged. We have to rise up and say “No more.” Not on my watch. Thomas Jefferson told us having a revolution every now and then is a good thing.

And it’s the mother of all ironies … that the kids who voted en masse for Barack Obama are the ones being fitted with shackles and chains.

Not all cultures are equal. Not all values are equal.

OLBERMANN: Michele Bachmann is back, and on her latest paranoid quest that if you fill out the census, you might wind up in an internment camp.

BACHMANN: That’s how the Japanese were rounded up and put into the internment camps.

I may not always get my words right.

Remember, it was Michelle Obama who said she’s only recently proud of her country. And so these are very anti-American views.

CHRIS MATTHEWS, MSNBC ANCHOR: Do you believe that Barack Obama may have anti-American views?

BACHMANN: Absolutely, I’m very concerned that he may have anti-American views. Chris Matthews laid a trap and I walked into it. I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress, and find out, are they pro-America or anti-America?

ALAN COLMES, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: You have said you were concerned during the campaign that Obama had anti-American views. You said the news media should do a penetrating exposé and take a look at the views of the people in Congress, and find out if they’re pro-American or anti-American.

BACHMANN: Actually, that’s not what I said at all.

COLMES: Well, Im reading your exact quote.

BACHMANN: Actually that’s not what I said. Its an urban legend that was created.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OLBERMANN: That’s COUNTDOWN for this the 2,288th day since the previous president declared mission accomplished in Iraq. I’m Keith Olbermann, good night and good luck.

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Related compilation on this site

Bachmann’s March of Folly

Comprehensive summary and documentation of U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann’s extremist rhetoric, incendiary demagoguery, and misrepresentation since her 2008 reelection to the United States House of Representatives in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District.

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Related reports in the media

The very best of Michele Bachmann
(Anthony Chergosky, Minneapolis Examiner, Aug. 6, 2009)
El Tinklenberg’s decision to drop out of the Sixth District congressional race prompted this question from Keith Olbermann — “Shouldn’t Rep. Michele Bachmann’s highlight reel of bizarre statements make her practically self-defeating?”

Olbermann kicks off DFL campaign against Bachmann with montage
(Emily Kaiser, City Pages, Aug. 6, 2009)
In light of El Tinklenberg’s announcement that he will not be attempting to defeat Bachmann in 2010, Olbermann pulled together a helpful montage of what [prospective DFL opponent Tarryl Clark] will be fighting against. It’s probably one of the Best-of Bachmann roundups we’ve seen in a while.

Michele Bachmann ‘highlight reel’ airs on MSNBC
(Joe Kimball, MinnPost, Aug. 7 2009)
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann gets some extensive airtime from Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, but as Emily Kaiser at City Pages points out in highlighting the video, it will be DFL opponents like Tarryl Clark — not the Bachmann camp — who’ll be thankful for this montage.

Michele Bachmann’s most extreme quote countdown
(Ken Ronnan, MinnPost, Aug. 7 2009)
MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” put together this ode to Minnesota 6th District Rep. Michele Bachmann highlighting some of the Republican congresswoman’s more memorable television appearances. The soundtrack accompaniment to the quotes is the song “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley. Bachmann has also made No. 1 on Olbermann’s “Worst Person in the World” list.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago Today — August 6, 2008

On the Campaign Trail: Day 23

One year ago today, on the 23rd day of my campaign against U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District, I featured, as a public service announcement to help draw attention to the sacrifice of National Guard citizen soldiers serving in Iraq and the families they leave behind, Part 4 of the Associated Press series, “The Longest Deployment” (the story of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard and its tour of duty in Iraq).