The Difference Between Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin

As soon as Michele Bachmann stepped out of Minnesota and into the spotlight, it was a foregone conclusion: she is Sarah Palin.  Of course, it doesn’t matter to anyone that have completely different backgrounds.  All that anyone in the media or on the left needed to know was that she was a conservative woman from a northern state who spoke with a strong accent and had occasionally said some things that may be a little out of left field and the deal was done.  Of course, while the comparison is convenient, it couldn’t be farther from the truth:

• Michele Bachmann takes herself seriously. In her recent interview with Chris Wallace, she seemed genuinely insulted by the characterization that she may be a “flake”, and she let him know right away.  Bachmann went on to say that she takes herself seriously and like for people to do the same.  She also acknowledged that she has to be careful about what she says more than ever now that she’s on the national stage.  Imagine Palin in this situation.  She surely would have laughed it off while at the same dismissing any notion that she’s crazy.  That’ not to say there’s anything wrong with that approach, it’s just more evidence that Palin, who I do like, doesn’t take herself seriously


• She’s older… and wiser. At 55, Bachmann is still a young politician.  She is, however, 8 years older than Palin, and the age gap shows.  Bachmann has had more experience working in the real world and in the world of the government and politics.  She has several degrees in law (one from William and Mary) and practiced law as a tax attorney for the IRS in the early 1990s.  Additionally, she’s been in politics since joining the Minnesoate state senate in 2000.  She’s been a popular U.S. Representative in Minnesota for the last 5 years, earning leadership spots on the Oversight Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence.
• She entered the race kicking. Sure, Sarah Palin roared into the 2008 election with tons of momentum, but it largely stemmed from being an unknown.  Her momentum was highest the day she entered the race and fell from there due to the media’s treatment of her during the campaign.  Michele Bachmann, however, entered the race with nearly everyone outside of the Tea Party dismissing her, with poll numbers showing a near-last ranking among primary candidates.  That all changed with the CNN debate held early this month, on which Bachmann displayed a cool confidence and a true understanding of the issues.  She even defended the Tea Party as a more mainstream organization than most think with grace and candor.  Bachmann seems to have nowhere to go but up, Palin seemed the opposite shortly after her introduction to America
• She can’t see Russia from her house. Sorry, I had to.

None of this is to say that I don’t like Sarah Palin because I definitely I do.  I just think Michele Bachmann is twice the candidate Palin was and is more self-aware of the media’s portrayal of her at an earlier stage in the game.

What do you think o f Michele Bachmann?  Is she really just Sarah Palin in disguise?

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Thanks for reading!

Rick

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