MN-06: Bachmann Looks Comfy

[ccharles000]

Public Policy Polling (12/17-20, registered voters):

Tarryl Clark (D): 37
Michele Bachmann (R-inc): 55
Undecided: 8

Maureen Reed (D): 37
Michele Bachmann (R-inc): 53
Undecided: 10
(MoE: ±3.7%)

Clark is generally considered to be a pretty solid recruit for Team Blue, but this looks like a pretty challenging environment in which to topple a Republican incumbent -- even one as touched in the head as Bachmann. More, from Jensen:

53% of Bachmann's constituents approve of the job she's doing in Congress to 41% who disapprove. Her numbers certainly reflect her polarizing nature, with 86% of Republicans giving her good marks and 83% of Democrats saying they don't like her performance. But in a GOP leaning district and with a 51% approval from independents it all adds up to a pretty solid standing.

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/6070/mn06-bachmann-looks-comfy

[marmar]

1. WTF, Minnehaha?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Unfortunately, that district is heavily populated with wackjobs.

There is something strange in the water in the 6th District.

[Demoiselle]

3. I'm far too much of a lady to speak disparagingly of an entire Congressional district..

But. Holy Shit! Who ARE these people?

[last_texas_dem]

4. Sad

I thought MN-6's waking up to Bachmann's nuttiness was the factor that almost knocked her off last time. Oddly, Bachmann's subsequent full outing of herself as a total wackjob seems to have actually solidified her support in the district. I figure much of it is simply the change in climate from the '08 elections to a year later, but the climate of the midterms is likely to be much less favorable to the Democrats- although hopefully not as unfavorable as that of late December 2009.

[Brother Buzz]

5. After the Welfare Queen Socialist meme circulates, those numbers may fall

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) — so fond of accusing the Obama administration of foisting socialism on an unwilling America — has apparently been the recipient of about a quarter of million bucks in government handouts.

Liberal site Truthdig links to an Environmental Working Group analysis of federal agricultural subsidies and found that the Bachmann family farm, managed by her father-in-law until his recent death, received $251,000 in farm payments between 1995 and 2006.

Bachmann’s financial disclosure forms indicate her stake in the Wisconsin farm is worth up to $250,000. Her income from the farm has grown from $2,000 a year a few years back to as much as $50,000 for 2008.

Bachmann's family farm received $251,973 in federal subsidies between 1995 and 2006. The farm had been managed by Bachmann's recently deceased father-in-law and took in roughly $20,000 in 2006 and $28,000 in 2005, with the bulk of the subsidies going to dairy and corn. Both dairy and corn are heavily subsidized — or "socialized" — businesses in America (in 2005 alone, Washington spent $4.8 billion propping up corn prices) and are subject to strict government price controls.