Bachmann's faux pas parade

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Some political gaffes are more than casual mistakes
MICHAEL SMERCONISH
Published: 08/30/111

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I’m naturally sympathetic to politicians who find themselves similarly embarrassed when they say something stupid. They’ve all done it. It’s the one thing that unites Republicans and Democrats.

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The question is, when do the inevitable verbal miscues cross the line from harmless to something worthy of monitoring? Among the 2012 presidential field, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., has distinguished herself. Among the notables thus far:

During a visit to New Hampshire, she mistakenly declared that the Revolutionary War had begun in the Granite State’s town of Concord (as opposed to Concord, Mass.).

In Iowa, she mixed up the birthplace of film legend John Wayne with that of serial killer John Wayne Gacy.

In South Carolina, she exhorted a throng of supporters to celebrate Elvis’ birthday on the anniversary of the King’s death.

Last week, she lamented the rise of the Soviet Union, despite its collapse in 1991.

It’s true that Bachmann isn’t the only candidate capable of offering silly public statements that require embarrassing “clarifications” later. And frankly, the mere frequency or volume of misstatements shouldn’t call into serious question anybody’s fitness to serve as commander in chief. What should be concerning, however, is the nature of Bachmann’s blunders.

Unlike my Barney Frank gaffe, Biden’s “stand up” salute, or Bush’s love connection, Bachmann consistently errs in her presentation of simple facts. Hers are usually mistakes, not a function of misspeaking. And there is a difference.

Should the faux pas parade continue throughout the rest of the campaign, it would be fair for primary voters to wonder whether the risk of having an especially gaffe-prone president would outweigh the entertainment value of her “unique” recollection of history.

Or as George W. Bush would say, it would be understandable if these regular inaccuracies come to “resignate with the people” enough to affect their decisions in the voting booth.
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