Fresh from our "Is she still talking?" file, Rep. Michele Bachmann, a potential Republican presidential candidate, is taking issue with first lady Michelle Obama's breast-feeding initiative. CNN is reporting that while speaking to conservative talk-radio host Laura Ingraham Tuesday, the Minnesota Republican said that Mrs. Obama's efforts to promote breast-feeding — and the IRS' announcement that nursing supplies that aid in the practice can be deducted from tax returns — amount to a "new definition [of] the nanny state."
Bachmann added, "I've given birth to five babies, and I breast-fed every single one of these babies," she added. "To think that government has to go out and buy my breast pump for my babies? You wanna talk about the nanny state, I think you just got a new definition." Really?
What's up with Tea Party candidates like Bachmann and Palin, who are also mothers, speaking out against initiatives that will help improve the health of children? If you've had five children and breast-fed all of them, then you know the benefits. The fact that a Democrat and a black woman more powerful than either of them is the one saying it is enough reason to speak out against it.
If you can deduct on your taxes the cost of participating in a weight-loss program for a specific disease or diseases, including obesity, diagnosed by a physician, then why not breast-feeding equipment, which helps reduce childhood obesity? The tax break is not a stretch, but Bachmann's disdain for the initiative is a stretch. If you can write off a prescription for Viagra, shouldn't you be able to write off breast-feeding equipment?
How sad is it that the Republican Party and Tea Party continue to trot out and elevate vapid beauties like Bachmann and Palin, while overlooking Republican female politicians who are quite interesting, intelligent and, dare we say it, competent. Linda Lingle, Christine Todd Whitman or M. Jodi Rell, anyone?
Bachmann can continue to disagree just to be disagreeable while our first lady continues her pursuit of improving the health of the nation's children. That initiative is more meaningful than anything Bachmann could ever say. So please stop talking. Your ugliness is showing.
Read more at CNN.
In other news: Cab Driver Stabbed by Assailant, Then Handcuffed by Police.