It's the media, not Republican leaders, coaxing Rep. Bachmann before the TV cameras
Although 6th Congressional District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, has seemingly become the face of the U.S. House Republican expand-the-oil-drilling agenda — she has appeared on CNN, Fox, Larry King, elsewhere — Bachmann says no one tapped her on the shoulder and appointed her spokeswoman.
Indeed, the whole thing has surprised her.
“The media has been calling — I think it’s because I came out fairly early in favor of the current House plan — the ‘All of the Above’ strategy,” said Bachmann recently.
“I was an early advocate for drilling in the ANWAR (the Alaskan wildlife refuge) region and also for extending the tax credit on renewables, solar and biofuels,” she said.
“Every aspect of energy there is —nuclear or building new refineries — my answer is to say, ‘Yes,’” she said.
“If it’s new energy, let’s build it,” said Bachmann.
“One (television appearance) show may have begat another. And we’ve just been kind of astounded ourselves,” she said.
“It’s had nothing to do with Republican leadership, being a designated hitter. It’s just been the media has been making calls directly to my office,” said Bachmann.
None of the party big shots feel a certain freshman is stealing the limelight.
“They’re thrilled,” she said of Republican leaders.
