Sixth District Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and her Democratic rival Elwyn Tinklenberg met for the last time this campaign season today (Oct. 30)  in a glass booth at Minnesota Public Radio.

In sometimes zesty changes, Bachmann attacked Tinklenberg's public and personal career experiences — painted herself as the true opponent of the Bush Administration — and deemed the issue of taxation the fulcrum of the election.

Sixth District U.S. House candidates Michele Bachmann, incumbent Republican, and El Tinklenberg, Democratic challenger, debated for 30 minutes on Thursday, Oct. 30 on Minnesota Public Radio. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Sixth District Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and her Democratic rival Elwyn Tinklenberg met for the last time this campaign season today (Oct. 30)  in a glass booth at Minnesota Public Radio.

In sometimes zesty changes, Bachmann attacked Tinklenberg's public and personal career experiences — painted herself as the true opponent of the Bush Administration — and deemed the issue of taxation the fulcrum of the election.

"This (taxes) is the defining issue between the two of us,” Bachmann said on the "Midday Show” with host Gary Eichten.

Tinklenberg a number of times during the 30-minute broadcast and afterward to reporters said Bachmann's comments lacked credibility,

MPR host Gary Eichten hosted an oftentimes intense exchange between El Tinklenberg and Michele Bachman on Thursday, Oct. 30.

For instance, Bachmann, when asked by Eichten whether she truly believed Sen. Barack Obama and members of Congress should be investigated by the media for possible anti-American views — a reference to Bachmann's celebrated comments on the political television show "Hardball” — Bachmann brushed aside the question.

"That isn't what people have been asking me about,” said Bachmann. "The only people who bring that up are the media — not the people,” she said.

Tinklenberg expressed incredulity.

Not credible

"The idea that this is not an issue is the campaign is simply not credible,” said Tinklenberg.

Bachmann's comments are what's given the campaign national following, what generated Gen. Colin Powell's disapproving comments, Tinklenberg explained.

On taxes, Bachmann charged that Democrats — Tinklenberg — would usher in an era of "punishingly high increases in taxes and redistribution of wealth.”

Bachmann argued that she opposed any increases in taxes for anybody.

"No one is getting a good deal right now,” she said.

"There's no reason in this economy that anyone should see a tax increase,” said Bachmann.

Asked about the Bush tax cuts, Tinklenberg indicated that some of the cuts need to be revoked.

"I think there's many of those tax cuts that need to be extended,” he said. "I don't think all of them do, but many of them do,” said Tinklenberg.

Bachmann says she is a reformer

Bachmann depicted herself as a reformer — someone who has stood up to the Bush Administration.

Former Transportation Commissioner El Tinklenberg meets the media following his debate with Michele Bachmann at the MPR Studios in St. Paul.

"No one has stood up against the president the way that I have on the bailout,” said Bachmann, pointing out the Tinklenberg  supported the legislation.

Her opposition to the Bush Administration goes back to her service in the Minnesota Senate where she opposed No Child Left Behind, she said.

Tinklenberg countered by saying one metro newspaper has Bachmann supporting Bush Administration policies 97 percent of the time. "That's not an independent voice for Minnesota,” said Tinklenberg. It's a continuation of the past eight years, he argued.

Tinklenberg also faulted Bachmann, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, for not sounding the alarm on the oncoming financial services meltdown.

Wheels were coming off

"She was there when the wheels were coming off of our economy,” said Tinklenberg.

"And instead of being back here talking about the issues that were of such concern to the voters of the 6th District, she was talking about the comfort of caribou in ANWR,” said Tinklenberg, referring to Bachmann's tour of the North Slope last summer as part of an energy tour.

Tinklenberg and Bachmann toward the end of the broadcast were talking at the same time — Eichten joked it was a good thing the show went out in stereo.

Bachmann attacked Tinklenberg's tenure as mayor of Blaine, saying spending "ballooned” under Tinklenberg and that property taxes increased by 24 percent — Blaine consistently ranked among the lowest in terms of taxes compared to other cites, Tinklenberg countered.

Attacks work as lobbyist

Bachmann also attacked Tinklenberg's work as a transportation lobbyist — "securing earmarks in a very corrupt system that now rules Washington D.C.,” she said.

Reporters followed Sixth District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann to her car following her appearance on Minnesota Public Radio on Thursday.

After the broadcast, Bachmann quickly exited the radio station in downtown St. Paul, taking a few questions from reporters as she walked to an awaiting car but not pausing.

"You kicked butt,” one Bachmann supporter shouted as she left the building.

A small group of Bachmann supporters, signs in hand, waved to the congresswoman as she was driven away.

Tinklenberg, speaking after the broadcast, expressed frustration over the few times Bachmann and he had met during the campaign.

"There are important issues that we need to talking about,” said Tinklenberg. "I think it's an incredible disservice,” he said.

(Photos by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)