Nov 5, 2009 6:15 pm US/Central
Bachmann Leads Protest Against Health Care Reform
WASHINGTON (WCCO) ―
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Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) leads a news conference and rally on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Nov. 5, 2009 in Washington, DC.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann led a protest in the nation's Capitol Thursday to try to kill the Democrats' plans for health care reform.
Bachmann said last week she was calling all conservatives to get to Washington. And judging from the size of the crowds -- she succeeded.
Thousands of people chanted "Kill the Bill" at Bachmann's rally.
And the Minnesota Congresswoman, who calls health care reform 'socialism,' urged protesters to confront lawmakers who support health care reform.
"You came for an emergency house call," Bachmann said to the crowd. "And are they going to listen? Oh yeah, oh yeah, they're going to listen."
The crowd included a large number of older Americans. Some signs called the bill "McCarthy-ism" and "Mao-ism."
But even as protesters fanned out across the Capitol, the health care bill picked up important endorsements from the AARP and the American Medical Association.
At the White House, President Obama said it was a repudiation of negative attacks on the bill.
"They're endorsing this bill because they know it will strengthen Medicare, not jeopardize it," Obama said. "They know it will protect the benefits our seniors receive, not cut them. So I want everybody to remember that the next time you hear the same tired arguments to the contrary from the insurance companies and their lobbyists, and remember this endorsement the next time you see a bunch of misleading ads on television."
There reportedly was extra security at the Capitol as protesters flooded the halls armed with video cameras. At least nine were arrested, according to news reports.
Bachmann was the target of many responses from national Democrats, who are attempting to portray her as extreme far right wing of the Republican Party. It's just one more sign of Bachmann's growing influence among Republicans.
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