Oct 30, 2008 6:51 pm US/Central
Bachmann, Tinklenberg Spar In Last Debate
ST. PAUL (AP) ―
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Democrat Elwyn Tinklenberg and Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann.
CBS
Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann said Thursday that voters don't care about her recent remark on national television that Barack Obama "may have anti-American views."
In her final debate with Democrat Elwyn Tinklenberg, Bachmann said constituents are not bringing up the comment she made on MSNBC's "Hardball" almost two weeks ago -- a statement that reshaped the race in Minnesota's 6th District. Bachmann said they're more concerned about taxes and the Wall Street bailout.
"It's not a part of the campaign and it's not what people are interested in," she said during the debate at Minnesota Public Radio studios in St. Paul. "If they were, that's something we'd be talking about but that isn't what people have been asking me about."
She added: "The only people who bring that up are the media. It's not the people."
Tinklenberg scoffed at Bachmann's characterization, calling it "simply not credible." His campaign has nearly tripled its fundraising since her appearance catapulted the race into one of the top in the nation. A recent poll showed four in 10 voters were less likely to vote for the first-term Republican after the comment. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell condemned Bachmann's statement when he endorsed Obama.
"It's what's given this campaign a national interest, and it's what generated Colin Powell's comments about that kind of nonsense has got to stop," Tinklenberg said. "It is important."
The candidates also used their final faceoff to outline sharp differences on the economy.
When Tinklenberg said he would consider undoing some of President George W. Bush's income tax cuts -- while cutting taxes for the middle class and small businesses -- Bachmann jumped on the statement.
"The voters have a real clear distinction," she said. "They can have increased taxes and increased spending under El Tinklenberg or they can count on Michele Bachmann to cut their taxes and to cut wasteful spending."
Bachmann also said property taxes went up in Blaine when Tinklenberg was mayor.
Tinklenberg said he brought jobs to the suburb while keeping property taxes low -- and took the chance to tie Bachmann to Bush.
"That's a record I'm proud of, and I think it stands in good stead against the failed policies we have seen from the Bush administration," he said.
He added, "What Representative Bachmann is talking about is just another four years of the last eight years."
Bachmann described herself as a reformer who challenged Bush on issues including the bailout, education policy and immigration. She voted no -- twice -- on the $700 billion bailout bill. Tinklenberg said he would have voted for the version that failed in the House, but not the final bill that passed.
The two started talking over each other about Bachmann's record as the debate ended.
Afterward, about 20 supporters cheered and clapped for Bachmann as she left the building.
The 6th District wraps around the northern half of the Twin Cities, taking in cities from Stillwater to Andover to Buffalo, and extends west past St. Cloud.
(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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