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Bachmann Talks Earmarks, Obamacare and Gay Marriage

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    GOP presidential candidate on 'Fox News Sunday'

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Hello again from Fox News in Washington.

Tomorrow the rising star in Republican presidential politics Michelle Bachmann officially opens her campaign in her home town of Waterloo Iowa.

But first he sits down with the -- for a 20121 on one interview and congresswoman welcome back to FOX News Sunday thank you Chris.

You have taken off since that New Hampshire debate.

In a new Iowa poll out today from the -- Moines register it shows exactly that let's put it up on the screen.

In the survey of likely Republican caucus goers.

Mitt Romney is first with 43%.

But you're right there -- 22% and all the others as you can see are far behind.

How do you account for why are you suddenly a front -- Well.

Part of it is because I was born in Iowa and Iowa ever distinct advantage there I think it and also I think.

Since the debate.

People have paid attention and they've recognize that I am very serious about what I want to do because the country's on the wrong track.

And Mike all this to turn the economy around and they have jobs created people recognize I'm serious.

Well I mean every -- would set up both Republican and Democrat let's let's take an example you and Romney according to that -- out front.

What's the choice for Republican voters between Mitt Romney and Michelle Bachmann.

I think what people know about me is that I do and say and I say what I mean I am a fighter for the -- -- -- as long as I've been in Washington DC.

I have taken that voice of the people who sent me here for Minnesota from Iowa very common sense voice.

And -- has finally been heard now on the halls of congress my goal Chris is to take that voice to the White House where it hasn't been heard for very long time.

And I think people recognize that I'm very sincere in what I say and I will fight.

Whether it means taking -- Washington even sometimes my own party I'm happy to do that because we have to turn things around by.

Implication he is adjusting the Mitt Romney is not.

-- -- -- What I'm talking about is what I'm going to do as good as president of the United States and in the course of this campaign and I look forward to getting to know more people.

And explain more about our plan.

Are we gonna talk about the other candidates a little bit later but let me ask you -- -- up with the spotlight comes new scrutiny.

The Los Angeles Times has a story out today that says for all your talk.

Being a fiscal -- that in fact do you have gone after her.

Federal and government -- -- -- state government money over the year as both personally and professionally and let's put it up on the screen.

-- counseling clinic.

The -- and excuse me run by your husband got almost 30000 dollars in state and federal funds a farm.

In -- your partner got almost 260000.

Dollars and federal subsidies.

And over the years you sought more than sixty million dollars in -- -- marks and more than three point seven million in federal earmarks question.

That's a fiscal.

-- well let's go through them first of all the money that was that went to the clinic was actually training money for employees -- -- the clinic did not get the money.

And my husband and I did not get the money it either that's and that's mental health training money that went to the employees number two regarding the farm.

The -- as my father in law's far it's not my husband and my farm that's my father in law's farm and my husband and I have never gotten a penny up money.

From the farm.

It regarding the earmarks.

-- -- I believe that in the right place to build projects is in the state.

And the states have to build roads and bridges and I don't apologize for building roads and bridges.

And -- pro earmark.

-- during my first year in it -- during my first term in congress I signed a pledge that I will take no more earmarks and I've been faithful to that much.

In in terms of the money and obviously I don't know the details nearly as well as you do about the clinic that's run by your husband if you save money is going to employee is.

That was.

-- minutes he runs the clinic that would seem to be benefiting you guys this it in action and -- that are grab your partner -- federal subsidies would seem to benefit the far.

Actually -- -- actually it did not it actually took away from the clinic because these were training hours were employees were not able to bring more incoming and this is a one time.

Training money that came in from the federal government and it certainly didn't help our clinic it was something that was additional training to help employees.

At the -- That's your biggest issue is that you want to repeal Obama care and one of your main reasons you say is because it would cut Medicare services.

Health care for seniors by half a trillion dollars over the next decade correct.

What I want to do is to make sure that we fully repeal obamacare this will be one of the largest spending initiatives we will ever see in our country.

And also we'll take away choice from the American people it will hurt senior citizens.

Because Obama took away 500 billion as you save from Medicare and will transfer to younger people in Obama care.

They even worse the Congressional Budget Office is saying that we will lose 800000.

Jobs with Obama care.

When we -- -- situation -- where we have massive job loss this is not what we want to do with Obama care.

But I but I want to ask you about the Medicare part of that because use -- -- you just said it took away it would take away almost half a trillion dollars 500 billion.

From Medicare for a new entitlement but you voted for the Paul Ryan house budget.

Which would also take away almost half a trillion dollars from Medicare.

Well what -- what we need to do is revise and change what we're doing in Washington DC.

We do need to have changes and the budget we do need to have changes in spending.

But the one thing when -- -- -- -- care.

It will be a brand new bureaucracy and larger than anything we've ever seen before in Washington and we simply can't afford -- -- -- that senior citizen and I'm.

If I may.

I understand all that part of that but I'm specifically on Medicare.

Obamacare would take away half a trillion -- from Medicare the Ryan budget which you voted for would take away half a trillion dollars dramatic care.

Well let's be clear that the Ryan budget is really the 55.

And under -- plan.

People need to recognize that -- no one over fifty final reattached but what we know nobody would take away that that's for the voucher plan.

But it would take the White House voucher plan -- did -- feel we can talk about that I mean it's a premium support a lot of people say that's the same thing.

But it doesn't -- quite as though that it's taking half a trillion dollars of white in the next decade for people over 55.

-- -- -- What from what what what the Ryan plan is trying to do is present a budget framework it's important for people to recognize.

It's not legislation.

In what is -- legends and it's it's a budget framework and this is that this is a starting point.

For us to have a discussion I put an asterisk I voted for the plan.

Because of that this is right we need to get our house in order -- with our fiscal spending.

But my asterisk is.

We have to make sure going forward with senior citizens there were focusing on higher quality of life dealing with cures for instance for senior citizens.

I think we can readjust the money.

Because one thing admit that I want that want to make it clear.

My commencement is to make sure the government keeps its promises to senior citizens.

Both on Medicare and on Social Security but for 55.

And over.

We need to be able to make sure that the -- system is kept the way that it is but for younger.

There we will need to have adjustments.

You're a strong opponent of same sex marriage what do you think of the law that was just passed a New York State.

Making it the biggest state to recognize same sex.

Well I believe that marriage -- between a man and a woman and I also believe it in Minnesota for instance this year the legislature put on the ballot for people to vote in 2012.

Whether the people want to vote on the definition of marriage is one man one woman.

In New York State.

They have asked a lot at the state legislative level and under the tenth amendment the states have the right to set the laws that they that they want to -- -- I don't even though -- -- -- then it's okay if from your point of you for New York.

To say that same sex marriages legal.

That is up to the people of New York I think that it's best to allow the people to decide on this issue I think it's best if there's an amendment that goes on the ballot where the people can -- -- Every time decision has gone on the ballot that people have voted to retain the traditional definition of marriage as recently as California in 2008.

But what you would agree if it's passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor -- that's -- State's residents.

Along this and the tenth amendment reserves to the states that ranked right.

I -- follow up on that because I'm confused by your position on this here's what you said in the New Hampshire debate let's put it.

-- do support constitutional matter I'm I'm I'm marriage between a man I want and I would not going into this is to overturn their state law.

That's why I'm confused if you support.

State -- Why do you also support a constitutional amendment which would prevent any state from recognizing same sex matter.

Well because that's entirely consistent the State's -- under the tenth amendment the right to pass any laws in light.

Also federal officials at the federal level have the right to also put forth a constitutional amendment.

One thing that we do know on marriage this issue will ultimately end up in the courts in the Supreme Court.

I do not believe that judges should be legislating from the bench as president -- and -- states.

I would not appoint judges but this isn't -- I would just too want who want to legislate from the bench.

Under under that under the federal government.

Again several representatives can put forward a federal constitutional -- because ultimately along with states having various laws the federal government.

All right Michael -- -- DP do you want to say it's a state issue in the states should be able to decide who would you like to see a constitutional amendment so that -- spanned every.

It is it is both it is a state issue and it's -- federal issue it's important for.

Your viewers to know that federal law will trumps state law on this issue and it's also where this is why it's important -- would like federal ought to -- -- Chris this is why it's so important because for some bombing has come out and said.

He will not uphold the law the land which is the defense of marriage act that congress passed the defense of marriage act and Bill Clinton signed it into law.

To make sure that if a state like New York.

Passed a definition of marriage other than one man one woman.

That other states wouldn't be forced to recognize New York's law just real quick and President Obama has said congress shall -- -- -- just let me just finish in opposition to what what he is supposed to do.

He is charged with -- with executing our laws whether he likes them or not.

That's why this is so crucial that's why I think you may see again a rise at the federal government level.

For -- call for of the federal constitutional amendment because.

People want to make sure that this definition of marriage is marriage remain secure because after all the family is a fundamental unit of government so.

Just briefly you would support a constitutional amendment.

That would overturn the New York State law.

Yes I went.

I would and that is not inconsistent because the states have the right under the tenth amendment to do with they'd like to do but the federal government also has the right.

To pass a federal constitution -- it's a high hurdle is you know.

We only have 27 amendments to the federal constitution it's very difficult but it certainly and it'll it will either go to the courts.

Or the people's representatives at the federal law cost.

I wanna just run through a few of your opponents from -- running out of time so excuse me for.

Clinton pushing you along -- -- -- You'll get Mitt Romney this week for not agreeing to sign a pledge.

On abortion and you said this this is not the time for the Republican Party to put up a candidate who is weak on the pro life issue or has a history of flip flopping -- Question Mitt Romney is weak on pro life.

Well president -- the pressure that I met a president Romney coming out of governor Romney has I had a history at varying his position on this issue I think clearly.

We need a candidate who is pro life that's reflective of our party it's reflective of my position -- -- I was not.

Mitt Romney I -- Mitt Romney has to say what he has but I will say that if he is saying now that he is pro life.

This was a tremendous opportunity.

For him to demonstrate that by -- -- is Susan B.

Anthony pledged and I think it's disappointing that he didn't.

Former governor Tim Pawlenty of your state of Minnesota says that he balanced the budget.

Without raising taxes critics say he left a five billion dollar deficit for this day.

Who's right.

Well under Minnesota state law like many states.

We are required to balance our budget.

There is a deficit that is in Minnesota that the current legislature is grappling left.

And clear -- that has to do with obligations regarding spending and that's why at the federal level.

As president Janet stated my very first and and singular focus will be and turning the country around from the wrong track.

I want to turn the economy around I'm a job creator I'm a former federal tax lawyer.

I don't get it what the problems are and I get what the solutions are and I have a titanium spine to be able to do what needs to be done to turn the economy around.

If Texas governor Rick Perry -- into this race doesn't -- overshadow you.

On Tea Party and social issues.

I think there's -- on the race for all sorts of candidates to get and I think this is good for the people of the country.

To have as many candidates who want to get in as good as it would like to.

Finally.

Let's talk about Michelle Bachmann because.

And and you say it's interesting you say that that people saw in the debate and so he was a serious person.

I don't have to tell you that that you have that are the rap on you here in Washington is that you have a history.

Of questionable statements some would say -- ranging from talking about anti America members of congress -- on this -- a couple of months ago.

When you suggested that NATO airstrikes had killed thirty up to 30000 civilians.

Are you a flight.

Why can't -- be insulting to say something like fat because I was serious -- -- But you understand when I say that that that's what the the rap on -- What what I would say is that I am 55 years old I've been married 33 years.

I meant not only a lawyer -- -- doctorate degree in federal tax off from William and Mary I worked.

In serious scholarship and and work in the United States federal tax court my has and I every spy kids who -- -- 23 Foster children.

We've applied ourselves to education reform we started a charter school for at risk kids.

I've also been a state senator and a member the United States congress for five years I've been very active in our businesses a job creator I understand job creation.

But also I've been at leading actively the movement in Washington DC with those who are affiliated with fiscal reform.

Do you do you.

-- and I think it's important to say that but do you recognize that now that you're in the spotlight in the way that you -- before.

That you have to be careful and not say what some regard as.

-- -- Well of course a person has to be careful with statements that they make I think that's true and I think now there will be an opportunity.

To be able to speak falling on the issues Iowa for -- to that.

Congresswoman Bachmann wanna thank you so much for coming in today always a pleasure to talk we -- -- safe travels on the campaign.

Thank you.

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