Betty McCollum hammers Michele Bachmann

Betty McCollum hammers Michele Bachmann

St. Paul, MN - Today, Rep. Betty McCollum (DFL-MN04) responded to Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN06) ongoing anti-government campaign by calling it "irresponsible" and again warned that this type of harsh and exaggerated political rhetoric can inspire violent political extremists. Yesterday, while addressing a Tea Party protest near the U.S. Capitol, Bachmann smeared President Obama and his administration by referring to them as "gangster government."

McCollum said of Bachmann's inflammatory remarks, "With hate groups and violent anti-government militias on the rise in this country elected leaders must be mindful of the potential of their words to inspire violence. Constructive, passionate political debate is expected in our democracy, but harsh, dangerous name-calling that vilifies the President or Members of Congress is irresponsible." McCollum added, "We must not ignore that the Oklahoma City bombing was an act of political violence perpetrated by deranged, anti-government extremists. It's much too late after a bomb goes off to start condemning hate-inspired, violent rhetoric."

Bachman told a crowd of anti-government Tea Party protesters, "We're on to them; we're on to this gangster government." She added, "I'd say it's time for these little piggies to go home." Bachmann's rhetoric elicited a harsh rebuke from President Bill Clinton. While speaking on the subject of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, Clinton cautioned that attempts to incite government opposition can provoke destructive consequences and responded to Bachmann by saying, "They are not gangsters. They were elected."