Michele Bachmann, Dana Bash, and ... Macklemore?
During her eight years in the public and political spotlight, Michele Bachmann has been a lot of things. Boring, however, is not one of them.
As the Republican representing Minnesota prepares to retire from Congress, she's staying true to form, and standing still just long enough to chat with Dana Bash, the CNN journalist who's forever been chasing her down.
Watch the video above for Bash's lively interview with Bachmann, including the 58-year-old mother of five's nod to hip-hop's Macklemore.
The new Congress will make history
House votes to allow Speaker Boehner to sue President Obama. Now what?
The Republican-led house voted 225 to 201 to sue President Obama over the Affordable Care Act. Not a single Democrat voted for the resolution. The suit claims the president abused his power, and it is sparking plenty of talk about impeachment. Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash described the situation as uncharted territory.
Keeping Them Honest: Putting a price tag on political leadership
The political gasbag crowd in Washington may focus directly on the upset primary loss of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. But whomever wins the seat—Republican or Democrat—they’ll arrive at a House of Representatives not only raising money for themselves but for every other member of their party as well.
It’s more or less an open secret in Washington, but little known outside the Beltway. Each incumbent member, no matter which political party, is expected to raise funds based on a sliding scale to help elect other members of his or her party. Critics, like Peter Schweizer, head of the watchdog group The Government Accountability Institute, call it a “pay to play” system. Leaders are expected to raise upwards of $500,000 each election cycle; committee chairs about $200,000 or so and then on downwards. Are you head of an important committee in the House? That will cost you more. Committee assignments are rated “A”, “B” and “C”, with the “A” committee chairs expected to raise more than the people who chair the “C” committees.
CNN Investigations obtained some still photographs from inside the Republican National Campaign Committee showing to the penny how much money each member has raised to date, how much they are expected to raise and how far behind they may be.
Watch Senior Investigations Correspondent Drew Griffin unpeel the onion in Washington again, all part of AC360’s “Congress For Sale” series running all this year.
Congress strikes budget deal
It seems rare these days to hear of Democrats and Republicans reaching a compromise in Congress. But they did manage to reach a tentative agreement on a budget deal. It is still a long way from becoming law. But is this deal good news for you and your family? Dana Bash breaks down what's in the bill.
U.S. congressman's cocaine arrest
The U.S. Attorney's office announced today that Rep. Trey Radel of Florida is charged with a misdemeanor for possessing cocaine. He was arrested Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C. In a statement, the freshman congressman apologized, saying that he struggles with alcoholism. Dana Bash reports.
No game plan to avoid a shutdown
Dana Bash, David Gergen and Candy Crowley discuss the congressional clashes over the looming government shutdown.
Raw Politics: Congress in crisis mode
Lawmakers are scrambling to strike a deal to avoid a government shutdown this Tuesday. But there is another budget battle looming, the debt ceiling needs to be increased by mid-October. President Obama is resisting calls from Republican leaders in the House to work out a compromise, saying he refuses to negotiate over America's ability to pay its bills. Dana Bash has the latest.
Michele Bachmann's political legacy
John King and David Gergen discuss why Rep. Michele Bachmann won't run again in 2014 and how her legislative career will be remembered by her colleagues and constituents.
In a video statement, Bachmann said her decision has nothing to do with an ethics investigation into her presidential campaign or her concerns about not winning another election.
But King points out she won by fewer than 5,000 votes last time she ran. "The Republicans win today by having Michele Bachmann step aside," he says. "The leadership would prefer a different candidate."
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Post by: Filed under: Congress • David Gergen • John King • Michele Bachmann • Raw Politics |
Investigation ends when Bachmann leaves
Rep. Michele Bachmann has decided not to seek re-election in 2014. An ethics investigation into how her campaign funds were used will end when she exits Congress at the end of her term.
The Republican Congresswoman announced the news in a video on her website on Wednesday. Bachmann said she didn't base the decision on the congressional ethics inquiry, and it's not because she's worried about her chances of getting re-elected. CNN's Dana Bash reports.
