HAS MICHELE BACHMANN TURNED HER BACK ON MINNESOTA'S HUNTERS AND FISHERS?

From the DFL:

Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party



For Immediate Release



Contact:

Kristin Sosanie (651-251-6315, ksosanie@dfl.org)



Has Representative Bachmann Turned Her Back on Hunters and Fishers?



Bachmann’s staff says Schara, others, lying; still no response from Bachmann herself



St. Paul (September 16, 2010) — Yesterday, media outlets reported on Representative Michele Bachmann’s continued efforts to play both sides of the field: supporting the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment in front of Minnesota’s hunters and fishers as recently as last month, then using the same initiative to attack her opponent, Tarryl Clark, in multiple TV ads. State Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:



“Despite clear evidence to the contrary, Michele Bachmann’s staff has spent the last three days disputing eyewitness accounts of her support for the Legacy Amendment in 2008, accusing respected leaders of outdoors and other organizations of being liars. Minnesotans who hunt and fish deserve to know from Bachmann herself: did she lie to them in 2008, or has she turned her back on them now? The amendment was the top priority for Minnesota hunters and fishers in the last decade, and voters deserve to know where Michele Bachmann stands. We join hunters and fishers in calling on Michele Bachmann to explain herself.”





Background



Even though her campaign denies it now, Minnesota’s hunters and fishers and outdoor journalists remember Michele Bachmann’s clear support for the Legacy Amendment at Game Fair in 2008.



· “Bachmann aides say there’s been no change of heart. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has made it clear that she did not support the Legacy Amendment,” said spokesman Sergio Gor. “In fact, during her time in the state Legislature, she voted against a similar measure.” [Star Tribune, 9/15/10]



· “But a number of outdoors writers and others who attended Game Fair in August 2008 say Bachmann told the annual gathering of hunting and fishing enthusiasts that she supported the constitutional amendment to raise the sales tax, later approved by 56 percent of voters, including a majority in Bachmann’s district.” [Star Tribune, 9/15/10]



· “Accounts of Bachmann’s support for the Legacy Amendment were published before the 2008 election in Outdoor News and other Minnesota publications, including the Star Tribune. Outdoor News writer Ron Hustvedt Jr., who works for Game Fair, said his report was never challenged by Bachmann or anyone else.” [Star Tribune, 9/15/10]