Purseholder Asked to Comment on Whether Bachmann Supported the Legacy Amendment

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At the same time, more controversy is brewing over whether or not Bachmann ever supported the Legacy Amendment -- the 2008 measure approved by voters that raised the sales tax by 3/8 of one percent. Bachmann attacked Clark's support for the act in ads featuring "Jim, the Election Guy." But sportsmen's groups say Bachmann also supported the measure.

"I think it was all of our understanding after 2008 that she was a supporter of the amendment," said Paul Austin with Conservation Minnesota.

"There's no doubt in my mind that she supported the constitutional amendment," said Minnesota Bound host Ron Schara about Bachmann's comments at the 2008 Game Fair in Anoka.

Bachmann's campaign spokesman, Andy Parrish, said he could not comment without an actual statement, adding that the "congresswoman has a clear record of fighting tax increases."

Parrish added that Bachmann voted against a similar amendment proposal as a state senator in 2006.

Bottom line, analysts say, the debate and current ads prove this race is heating up.

"There's no question, this is a race that's degenerating and getting nastier and nastier," said David Schultz, a Hamline Law School professor.

Commenter Anna notes:

Anna
Anna
Sergio wasn't on Bachmann's staff (he was hired just 5 months ago) during the 2008 Game Fair, so he doesn't have any personal recall of the event.

Staff (or what is often referred to as "institutional") memory is a big problem for Bachmann because nobody stays for long. It must be difficult to work in that revolving door office, you know, constantly having to support lies and misrepresentations for the boss. The cognitive dissonance doesn't work for anyone who isn't afflicted with an amoral personality disorder.

Lack of memory in the staff ranks would account for a lot of these gross errors -- they simply don't know Bachmann's historic positions on an issue because they weren't there. Also, without consistent and persistent efforts by staff she can't craft meaningful policy or write bills. In short, you can't do anything to support the needs of your district without committed, long-term staff. Her highest level people turn over (usually with a year or less service), and I suspect it's even worse at the lower levels. Every time I call her office I get someone different, and often they say "I'm new here".

Clark campaign is pointing this out, but I don't know if half the district is listening. Bachmann's office is a huge waste of taxpayer money. Ineffective and always thrashing.