Posted by
Billy on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 12:04:35 PM
GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann was on the offensive in Monday night's debate when she suggested rival Rick Perry's controversial vaccination order in Texas was payback to a campaign contributor.
GOP candidates convened in Tampa, Florida, Monday night for the fourth in a series of presidential debates. The nationally televised debate on CNN made history as the first-of-its-kind event featured discussion of issues central to the tea party movement.
Tea party groups from 31 states and Washington, DC, asked questions directed at the candidates. CNN's Wolf Blitzer moderated the event with the Tea Party Express as its co-sponsor.
Some commentators believe Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (R-Minnesota), the queen of the tea party and founder of the House Tea Party Caucus, needed a breakout debate to keep her campaign alive. Bachmann came out swinging at Texas Governor Rick Perry who several years ago ordered young girls to be vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus) with Gardasil, a Merck & Co. product.
Bachmann: "The question is, is it about life -- or was it about millions of dollars and potentially billions for a drug company?"
Perry: "It was a $5,000 contribution that I had received from them [Merck]. I raised about $30 million -- and if you're saying that I can be bought for $5,000, I'm offended."
Bachmann: "I'm offended for all the little girls and the parents who didn't have a choice. That's what I'm offended for.
(Billy's Thoughts>>> I have liked Backmann at the start of this race but Perry has admitted he did wrong by ordering young girls to get the HPV. I believe all people can change including those who lead us and if the Gov. of Texas admits he was wrong and he did not just change to get votes we should forgive him and it shouldn't be an issue. So Bachmann please back away from this issue.)