When Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) talks, people listen — even if they’re not entirely sure what they’re hearing.
I’ve now discovered at least three examples of a curious phenomenon: The Bachmann Effect. When Bachmann is out there talking about the issues in an adversarial setting, her opponents find themselves on a very unsure footing — mainly because they’re shocked and befuddled to hear what she’s saying.
Check out these three examples, in reverse-chronological order:
The first was from today’s Financial Services hearing, when she demanded an answer from Tim Geithner as to what the constitutional basis was for his actions in the bailout. The second is from a debate this past October with her Democratic opponent El Tinklenberg. And the third is from an appearance on Larry King Live during the Republican Convention, in a peculiar exchange with James Carville.
These three individuals don’t know each other, and yet on three separate occasions you’ll see the exact same facial expression each time.
