Did Bachmann's "House Call" pitch break House rules?

[MercedesV]

Did a rally geared at saving government resources actually misuse them?

Could be, at least technically. Rep. Michele Bachmann's House home-page shout-out to tea party types for her Nov. 5 rally on the West Front steps may have violated the letter of the administration committee's rules on the use of official, taxpayer-funded websites.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1109/Did_Bachmanns_House_Call_pitch_break_House_rules.h tml

[theal3]

I think she violated franking privileges: she called it a "press conference" but there were no Q&As for reporters or interviews granted, rather she advertized on her taxpayer paid for website, and on TV for citizens to show up and rally against healthcare reform. So technically, yes, IMHO. Years ago they nailed Rostenkowski for miss using stamps for partisan purposes rather than campaign funds. They have strick house rules, how taxpayer money is used. She was appeal for national support, not using funds to communicate with her district.

[theal3]

He was sentenced to 17 months and served 15; and now works lecturing and teaching and didn't lose his Fed. pension, from what I read in Wiki. He's about 81 years old now, and that happend in mid 90s.

[daniel green]

Did a rally geared at saving government resources actually misuse them?

Could be, at least technically. Rep. Michele Bachmann's House home-page shout-out to tea party types for her Nov. 5 rally on the West Front steps may have violated the letter of the administration committee's rules on the use of official, taxpayer-funded websites.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1109/Did_Bachmanns_House_Call_pitch_break_House_rules.h tml

Oh my goodness, what a mess. :scared:

[snookums1]

Did a rally geared at saving government resources actually misuse them?

Could be, at least technically. Rep. Michele Bachmann's House home-page shout-out to tea party types for her Nov. 5 rally on the West Front steps may have violated the letter of the administration committee's rules on the use of official, taxpayer-funded websites.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1109/Did_Bachmanns_House_Call_pitch_break_House_rules.h tml

No surprise. I don't know if she just doesn't understand the rules or if she just doesn't care if she breaks them. I am almost leaning toward the former since she had a history of getting things wrong.

[snookums1]

Actually, she broke more than one rule. If she did any of this activity during what could be construed as official time, it was against the rules.

Plus * Engaging in any outside fund-raising activity, endorsing any product or service, participating in
any lobbying activity, or engaging in any partisan political activity.

* The creation, copying, transmission, or retransmission of chain letters or other unauthorized
mass mailings regardless of the subject matter.

It is the responsibility of employees to ensure that they are not giving the false impression that
they are acting in an official capacity when they are using government office equipment for nongovernment
purposes. If there is expectation that such a personal use could be interpreted to
represent an agency, then an adequate disclaimer must be used. One acceptable disclaimer is –
“The contents of this message are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the
Government or my agency.”

Here is the penalty:

Unauthorized or improper use of Government office equipment could result in loss of use or
limitations on use of equipment, disciplinary or adverse actions, criminal penalties and/or
employees being held financially liable for the cost of improper use.

The above is for any government worker, not just a member of Congress.

[theal3]

I though the franking privileges had to do with free postal service for their mail.

I may have used the term wrong: but there are many "perks" to office and there are guidelines for use of govt. offices, and machines, stamps (franking); phones, stationery and so on. The GOP got Ronstenkoski on "postage." Now days, Congress people have govt. provided web sites and email: so the terminology might still apply.

[Lifeguard]

Actually, she broke more than one rule..........
The above is for any government worker, not just a member of Congress.

But Michelle Bachmann isn't just ANY government worker, she's on a mission. I think we need to affect a citizen's arrest of this woman. She's way out of control. Inciting and fostering revolution is way beyond acting responsibly as an elected representative.

[Lifeguard]

You have a good point there, Lifeguard. Let's face it, ALL of her constituents do not feel the way she does. I've said that from the beginning .... can you imagine if all the representatives in Congress brought national attention for issues THEY don't believe in .... and THEY recruited people to come demonstrate in Washington ??

I'm not sure if this headline has been posted before, but apparently her Chief of Staff has resigned, because of Bachman's political "stunts".

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/11/5/800834/-Bachmans-Chief-of-Staff-Resigns-over-Political-Stunts

jmo


I had seen that, somewhere, that the chief of staff had resigned, and I think I recall that her office has had a high turnover rate, and she is not the best of managers, prompting others to leave quickly.

I really wonder if she will be re-elected after all this mess she has created for herself.

[snookums1]

You have a good point there, Lifeguard. Let's face it, ALL of her constituents do not feel the way she does. I've said that from the beginning .... can you imagine if all the representatives in Congress brought national attention for issues THEY don't believe in .... and THEY recruited people to come demonstrate in Washington ??

I'm not sure if this headline has been posted before, but apparently her Chief of Staff has resigned, because of Bachman's political "stunts".

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/11/5/800834/-Bachmans-Chief-of-Staff-Resigns-over-Political-Stunts

jmo I can't even imagine what it would be like to work for someone as sick as she is. You would not know from one day to the next where or when or on what subject her paranoia would strike.

[ShooFly]

You have to wonder if she has constituents that actually believe in the weird stuff she does? Not to mention the rule breaking.:scared:

[crocdog1]

Is anybody surprised here?

Really no different than Republican Elizabeth Dole's TV ad stating about all Christians that do not believe the way of the Extreme Right Wing Christians are godless.

http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A267990

Or, Arizona's State Senator Sylvia Allen (R) when she says the earth was formed in 6000 years.

Golly gee and by gosh, the extreme Right Wingers want this taught to our children!!!!!!!!

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/arizona-state-senator-sylvia-allen-r-says

[Lifeguard]

Evidently, Ms Backmann has done this kind of thing before... using her office for activities which are PROHIBITED by House Rules...

"Michele Bachmann Violated Ethics Rules and Used Taxpayer Dollars to Advertise for a Partisan Agenda. “Michele Bachmann’s office violated House Franking Rules by using taxpayer resources to tell constituents to call the National Automobile Dealer’s Association. House offices can’t even encourage people to donate blood, let alone ask them to call a national organization to get legal representation. Unsurprisingly, Bachmann has received $13,000 from that very same organization in 2006 and 2008.” [MN Publius, 7/29/2009]

[ShooFly]

Evidently, Ms Backmann has done this kind of thing before... using her office for activities which are PROHIBITED by House Rules...

"Michele Bachmann Violated Ethics Rules and Used Taxpayer Dollars to Advertise for a Partisan Agenda. “Michele Bachmann’s office violated House Franking Rules by using taxpayer resources to tell constituents to call the National Automobile Dealer’s Association. House offices can’t even encourage people to donate blood, let alone ask them to call a national organization to get legal representation. Unsurprisingly, Bachmann has received $13,000 from that very same organization in 2006 and 2008.” [MN Publius, 7/29/2009]
Misusing taxpayers' money.:thumbdown: