Bachmann: deal that cleared House last night not enough

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann arrived at about 9:30 this morning in a backyard in Norwalk, Iowa, declaring this a “God-kissed” morning in Iowa.  She quickly mentioned yesterday’s House vote on the cut, cap & balance proposal. She has a huge pad of paper brought up on stage; I think a math lesson is ahead. Here are my notes:

Nancy Pelosi took over as House Speaker in 2007.  That’s the same day Bachmann was sworn in to congress.  Bachmann writes on the board that the country’s “official” debt at that moment was $8.67 trillion.  “We were all terribly nervous” about that debt level, according to Bachmann.

When President Obama took office in January of 2009, the debt was $10.62 trillion. “In two years time, we added almost $2 trillion more,” Bachmann said.  “…That’s a fast progression of spending.”

Right now the debt is at $14.3 trillion (she’s writing these $$ figures on the board).  “Take a look at that,” she said.

Now what they’re going to have us at — $16.7 trillion.  “In just the time that I’ve been in congress…until next year we will almost double what it took us almost 230 years to accumulate in debt.  Just think of that.  That’s in about five years time. Doubling the national debt?  How can you do that?”

Bachmann said the government is taking in $2.2 trillion taking in this year, but spending $1.5 trillion more.

Bachmann asked the crowd: “Do you want to see Washington, D.C. cut back on spedning or do you want them to keep going at the velocity they’re going?…Who wants them to cut back?”

Everyone raised their hands. “You know what is astounding?” Bachmann asked, referencing last night’s House vote. “They voted basically to continue the spending at close to the levels we’re spending now.”

She said the cuts aren’t anywhere near where they should be.

“Do you feel like Washington is listening to you?” Bachmann asked the crowd. “The biggest blessing of unning for president of the United States is being with people…and find out what you really think, because that’s what I do.”

A few minutes later she called the House-passed plan “well-intentioned” — only she would add one more provision, the repeal of ObamaCare.

Bachmann said her economic plan would turn the economy around quickly. “If we get our will around this.  It will take one quarter and we’ll see the economy start to recover,” Bachmann said. “…I love people and I care about people. That’s what I want to see happen is to see that people have better lives.”

During the Q&A session, Bachmann added onto that. “I just don’t see how you turn this economy around without the repeal of ObamaCare,” she said.

AUDIO of Bachmann’s appearance in Norwalk.