Nov 8, 2011 10:50am

Bachmann Would Use “Every Military Option” to Deal With Iran

As Israel flirts with the possibility of using military force against Iran, GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said if elected she would stand with America’s ally and consider “every military option” to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“As president of the United States I will stand with Israel,” Bachmann said in an interview today with ABC News/Yahoo. “I will not do as this president has done and put daylight between the United States and Israel. That was a foolish decision. I also will put every military option we have on the table to deal with an Iran that seeks a nuclear weapon.”

Bachmann said President Obama has “taken his eye off the ball” when it comes to Iran’s nuclear aspirations and created “tremendous heightened hostilities” in the Middle East by distancing America from Israel.

“The president has failed the American people in perhaps almost every way the president could,” she said.

The Minnesota congresswoman said she could think of only one decision the president has made that was not “very foolish.”

“I agree with the fact that he didn’t have a new Marine One helicopter made,” Bachmann said, referring to the presidential helicopter.

Obama did purchase a new limousine, she said, but decided to forego having a new “outrageously expensive” helicopter made. Preliminary contracts for an updated Marine One fleet in 2009 put the price tag for each chopper at $400 million, roughly the same price as the president’s Boeing 747 jetliner, Air Force One.

“That was a good move that he made,” she said.

While Bachmann’s disdain for the current president was apparent, she had kind words for two lesser-known Commanders-in-Chief.

When asked which former president should be the fifth face on Mt. Rushmore, Bachmann passed over GOP-darling Ronald Reagan in favor of James Garfield, America’s 20th president.

“Ronald Reagan would be a good choice, but I think that Garfield was the last member who was from the House of Representatives who became president of the United States,” said Bachmann, who is serving her fourth term in the House. “And he was a very wonderful man.”

Garfield was in office a mere 200 days before he was assassinated in 1881, making his term the second-shortest in American history. Only William Henry Harrison, the ninth president, served a shorter term at 32 days.

Bachmann also singled out Calvin Coolidge as Mt. Rushmore-worthy, “because Calvin Coolidge was able to get the United States budget way on track and he really was a taking care of business kind of guy.”

ABC News’ Russell Goldman contributed to this report. 

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User Comments

Ms. Bachmann, like many US politicians doesn’t understand the limits of current force. We have something like 10 divisions total today to meet all our obligations. During WWII by comparison just looking a one Army, Patton’s Third Army, there were 42 divisions. While our soldiers today are excellently trained and equipped, they can only be at one place at one time. And folks like Ms. Bachmann, need to get a handle on that very basic fact.

Posted by: Dave | November 8, 2011, 11:07 am 11:07 am

What has she said? The White House, Defense Dept and State Dept have all said the military option is still on the table. Does she want to strike Iran immediately?

Posted by: tmferretti | November 8, 2011, 11:12 am 11:12 am

what a fool! She needs to use every option to speak without offending everyone. She needs to keep that dim bulb in her own house. President material? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! barely human material.

Posted by: gypsyEyes | November 8, 2011, 11:13 am 11:13 am

I’m just thankful we Democrats have women like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Gabriel Giffords. Like them or not, they are strong, smart and articulate women. The poor republicans have to deal with Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman and Christine O’Donnell.

Posted by: tmferretti | November 8, 2011, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm

…..another repubnik said the same thing about Iraq !!!!!

Posted by: wayne | November 8, 2011, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm

” I’m just thankful we Democrats have women like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Gabriel Giffords. Like them or not, they are strong, smart and articulate women. The poor republicans have to deal with Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman and Christine O’Donnell.”—————They do have Olympia Snow , I don’t know how she can stomach being a conservative though . She’s actually kind of reasonable in general ,without the rabid peon persona that most all conservative females ( and males as well for that matter ) seem to possess . A person has to be a 1) (a)-hole or 2) nut/ loon or 3) a nutty / loon (a)-hole to be a conservative evidently ….

Posted by: davem | November 8, 2011, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm

DAVEM

Your right, Olympia Snow is a class act, as is Kay Baily Hutchinson from Texas

Posted by: tmferretti | November 8, 2011, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm

Its really amazing whenever accusations are made about Israels enemies there is always a Jewish person lurking in the background “acting” like a normal American or European citizen. In actuality their loyalty lies with the state of Israel. These people will cause much suffering for the rest of us while they sit back. I by no means think all Jewish people are bad quite the contrary I am humbled by the number of Jews that stand up for what is right. Mrs Bachmann lived in Israel she support only Israel not America in this case.

Posted by: Raul | November 8, 2011, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm

Just more proof that she’s insane, and should not be allowed near power, of any kind.

Posted by: Protect America | November 8, 2011, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

How does this dimwit Bachmann know that James Garfield was a wonderful man? Did she know him personally?

Posted by: Tyler | November 8, 2011, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm

Sure, all military options should be available against Iran. And against Israel, also.

Posted by: Greg Groebner | November 9, 2011, 9:34 am 9:34 am

The President of Iran has repeatedly threatened to wipe Israel off the map. He’s also threatened to destroy America. Iran is making steady progress towards building nuclear weapons with the intent to carry out these threats. Imminent threats against the US must be dealt with. How would you feel if your best friend abandoned you when you needed them the most?

Posted by: Kliberty | November 9, 2011, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

GOOD THING WE INVADED A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY TO FIND THOSE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, I MEAN WE PRESERVED PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST OR SOMETHING? Learn history’s lessons Kliberty or we’ll all be back to Nazi Germany by your reason of logic.

Posted by: Bibberty | November 12, 2011, 12:34 am 12:34 am

This woman is an Idiot!

Posted by: Contreras | December 4, 2011, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm

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