Oh, that brain trust that is Michele Bachmann has struck again. Not content in staking her intelligence solely on the "scientific fact" of creationism, Professor Bachmann has shown her expertise in foreign policy and 20th century history with yet another gaffe:
Michele Bachmann told supporters in Iowa on Wednesday of her lofty plans for American diplomacy, claiming that a Bachmann presidency would mean no U.S. embassy in Iran.
Considering the recent hostility in the Iranian capital of Tehran against the British embassy, the comment might not seem particularly out of place -- if not for the fact that the U.S. hasn't actually had a functioning embassy in Iran since 1980.
Yeah, there was this little thing, maybe you've heard of it....the storming of the US Embassy and taking hostages? Gave birth to Nightline and ultimately, the 24 hour/day cable stations? Guaranteed that Jimmy Carter would be a one term president and ushered in the Age of Reagan? It was kind of a big deal in 1980. Bachmann was 24 and a law student in 1980, you'd think she might remember a bit of it, but no, that would be too factually-based for an alumnus of Oral Roberts University Law School. Officially, her campaign staff claimed that she is aware (*cough* riiiigggghhhhtt *cough*) and was simply answering the question as a hypothetical and was taken out of context.
There's no question that the current events in Tehran surrounding the UK embassy have some notable and concerning parallels to the events in 1979/80. But that notwithstanding, Bachmann's failure to even retain basic, fundamental historical moments that affect our current foreign policy should (in a sane, rational country) eliminate her entirely as a credible candidate for the presidency (among the plethora of other gaffes and boners that have provided such fodder to stand up comedians). Ironically, it was announced yesterday that she was one of seven candidates who qualified with enough national support (along with Cain, Gingrich, Paul, Perry, Romney and Santorum. Huntsman and Roemer--the two most sane candidates--failed to qualify) for the next Republican primary debate on December 10.
At this point, Bachmann's supporters appear to me to qualify for conservatorship.
