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Manhattan Diary by Cahir O'Doherty

Michele Bachmann to debate a high schooler?

Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 09:44 AM

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We live in an age where potential Republican candidates for the presidency can apparently be bested by high schoolers.

If you thought Sarah Palin's deer in the headlights response to Katie Couric's questioning was a new low in national politics, and the fitness of GOP candidates, wait until you hear this.

Amy Myers, a 15 year old high school sophomore from Cherry Valley, New Jersey has challenged Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann to a public debate on the constitution, U.S. history, and civics.

Myers says that Bachmann's frequent factual errors, bald misstatements and total distortions aren't just bad for civic discourse - they're bad for women and the nation.

Meyer's letter:

"Dear Representative Bachmann,

My name is Amy Myers. I am a Cherry Hill, New Jersey sophomore attending Cherry Hill High School East. As a typical high school student, I have found quite a few of your statements regarding The Constitution of the United States, the quality of public school education and general U.S. civics matters to be factually incorrect, inaccurately applied or grossly distorted. The frequency and scope of these comments prompted me to write this letter.

Though I am not in your home district, or even your home state, you are a United States Representative of some prominence who is subject to national media coverage. News outlets and websites across this country profile your causes and viewpoints on a regular basis. As one of a handful of women in Congress, you hold a distinct privilege and responsibility to better represent your gender nationally.

The statements you make help to serve an injustice to not only the position of Congresswoman, but women everywhere. Though politically expedient, incorrect comments cast a shadow on your person and by unfortunate proxy, both your supporters and detractors alike often generalize this shadow to women as a whole.

Rep. Bachmann, the frequent inability you have shown to accurately and factually present even the most basic information about the United States led me to submit the follow challenge, pitting my public education against your advanced legal education:

I, Amy Myers, do hereby challenge Representative Michele Bachmann to a Public Forum Debate and/or Fact Test on The Constitution of the United States, United States History and United States Civics.

Hopefully, we will be able to meet for such an event, as it would prove to be enlightening.

Sincerely yours,
Amy Myers."

So far no one has been able to ascertain whether Meyers is an actual student or simply an adult making a statement about the debased level of discourse that passes for politics in some conservative circles nowadays. Time will twill. Either way the larger point is all too relevant.

Bachman's gambit, if indeed it is one, seems to be to deliberately dumb down her campaign positions to appeal to the prejudices of her less than enlightened supporters, which would imply she's a con artist - or she truly is in fact ruinously stupid and every inch the ignoramus her remarks make her out to be. Time will tell here too.

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maloney | May 20, 2011, 10:01 PM EDT

She still looks alot better than that mug shot of Cahir.

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jamieLM | May 16, 2011, 06:22 PM EDT

DannyBoyG - Mr. O'Doherty should be able to make his point, based on facts, that she isn't suitable to be a candidate for POTUS because of her stand on the issues and her lack of knowledge without a stupid picture. I guess you got a good laugh out of it, but I hope you judge people on their words and actions, though, instead of some goofy picture. Btw: maybe that was her reaction to hearing about Bin Laden's demise. LOL

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DannyBoyG | May 16, 2011, 05:37 PM EDT

jamieLM - A public photo is a PUBLIC photo. Get over it!! just shows us all who she really is CLOSE UP!!! :) Got to love it!!!!!!!!!!!

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jamieLM | May 16, 2011, 10:44 AM EDT

Can't you make your point without using unflattering photos of people you don't like? I would think you would've found out if Amy Meyers is a real high school student or not, or if this is just some kind of stunt before publishing this article. "Time will twill???"

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Fran Connor | May 16, 2011, 09:34 AM EDT

Meanwhile, Obama won't debate anyone. In fact, he won't speak in front of anyone unless he "packs" the room.

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eiriamach | May 15, 2011, 11:13 PM EDT

Michelle Bachmann is an embarrassment to women? Only to women who voted for her!

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ciarrai | May 15, 2011, 09:13 PM EDT

That would be a thing of beauty.

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Bubbastudd | May 15, 2011, 07:33 PM EDT

Why would Rep. Michele Bachmann waste her time "debating" some high-school brat who is only seeking face-time on the sappy morning shows?

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seanomelbourne | May 15, 2011, 06:50 PM EDT

My money is on the student.Bachmann is a self promoting loony.

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jamthecat | May 15, 2011, 05:53 PM EDT

Thank you, AengusOg, for helping me prove my point.

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McNamara31 | May 15, 2011, 04:57 PM EDT

Pittsburghkid.. The Tea Party did have effects on the mid-term elections because these elections have a very high turn out of senior citizens; however the presidentials in 2012 have a very large youth and independent vote, who usually vote differently. The real indicator will be the economy as we all agree and pulling this country out of the ditch that Bush created. Backman will never be a serious consideration, like Palin, she does the dirty work for the serious GOP candidates who attempt to keep their hands clean from shoveling fear and smear.

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olovely | May 15, 2011, 02:53 PM EDT

Bachmann is not a serious candidate. She's tragically ignorant. Quote: ''I find it interesting that it was back in the 1970s that the swine flu broke out under another, then under another Democrat president, Jimmy Carter. I'm not blaming this on President Obama, I just think it's an interesting coincidence.''

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Pittsburghkid | May 15, 2011, 02:45 PM EDT

Michelle Bachmann is getting serious consideration for President. She is a very intelligent person, and would make a better President, then the current President. You laugh at the Tea Party, and call them tea baggers, but the Tea Party is winning in the American Debate. The Tea Party has been reshaping American Politics. In the Tea Partys first electoral outing, it took many state government over the most noteable being Wisconsin, and the Congress, while almost taking the Senate. Please keep laughing at us, because your laughter is fuel for our victories.

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AengusOg | May 15, 2011, 02:34 PM EDT

Jamthecat, your paragraph is an excellent example of the pathetic state of our national discourse.

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jamthecat | May 15, 2011, 02:27 PM EDT

Michelle Bachmann is an embarrassment not only to women but the United States. That anyone who is so ill-informed and willing to make such ludicrous comments can not only hold high office but be paid attention to is a pathetic commentary on our national discourse. She is a disgrace, and those who support her are deliberate fools interested solely in ruining this country.

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