Bachmann speaks to Helms school

The Helms School of Government hosted Minnesota Representative and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann after convocation on Wednesday, Sept. 28, to address select law and government students, the Liberty University Debate Team and press members.

“Dr. Falwell’s dream was to raise up champions for Christ, and Michele Bachmann’s visit provided a poignant example of what that looks like,” said Shawn Akers, dean of the Helms School of Government. “Even after having achieved great success, she is entirely unashamed of her dedication to Christ and her core values. By taking the time to personally visit with a group of our students, she gave them a glimpse of servant-leadership in action.”

During this time, Bachmann opened the floor to spectators in order to answer their questions, stating, “I’d love to hear what’s on your mind, what your thoughts are.” The questions came from four different individuals and covered a range of topics from who Bachmann would potentially pick as her Vice President, to the fact that she is a female running for president.

Bachmann was open about her relationship with her husband, stating that they have developed a mutual respect for one another.

“I respect my husband’s headship of our home,” Bachmann said. “He respects me and what I bring to our marriage and our relationship. He is the head of our home, and I’m not threatened by that because I know that this man loves me and would lay down his life for me and for our children.”

Bachmann said that, at one point, she had to put off continuing law school in order for her husband to pursue going into ministry, but she said that it ended up being a good decision and she was able to continue her education and career later on. She said she was willing to do it since she values family above her career. She urged the audience, specifically students, to do the same.

“Along the way, do not forget to get married. Do not forget to have a family,” Bachmann said. “There is absolutely nothing that will define you more, or bring you greater or deeper joy or be your legacy more than that family.”

The topic of gender roles was pursued further when another student asked how she would respond to evangelical Christians who would not vote for her because of the fact that she is a woman. Bachmann’s answer was simple.

“I am not running to be anyone’s spiritual authority,” Bachmann said. “I think that scripture (1 Timothy 2:12) deals with spiritual authority. That is not the position that I am in. I’ve been a federal tax lawyer, I’ve been a state senator, I’ve been a member of the United States’ Congress, and now I am seeking to be the president of the United States.”

Bachmann referenced Proverbs 31, stating that the woman in that biblical passage clearly has a successful occupation, and that is what she is seeking as well.

“This is a secular occupation,” Bachmann said.

On the topic of her limited executive experience, Bachmann responded, “The person who has the most executive experience in this race is the person who is currently occupying the White House. Nobody has more executive experience than he has. But what we’re seeing is that executive experience was not Barack Obama’s problem. It’s the fact that he’s wrong on the issues.”

From working two and three jobs to put herself through college, to accumulating capital to start a successful company with her husband, as well as her career as a federal tax lawyer, Bachmann said that her past and personal experiences have prepared her to face the challenge of turning the country around financially.

“There’s no one running for president who understands the tax code the way that I do,” Bachmann said. “My entire practice has been limited to the United Stated federal tax court.”

A simple and brief outline of how Bachmann said she would correct the struggling economy included such actions as having a zero percent repatriation tax, bringing outsourced companies back to America by taking the corporate tax rate from about 34 percent “down to about the lowest in the industrialized world” and alleviating the regulatory burden by passing a mother of all repeal bills.

“Then I will repeal Obamacare,” Bachmann said. “I will pass the three free trade agreements that are negotiated, that are good to go…. The other thing I will do is legalize American energy production.”

Bachmann said the government has put America’s abundant natural resources off-limits by having moratoriums.

Bachmann said little on the topic of her possible vice presidential nominee, except for giving a generic description of the type of person she would choose.

“I would be looking for a strong, bold, constitutional conservative, because the person who would be vice president would need to be able to step in and fulfill my duties if I was no longer able to fulfill them,” Bachmann said.

“Nice try, though,” she added, speaking to the student who had asked her the question.

Students and faculty were exposed to a more personal look at Bachmann, who willingly answered all the questions directed at her, shook hands with those seated in the front row and even stayed briefly afterwards to sign autographs and take photos, undeterred by the administration ushering her out. On the issues of her campaign, Bachmann was equally unwavering.

“The solution is not that hard,” Bachmann said. “It’s a lack of a political will to make that happen, so we need to have someone who will stand behind these very common-sense … solutions and make it happen. That’s what I’ve got. I may not be the tallest candidate on stage but I’ll tell you, I’d put my spine up against any man on that stage and I will do what I say I will do.”