Politics & Government
Ex-Aide: Michele Bachmann OK'd Paying IA Senator But Wasn't Aware of Ban
Andy Parrish's affadavit to an Iowa Senate ethics panel said the congresswoman didn't know presidential campaign payments violated rule, news organizations reported Monday.
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) knew about payments to Iowa Senator Kent Sorenson during her 2012 presidential campaign but didn't know they weren't allowed under Iowa Senate ethics rules.
That's what media outlets are highlighting from an affadavit (see PDF) filed Monday by Andy Parrish, a former Bachmann aide. You can read the affadavit and an analysis at the St. Paul Pioneer Press' Political Animal blog or at MinnPost.
Thatcher Funeral
A highlight of Bachmann's week was her attendance at the memorial service for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. A WCCO-AM radio interview with her from London is now available at YouTube (click on the YouTube thumbnail or visit YouTube.com).
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Campaign Fundraising
Bachmann's congressional campaign fundraising has so far outpaced that of Jim Graves, the DFLer who recently announced he will try to unseat her again in 2014. Her first-quarter figures were fourth-largest nationwide for candidates in congressional races, USA Today reported. But Graves told Politico money is pouring into his campaign coffers since his announcement.
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