The New Media Narrative: Michele Bachmann, Pill Head?

As Sarah Palin once observed, when there's nothing there, the Media will simply Make Stuff Up to fit their agenda.

The latest buzz is a Daily Caller article by Jonathan Strong with the cute title:"Stress-related condition ‘incapacitates’ Bachmann; heavy pill use alleged."

Yes, to hear Jonathan Strong tell it, Michele Bachmann is just an inch away from Lindsay Lohan. Check this out:

The Minnesota Republican frequently suffers from stress-induced medical episodes that she has characterized as severe headaches. These episodes, say witnesses, occur once a week on average and can “incapacitate” her for days at time. On at least three occasions, Bachmann has landed in the hospital as a result.

“She has terrible migraine headaches. And they put her out of commission for a day or more at a time. They come out of nowhere, and they’re unpredictable,” says an adviser to Bachmann who was involved in her 2010 congressional campaign. “They level her. They put her down. It’s actually sad. It’s very painful.”

Bachmann’s medical condition wouldn’t merit public attention, but for the fact she is running for president. Some close to Bachmann fear she won’t be equal to the stress of the campaign, much less the presidency itself.

“When she gets ‘em, frankly, she can’t function at all. It’s not like a little thing with a couple Advils. It’s bad,” the adviser says. “The migraines are so bad and so intense, she carries and takes all sorts of pills. Prevention pills. Pills during the migraine. Pills after the migraine, to keep them under control. She has to take these pills wherever she goes.”

Lessee..has she ever missed a vote because of a medical episode? Ever missed a major appearance? Ummm, no.Has she ever had to drop out of campaigning or legislating for any extended period because of a medical condition? No again.

And I love the 'sources'..a former aide says this, 3 people who worked closely with her say that, an adviser to Bachmann who was involved in her 2010 congressional campaign says all sorts of things. And all of it anonymous, especially the tidbit about whose rival presidential campaign they're working on now.

And what if she does take medication for a migraine now and then? FDR had polio, John F. Kennedy was a walking pharmacopeia with back problems and Addison's Disease to deal with among other things, and there were hours at a time when they couldn't even find Bill Clinton or had any idea where he was if you believe the man in charge of his Secret Service detail. They all managed to function as president.

The idea behind this attempted hatchet job is to plant a seed, to start the ball rolling. They did exactly the same thing with Governor Palin. Remember 'Troopergate' or the nonsense about her supposed $150,000 wardrobe? The idea is to plant a hit piece that is then linked and sourced as credible to build the Narrative.

The Daily Caller ought to be ashamed for participating in this garbage.

UPDATE: Michele Bachmann replies, via her website:

“Like nearly 30 million other Americans, I experience migraines that are easily controlled with medication. I am a wife, a mother, a lawyer who worked her way through law school, a former state senator who achieved the repeal of a harmful piece of education policy in Minnesota, and a congresswoman who has worked tirelessly fighting against the expansion of government and wasteful spending.

“Since entering the campaign, I have maintained a full schedule between my duties as a congresswoman and as a presidential candidate traveling across the nation to meet with voters in the key, early primary and caucus states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. I have prescription medication that I take whenever symptoms arise and they keep the migraines under control. Let me be abundantly clear – my ability to function effectively has never been impeded by migraines and will not affect my ability to serve as Commander in Chief.

“The many questions I have received on this subject have allowed me to discuss this important condition that impacts individuals in nearly one in four households. However, as a presidential candidate and office holder, I am focused on performing my job, which has never been more important given the state of our economy and the millions of Americans that are out of work. While I appreciate the concern for me and my health, the greater concern should be the debate that is occurring in Washington over whether or not we will increase our debt, spending and taxes.”

(HT,Gateway Pundit)

please donate...it helps me write more gooder!