Rep. Michele Bachmann steadfastly refused Thursday to answer questions about her family’s business and finances.
The Minnesota Republican faced queries about Marcus Bachmann’s Christian counseling clinic that attempts to convert gay patients as well as her own beliefs on sexuality during a luncheon at the National Press Club.
Bachmann, who is campaigning hard ahead of next month’s debate and straw poll in Iowa, has steadfastly refused to discuss the family’s business that has faced criticism from gay rights groups.
She also faced questions about her opposition to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Washington Post reported this week that its analysis of her loan documents suggests her family used those federally subsidized programs in 2008.
“Unlike all of you, who I’m sure paid cash for your homes, there are people out there like myself who actually have to go to a bank to get a mortgage. This is a problem: it’s almost impossible to buy a home in this country today without the federal government being involved,” she said.
“We need to get the federal government out of these programs.”
Bachmann downplayed the catastrophic consequences predicted if lawmakers allow the United States to default on its debts.
Bachmann has vowed to vote against any increase in the debt ceiling and called the deal being negotiated on Capitol Hill as one based on “illusory” and “counterfeit” savings.
The nation faces a Tuesday deadline to increase Washington’s borrowing power to pay its bills. Congressional leaders were working to find a compromise that cuts future spending as a trade-off to avoid a government default that could send world markets crashing and could downgrade the United States’ credit rating.
Bachmann said that would not happen; she offered no specifics to back up that claim.
(source material AP)