Bachmann stance on BP cleanup is indefensible (State Sen. Tarryl Clark)

Michele Bachmann is in an oily hole. And she’s still digging.

Despite repeated opportunities to apologize or back down from her misguided opposition to efforts to hold British Petroleum (BP) – and not taxpayers -- accountable for the costs of their oil spill, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann continues to stand up for BP. It’s outrageous.

You’ll recall that last week, Congresswoman Bachmann took to the airwaves to defend BP, first giving them advice to not be “chumps” or get “fleeced,” and calling the Administration’s efforts to ensure that BP set aside money for compensating victims “extortion.” Later in the week, she said, “… let’s just make sure that this isn’t a permanent ATM card.”

Condemnation of Congresswoman Bachmann’s comments was swift from across Minnesota – which isn’t surprising, since over 80% of Americans support making BP, not taxpayers, pay for cleanup – and my campaign has taken her to task over these remarks in a new TV ad.

Yet Congresswoman Bachmann can’t seem to understand why her statements are so outrageous. Even Bill O’Reilly was perplexed, after Bachmann reiterated on “The O’Reilly Factor” that the push to set up the fund was “crossing a line.”

While her current stance is indefensible, we really should all be used to it by now. For years Bachmann has traveled the country in pursuit of her own agenda, one that doesn’t work for the people of Minnesota’s 6th District. By her own admission, she has accomplished nothing for the people of the 6th District in her four years in Congress.

That's why it is so important that we have a new voice in Congress in November. It is time for someone who stands up for Minnesotans, not for BP – or the insurance companies, or Wall Street. And it is time for someone that will tackle the difficult challenges – like unemployment and foreclosure – that are crippling communities across our district.

I’ve spent my entire career working to strengthen Minnesota families and communities, whether it was founding Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, or working with Democrats and Republicans as a State Senator to cut wasteful spending, create jobs and build a better future for working families. I’ve got a record of bi-partisan results that stands in stark contrast to Congresswoman Bachmann’s “just say no” career.

And now with Bachmann’s repeated defense of BP, the choice is even clearer. Vote for Michele Bachmann and you’ll get more of the same policies that got us into this mess in the first place. Vote for me, and we’ll get right to work – together – to put an end to business as usual in Washington.

This is the message we’re taking directly to the voters with an unprecedented grassroots effort, and our campaign is catching fire. Tens of thousands of Minnesotans have joined us by giving their time or their money, including thousands who have visited www.TarrylClark.com to sign up and support our campaign.

That’s what it will take to win – and it’s critical that we do. We can’t afford two more years of Michele Bachmann. It’s time to bring real representation to Minnesota’s 6th District.