Bachmann Visits Pella Only Weeks After Palin’s visit

Michele Bachmann steps off her bus in Pella, Iowa to be greated by Carl Grey (photo K.Allsup)

Pella, Iowa – Michele Bachmann’s bus rounded the corner onto Pella’s historic shopping district Saturday afternoon, amidst the withering heat of an Iowa afternoon.

The town has recently become accustomed to visits by presidential candidates and/or those considering a run for the Office. Sarah Palin was recently in Pella for her movie premier and Newt Gingrich had spoken earlier in the week at Pella Christian High School, at their Vermeer Auditorium.

Bachmann was in Pella on April 11, also speaking at the Vermeer Auditorium. She is in good company. Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, Herman Cain, and Ron Paul have also visited since the beginning of the year.

Michele was quickly greeted by Carl Grey, Marion County Republican Central Committee member, once she stepped off the bus. Iowa Senator Brad Zaun joined Bachmann on a tour of Historical Downtown Pella, that started at the historic Jaarsma Bakery on the South side of the square.

Once inside the bakery, the group quickly decided upon the traditional dutch letter that Jaarsma is famous for. Bachmann also talked with Jaarsma owner, Kristi Bulk, about what types of treats are favorites at her shop, along with other topics that most people ask when they are interested in how something is done. Bachmann was joking with the girls behind the counter at how Saturday is ‘zero calorie day’ in the treats. They all posed for a group photo and Michele continued to meet with those interested in talking with her.

Michele Bachmann meets the residents of Pella on Saturday when she visited town. (photo by K.Allsup)

The stop at the Hall Tree in Pella proved that, even when your a presidential candidate, snafu’s happen when paying for your purchase. The store didn’t accept their credit card of choice, but they were able to round up the cash for the nearly $97.00 in purchases.

Taking a stroll back down the block, Michele sat with folks on the benches that line the street and talked with them about their concerns. Bachmann then headed down the block toward Ulrich’s Meat Market, shaking hands and taking pictures all along the way. Once inside, she was greeted by Joe Becker, owner of Ulrich’s Meat Market. As Michele walked the store, looking at the various products available, the two discussed “Obamacare” and its impact on business. Bachmann told Becker, “That’s one thing I’m dedicated to doing, is repealing Obamacare. I’m dedicated to that.” Becker said, “That’s good.” Bachmann responded, “Because, we’ve got to turn the economy around and create jobs.”

When asked about raising the debt ceiling Bachmann said, “What we need to do is to make sure we don’t lose the full faith and credit of the United States.” She then referenced a press conference last Wednesday in which she stated, “We need to make sure that we take the issue off the table of defaulting on the full faith and credit of the United States. We have sufficient revenues coming in to pay for the interest obligations on the debt. We need to do that. We also need to make sure that our military men and women are paid.”

Michele Bachmann as she prepares to depart Pella, Iowa. This is her forth weekend in a row in Iowa. (photo by K.Allsup)

“But what will help Iowa, what will help all job creators, is to have the federal government spend less money.” Bachmann also went on to say that, “This math equation’s not going to work. To continue to spend a Trillion and a half more every year then what we have, that eventually will take us under; and so we’ve got to change this.”

“Don’t forget, President Obama spent a trillion dollars on the stimulus that did not yield what he promised. He’s overspending by a trillion five every year. President Bush’s greatest overspending, his year was 458 billion dollars.” Bachmann went on to comment further by saying, “President Obama is overspending by a factor of 3 more than what President Bush spent.”

I asked her this question about education, “In the year 2014 all schools are to be 100 percent proficient in ‘No Child Left Behind’. What will you do for education in your first term?” Bachmann responded by saying, “My plan is to repeal ‘No Child Left Behind’. I think it’s a very bad bill. I voted against anything to do with No Child Left Behind. I worked against it when I was in Minnesota in the State Senate. I believe it was well intentioned, but I believe it’s had disastrous consequences for our schools and I will work to repeal it.”