Queen of Ditz

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A pair of conservative bloggers are freaking over a just-out Newsweek cover photo of Rep. Michelle Bachmann, claiming in effect that Tina Brown's publication is doing to the radical-right Congressperson what Life magazine did to Charles Manson in 1969. Except Bachmann does project what Chris Matthews once described as a "moronic stare" -- ditzoid, glassy-eyed. It's not Photoshop. That's how she looks.

An appalled Noel Sheppard of newsbusters.org wrote, "Exactly what were the editors thinking putting this kind of a picture of a sitting Congresswoman and presidential candidate on their cover?"

An unidentified editor at Freedom's Lighthouse has asked, "Can anyone really say with a straight face that the mainstream media is not totally biased against conservatives?"

I'm presuming that other conversatives will chime in on this issue today. I'd like a friend-of-Bachmann to make a case that her eyes don't have that dopey-alien-from Trafalmadore expression all on their own, without Tina Brown's help. Because they clearly do.

Here's an excellent, keenly observant profile (dated 8.15) of Bachmann by The New Yorker's Ryan Lizza.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 8, 2011 at 9:18 AM

comment #1

Markj74 says ...

That face just bleeds ignorance and stupidity.

Posted by Markj74 at August 8, 2011 10:12 AM

comment #2

cinefan says ...

That freakish photo gives me yet another reason to despise Bachmann (not that I needed another one, mind you).

Posted by cinefan at August 8, 2011 10:13 AM

comment #3

Floyd Thursby says ...

As far as the conspiracy goes, I've seen dozens on unflattering photos of H. Clinton over the years, including ones in the NYT.

Posted by Floyd Thursby at August 8, 2011 10:14 AM

comment #4

George Prager says ...

I'm reminded of Jim Brown's line in FINGERS:

"She enjoys her shit."

Posted by George Prager at August 8, 2011 10:16 AM

comment #5

Joe Leydon says ...

To be honest, in this particular photo, she looks like The DRAG Queen of Rage.

Posted by Joe Leydon at August 8, 2011 10:21 AM

comment #6

corey3rd says ...

When will Conservative pundits come to understand ""That's her face, live with it."

These guys are beyond sports homers.

Posted by corey3rd at August 8, 2011 10:21 AM

comment #7

Mr. F. says ...

If they really wanted an *accurate* picture of Bachmann... they should have found one where she was faced slightly off the lens, looking at the wrong camera.

Newsweek is doing her a favor.

Posted by Mr. F. at August 8, 2011 10:21 AM

comment #8

austin111 says ...

Stepford Wives anyone?

Posted by austin111 at August 8, 2011 10:23 AM

comment #9

62Lincoln says ...

What is in the water in Minnesota? Bachmann, Franken... ugh.

Posted by 62Lincoln at August 8, 2011 10:26 AM

comment #10

EricGilde says ...

Tsk, tsk, Jeff...

It's not right to be so overly harsh to the Tralfamadorians.

Posted by EricGilde at August 8, 2011 10:36 AM

comment #11

George Prager says ...

I was going to make a dentist appointment, but now I think I'll just let my teeth rot.

Posted by George Prager at August 8, 2011 10:44 AM

comment #12

SaveFarris says ...

Nope, no bias whatsoever in how Newsweek photographs political figures.

None whatsoever.

Posted by SaveFarris at August 8, 2011 11:00 AM

comment #13

cricket says ...

I have no doubt it's intentionally unflattering. But, seeing as how her kind of a crazy is an existential threat to democracy itself, that doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Posted by cricket at August 8, 2011 11:02 AM

comment #14

Ray DeRousse says ...

But it was okay when they characterized Hillary Clinton as a shrewish, megalomaniacal harpy.

Posted by Ray DeRousse at August 8, 2011 11:08 AM

comment #15

4th grade army says ...

God, she looks like shit in that picture. If you keep staring at the photo she gets uglier by the second until she turns into some sort of mythological troll.

They kinda did the same thing with Sarah Palin during the campaign and the Right went ballistic for a day, though Palin does photograph better. I don't think there's any question which way Newsweek leans.

Doesn't bother me either, mostly because she's such a repulsive human being.

Posted by 4th grade army at August 8, 2011 11:20 AM

comment #16

notmyrealusername says ...

All conservative women seem to have the "crazy eyes" (see http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2010/11/11/142223/12/Diary/There-s-something-about-Republican-Conservative-women-)

And that list doesn't even include Newt wackjob wife, Calista.

Posted by notmyrealusername at August 8, 2011 11:40 AM

comment #17

Dan Geiser says ...

She sort of looks like a grey. Especially in the video.

Posted by Dan Geiser at August 8, 2011 11:44 AM

comment #18

Glenn Kenny says ...

Longer Save Farris: "They make that n****r bitch look good, but make my KKKueen look like a crazy person? I call foul!"

Posted by Glenn Kenny at August 8, 2011 11:58 AM

comment #19

62Lincoln says ...

It's Newsweek? Who is going to notice?

Posted by 62Lincoln at August 8, 2011 12:10 PM

comment #20

The Pope says ...

The thing that the Republicans will never admit to is that the "mainstream media" is actually more committed to saving America than right-wing nutters.I consider it no so much a matter of free speech, but a moral imperative that as many news outlets use those photos as often as possible.

But you know, if OBachman really has an issue with the photo being used... she should insist on photo approval. Just like all those puffed up and pampered movie stars do in Hollywood.

Posted by The Pope at August 8, 2011 12:18 PM

comment #21

Zerowing says ...

Newsweek has put Sarah Palin on the cover half a dozen times over the last couple of years. Each time with an attractive photo. Newsweek just wants covers that sell or create buzz, regardless of political orientation.

That Bachmann cover is an accurate reflection of who she is. Even Tea Partiers will admit that she's an utter whackjob. I know more than a few TPers, all of whom acknowledge that she's off her rocker. All of them have chosen not to care. For them, purity of vision is more important than sanity.

According to the New Yorker article, BACHMANN IS A WHITE SUPREMACIST. Also not something my Tea Partying acquaintances & relatives will have a problem with.

Posted by Zerowing at August 8, 2011 12:39 PM

comment #22

bents75 says ...

The Tea Party is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.

Posted by bents75 at August 8, 2011 1:02 PM

comment #23

Krillian says ...

You have White Supremicist relatives? That must suck.

Deliberately unflattering picture. They caught that moment mid-blink where she looks crazy-evil. Unfortunately she blinks a lot.

Posted by Krillian at August 8, 2011 1:07 PM

comment #24

Jason S. says ...

Fucking creepier than anything in "Insidious." Bachmann belongs in a David Lynch movie as a bat-shit insane crone.

Posted by Jason S. at August 8, 2011 1:33 PM

comment #25

Super Soul says ...

Holy shit, I'm back in high school. Please let me wake up from this to find that it's only Klaus and Bruno torturing me for attacking Sergeant Kruger.

Posted by Super Soul at August 8, 2011 1:42 PM

comment #26

Edward says ...

Electing someone as extreme as Bachmann seems easier to do in a statewide race as opposed to a national race. Unless I'm completely underestimating the nation's electorate. If Bachmann or Palin become President, we're really screwed. Are there no moderate Republicans who could actually be worth voting for. Heresy, I know, coming from a leftist!

Posted by Edward at August 8, 2011 1:51 PM

comment #27

Wax Rhapsodic says ...

I'm about as ardent a leftist as they come, and definitely anti-Bachmann, but Christ, why does the left-wing insist on making ourselves look bad?

Everyone knows runaway bride eyes are an incontrovertable sign of "batshit crazy" so let's put up a photo of the Tea Party queen with wild staring eye to reinforce the myth.

Are the photo editors at Newsweek really Tea Partiers in disguise? Way to give our enemies all of the "liberal media" ammunition they need to discredit us in the eyes of the coveted "independent vote."

Posted by Wax Rhapsodic at August 8, 2011 2:38 PM

comment #28

the sordid sentinel says ...

Intensely creepy picture. Reminds me of the Arizona shooter's mug shot. Or Ted Bundy's. Or (insert psycho here).

Posted by the sordid sentinel at August 8, 2011 3:00 PM

comment #29

Zerowing says ...

Krillian, my Tea Party acquaintances and relatives aren't white supremacists, certainly not on any immediate or personal level. They just don't expend energy worrying about the unpleasant beliefs or personal lives of Republican politicians.

Especially when those politicians provide clarity of vision on the primary Tea Party issue: reversing 50 years of history (except for all the good parts like wars and stuff).

Posted by Zerowing at August 8, 2011 3:26 PM

comment #30

DiscoNap says ...

She looks like she just got arraigned for beheading her godless children. This is the face of 30 years of having to turn down anal.

Posted by DiscoNap at August 8, 2011 3:32 PM

comment #31

Kakihara says ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIIdKzKA2GY

Posted by Kakihara at August 8, 2011 7:38 PM

comment #32

mizerock says ...

I'd like to see the other photos they considered. I don't consider it impossible that this is the best one they had to work with. Maybe she only had time to pose for a few pictures?

But it's true, it's not a flattering shot.

Posted by mizerock at August 9, 2011 12:45 PM

comment #33