Michele Bachmann gets no laughs from Jay Leno

[Gerald]

Michele Bachmann has an awkward chat with Jay Leno, who pushed the Republican over gay marriage and the HPV vaccine.

Michele Bachmann: an awkward encounter with Jay Leno on the Tonight Show. Photograph: Win Mcnamee/Getty Images

For many celebrities, Jay Leno's Tonight Show is a fairly gentle outlet for publicity. But as Michele Bachmann discovered, Leno can have a sharp edge when he chooses to unsheath it.

If the Republican presidential contender was expecting a few jokes and some good PR, she didn't get it. Instead, the late-night talkshow host asked pointed questions about Bachmann's disputed objections to the HPV vaccine and gay marriage in an awkward encounter that showed Bachmann to be evasive under Leno's probing, while her own attempts at jokes fell flat.

The omens weren't good as Leno announced his line-up of guests, the audience giving big cheers for Jason Statham and Lady Antebellum – but not a single whoop could be heard for Bachmann when her name was mentioned.

After Bachmann came on stage to Walking on Sunshine, Leno dispensed with chit-chat and quickly asked Bachmann about her attacks on Texas governor Rick Perry's support for the HPV vaccine.

"Is that bad? it's a vaccine to prevent to prevent cervical cancer," asked Leno.

"Well I think so," replied Bachmann. "The concern is that there are potentially side effects that can come with something like that. But it gives a false sense of assurance to a young woman when she has that, that if she's sexually active that she doesn't have to worry about sexually transmitted diseases."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/richard-adams-blog/2011/sep/17/michele-bachmann-jay-leno-tonight


Note: September 17

[Torplexed]

The ironic thing is, generally speaking, antivaxxers tend to be on the left of the political spectrum. I sincerely doubt Bachmann is trying to get their vote. More likely, she is just displaying more of her antiscience predilections like creationism and global warming denialism. This just goes to show that when you go far enough to the left or right, both sides wind up meeting on the far-side of the moon. :-?

I think conspiracy theories surrounding vaccination and other medical services are insidious because they have a profound, direct effect on the human health. Medical science provides a truly stunning array of vaccines and treatments that are being unfairly and ignorantly assaulted by conspiracy theorists, the result of which is that fewer people are willing to care for their health that way.

[CaptainHaplo]

Bachman is on the wrong side of this. Her main objection is that its "mandated" - however she was not properly informed on the subject since one could "opt out" your child if desired.

Now she is on the defensive without a clear understanding of the problem, and is forced for political expediency to use this as an attack on the frontrunner, meaning she has wedged herself into a corner. Bad move on her campaign focus.

[Platapus]

Plus Perry's decision was overruled by the legislation before it even could come into effect.

I am rather surprised that Ms. Bachmann would talk about a topic she is not very knowledgeable about. That is so unlike her.

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

This just goes to show that when you go far enough to the left or right, both sides wind up meeting on the far-side of the moon. :-?:har:

[CaptainMattJ.]

shes practically the sum of everything i despise. And i am thankful she never gave herself a chance to be elected in the first place, with her endless stupidity.

[Torplexed]

shes practically the sum of everything i despise. And i am thankful she never gave herself a chance to be elected in the first place, with her endless stupidity.


Aww. Don't be too hard on her. She missed her anti-retardation shot as a child. :D

[Tribesman]

I am rather surprised that Ms. Bachmann would talk about a topic she is not very knowledgeable about. That is so unlike her.

Behave yourself , how can you kick them when they are down?