Bachmann stands by 'gangster government' remark

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From The Hill:

Firing back at former President Bill Clinton, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) on Wednesday defended her controversial “gangster government” criticism of Democrats.

Asked if she thought it was appropriate to use the term as American frustration with government hits record levels and lawmakers have received death threats, Bachmann told The Hill, “Absolutely, I do.”

As an ardent proponent of free markets and small government, Bachmann is standing by the phrase that Michael Barone of the Washington Examiner coined in 2009 — and one that Clinton recently said could incite violence against federal officials.

Other Republicans are not embracing “gangster government” as a talking point. During an appearance on “Meet the Press,” Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) on Sunday distanced herself from Bachmann’s statement, saying, “Those are words that she chose. Those are statements she made.”

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