Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi on "Batshit Crazy" Michele Bachmann

Matt Taibbi and Crazy Eyes

There are few journalists I remember by name, but few journalists are like Matt Taibbi. First, since he works at Rolling Stone magazine, he gets to write really in-depth articles, and he gets to swear.  But he knows precisely when to do it, and his articles are always entertaining, even when they scare you to death. He's also telegenic, so MSNBC should worry about Keith Olbermann nabbing him for a show on Current TV.

What Matt says about Michele Bachmann is something important to keep in mind: she's endlessly fun to make fun of; but she shouldn't be underestimated. Or maybe I should say misunderestimated, if you catch my drift. Sarah Palin is a similar character, but not nearly as driven. I get no sense that Palin actually really has much of an ideology, only snappy--and often wrong--things to say to increase her popularity. There is no depth to Palin. Bachmann either believes what she says--equally often wrong--or faked sincerity so long that it's the same difference. Bachmann is bonkers, but she's crafty bonkers. Of course, I worried about both Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee for their scary-but-sellable message, and they washed out. I hope Bachmann does too.  Because the truth is, Bachmann is only well known because of her gaffes and howlers. I've got to believe there's a difference between notoriety and popularity.

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Michele Bachmann's Holy War

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and, as you consider the career and future presidential prospects of an incredible American phenomenon named Michele Bachmann, do one more thing. Don't laugh. . .

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