Specter delivers etiquette lesson to Bachmann

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann is no lady, according to a senatorial elder statesman, who advised her — twice — to “act like a lady” on a Philadelphia radio show this week.

Bachmann, the Republican lightning rod from Minnesota, and U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., who has served in the Senate for almost 30 years, made a joint appearance this week on a conservative Philly radio talk show hosted by Dom Giordano.

During the show, Specter challenged Bachmann to articulate what she stands for, and Bachmann went on at great length about cutting taxes and voting for “prosperity.”

When Specter tried to respond, Bachmann interrupted repeatedly until finally Specter — who turns 80 next month — apparently reached the end of his patience.

“I’m going to treat you like a lady,” Specter snapped. “Now act like one.”

“I am a lady,” Bachmann countered.

The two continued sparring until once again Specter advised the Minnesota congresswoman to “act like a lady.”

“I think I am a lady,” she replied.

“I think you are too,” Specter said. “That’s why I’m treating you like one.”

Bachmann, who turns 54 in April, later told her BFF Sean Hannity on his Fox News show that she was “stunned” by Specter’s “arrogance. She said she was “treated like a little girl,” “patronized” and essentially told to “go sit down and shut up in a corner.”

“I thought, ‘This is how you treat women?’” Bachmann told Hannity. “I couldn’t believe it.”

She said she expects their exchange to “be the end of Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania.”

Specter is facing a primary challenge this year from Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak. In the general election, former Republican Rep. Pat Toomey, who is likely to receive his party’s nomination, has been ahead of Specter and others in recent polling.

2 Responses to “Specter delivers etiquette lesson to Bachmann”

1. Brian Says:
   January 22nd, 2010 at 1:01 pm

   I would have to argue that Arlen Specter has hardly ever acted like a man, let alone an upstanding politician.

2. John J Says:
   January 22nd, 2010 at 6:31 pm

   I give credit to Goldberg. He’s been a a writer, journalist and commentator for some 30 odd years. He basically called it as he saw it, no spin. So much for O’Reilly’s No Spin Zone. Goldberg’s an astute of observor and doesn’t pander to anyone.

   I know O’Reilly respects him for it. The dust is beginning to settle on Palin. No doubt Palin has charisma, but so does Kermit the Frog. I know who I’d prefer as VP. Ms Piggy might come along as well with her lipstick.