Has Bachmann changed her mind about the census?
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is planning to support a measure encouraging Americans to participate in the 2010 census.
Is that news?
As some may remember, the Stillwater Republican's critical comments about the census landed her in hot water last year, particularly when she said she would not completely fill out the census form.
In an interview on FOX News last June, Bachmann aired concerns about the Association for Community Organizers for Reform Now (ACORN) and government intrusion. To highlight this last point, she mentioned the U.S. Census bureau's hand in rounding up Japanese-Americans for internment camps. While emphasizing she was not accusing the administration of planning anything similar, she provided that fact as an example of a time when confidential information had been used against American citizens.
With her past comments in mind, some are painting Bachmann as a hypocrite today.
Bachmann spokesman Dave Dziok said that while he hears what critics are saying, her intention to vote for measure is not a position reversal. The Stillwater Republican still believes the census process has problems that need to be addressed. Her anticipated vote merely expresses her support that census be carried out accurately.
"She still has problems with the census," Dziok said, citing Bachmann's proposed legislation to change the process. "But it's happening whether she likes it or not."
