FUMBLE – BACHMANN TAKES HER OUTRAGE ONE STEP TOO FAR

This week's perspective from Bob Reid: So Republican presidential hopeful Michelle Bachmann steps out of the wings for her appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon this week, to plug both her campaign and her new book.  The house band, The Roots, do their thing and launch into a musical excerpt to “play her on.”  Trouble is, the tune chosen by the band was a Fishbone track from 1985 titled “Lyin’ Ass B----.”  Bachmann didn’t twig to it at first, but sure got it soon after, demanding apologies from all involved (although professing her love for Fallon and his show).  She said it crossed the line, suggesting that there’s no way that, say, Michelle Obama would have been intro’d with a song like that – and that if she had, apologies would have been forthcoming right away from the top levels of NBC and heads would have rolled over the stunt.  Fair enough, and a valid point.  But then, she took it a step further, saying it smacked of sexism:  "This is clearly a form of bias on the part of the Hollywood entertainment elite," Bachmann said. “This wouldn't be tolerated if this was Michelle Obama. It shouldn't be tolerated if it's a conservative woman either."  You already had us, Michelle … but by taking it to the realm of sexism, media bias and partisan politics, you took the bloom off your hurt.  Often, the smartest communications play is to recognize where the line is and make sure you don’t stomp on it.  In the end, she got apologies from both Fallon and the network brass, which was the right thing for them to do.

Bob Reid has been a journalist and media advisor to a former Ontario Premier. He is now Veritas' principal media coach.