Rep. Bachmann: Accusing People Of Racism Is Bad, Except When Glenn Beck Does It

On the day before the House passed the Affordable Care Act, Tea Party activists stormed the Capitol in a final attempt to "kill the bill." According to witnesses, the scene turned ugly when protesters shouted racist and homophobic slurs at Democratic lawmakers. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), a civil rights hero, was reportedly called the n-word. 

To their credit, GOP leaders were quick to condemn the vulgar behavior. However, in the aftermath of the incident, some conservatives have tried to blame Democrats for provoking the protesters with "totalitarian tactics." Going a step further, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has suggested her Democratic colleagues are lying. 

Last night on Fox News, Bachmann accused those reporting racist behavior among the Tea Partiers of committing "slander." As the congresswoman told Sean Hannity, "I think in 2010 America, to call someone a racist is probably one of the worst things that you possibly can do."

BACHMANN: Well, I think in 2010 America, to call someone a racist is probably one of the worst things that you possibly can do.  So either they need to have some very strong proof of racial motivation or this is an irresponsible insult that's actually slander.  So I think it's beyond calling "wolf" now on this issue.  Either you have proof or you don't. 

Watch:

Bachmann's mantra on racism, which was recently trumpeted by Andrew Breitbart, is convenient but ridiculous.  Sure, calling someone a racist is a serious charge.  But actually being a racist (or acting like one) is, obviously, much worse. 

Meanwhile, calling someone a liar is also no small potatoes.  But Bachmann, who habitually struggles with the facts, is accusing Lewis and journalists who overheard the bigotry of being just that -- as if it's inconceivable that protesters might say out loud what some (not all) of them have been expressing for months.  

What's more, Bachmann appears only to be offended when conservatives are charged with racism.  She is a regular guest on Glenn Beck's show, even though Beck infamously called President Obama "a racist" with a "deep-seated hatred of white people." Last year, Bachmann said that people "love Glenn Beck" because they "want to go where they can find the truth."